Impact of preovulatory follicle maturity on oocyte metabolism and embryo development.

Improved oocyte competence for embryo development and pregnancy was observed following ovulation of preovulatory follicles with greater physiological maturity, as indicated by estradiol production, prior to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-induced luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. It was hypothesized that follicular fluid from preovulatory follicles of greater maturity better supports the maturing oocyte's metabolic requirements and improves embryo development. The objective was to determine if differences in preovulatory follicular fluid due to follicle maturity influence oocyte metabolism during in vitro maturation (IVM) and affect embryo development. Bovine preovulatory follicular fluid was collected 18 h after a GnRH-induced LH surge. Serum estradiol concentration at GnRH administration categorized follicles as greater or lesser maturity. Immature bovine oocytes were submitted to 24 h IVM in medium supplemented with 20% follicular fluid from preovulatory follicles of greater or lesser maturity. Embryo development was recorded. Oocyte maturation media and media conditioned by developing embryos were submitted for metabolomics. A randomized block design was utilized to determine differences in embryo development and media metabolites (P ≤ 0.05). Blastocysts from oocytes matured in greater vs. lesser maturity follicular fluid had a more moderate rate of development (P = 0.01). At the conclusion of 24 h IVM, abundance of 66 metabolites differed between greater and lesser follicle maturity treatments. Nine metabolites differed in media conditioned by developing embryos. Metabolome results suggest improved amino acid, purine, and glucose metabolism, followed by a more efficient rate of embryo development, in oocytes matured in greater vs lesser maturity follicular fluid.

Exposure to intimate partner violence alters longitudinal associations between caregiver depressive symptoms and effortful control in children and adolescents.

Adaptation to intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure involves alterations in transdiagnostic processes including effortful control (EC), and yet little attention has been given to the ways such processes interact with family-level factors, such as caregivers' psychopathology. This study used latent change score modeling to compare trajectories of EC and caregivers' depressive (CD) symptoms between children and adolescents (N = 365) ages 7-17 who had witnessed IPV (IPV+; 45.3%) and those who had not (IPV-) across 3 years. Findings suggested that IPV exposure moderated relationships between EC and CD. CD was higher and EC was lower for IPV+ relative to IPV- participants, although there was significant variation around mean-level CD and EC in both groups. CD and EC were only linked for IPV+ participants, where higher baseline CD was associated with lower EC that lagged behind IPV- participants' EC across the 3 years of the study. Rates of change for CD significantly varied for the IPV+ group only, indicating that individual difference factors interacted with IPV exposure to influence changes in CD. These findings inform literature on transdiagnostic adaptation processes and point to the potential utility of interventions to reduce IPV and CD in supporting EC in children and adolescents across contexts.

Risk factors for intimate partner violence victimization across 8 years: Contributions of the posttraumatic stress symptom domains.

OBJECTIVE: Although much remains unknown about what creates risk for women's intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization across time, trauma exposure and mental health are likely contributors. Specifically, posttraumatic stress (PTS) is a risk factor for IPV victimization, yet we know less about the unique contributions of PTS symptom domains to IPV risk. Identification of PTS symptom domains that confer risk for IPV has the potential to inform novel targets of intervention. METHOD: This study follows women with children (N = 118) across 8 years to identify the trauma exposure, mental health, and sociodemographic factors that contribute to IPV victimization risk using longitudinal multilevel modeling. RESULTS: Higher levels of PTS symptoms were associated with initially greater number of IPV victimization acts experienced (i.e., "IPV victimization"). However, across time, women with higher PTS symptoms decreased more quickly in IPV victimization than those with lower PTS symptoms. Higher levels of PTS arousal and reexperiencing were each associated with initially higher levels of IPV victimization. In addition, higher levels of PTS reexperiencing and arousal remained associated with higher levels of IPV victimization across time. Women's age was inversely related to IPV victimization over time only when accounting for the PTS symptom domains. CONCLUSIONS: Findings are that collapsing PTS symptoms into an overall construct may be too imprecise to identify key mechanisms for IPV victimization risk. IPV prevention should prioritize addressing reexperiencing and arousal symptoms to curb future IPV victimization. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Metabolite abundance in bovine preovulatory follicular fluid is influenced by follicle developmental progression post estrous onset in cattle.

