The roles of dating and victimization on adverse mental health among teens: Survey findings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between romantic involvement, dating violence, other victimizations, and mental health among adolescents in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is understudied. METHODS: This study analyzed 2021 survey data collected from a representative sample of 9th-12th grade students (n = 10,792) from 24 high schools in a US Midwestern state. Most respondents identified as White, heterosexual, and US-born, with more than three-quarters aged 15-17 years. Guided by the poly-victimization framework, this study explored: (a) How do youth victimizations and mental health concerns differ by their experience of dating and dating violence? (b) What are the associations between youth mental health concerns, victimizations, and dating? RESULTS: Youths reported mental health concerns and victimizations at considerable rates during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person interactions were limited. Those who experienced dating violence were at a higher risk of reporting other victimizations (i.e., unwanted sexual comments, unwanted sexual contact, sexual photos/videos, sex trading for compensation, discrimination, and bullying). The number of victimizations demonstrated a cumulative effect on teen mental health. Most individual victimizations showed significant net associations with mental health concerns, even when controlling for other differing victimizations. CONCLUSIONS: Dating violence plays a critical role in the interconnectedness of victimizations, and the number of victimizations has a cumulative effect on teen mental health. The high prevalence of youth victimizations during the time when in-person interactions were limited suggests that victimizations may transfer from in-person forms to virtual forms and occur offline. Implications for individual and community prevention and interventions are discussed.

Seeking help as a strategy for ethical and professional decision-making in research: Perspectives of researchers from East Asia and the United States.

Background: A person's cultural background shapes how they interpret and navigate problems. Given that large numbers of international researchers work and train in the U.S. we sought to better understand how researchers use the decision-making strategy of seeking help to navigate ethical and professional challenges.Methods: Participants (N = 300) were researchers working or training in the U.S. who were born in East Asia (EA) or born in the U.S. They completed a screening survey; then a subset completed think-aloud interviews (n = 66) focused on how they would respond to three hypothetical research scenarios.Results: Thematic analysis of the transcripts showed that seeking help was a commonly endorsed strategy, with some nuances between groups. Themes included seeking help in the form of getting advice, seeking someone to help solve the problem, and gathering information. Endorsement of the seeking help strategy frequently depended on participants' relationships; desiring to seek help from people they trusted. Notably, EA participants tended to prefer seeking help in ways that avoided reputational harm to others.Conclusion: A better understanding of how researchers from different cultural backgrounds use decision-making strategies can inform how to make educational programs more inclusive and comprehensive to more effectively develop researchers' ethical and professional decision-making skills.

Understanding the interconnected relationships between intimate partner violence and child maltreatment: The role of maternal material hardship.

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates an association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment (CM). Although research shows mothers' IPV victimization is a risk factor for CM, the specific elements within IPV and CM are not well understood. Some studies suggest material hardship plays a role in the relationships between IPV and CM. However, the relationship between different typologies of IPV and CM considering material hardship has rarely been examined. OBJECTIVE: This study fills this gap by assessing the direct effects of IPV victimization on material hardship and CM, direct effects of material hardship on CM, and indirect effects of IPV victimization on CM via material hardship with attention to typologies of IPV and CM. METHODS: Data included responses by 3086 mothers in the Fragile Families Child Wellbeing Study. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling showed that material hardship predicted higher risk of CM regardless of the presence of IPV or what type (child physical assault: ß = 0.11, p < 0.001; child psychological aggression: ß = 0.12, p < 0.001; child neglect: ß = 0.06, p < 0.01). However, mothers who experienced controlling and emotional IPV had a higher risk of material hardship, and this increased their children's risk of CM (child physical assault: ß = 0.02, p < 0.01; child psychological aggression: ß = 0.02, p < 0.01; child neglect: ß = 0.01, p < 0.05). This was the only type of IPV associated with CM through its association with material hardship. CONCLUSIONS: The varied findings suggest that intervention efforts in families with co-occurring IPV and CM should mobilize economic support to IPV survivors with consideration of the varied effects of different types of IPV.

The impact of responsible fatherhood programs on parenting, psychological well-being, and financial outcomes: A randomized controlled trial.

