An Exploratory Analysis of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Among Persons Experiencing Eviction.

A paucity of research has examined the prevalence of domestic and intimate partner violence (DV/IPV) victimization among persons experiencing eviction. The current study uses administrative records for a random sample of evicted adults in Omaha, Nebraska from 2017 to 2019 (n = 306) to assess the prevalence of DV/IPV victimization among evicted persons and differences among the DV/IPV and no DV/IPV groups. Findings indicated over 20% of evicted persons experienced DV/IPV victimization, and DV/IPV often preceded the first eviction. DV/IPV disproportionately impacted Black women. Implications regarding the compounding consequences of eviction and DV/IPV victimization and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Differences Among Types of Sexual Misconduct Incidents Reported to Title IX Coordinators and Institutional Stability in Incidents Over Time.

Sexual misconduct incidents reported to Title IX coordinators and stability in incident characteristics within institutions of higher education (IHEs) over time were examined. Data included two waves of reported incidents in 2016-2018 (n = 2,598) and 2018-2020 (n = 2,778) across Maryland IHEs (N = 40). Findings showed most reported incidents were for Other Sexual Misconduct (e.g., sexual harassment) versus Sexual Assault I (i.e., rape) or Sexual Assault II (e.g., unwanted sexual touching). Types of sexual misconduct differed regarding reporting by responsible employees, nonstudent perpetrators, and the range of accommodations accessed; institutional-level profiles of sexual misconduct were stable across waves. Implications and future research are discussed.

Universal mandatory reporting policies show null effects in a statewide college sample.

OBJECTIVE: It is widely assumed that universal mandatory reporting policies (MRPs) for sexual misconduct are important for campus safety, but there is little evidence to support these assumptions. HYPOTHESES: Given the exploratory nature of this research, no formal hypotheses were tested. We did not expect universal MRPs to be significantly associated with increased reporting or postreporting outcomes. METHOD: Data on MRPs and sexual misconduct reporting in annual security reports and to Title IX coordinators at institutions of higher education in New York (N = 188) were used to examine the prevalence of universal MRPs as well as the relationship between MRPs and reporting and postreporting outcomes. RESULTS: Descriptives showed that 44% of institutions of higher education have a universal MRP. Multivariate linear regression models indicated that universal MRPs were not significantly related to reporting in annual security reports; reports to Title IX coordinators, campus police, campus safety or security officers; or rates of referrals to additional services, no-contact orders, access to the judicial conduct process for sexual misconduct, or findings of student responsibility for sexual misconduct. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings raise concerns about the widespread implementation of MRPs and highlight the need for future research on their impact on student-survivor reporting and access to remedies and resources. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining Sexual Misconduct Incidents Reported to Title IX Coordinators: What Predicts Reporting Outcomes?

Although there has been much debate regarding the application of Title IX and the related reporting, investigation, and conduct processes at institutions of higher education (IHEs) in the United States, only limited prior research has examined incidents of sexual misconduct reported to Title IX offices. The existing studies rely on aggregate data, which restricts our understanding of the scope of case-level factors (e.g., complainant type, reporting source) and how case-level factors impact case outcomes. The present study uses three years (2017-2020) of case-level data for incidents of sexual misconduct (n = 664) reported to the Title IX office at a single, large 4-year university in the Western United States to explore the scope of case-level factors and outcomes and potential changes in the rate of reporting over time. Results first show that most complainants were identified as undergraduate students, while most respondents were identified as unknown/anonymous; nearly half of the reports stemmed from responsible employees, while almost 85% came from a source other than the complainant. More than 90% of incidents were resolved through informal resolutions (e.g., providing resources to the complainant) rather than formal resolutions (i.e., the investigation and conduct process). A greater percentage of incidents reported by complainants compared to other reporter types were resolved through a formal resolution. Finally, the rate of reporting to Title IX increased significantly over the study period, but only by the Student Services office and "other" reporters. Recommendations for IHEs and future research are discussed.

Native Missing Persons Cases Will Not be Solved by Police Alone: The Case for "Missing Persons Advocates".

This study explored the potential role of victim advocacy in Native American missing person cases. Interviews with 25 tribal and non-tribal victim/social service providers were conducted to assess their perspectives on the factors which make Native Americans vulnerable to going missing, the barriers and challenges regarding reporting and investigating missing persons, as well as how victim/social service providers might better support the families of missing persons. Findings suggest that advocates perceive that responding to and offering services for Native families who experience a missing loved one will be extremely difficult because of the intersection of isolation, poverty, and jurisdictional complexities among tribal lands, combined with social service providers and law enforcement officers' lack of resources and training regarding cultural sensitivity. At the same time, advocates suggest that additional training and resources could help overcome many of these barriers and see a role for victim service providers in responding to missing and murdered Native American persons. Implications and suggestions for practice are discussed.