Introduction: Preovulatory follicle response to the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge leads to metabolic, molecular, and functional changes in the oocyte and somatic follicular cells from the onset of estrus to ovulation. Follicular fluid contains metabolites, miRNAs, proteins, and hormones that are byproducts of follicular metabolism and support cellular processes of oocyte, cumulus, and granulosa constituents. Numerous studies have highlighted the importance of follicular fluid composition to support fertility, but critical gaps exist toward understanding dynamic modifications in the follicular fluid metabolome from estrous onset to ovulation. The hypothesis was that abundance of follicular fluid metabolites is dependent on follicle progression post LH surge and variability in follicular fluid metabolome profiles indicate key processes required for preparation of the follicle and oocyte for optimal fertility. The objective was to generate preovulatory follicular fluid metabolome profiles and discern differences in the metabolome of preovulatory follicular fluid samples collected at onset of estrus, 11 h post estrous onset, and 18 h post estrous onset. Methods: Estrus was synchronized in non-lactating Jersey cows (n=40) and follicular fluid was collected immediately after the first observed standing mount (hr 0) or at approximately h 11 or 18 after the first standing mount. Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry was performed on preovulatory follicular fluid samples (n = 9 collected at hr 0, 9 at h 11, and 10 at h 18) and a multiple linear model was performed to determine if time post estrous onset impacted metabolite abundance. Results: Metabolites influenced by time post estrous onset were tested for enrichment in KEGG pathways. Ninety metabolites were identified in follicular fluid samples. Twenty metabolites differed in abundance among timepoints post estrous onset (p ≤ 0.05). Pathways corresponding to amino acid and energy metabolism were enriched with metabolites impacted by time post estrous onset (FDR ≤ 0.10). Discussion: Results from the current study indicate early response to the LH surge to increase bioavailability of amino acids and metabolites used by the cumulus and granulosa cells for energy production and shuttled into the oocyte to support meiotic maturation. Such metabolites may later be used by the ovulatory follicle for protein production.

Risk and resilience factors for psychopathology during pregnancy: An application of the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP).

Pregnancy is a time of increased vulnerability to psychopathology, yet limited work has investigated the extent to which variation in psychopathology during pregnancy is shared and unshared across syndromes and symptoms. Understanding the structure of psychopathology during pregnancy, including associations with childhood experiences, may elucidate risk and resilience factors that are transdiagnostic and/or specific to particular psychopathology phenotypes. Participants were 292 pregnant individuals assessed using multiple measures of psychopathology. Confirmatory factor analyses found evidence for a structure of psychopathology consistent with the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP). A common transdiagnostic factor accounted for most variation in psychopathology, and both adverse and benevolent childhood experiences (ACEs and BCEs) were associated with this transdiagnostic factor. Furthermore, pregnancy-specific anxiety symptoms most closely reflected the dimension of Fear, which may suggest shared variation with manifestations of fear that are not pregnancy-specific. ACEs and BCEs also linked to specific prenatal psychopathology involving thought problems, detachment, and internalizing, externalizing, antagonistic, and antisocial behavior. These findings extend the dimensional and hierarchical HiTOP model to pregnant individuals and show how maternal childhood risk and resilience factors relate to common and specific forms of psychopathology during pregnancy as a period of enhanced vulnerability.

Eight-year trajectories of behavior problems and resilience in children exposed to early-life intimate partner violence: The overlapping and distinct effects of individual factors, maternal characteristics, and early intervention.

