The impact of relationship type and closeness on mental health following suicide loss.

BACKGROUND: Most research investigating the effect of suicide on loss survivors has been limited to first-degree family members. Few studies examine the impact of suicide on others outside the immediate family and the influence of relationship type and closeness on mental health. METHODS: This study used data from a sample obtained through random digit dialing (n = 805) to assess exposure to suicide loss, relationship types, perceived closeness, and mental health symptoms (prolonged grief, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder). RESULTS: Familial status, friend status, and higher perceived closeness were associated with prolonged grief, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, with the strongest adjusted associations observed for posttraumatic stress disorder and prolonged grief. In general, the magnitude of adjusted standardized associations for closeness and mental health symptoms was stronger than those observed for familial status and mental health symptoms and friend status and mental health symptoms. CONCLUSION: Closeness, familial status, and friend status are associated with mental health symptoms experienced after suicide loss, but the magnitude of associations was strongest for closeness. Future studies should examine perceived closeness in addition to other factors related to relationship type and dynamics to assess the complexities of suicide bereavement reactions.

Nonfreezing Cold Injury and Cold Intolerance in Paddlesport.

INTRODUCTION: Nonfreezing cold injury (NFCI) occurs when tissues are subjected to prolonged cooling that causes tissue damage, but not freezing. Long-term effects include cold intolerance, with allodynia, pain, or numbness of the affected limb. Those who participate in outdoor paddlesports are at particular risk. METHODS: This is an epidemiological study that aimed to determine the risk factors for paddlesport athletes developing NFCI and chronic cold intolerance in their hands. Secondary outcomes were to correlate cumulative cold exposure with the development of cold intolerance and to identify risk factors for developing NFCI or cold intolerance. Six hundred nine athletes responded to a survey distributed by their national governing body obtaining demographic and activity details, symptoms of NFCI, and a cold intolerance severity score (CISS). RESULTS: Twenty-three percent reported symptoms consistent with acute NFCI. The median CISS was 31 y (interquartile range 25-43), and 15% had a pathological CISS defined as >50. Females and individuals with Raynaud's phenomenon or migraines had a significantly higher CISS (P<0.05). Regression analysis found that females, smokers, and those with Raynaud's phenomenon or a previous nerve injury had a significantly higher risk of developing pathological cold intolerance (CISS >50). There was no correlation between cumulative cold exposure and CISS. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of paddlesport athletes undertaking activity in cold conditions have a pathological CISS or episodes consistent with NFCI. Cumulative cold exposure was not associated with a pathologically high CISS. The risk factors were female sex, smokers, and those suffering from either Raynaud's phenomenon or nerve injury.

The Sexual Rights of Others: Majoritized Women's Support for Marginalized Women's Sexual Rights.

Advocates argue that sexual safety, access to sexuality-related services, sexual health and well-being, sexual privacy, and sexual autonomy are universal and inalienable rights of all people. However, for those relegated to the social, economic, and political margins, their sexual rights can only be secured with the support of others. In the current study, we examined whether a sample of 307 majoritized women (i.e., white, cisgender, and heterosexual) would endorse the sexual rights of four theoretical groups of marginalized women: those who identify as lesbian; those with low incomes; those who are adolescents; and those labeled with an intellectual disability (ID). Whereas results indicated broad and equivalent support for the sexual rights of lesbians and low-income women, participants were somewhat equivocal about the sexual rights of ID-labeled women and least supportive of the sexual rights of adolescent women. We consider how protectionist attitudes toward adolescent and ID-labeled women may explain these findings and ultimately undercut their sexual rights. Rather than restrict the rights of marginalized women, even in the interests of protection, we advocate committing energy and resources to reducing their vulnerability so that all women may exercise a full complement of sexual rights.