Comparing sexual misconduct incidents in Annual Security Reports and Title IX coordinator data: Do policies increase reporting.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have compared measures of sexual misconduct reporting, and there are few assessments of campus policies on reporting. METHODS: Using data from New York institutions of higher education (IHEs) (N = 209) we compare the number of sexual misconduct incidents reported in Annual Security Reports (ASRs) and to Title IX coordinators, and explore the relationship between policies and reporting across both measures, while controlling for institutional factors. RESULTS: The majority of IHEs had higher numbers of sexual misconduct incidents reported to Title IX coordinators than reported in ASR data. Student bills of rights were associated with higher reporting in ASRs no policies were associated with reporting to Title IX coordinators. CONCLUSIONS: Campus sexual misconduct is both a public policy and a public health problem; we must advance the role of data and data-driven decision-making in crafting evidenced-based solutions.

Faculty-Student Consensual Sexual Relationship Policies: Examining Prevalence and Content using a Nationally Representative Sample of Institutions of Higher Education in the United States.

The current study uses a nationally representative sample of institutions of higher education (IHEs) in the United States (n = 448) to estimate the prevalence rate of consensual sexual relationship policies (CSRPs) and to examine variation in CSRPs across sectors of IHEs. The concepts of consent and power differentials in CSRPs are also explored. Findings show that the majority of IHEs do not have a CSRP, that there are no significant differences in the prevalence rate or type of CSRPs across IHE sectors, and the most common type of CSRP is a limited ban. The concepts of consent and power differentials underpin the majority of CSRPs.

Pelvic floor dysfunction in rural postpartum mothers in the United States: prevalence, severity, and psychosocial correlates.

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a common gynecological problem; however, women residing in rural communities may refrain from seeking treatment for PFD. The purpose of this study was to characterize severity of PFD among postpartum women residing in rural communities (<50,000 residents) in the United States and explore the demographic and psychosocial correlates of PFD. METHODS: A survey packet comprised of the Pelvic Floor Disability Index (PFDI-20) and Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (PIKQ) as well as the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Screening (EPDS), items from the Canadian Sexual Health Indicator (CSHI) survey, and demographic questions were distributed via electronic link following recruitment using social media. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with PFDI-20 score. RESULTS: Participants (n = 383) have limited pelvic health knowledge (PIKQ) despite self-reporting moderate symptoms of dysfunction (PFDI-20). Over half of women scored ≥14 on the EPDS, indicating probable depression. Women with high scores on the EPDS had greater odds of reporting moderate/severe PFD. Women that identified as Black and/or having a college degree were more likely to report moderate/severe PFD. CONCLUSION: Rural women require further support to improve their physical and psychological health in the postpartum period.

Examining missingness among children in out-of-home care placement in Nebraska.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding the prevalence and context of missingness (i.e., being reported as a missing person) among children in out-of-home (OOH) care. OBJECTIVE: The present research examines the relationship between missingness and OOH care placements as well as predictors and case contexts of children missing from OOH care. METHODS: Point-in-time count data of reported missing persons in Nebraska and administrative records on children's OOH placements are used. Bivariate significance tests examine group differences; case contexts are explored through content analysis of OOH case reviews. RESULTS: About 30 % of Nebraska's missing children are in OOH care. Bivariate tests show that children missing from OOH care are older and are more likely to be Black and less likely to have their race listed as "unknown" than children missing from their families of origin. Children in OOH who are missing are also more likely to be in group care, on probation, and have greater placement instability compared to children in OOH care who are not missing. Case contexts of missingness include unmet substance use and mental health challenges, experiences with violence and victimization, and few bonds to school. CONCLUSIONS: Screening and interventions for high-need children in OOH care and their caregivers are necessary to prevent children from going missing from placements.

An updated examination of the predictors of running away from foster care in the United States and trends over ten years (2010-2019).