Childhood exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) can have lasting effects on well-being. Children also display resilience following IPV exposure. Yet, little research has prospectively followed changes in both maladaptive and adaptive outcomes in children who experience IPV in early life. The goal of the current study was to investigate how child factors (irritability), trauma history (severity of IPV exposure), maternal factors (mental health, parenting), and early intervention relate to trajectories of behavior problems (internalizing and externalizing problems) and resilience (prosocial behavior, emotion regulation), over 8 years. One hundred twenty mother-child dyads participated in a community-based randomized controlled trial of an intervention for IPV-exposed children and their mothers. Families completed follow-up assessments 6-8 months (N = 71) and 6-8 years (N = 68) later. Although intention-to-treat analyses did not reveal significant intervention effects, per-protocol analyses suggested that participants receiving an effective dose (eight sessions) of the treatment had fewer internalizing problems over time. Child irritability and maternal parenting were associated with both behavior problems and resilience. Maternal mental health was uniquely associated with child behavior problems, whereas maternal positive parenting was uniquely associated with child resilience. Results support the need for a dyadic perspective on child adjustment following IPV exposure.

Preovulatory follicular fluid and serum metabolome profiles in lactating beef cows with thin, moderate, and obese body condition.

Extremes in body condition reduce fertility and overall productivity in beef cattle herds, due in part to altered systemic metabolic conditions that influence the intrafollicular and uterine environment. Follicular fluid and serum metabolome profiles are influenced by body composition in women and dairy cattle; however, such information is lacking in beef cattle. We hypothesized that body condition score (BCS)-related alterations in the metabolome of preovulatory follicular fluid and serum may influence oocyte maturation while impacting the oviductal or uterine environment. Therefore, we performed a study with the objective to determine the relationship between BCS and the metabolome of follicular fluid and serum in lactating beef cattle. We synchronized the development of a preovulatory follicle in 130 cows of varying BCS. We collected blood and performed transvaginal follicle aspirations to collect follicular fluid from the preovulatory follicle ~18 h after gonadotropin-releasing hormone administration to stimulate the preovulatory gonadotropin surge. We then selected follicular fluid and serum samples from cows with BCS 4 (Thin; n = 14), BCS 6 (Moderate; n = 18), or BCS >8 (Obese; n = 14) for ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. We identified differences in the follicular fluid or serum of thin, moderate, and obese animals based on multiple linear regression. MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for enrichment analysis of significant metabolites. We identified 38 metabolites in follicular fluid and 49 metabolites in serum. There were no significant differences in follicular fluid metabolite content among BCS classifications. There were 5, 22, and 1 serum metabolites differentially abundant between thin-obese, moderate-thin, and moderate-obese classifications, respectively (false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.10). These metabolites were enriched in multiple processes including "arginine biosynthesis," "arginine/proline metabolism," and "D-glutamine/D-glutamate metabolism" (FDR < 0.04). Pathways enriched with serum metabolites associated with BCS indicate potentially increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in serum of thin cows. ROS crossing the blood follicular barrier may negatively impact the oocyte during oocyte maturation and contribute to the reduced pregnancy rates observed in thin beef cows.

Extremes in body condition affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes in beef cows. Much research has been done in women and dairy cows to evaluate body condition's effect on oocyte and embryo quality, pregnancy rates, and pregnancy outcomes. However, little work of this type has been done in beef cows and most studies do not focus on the preovulatory time period. The preovulatory time period is an essential time for the oocyte, as final stages of prematuration and the completion of oocyte maturation take place in the peri-ovulatory follicle. The follicular fluid provides the microenvironment for oocyte maturation and exchanges substances with maternal circulation at the blood follicular barrier. Alterations in maternal circulation due to extremes in body condition may pass into the follicular fluid and affect the oocyte during the preovulatory time period. Such conditions may contribute to the reduced fertility seen in beef cows with extreme body condition.

Longitudinal Correlates of Maternal Involvement and Spanking in Spanish-speaking Latinas Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence.

