Context of sexual risk behaviour among abused ethnic minority adolescent women.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that multiple influences on sexual behaviour of adolescents exist, ranging from relationships with significant others including sexual or physical abuse and childhood molestation to substances used prior to sex and environmental circumstances such as sex work. PURPOSE: This study aims to describe associations between childhood molestation and sexual risk behaviour. METHOD: African American and Mexican American adolescent women aged 14-18 years (n=562) with sexually transmitted infection (STI) or abuse histories and enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of behavioural interventions were interviewed via self-report concerning sexual risk behaviour, abuse and childhood molestation at study entry. RESULTS: Sexual (59%), physical (77%) and psychological (82%) abuse and childhood molestation (25%) were self-reported without differences by ethnicity. Adolescents reporting childhood molestation experienced more forms of sexual, physical and psychological abuse than others and higher incidences of STI. Fewer attended school; however, more had arrests, convictions, incarcerations and probations. Stressors including depression, running away, thoughts of death and suicide were highest for those reporting childhood molestation. Those reporting childhood molestation engaged in higher sexual risk behaviours than adolescents experiencing other forms of sexual or physical abuse (lifetime partners, bisexual relationships, anal and group sex, sex with friends with benefits, sex for money, concurrent partners, drug use including multiple substances, alcohol use and alcohol problems). These adolescents reported 'getting high' and having sex when out of control as reasons for sex with multiple partners. CONCLUSION: Interventions for abused adolescent women necessitate a focus on associations between childhood molestation and a multiplicity of sexual risk behaviours for prevention of abuse, substance use and sex work, STI/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sequelae.

Antiferromagnetic fluctuations and charge carrier localization in ferromagnetic bilayer manganites: electrical resistivity scales exponentially with short-range order controlled by temperature and magnetic field.

The compound La2-2x Sr1+2x Mn2O7, x = 0.30-0.40, consists of bilayers of ferromagnetic metallic MnO2 sheets that are separated by insulating layers. The materials show colossal magnetoresistance-a reduction in resistivity of up to two orders of magnitude in a field of 7 T-at their three-dimensional ordering temperatures, T C = 90-126 K, and are the layered analogues of the widely studied pseudo-cubic perovskite manganites, R1-x A x MnO3 (R = rare earth, A = Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb). Two distinct short-range orderings-antiferromagnetic fluctuations and correlated polarons, which are related to the magnetic and the lattice degrees of freedom respectively-have previously been discovered in La2-2x Sr1+2x Mn2O7, x = 0.40, and have each been qualitatively connected to the resistivity. Here, in a comprehensive study as a function of both temperature and magnetic field for the different hole-concentrations per Mn site of x = 0.30 and 0.35, we show that antiferromagnetic fluctuations also appear at temperatures just above T C, and that the intensities of both the antiferromagnetic fluctuations and polaron correlations closely track the resistivity. In particular, for x = 0.35 we show that there is a simple scaling relation between the intensities of the antiferromagnetic fluctuations and the in-plane resistivity that applies for the temperatures and magnetic fields used in the experiments. The results show that antiferromagnetic fluctuations are a common feature of La2-2x Sr1+2x Mn2O7 with ferromagnetic bilayers, and that there is a close connection between the antiferromagnetic fluctuations and polarons in these materials.

Life histories of rural Mexican American adolescents experiencing abuse.

Histories of family violence are predictors of adolescent acceptance of interpersonal violence within intimate relationships. This study focused on the progression of abusive relationships from childhood to courtship and intimacy among 40 rural Mexican American adolescents in the southwestern United States. Emphasis was on interactions that were extensions of cultural expectations for intimacy, family, and sex roles. Within these life histories, transgenerational patterns of violence were found in patterns of learning, loving and belonging through past and present relationships. Sex-role identification with abusive behavior occurred across generations, emulating roles from the past and perpetuating expectations for abuse as part of intimacy. Previous abusive experiences were described as motivation for behavioral change, yet, within the patterns of learning, loving, and belonging in relationships, patterns of abuse and behaviors similar to the family of origin were found. An understanding of the influential role attitudes and expectations of abused individuals and their families has on behavior is relevant for interventions preventing existent and future abuse.