BACKGROUND: Among the more than 400,000 children in foster care, there is a small group who will run away from care and face increased risks of negative outcomes. Previous studies on the predictors of running away from care use limited samples or outdated data. OBJECTIVE: The present study replicates and extends prior research by presenting an updated analysis of predictors of running away from foster care as well as 10-year trends in the prevalence and predictors of running from care. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: This study uses the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data to assess the runaway status of 597,911 children who were involved in foster care in 2019. Longitudinal trend analyses utilize AFCARS data from 2010 to 2019. METHOD: Using chi-square/t-tests and binary logistic regression analyses, this study investigates individual- and case-level predictors of running away from foster care programs. RESULTS: Findings show that girls (OR = 1.29, p < .001), African American children (OR = 1.89, p < .001), and older children (OR = 1.61, p < .001) are at increased risk of running away from foster care. Removal reasons such as child substance abuse (OR = 1.65, p < .001), abandonment (OR = 1.38, p < .001), and child behavioral problems (OR = 1.31, p < .001) are also associated with an increased risk. Analysis of 10-year trends shows a steady decline in running from care: 1.40% in 2010 to 0.98% in 2019. The profile of risk factors is stable overall, with a few notable exceptions. CONCLUSIONS: The percent of children running from foster care is at a 10-year low. Prevention and intervention efforts regarding running from care must focus on the needs of African American and Hispanic children, especially girls, as well as children with substance use or behavior problems. Given that programs rarely have prospective information regarding why children leave care and the negative consequences of labeling children as "runaways," shifting language to "missing from care" should be considered.

Adventitia-derived extracellular matrix hydrogel enhances contractility of human vasa vasorum-derived pericytes via α2 ß1 integrin and TGFß receptor.

Pericytes are essential components of small blood vessels and are found in human aortic vasa vasorum. Prior work uncovered lower vasa vasorum density and decreased levels of pro-angiogenic growth factors in adventitial specimens of human ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm. We hypothesized that adventitial extracellular matrix (ECM) from normal aorta promotes pericyte function by increasing pericyte contractile function through mechanisms deficient in ECM derived from aneurysmal aortic adventitia. ECM biomaterials were prepared as lyophilized particulates from decellularized adventitial specimens of human and porcine aorta. Immortalized human aortic adventitia-derived pericytes were cultured within Type I collagen gels in the presence or absence of human or porcine adventitial ECMs. Cell contractility index was quantified by measuring the gel area immediately following gelation and after 48 h of culture. Normal human and porcine adventitial ECM increased contractility of pericytes when compared with pericytes cultured in absence of adventitial ECM. In contrast, aneurysm-derived human adventitial ECM failed to promote pericyte contractility. Pharmacological inhibition of TGFßR1 and antibody blockade of α2 ß1 integrin independently decreased porcine adventitial ECM-induced pericyte contractility. By increasing pericyte contractility, adventitial ECM may improve microvascular function and thus represents a candidate biomaterial for less invasive and preventative treatment of human ascending aortic disease.

Layer-specific Nos3 expression and genotypic distribution in bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that expression and activity of nitric oxide synthase-3 enzyme (Nos3) in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) aortopathy are related to tissue layer and Nos3 genotype. METHODS: Gene expression of Nos3 and platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (Pecam1) and NOS activity were measured in intima-containing media and adventitial specimens of ascending aortic tissue. The presence of 2 Nos3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; -786T/C and 894G/T) was determined for non-aneurysmal (NA) and aneurysmal patients with BAV (n = 40, 89, respectively); patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) and aneurysm (n = 151); and NA patients with TAV (n = 100). RESULTS: Elevated Nos3 relative to Pecam1 and reduced Pecam1 relative to a housekeeping gene were observed within intima-containing aortic specimens from BAV patients when compared with TAV patients. Lower Nos3 in the adventitia of aneurysmal specimens was noted when compared with specimens of NA aorta, independent of valve morphology. NOS activity was similar among cohorts in media/intima and decreased in the diseased adventitia, relative to control patients. Aneurysmal BAV patients exhibited an under-representation of the wild-type genotype for -786 SNP. No differences in genotype distribution were noted for 894 SNP. Primary intimal endothelial cells from patients with at least 1 C allele at -786 SNP exhibited lower Nos3 when compared with wild-type cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings of differential Nos3 in media/intima versus adventitia depending on valve morphology or aneurysm reveal new information regarding aneurysmal pathophysiology and support our ongoing assertion that there are distinct mechanisms giving rise to ascending aortopathy in BAV and TAV patients.

Examining Faculty-to-Student Consensual Sexual Relationship Policies on Campus: Have There Been Changes in the Era of #MeToo.