Mothers experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) have been found to have negative long-term parenting outcomes, such as reduced maternal involvement and greater use of physical punishment, which represent potential pathways by which IPV negatively affects children. Factors influencing these parenting practices have not been examined in IPV-exposed Latinas. The aim of this study is to understand the factors that affect maternal involvement and spanking by Latinas to contribute to culturally-informed intervention development and refinement. A total of 93 Spanish-speaking Latinas who had experienced IPV completed standardized measures of maternal involvement, spanking, IPV, depression, and posttraumatic stress (PTS) and provided demographic information. Slightly over half of the women participated in an intervention program. Longitudinal multilevel modeling (MLM) demonstrated that higher levels of maternal depression predicted lower levels of involvement over time. PTS reexperiencing symptoms were positively related to involvement, such that mothers with higher levels of reexperiencing reported higher levels of involvement. An independent longitudinal MLM revealed that higher amounts of IPV exposure and higher levels of PTS arousal symptoms were associated with higher levels of spanking, while maternal employment was associated with lower levels of this same parenting behavior. Maternal involvement increased over time, where there was no significant change in spanking over time, and no effect of the intervention program on either parenting practice. Results suggest clinical interventions should target reductions in depression and specific PTS symptom subdomains as pathways to improving parenting in IPV-exposed Latinas. Continued study is needed to understand the relationship between reexperiencing and maternal involvement.

Preschoolers' Intimate Partner Violence Exposure and Their Speeded Control Abilities Eight Years Later: A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis.

Executive functioning (EF), or a set of related cognitive skills that facilitate goal-oriented behavior, is a critical aspect of adaptive development. Mounting research indicates that exposure to environmental threats during the preschool years jeopardizes EF; however, the extent and mechanisms through which early exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) influences children's EF are unknown. Using data from an eight-year longitudinal investigation of mothers who had experienced IPV and their preschool-aged children (N = 120), this study examined the relative influence of recent and remote IPV exposure on speeded control-a component of EF influenced by processing speed-in late childhood. Results indicated that preschoolers' IPV exposure had a significant negative impact on their speeded control eight years later, and this relation was mediated by the remote effects of IPV on their mothers. Specifically, IPV was positively associated with maternal depression, which in turn contributed to greater use of negative parenting strategies when children were of preschool age. Children's IPV exposure during late childhood was not predictive of their concurrent speeded control. These findings lend further evidence to the notion that the preschool years are a sensitive period for the mastery of EF skills and that IPV exposure is a distinct risk factor that can have protracted effects on children's cognitive development. Further, this study points to modifiable environmental risk factors, which, through targeted prevention and intervention efforts, could promote EF across the lifespan.

Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization by Multiple Partners Over a Period of 8 Years.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive social issue with broad physical and mental health implications. Although 35%-56% of women report IPV victimization with more than one violent partner, few studies have identified factors that increase the risk of experiencing IPV across multiple partners (i.e., IPV reengagement). In the current study, multilevel modeling was used to examine the roles of trauma exposure, mental health, and sociodemographic factors in the risk for reengagement in a sample of women (N = 120) with IPV victimization. Participants were drawn from a randomized control trial of an intervention for mothers who had experienced IPV. The results revealed that more psychological but less sexual IPV was associated with increased reengagement. Higher degrees of posttraumatic reexperiencing symptoms were associated with less reengagement. Depressive symptoms were also significantly associated with reengagement such that lower levels of positive affect and increased somatic symptoms were associated with increased reengagement. Higher income levels and less housing instability were associated with more reengagement, ßrange = -.13-.16. Finally, compared to the control condition, participation in the intervention program was significantly associated with lower levels of reengagement at 8-year follow-up, ß = -.75, p = .001. These findings suggest that it is not what happened (i.e., experiences of abuse) but rather a woman's posttraumatic experience (i.e., posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms) that creates risk for reengagement. The findings support the long-term effectiveness of a brief intervention in reducing reengagement.