Sexual abuse and sexual risk behaviors of minority women with sexually transmitted diseases.

The relationship between sexual abuse and sexually transmitted disease (STD) represents an important and underinvestigated context of domestic violence. This study examined the association between sexual abuse, sexual risk behaviors, and risk for reinfection and HIV among minority women with STD. Mexican American and African American women (n = 617) with active STD entered a randomized study of behavioral intervention to reduce STD recurrence. Each underwent questioning at entry regarding sexual abuse and sexual risk behaviors. Comparisons of these behaviors using chi-square, t tests, and logistic regression were made by history of sexual abuse. Sexually abused women were more likely to have lower incomes, earlier coitus, STD history, currently abusive partners, new sex partners, anal sex, and bleeding with sex, placing them at increased risk for STD reinfection and HIV. Due to this association with sexual risk behavior, assessment for sexual abuse is essential in programs focusing on STD/HIV prevention.

Family violence and mental health.

Family violence is recognized as one of the major public health concerns facing society. The chronic and traumatic nature of family violence often leads to mental health consequences. Clinicians are in advantageous positions to address the problems of family violence. It is important for clinicians to develop an understanding of the dynamics of family violence by allowing appropriate inquiry about victimization and assuring patient safety, providing appropriate referrals, and reporting incidences of family violence.

The experience of participation in a brief cognitive behavioural group therapy for psychologically distressed female university students.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the experience of participation in four sessions of cognitive behavioural group therapy for psychological distress for female university students' (n = 19), aged 22-45 years. Data were gathered with semi-structured interviews during March and April 2008 and analysed according to thematic content analysis. The results identified four themes: 'Gaining knowledge and understanding', 'Becoming more balanced and positive in thinking', 'Feeling more self-confident and in control' and 'Opportunities for practice and in-depth reflections'. Future recommendations include an increase in sessions from four to five, with one booster session to follow-up on newly acquired skills.

Static magnetic order in Tb2Sn2O7 revealed by muon spin relaxation with exterior muon implantation.

Tb2Sn2O7 has been proposed as an ordered spin ice, but the precise nature of the low temperature magnetic state remains uncertain. Recent independent muon spin relaxation (microSR) investigations suggest the possibility of exotic ground states with static order precluded on time scales longer than 10(-6) s. Here the more conventional hypothesis of canted ferromagnetism is tested by means of microSR with the muons stopped outside the sample, as well as ultralow field bulk magnetization measurements. The field cooled state shows conventional static order, while the zero field cooled state may be interpreted in terms of conventional closed domains. These results rule out purely dynamical ground states and illustrate the value of exterior muon implantation as a complement to the conventional technique.

Risk and protective behaviours of bisexual minority women: a qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Public health messages urging women to seek health care services such as sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and cervical cancer screening or family planning services fail to address women who have sex with women (WSW). This negligence may have led to a false sense of security amongst WSW concerning sexual risk behaviour. Research has shown that WSW engaged in more high-risk sexual behaviours than heterosexual women. WSW has been identified as an important vector in the spread of STDs in all populations because of bisexuality. To prevent and reduce transmission of STDs amongst WSW, perceptions of risk for STD amongst WSW need to be understood so that effective interventions may be developed. AIM: To describe the relationship between sexual risk and protective behaviour and STD transmission amongst bisexual minority women with a history of STD. METHODS: Life history methods were used to interview 23 African-American bisexual women with a history of STD. FINDINGS: Various themes unfolded during analysis of the patient interviews, including bisexual women's perceptions of STD risk, the context of sexual relationships with women and STD prevention, screening, and treatment practices. CONCLUSIONS: The contexts of sexual relationships including multiple or concurrent partner relationships with both men and women placed these women at high risk for STD. Regardless of the type of relationship or belief it is possible to get an STD, protection was often not used. These circumstances identify an extremely high-risk population of women with need for more extensive research to identify strategies for health care interventions.

Effect of abuse on self-perception of rural Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white adolescents.