The objective of this study was to examine differences in parenting, psychological well-being, and economic outcomes between fathers receiving two different programs offered by Fathers & Families Support Center for economically disadvantaged fathers: (a) Family Formation (FF), a 6-week/240-h program focused on economic stability/mobility, responsible fatherhood, and healthy relationships, with case management and legal services; (b) Economic Stability (ES), a 4-week/80-h program focused only on economic stability with limited case management and legal services. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was used to compare fathers in FF (n = 350) vs. ES (n = 342). Surveys were administered at enrollment and 3- and 12-months postintervention. Linear and generalized linear mixed models were used to assess changes in program outcomes over time and across study groups. Four hundred and eighty-two fathers responded to either follow-up survey (251 FF, 231 ES). Nearly all (98%) were non-white (93% Black, 5% other/mixed race) and were on average 34 years old. Approximately 46% attended ≥75% of program sessions (FF 48% vs. ES 44%). Both FF and ES groups experienced improvements in parenting, psychological well-being, and financial outcomes after the programs, but changes in outcomes over time did not differ significantly by program. The lack of difference in outcomes between fathers in FF and ES groups could be due to a similar core focus on employment-related curriculum for both groups. Gaining financial stability could have contributed to positive improvements in other fatherhood domains. Implications for future research and practice are discussed herein.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las diferencias en la crianza, el bienestar psicológico y los resultados económicos entre padres que recibían dos programas diferentes ofrecidos por el Centro de Apoyo a los Padres y las Familias (Fathers & Familiares Support Center) para padres desfavorecidos económicamente: (a) Formación de una Familia (Family Formation, FF), un programa de 6 semanas/240 horas centrado en la estabilidad/movilidad económica, la paternidad responsable y las relaciones saludables, con gestión de casos y servicios legales; (b) Estabilidad Económica (Economic Stability, ES), un programa de 4 semanas/80 horas centrado solamente en la estabilidad económica con poca gestión de casos y servicios legales. Se usó un ensayo controlado aleatorizado para comparar a los padres de FF (n=350) con los de ES (n=342). Se realizaron encuestas en la inscripción y a los 3 y a los 12 meses posteriores a la intervención. Se usaron modelos lineales y modelos mixtos lineales generalizados para evaluar los cambios en los resultados de los programas con el tiempo y entre los grupos de estudio. 482 padres respondieron a cada encuesta de seguimiento (251 FF, 231 ES). Casi todos (el 98 %) eran de color (el 93 % negros, el 5 % de otra raza o de raza mestiza) y tenían, en promedio, 34 años. Aproximadamente el 46 % asistió a más del 75 % de las sesiones de los programas (el 48 % de FF frente al 44 % de ES). Tanto el grupo de FF como el de ES tuvieron mejoras en la crianza, en el bienestar psicológico y en los resultados económicos después de los programas, pero los cambios en los resultados con el tiempo no variaron significativamente por programa. La falta de diferencia en los resultados entre los padres del grupo de FF y los del grupo de ES podría deberse a un enfoque principal similar en un currículo relacionado con el empleo para ambos grupos. La adquisición de estabilidad económica podría haber contribuido a mejoras positivas en otras áreas de la paternidad. Se comentan las consecuencias para la futura investigación y la práctica.

Profiles of Teen Dating Violence and Association With Depression Among Chinese Teens.

Teen dating violence (TDV) is a major global public health concern. Few studies, however, have examined profiles of TDV in Chinese societies and how these profiles might be associated with teens' mental health. The current study analyzed a sample of 891 middle and high school students with dating experience in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Latent class analysis (LCA) and multinomial logit regression analysis were performed in an attempt to identify profiles of TDV and then investigate possible associations between class membership and self-reported depression. The results of LCA suggested that a four-class model was the best fit for the data: Severe/Multi-Type TDV (5.51%), Controlling Behavior (13.08%), Non/Low TDV (64.50%), and Physical Violence (16.91%). The best-fit model suggested bidirectionality, meaning among teen partners in an abusive relationship, both tended to participate in violent acts and controlling behaviors. The results of the multinomial regression showed that, compared with the Non/Low TDV class, teens in the Severe/Multi-Type TDV class or Controlling Behavior class had greater odds of screening positive for depression. There was no significant difference in the risk of depression between the Physical Violence class and the Non/Low TDV class. Implications for future research and practice are also discussed herein.

Patterns of Help-seeking Strategies in Response to Intimate Partner Violence: A Latent Class Analysis.

Women engage in multiple strategies to cope with the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV). Prior research has focused predominantly on women's service utilization and help seeking as individual acts, yet it is likely that women engage in distinct patterns of multiple help-seeking strategies to achieve safety. As such, the current article examines patterns of service-related help-seeking strategies survivors employ. This article also investigates demographic factors, relationship characteristics, and mental and physical health effects of IPV associated with patterns of help seeking. Using a web-based survey, data were collected from service-engaged adult female IPV survivors (n = 369) in the Southwest region of the United States. Latent class analysis (LCA), a person-centered analytical approach, was used to identify survivors' patterns of help seeking. A 3-class LCA model was determined to be the best fit for the data. Among the sample, 50% of women broadly engaged formal and informal networks, 15% primarily engaged informal networks, and 35% broadly engaged networks but avoided legal systems while seeking other formal services. Findings indicated varying and significant associations between class membership and race/ethnicity, foreign-born status, number of children, IPV severity, and mental health symptoms. The findings reinforce the need for practitioners to be aware of the varied ways women choose or avoid seeking help and explore women's preferences. Comprehensive and collaborative service networks are necessary for early detection and holistic care. Addressing structural factors is imperative for expanding the range of viable support options available to IPV survivors, particularly women of color.

Prevalence and associated characteristics of youth who trade sex in a representative sample of high school students.