Although Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment in institutions of higher education (IHEs), in the era of #MeToo, consensual faculty-student relationships have elicited significant attention. While some IHEs have developed consensual sexual relationship policies (CSRPs), little research to date has examined the content of such policies or whether IHEs have changed their policies as societal awareness regarding sexual harassment has increased. This study examined a stratified sample of IHEs, including state flagship, regional, and Ivy League schools (n = 56), to compare the type of CSRPs in 2011 and 2018 as well as changes in the content of such policies over the 7-year study period. Findings suggested that IHEs are becoming more restrictive in their CSRPs with movement toward limited bans and prohibitions; most policies discuss power differentials, include reporting requirements, and identify the use of sanctions for policy violations. Innovations in CSRPs include nuanced discussions of consent, placing the burden of proof on faculty to prove consent in allegations of sexual harassment, and including graduate students in CSRPs. Implications inform the debate regarding policies and procedures on campus sexual misconduct and advance the literature on evolving responses.

Assessing States' Intimate Partner Violence Offender Treatment Standards using a Principles of Effective Intervention Framework.

Court-ordered treatment programs are a widely used response to intimate partner violence (IPV) and many states have developed standards to guide programs. The current study provides an update to Maiuro and Eberle's. (2008) review of states' standards and extends the literature by using the principles of effective intervention (PEIs; i.e., risk, need, responsivity, treatment, and fidelity) as an organizational framework to examine standards. Findings showed that 84% of states had standards in 2020, compared to 88% in 2007, and extensive changes both within and across states' standards had occurred. Regarding the PEIs, in line with the risk principle most states mandated the use of risk assessments; inconsistent with the needs principle, few states used these assessments to classify clients into risk levels or inform individualized treatment. The majority of standards addressed the treatment principle by outlining a required structure and duration, but few attended to responsivity factors (e.g., identifying treatment modalities, attending to specific client factors). Regarding the fidelity principle, most standards outlined education or training requirements for staff and required periodic program reviews or audits, but few standards were evidenced-based and only about half required that programs collect data to measure effectiveness. Taken together, findings suggest that standards have continued to evolve and that the integration of PEIs into IPV treatment is only just beginning. Standards provide a rich opportunity for future researcher-practitioner partnerships in the field of IPV intervention.

Comparing 911 and emergency hotline calls for domestic violence in seven cities: What happened when people started staying home due to COVID-19?

Research Summary: We examine changes in help-seeking for domestic violence (DV) in seven U.S. cities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Bayesian structural time-series modeling with daily data to construct a synthetic counterfactual, we test whether calls to police and/or emergency hotlines varied in 2020 as people stayed home due to COVID-19. Across this sample, we estimate there were approximately 1030 more calls to police and 1671 more calls to emergency hotlines than would have occurred absent the pandemic. Policy Implications: Interagency data sharing and analysis holds great promise for better understanding localized trends in DV in real time. Research-practitioner partnerships can help DV coordinated community response teams (CCRTs) develop accessible and sustainable dashboards to visualize data and advance community transparency. As calls for drastic changes in policing are realized, prioritization of finite resources will become critical. Data-driven decision-making by CCRTs provides an opportunity to work within resource constraints without compromising the safety of DV victims.

Common deletion variants causing protocadherin-α deficiency contribute to the complex genetics of BAV and left-sided congenital heart disease.

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with ~1%-2% prevalence is the most common congenital heart defect (CHD). It frequently results in valve disease and aorta dilation and is a major cause of adult cardiac surgery. BAV is genetically linked to rare left-heart obstructions (left ventricular outflow tract obstructions [LVOTOs]), including hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Mouse and human studies indicate LVOTO is genetically heterogeneous with a complex genetic etiology. Homozygous mutation in the Pcdha protocadherin gene cluster in mice can cause BAV, and also HLHS and other LVOTO phenotypes when accompanied by a second mutation. Here we show two common deletion copy number variants (delCNVs) within the PCDHA gene cluster are associated with LVOTO. Analysis of 1,218 white individuals with LVOTO versus 463 disease-free local control individuals yielded odds ratios (ORs) at 1.47 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.92; p = 4.2 × 10-3) for LVOTO, 1.47 (95% CI, 1.10-1.97; p = 0.01) for BAV, 6.13 (95% CI, 2.75-13.7; p = 9.7 × 10-6) for CoA, and 1.49 (95% CI, 1.07-2.08; p = 0.019) for HLHS. Increased OR was observed for all LVOTO phenotypes in homozygous or compound heterozygous PCDHA delCNV genotype comparison versus wild type. Analysis of an independent white cohort (381 affected individuals, 1,352 control individuals) replicated the PCDHA delCNV association with LVOTO. Generalizability of these findings is suggested by similar observations in Black and Chinese individuals with LVOTO. Analysis of Pcdha mutant mice showed reduced PCDHA expression at regions of cell-cell contact in aortic smooth muscle and cushion mesenchyme, suggesting potential mechanisms for BAV pathogenesis and aortopathy. Together, these findings indicate common variants causing PCDHA deficiency play a significant role in the genetic etiology of common and rare LVOTO-CHD.