The prevalence of adolescent abuse has serious community health ramifications because of its associated psychological responses. Theoretical frameworks have described behaviors arising from interpersonal interactions as being affected by self-concept. Therefore, the issue of assessing the self-concept is critical in research and practice for understanding the behavior of abused adolescents. This research arose from clinical practice in a rural Mexican-American and non-Hispanic White community. The practice focused on individual and group counseling for adolescents in abusive relationships. This study proposed to refine the theoretical basis for interventions related to self-concept and woman abuse for rural Mexican-American and non-Hispanic White adolescents.

The context of sexually transmitted disease: life histories of woman abuse.

Approximately 25%-50% of women with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS, are involved in abusive relationships. Numerous characteristics associated with a past history of abuse are also risk factors for STD infection, including multiple partner relationships, substance abuse, early age at first coitus, and partner control of the relationship. Research has identified psychological effects of previous abuse, including depression, minimal control in relationships, and decreased self-efficacy. These effects may prevent abused women with STDs from making behavioral changes to prevent recurrence and transmission of disease. Life history methodology was used to understand the context of the interrelationships between STD and woman abuse in 30 Mexican American and African American women's lives. A focus on the context of abused women's partner relationships and aspects of personal control within these relationships may facilitate effective behavioral change, risk reduction, and subsequent decrease in incidence of STDs and woman abuse.

Minority women with sexually transmitted diseases: sexual abuse and risk for pelvic inflammatory disease.

Mexican American and African American women (N = 617) with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) underwent a targeted physical exam and questioning regarding sexual abuse, current genitourinary symptomatology, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) risk behaviors to determine the relationship between sexual abuse and risk for PID. Sexually abused women (n = 194) reported higher PID risk behaviors, including earlier coitus, more sex partners, higher STD recurrence, and a tendency toward delayed health-seeking behavior. They also reported more severe genitourinary symptomatology, confirmed by physical exam, and presumptive diagnoses of PID. These characteristics identify sexually abused women at high risk for PID. Because of its considerable impact on risk for PID, assessment for sexual abuse is essential in clinical management of women with STD and for diagnosis of PID.

A randomized, controlled trial of a behavioral intervention to prevent sexually transmitted disease among minority women.

BACKGROUND: African-American and Hispanic women are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted diseases, including the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In the effort to reduce infection rates, it is important to create and evaluate behavioral interventions that are specific to the target populations. METHODS: We enrolled women with nonviral sexually transmitted diseases in a randomized trial of a sex- and culture-specific behavioral intervention. The intervention consisted of three small-group sessions of three to four hours each designed to help women recognize personal susceptibility, commit to changing their behavior, and acquire necessary skills. The control group received standard counseling about sexually transmitted diseases. The design of the intervention was based on the AIDS Risk Reduction Model and ethnographic data on the study populations. Participants in both groups underwent screening, counseling, and an interview before randomization and at the 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. The principal outcome variable was subsequent chlamydial or gonorrheal infection, which was evaluated on an intention-to-treat basis by logistic-regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 424 Mexican-Americans and 193 African-American women were enrolled; 313 were assigned to the intervention group and 304 to the control group. The rate of participation in the intervention was 90 percent. The rates of retention in the sample were 82 and 89 percent at the 6- and 12-month visits, respectively. Rates of subsequent infection were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group during the first 6 months (11.3 vs. 17.2 percent, P=0.05), during the second 6 months (9.1 vs. 17.7 percent, P=0.008), and over the entire 12-month study period (16.8 vs. 26.9 percent, P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: A risk-reduction intervention consisting of three small-group sessions significantly decreased the rates of chlamydial and gonorrheal infection among Mexican-American and African-American women at high risk for sexually transmitted disease.

Spin correlations in Ho2Ti2O7: a dipolar spin ice system.

The pyrochlore material Ho2Ti2O7 has been suggested to show "spin ice" behavior. We present neutron scattering and specific heat results that establish unambiguously that Ho2Ti2O7 exhibits spin ice correlations at low temperature. Diffuse magnetic neutron scattering is quite well described by a nearest neighbor spin ice model and very accurately described by a dipolar spin ice model. The heat capacity is well accounted for by the sum of a dipolar spin ice contribution and an expected nuclear spin contribution, known to exist in other Ho3+ salts. These results settle the question of the nature of the low temperature spin correlations in Ho2Ti2O7 for which contradictory claims have been made.