Investigating the effects of the Moms' Empowerment Program on 8-year traumatic stress symptom trajectories in women with histories of IPV.

OBJECTIVE: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pressing issue, affecting nearly one-third of women in the U.S. over their lifetimes, and has been linked with a number of deleterious outcomes, including the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although IPV is often chronic, few studies have prospectively examined trajectories of PTSD symptoms (PTSS) in this population. The goal of the present study was to assess the effects of the Moms' Empowerment Program-an IPV-specific intervention; as well as trauma exposure, domestic violence (DV) shelter use, and depression symptoms on PTSS trajectories in women with histories of IPV. METHOD: Data were drawn from a sample of 118 women who participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an intervention specifically designed for women and children experiencing IPV. Sixty-seven women from the original sample completed an assessment 8 years following the conclusion of the intervention. RESULTS: On average, women's PTSS decreased over time. Intervention group assignment did not affect these trajectories; however, women who attended more sessions had significantly fewer PTSS at the 8-year follow-up. Greater IPV exposure, higher depression symptoms, and shelter use were all associated with higher PTSS over time, with some variation across PTSS subdomains. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide preliminary evidence that brief intervention may have long-term effects. They also demonstrate how addressing ongoing IPV and concurrent symptoms of depression is likely an essential component of treating PTSS in this population. Finally, these results underscore the need for more research on relations between formal DV services and mental health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Affective Development from Middle Childhood to Late Adolescence: Trajectories of Mean-Level Change in Negative and Positive Affect.

Adolescence has long been purported to be a period of emotional upheaval, yet relatively little is known regarding normative patterns of change in youth positive and negative affect across the adolescent transition. This study addressed this gap by examining normative patterns of mean-level change in youth positive and negative affect from middle childhood through late adolescence, encompassing the full span of adolescent development. Participants included 665 youth recruited in 3rd, 6th, and 9th grade cohorts (55.0% female; age 9-16 at baseline) who provided self-report ratings of positive and negative affect every 18 months for a period of three years in an accelerated longitudinal cohort design. Multi-level growth curve models revealed that adolescence is characterized by declines in positive affect and non-linear patterns of alternating decreases and increases in negative affect. Patterns of change differed across boys and girls. The findings from this study indicate that adolescence is characterized by normative reductions in positive affect in the context of labile negative affect, with implications for understanding processes of risk and resilience across the adolescent transition.

Contributions to Depressed Affect in Latina Women: Examining the Effectiveness of the Moms' Empowerment Program.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant social and public health problem that includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats of physical or sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression by an intimate partner. Estimates suggest that 35% of Latinas living in the United States experience IPV in their lifetime, with known severe negative outcomes. One mental health consequence of concern is depression, which disproportionately affects IPV-exposed Latinas. The present study tested the effectiveness of the Moms' Empowerment Program (MEP), a culturally adapted intervention to reduce depressive symptoms among IPV-exposed Spanish-speaking Latina mothers. Additional psychosocial predictors of levels of depressed affect over time are examined, including levels of post-traumatic stress, IPV exposure, positive parenting, parental acceptance of children's negative emotions, and maternal employment. Participants (N = 72) were assigned to a treatment or a wait-list comparison condition, and those in the treatment group completed a 10-week group intervention addressing the unique problems associated with IPV exposure, mental health, and parenting among Spanish-speaking Latinas. Results of multilevel modeling revealed that participation in the MEP was associated with significant reductions in depressed affect. Lower levels of post-traumatic stress and higher levels of positive parenting, maternal acceptance of children's negative emotions, and maternal employment predicted lower levels of depressed affect. The amount of total IPV exposure was not significantly associated with the extent of depressed affect. The MEP represents a culturally tailored, evidence-based intervention to reduce depressed affect among Spanish-speaking Latinas. The clinical implications of the additional predictors of levels of depressed affect are discussed.