INTRODUCTION: Our understanding of youths' sex trading predominantly stems from non-representative studies with high-risk populations (e.g. homeless/runaway youth). The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence and associated characteristics of youth who report sex trading (compared to those who do not) in a representative sample of high school students. METHODS: Data comes from the 2018 Youth Assessment, a cross-sectional survey administered to 9th through 12th graders across 24 high schools in Dane County, a predominantly urban area in Wisconsin, U.S.A. All youth who answered the question, "have you ever had sexual contact in order to stay safe or to get something like a place to stay, money, gifts, alcohol or drugs?" were included for secondary data analysis (n = 13,714). Participants were 70% White, 50% female/47% male, and 90% minors. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: 2.47% of youth reported sex trading, of whom 91% were minors. Bivariate analysis revealed significant differences across demographics, economic instability, behavioral health and substance use, delinquency, and romantic/sexual behaviors. Multivariate results suggested that students who reported substance use, cutting class, 3 or more out-of-school suspensions, knowing a friend involved in a gang, dating violence, foster care involvement, or identifying as LGBTQ+ were more likely to report sex trading. CONCLUSIONS: Although the causal order of characteristics analyzed in relation to the sex trading is not known, these findings have important implications for sex trading prevention, assessments, and intervention, particularly among youth with marginalized identities and adverse experiences.

Compared to What? A Meta-Analysis of Batterer Intervention Studies Using Nontreated Controls or Comparisons.

This meta-analysis updates the literature on the effectiveness of batterer intervention programs (BIPs) in decreasing recidivism of domestic violence (DV) by focusing on studies with nontreated comparison groups (N = 17). Included studies were published between 1986 and 2016, and 14 of the 17 provided sufficient information for the meta-analysis. Analysis focused on three reported outcomes: DV recidivism reported by the criminal justice system, intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration assessed by the survivor, and general offense recidivism reported by the criminal justice system. Results of meta-analysis indicated that BIPs were effective in decreasing DV recidivism and general offense recidivism when reported by the criminal justice system, but not when assessed by the survivor. BIP participants were about 3 times less likely to have DV recidivism and about 2.5 times less likely to have general offense recidivism, compared to nontreated control/comparison groups. The pooled effect size varied, however, by research design. Specifically, results indicated a nonsignificant pooled effect size for randomized controlled trials but a significant pooled effect size for quasi-experimental design studies. Implications for future practice and research are discussed.

Association of endothelin genetic variants and hospitalized infection complications in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

BACKGROUND: Infection is the second most common cause of mortality for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), accompanying with immune dysfunction. Endothelin (EDN) is known to be related to inflammation; however, it is unknown whether genetic variants of the EDN gene family are associated with increased risk of hospitalized infection events. METHODS: Nineteen tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) of the EDN gene family were selected for genotyping a cohort of 190 ESRD patients. Patient demographics were recorded, the subtypes of infection events were identified, and association analysis between the EDN genetic variants and hospitalized infection events was performed. RESULTS: In this study, 106 patients were hospitalized for infection events. The leading events were pneumonia, bacteremia, and cellulitis. The minor allele of rs260741, rs197173, and rs926632 SNPs of EDN3 were found to be associated with reduced risk of hospitalized bacteremia events. CONCLUSIONS: The minor allele of rs260741, rs197173, and rs926632 in EDN3 were associated with reduced risk of hospitalized bacteremia events in ESRD patients.

Associations of genetic variants of endothelin with cardiovascular complications in patients with renal failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular (CV) complications are the main cause of death in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The high CV risks are attributable to the additive effects of multiple factors. Endothelin (EDN) is a potent vasoconstrictor and plays a role in regulating vascular homeostasis. However, whether variants of the EDN gene are associated with risks of CV events is not known. We conducted a study to investigate associations of variants of the EDN gene with CV events in ESRD patients. METHODS: A cohort of 190 ESRD patients was recruited, and 19 tagged single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the EDN gene family were selected for genotyping through a TaqMan assay. Data on clinical characteristics and hospitalizations for CV events were collected. Associations of genetic variants of the EDN gene with CV events were analyzed. RESULTS: In this cohort, 62% (n = 118) of patients were hospitalized for a CV event. The EDN1 rs4714384 (CC/TC vs. TT) polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of a CV event after multiple testing (p < 0.001). Further functional exploration showed that it was a quantitative trait locus which may significantly alter gene expression in the tibial artery. CONCLUSIONS: EDN1 rs4714384 is very likely an important biomarker of CV events in ESRD patients.

Genetic polymorphisms of ORAI1 and chronic kidney disease in Taiwanese population.

Taiwan has very high incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which easily progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The association between inflammation and CKD has been explored in several studies. ORAI1 functions as a pore-forming subunit of the store-operated calcium channels which are involved in the regulation of immune system. Hence, we conducted a case-control study to determine whether the genetic polymorphisms of ORAI1 gene is a susceptibility factor to CKD and its clinical features in a Taiwanese population. Five hundred seventy-nine CKD patients from a hospital-based CKD care program were included in the study. Five tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) of ORAI1 were selected from the genotyping data of the Han Chinese population from the HapMap project. Among these polymorphisms, rs12313273 was found to be significantly associated with elevated serum calcium levels, which has been linked to increased risk of death in CKD patients. To have a better management of serum calcium, we suggest that ORAI1 polymorphisms might be used as a potential biomarker for initiating non-calcium-based phosphate binder in CKD patients in the future.