Integrating 'Principles of Effective Intervention' into Domestic Violence Intervention Programs: New Opportunities for Change and Collaboration.

Several evaluations and meta-analytic reviews have suggested that domestic violence (DV) treatment programs have only a modest impact on reducing DV recidivism. In response, a growing number of scholars and practitioners have called for the integration of evidence-based practices into DV treatment programming. In recent years, one leading approach has been to explore the infusion of the 'principles of effective intervention (PEI),' the prevailing evidence- based practice in correctional programming, into DV treatment. Findings from initial empirical studies from scholars and practitioners working to infuse the PEI into DV treatment programs have shown promise. This article provides an overview of the PEI and research exploring the integration of the PEI into DV treatment; a discussion on how these research findings can inform DV treatment programs interested in adopting a PEI framework; and practitioners' perspectives on implementing programmatic changes and collaborating on evaluation research while also continuing to provide DV treatment.

A Comparison of Clients in a Differentiated Batterer Intervention Treatment Program: The Importance of Treatment Level Matching by Referral Sources.

Recent research has emphasized the applicability of the Principles of Effective Intervention for batterer intervention treatment programs (BIPs), including using differentiated treatment models for first-time offenders compared to repeat offenders. The current study seeks to examine treatment matching across clients in two such differentiated BIPs from a mid-Atlantic state-one short-term program aimed at first-time IPV offenders (n = 121) and one program implementing BIP "as usual" (n = 125)-regarding client characteristics and recidivism. Findings indicate that clients in the short-term program were not significantly different than those referred to BIP "as usual" regarding common risk factors such as substance use, education, or employment, and while clients in the short-term program had fewer criminal history offenses, participants were rarely first-time criminal offenders. Further analyses showed no impact of the short-term program completion on client recidivism, while completion of BIP as usual was related to lower rates of reoffending among the program's clients. Findings suggest the importance of how clients are matched to their level of treatment and more education and monitoring of referral agencies regarding differentiated BIP models. Further research is needed to assess whether short-term BIP programs are associated with recidivism reduction.

Examining adverse childhood experiences among Native American persons in a nationally representative sample: Differences among racial/ethnic groups and race/ethnicity-sex dyads.

BACKGROUND: Existing research using nationally representative samples has provided valuable information regarding the prevalence and context of childhood adversity, but Native American persons have largely been absent from these studies. OBJECTIVE: We examined adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among persons identifying as White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American in the NESARC, a longitudinal study (Wave 1: 2001-2002; Wave 2: 2004-2005) using a nationally representative sample from the United States. METHODS: Means tests and negative binomial regression were used to examine the prevalence and variety of ACEs across racial/ethnic groups and race/ethnicity-sex dyads. RESULTS: Native American persons reported the greatest average number and variety of ACEs than persons from any other racial/ethnic group, and reported the highest rates of physical abuse, sexual abuse, parental substance abuse, and witnessing violence than members of any other racial/ethnic category. Native American females reported the greatest rates of emotional abuse, while Native American males reported the greatest rates of physical neglect; the highest rates of parental substance use among the race/ethnicity-sex dyads were reported by both Native American females and males. Significantly higher rates of sexual violence were reported by Native American females compared to other groups; almost 1 in 4 Native American females reported sexual violence. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should make a concerted effort to broaden examinations of ACEs to include Native American respondents and to include measures of historical trauma and racial discrimination. Broader support for system change as well as increased development and use of culturally responsive prevention and intervention programming is likely necessary to reduce ACEs among Native American persons.

A Nation-Wide Assessment of Empowerment Among States' Personal Protective Order Statutes.

The Personal Protective Order (PPO) and the PPO process may provide an opportunity to shift power dynamics from the state/abuser to the victim-a process otherwise known as "victim empowerment." Using a previously established empowerment framework, the Empowerment Process Model, 2017 PPO statutes for all U.S. states and the District of Columbia (n = 51) were examined in regard to 23 statutory elements conceptualized to facilitate the process of victim empowerment for initmate partner violence (IPV) victims. Findings demonstrated that there is little consistency across PPO statutes in regard to empowerment facilitators (8.0-18.5, M = 13.5, SD = 2.3). Three elements were found to be consistently empowering by most states: the use of gender-neutral language, inclusion of same-sex couple violence, and adherence to full faith and credit provision of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Future research should examine which statutory elements are associated with the greatest increases in victim empowerment, and model PPO language should be developed. Furthermore, in general, PPO research findings must be discussed within the confines of state statutes and limited generalizability across states.