Predictors of Housing Instability in Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence.

Although one in four women in the United States experience severe intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetimes and are at greater risk for homelessness and housing insecurity than women who have not experienced IPV, the factors increasing the vulnerability of women with an IPV history to housing instability have not been examined. This cross-sectional study utilized baseline data from interviews with 218 IPV-exposed women from diverse ethnoracial backgrounds participating with their children in the Kids' Club and the Mom's Empowerment Program, joint interventions designed to improve outcomes in families who have experienced IPV. Multiple regression was used to examine the predictors associated with housing instability, quantified as the number of times a participant had moved in the past 4 years. Demographic information was collected and exposure to violence was measured with the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS); severity and prevalence of PTSD and depression symptoms were measured with the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), respectively. Results showed that level of education was positively associated with housing instability, while age of the participant, average monthly income, and increased severity of PTSD symptoms were negatively associated. Neither the participant's race nor the extent of reported violence significantly predicted participants' housing instability. The findings of this study may serve to better identify those who have experienced IPV that are most at risk of experiencing housing instability, and to inform future interventions and policy aiming to support their needs. In addition, these results further emphasize the importance of providing housing resources in addition to interventions designed to improve physical and psychosocial health in enabling women that have experienced IPV to gain independence from an abuser.

Profiles of Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence.

Childhood exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with a host of problems, including the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). PTSS include a wide range of unique symptomatology and as a result, clinical presentations of PTSS can vary in both distribution and overall number of symptoms. Work in child and adolescent samples has largely focused on factors predicting the total number of symptoms (i.e., symptom severity), with less work focused on both patterns of symptom number and distribution. Furthermore, few studies have examined how functional impairment varies in relation to PTSS presentation. The goal of the current study is to (a) document patterns of PTSS severity and distribution in children with histories of witnessing IPV, (b) examine the factors that predict different PTSS presentations, and (c) investigate how PTSS presentation is associated with functional impairment. Data for this study were drawn from a sample of 236 children between the ages of 4 and 12 years and their mothers who had experienced recent IPV. Families reported high levels of IPV in the past year, and children reported moderate levels of PTSS. A latent profile analysis of PTSS revealed that three profiles were the best-fitting model for the data. The three profiles were differentiated between low, moderate, and high levels of PTSS, and membership in the profiles varied by children's age and trauma history. The results of this study give important information about the potential development of PTSS as well as clinically useful information about the relationship between children's PTSS and their functioning following exposure to IPV.

Examining the 8-Year Trajectory of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence.

Millions of children witness intimate partner violence (IPV) each year, and the effects of these experiences are substantial. One of the more common sequelae of exposure to IPV is the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Given the chronic nature of both IPV and PTSS, there is a need for prospective research on long-term mental health outcomes following IPV exposure in childhood. This study prospectively examines trajectories of PTSS over an 8-year period, beginning from the preschool period. This study also investigates factors that may be associated with these trajectories, including intervention participation, continued IPV exposure, and the caregiving environment. A total of 120 mother-child dyads participated in four study waves over an 8-year period, beginning when children were between the ages of 4 and 6. Mothers and children participated in an intervention between baseline and Time 2. At the onset of the study, all mothers reported experiencing IPV over the previous year. Findings demonstrate that, in general, children experienced worsening of their PTSS over the 8-year trajectory, and few factors were significantly associated with this trajectory. There were no associations between intervention participation, parenting behaviors, and long-term child PTSS outcomes; however, there were significant associations between amount of IPV exposure, mother's level of PTSS, and children's PTSS outcomes. These results underscore the need to better understand the impact of early-life exposure to IPV, as well as the need for interventions tailored to this developmental period. Furthermore, these findings highlight the long-term negative associations between chronic exposure to IPV and child well-being, as well as the significant connections between caregiver and child mental health.

Dyadic Profiles of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Mothers and Children Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence.

Children who witness intimate partner violence (IPV) develop posttraumatic stress disorder at alarmingly high rates. Research suggests that caregivers' symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTSS) often co-occur alongside children's PTSS, a phenomenon termed "relational posttraumatic stress." The goal of this study is to use dyad-centered analyses to examine heterogeneity in relational PTSS presentations in mother-child dyads, and to determine factors differentiating relational PTSS profiles. Data were drawn from a sample of 231 IPV-exposed, ethno-racially diverse mother-child dyads, with children ranging from ages 4 to 12. The results of a latent profile analysis indicated that a two-profile model was the best fit with the data. Both profiles indicated similar levels of PTSS across the dyad; however, they differed in overall symptom severity. Parenting and IPV severity significantly predicted profile membership; however, age did not. Results suggest that similarities in PTSS presentation should be expected in mother-child dyads, at least in families who experience IPV.

The Social and Individual Characteristics of Women Associated With Engagement With Multiple Intimate Violent Partners.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem with known negative physical and mental health outcomes for women exposed. Studies have shown that with increased violence exposure, there are increased risks of negative outcomes for women. Likewise, chronicity of IPV across multiple partners is linked to more profound psychological suffering than acute exposure. However, little is known about the social- and individual-level characteristics of women that are correlated with engagement with multiple abusive partners. The current study (N = 164) identifies the characteristics of women that are associated with the number of violent partners with which they have been involved, with 35% of the sample reporting multiple IPV relationships. Participants reported on the number of violent partners, demographic characteristics, trauma history, current trauma and depressive symptoms, and exposure to IPV, including physical, sexual, and psychological violence. Results of multiple regression analysis indicate that trauma history (childhood sexual abuse, being held hostage, and torture) and current psychological violence were associated with women's engagement with multiple violent partners. Additional findings reveal that identification as African American and White was associated with greater re-engagement compared with identification as Latina. Finally, current exposure to sexual violence was associated with fewer violent partners. The clinical implications of these findings for treatment for women at risk for engagement with multiple partners in IPV relationships are discussed.

Moms’ Empowerment Program participation associated with improved physical health among Latinas experiencing intimate partner violence

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To evaluate whether participation in the Moms’ Empowerment Program (MEP), a 10-week, 10-session intervention designed to provide support and increase access to available community resources for women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), enhanced the physical health of participants who self-identified as Latina. Methods. Mothers of children ages 4–12 who self-identified as Latina and had experienced IPV within the past two years were recruited at three intervention sites in Michigan, Ohio, and Texas, via community postings and referrals from agencies serving IPV-exposed families. Selected study participants (n = 93) were assigned to one of two groups: Treatment (immediate enrollment in the MEP) or Control (placement on a waitlist with an invitation to participate in the MEP after the 10-week study period). Data were drawn from two structured interviews, one at the time of recruitment for the study (Time One), and one following the intervention or wait period (Time Two). Results. After controlling for age, educational attainment, and partner residence (living with a violent partner at the time of the interview), multilevel modeling revealed that improvement in physical health over time was significantly greater among women who participated in the intervention relative to controls. Conclusions. These data suggest that enhancing interpersonal connectedness and access to resources positively affects physical health for Latinas experiencing IPV.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Evaluar si la participación en la iniciativa Programa de Empoderamiento de las Mamás (PEM), una intervención de 10 sesiones en 10 semanas concebida para prestar apoyo a mujeres autodefinidas como latinas objeto de violencia de pareja y brindarles un mayor acceso a los recursos comunitarios, mejoró la salud física de las participantes. Métodos. Participaron en el estudio madres de niños de 4 a 12 años de edad que se autodefinieron como latinas y habían sido objeto de violencia de pareja en los últimos dos años. El reclutamiento de las participantes se hizo en tres sitios donde se realizaba la intervención, en Michigan, Ohio y Texas, por medio de avisos comunitarios y referencias de organismos que atienden a familias expuestas a la violencia de pareja. Las participantes seleccionadas para el estudio (n = 93) se asignaron a uno de los dos grupos siguientes: grupo de tratamiento (se inscribieron de inmediato en el PEM) o grupo de control (se pusieron en una lista de espera y se invitaron a participar en el PEM una vez que transcurrieran las 10 semanas del estudio). Se extrajeron datos de dos entrevistas estructuradas, una realizada al inscribir a las participantes en el estudio (fecha 1) y otra después de la intervención o el período de espera (fecha 2). Resultados. Después de controlar la edad, el nivel de escolaridad y el lugar de residencia de la pareja (vivir con una pareja violenta en el momento de la entrevista), el modelo de varios niveles mostró que el mejoramiento de la salud física con el transcurso del tiempo era significativamente mayor en las mujeres que habían participado en la intervención que en las mujeres del grupo de control. Conclusiones. Estos datos indican que mejorar la conexión interpersonal y el acceso a los recursos tiene un efecto positivo en la salud física de las mujeres latinas que son objeto de violencia de pareja.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Avaliar se a participação no Programa de Empoderamento de Mães (PEM), uma intervenção composta por 10 sessões semanais com o objetivo de prestar apoio e melhorar o acesso aos recursos disponíveis na comunidade para mulheres que sofrem violência infligida pelo parceiro íntimo, promove a melhora da saúde física das participantes que se reconhecem como latinas. Métodos. Mães de crianças com idade de 4 a 12 anos que se reconhecem como latinas e sofreram violência infligida pelo parceiro íntimo nos dois anos anteriores foram recrutadas em três centros de intervenção em Michigan, Ohio e Texas, por meio de anúncios na comunidade e o encaminhamento de órgãos que fazem o atendimento de famílias expostas à violência infligida pelo parceiro íntimo. As participantes selecionadas para o estudo (n = 93) foram divididas em dois grupos: grupo de tratamento (inscrição imediata no PEM) ou grupo de controle (inscrição na lista de espera com convite para participar do PEM após o período do estudo de 10 semanas). Os dados foram coletados em duas entrevistas estruturadas, uma ao recrutamento para o estudo (momento 1) e a outra após a intervenção ou o período de espera (momento 2). Resultados. Após controlar idade, nível de instrução e residência do parceiro (coabitação com o parceiro violento no momento da entrevista), a análise com o modelo de múltiplos níveis demonstrou que houve uma melhora significativamente maior da saúde física ao longo do tempo nas participantes da intervenção em comparação ao grupo de controle. Conclusões. Esses resultados indicam que reforçar o senso de conexão interpessoal e melhorar o acesso aos recursos têm um impacto positivo na saúde física de mulheres latinas que sofrem violência infligida pelo parceiro íntimo.

Moms' Empowerment Program participation associated with improved physical health among Latinas experiencing intimate partner violence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether participation in the Moms' Empowerment Program (MEP), a 10-week, 10-session intervention designed to provide support and increase access to available community resources for women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), enhanced the physical health of participants who self-identified as Latina. METHODS: Mothers of children ages 4-12 who self-identified as Latina and had experienced IPV within the past two years were recruited at three intervention sites in Michigan, Ohio, and Texas, via community postings and referrals from agencies serving IPV-exposed families. Selected study participants (n = 93) were assigned to one of two groups: Treatment (immediate enrollment in the MEP) or Control (placement on a waitlist with an invitation to participate in the MEP after the 10-week study period). Data were drawn from two structured interviews, one at the time of recruitment for the study (Time One), and one following the intervention or wait period (Time Two). RESULTS: After controlling for age, educational attainment, and partner residence (living with a violent partner at the time of the interview), multilevel modeling revealed that improvement in physical health over time was significantly greater among women who participated in the intervention relative to controls. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that enhancing interpersonal connectedness and access to resources positively affects physical health for Latinas experiencing IPV.