Importance of Self-Forgiveness and Social Support in Potentially Reducing Loneliness in Men Who Have Sex with Men

Abstract

Higher levels of loneliness in men who have sex with men (MSM) are associated with negative outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and sexual impulsivity. By identifying what may reduce loneliness in MSM, counselors and public health professionals can alleviate the distress of their clients. A significant hierarchical multiple regression controlling for relationship status, F(9, 105)?=?16.36, p?<?0.001, R² = .62, indicated that higher levels of self-forgiveness (β?=??.19, p?=?.04) and perceived social support (β?=??.49, p?<?.001) predicted lower levels of loneliness in MSM. Implications and limitations are discussed.     

Healthy Active Living: A Residence Community–Based Intervention to Increase Physical Activity and Healthy Eating During the Transition to First-Year University

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of a Healthy Active Living (HAL) community intervention on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC), and psychosocial mediators of physical activity among students transitioning into university. Methods: Sixty undergraduate students were assigned to reside in either the HAL community or no-treatment control residence and completed questionnaire measures at the beginning and end of the academic year. Results: Students living in the HAL community reported significantly more MVPA (F[1, 58] = 19.93, p <.001, η_p² =.26) and greater FVC (F[1, 56] = 3.12, p =.08, η_p² =.05) compared with controls. Participants in the HAL condition also scored significantly higher in action planning (F[1, 58] = 4.79, p <.05, η_p² =.08), partially mediating the effect of the intervention on MVPA. Conclusion: A peer-delivered healthy lifestyles intervention targeting first-year university students appears to be effective in preserving or enhancing health behaviors and cognitions during their transition into university life.     

Cardiometabolic risks associated with work-to-family conflict: findings from the Work Family Health Network

ABSTRACT

Objective: Work and family stressors may be associated with elevated cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: To assess the effects of work-to-family conflict (WTFC) on biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk, we examined 1524 extended care employees over 18 months and estimated multilevel linear models that accounted for the nested nature of the data.

Results: WTFC was positively associated with BMI [β?=?0.53, CI?=?(0.08, 0.98), p?=?.02 at baseline and β?=?0.59, CI?=?(0.12, 1.04), p?=?.01 across the 18-month study period] and negatively with HDL cholesterol [β?=??0.32, CI?=?(?0.57, ?0.08), p?=?.01 across the 18-month study period]. The rate of change in BMI from baseline to 18 months increased with higher levels of WTFC as well (β?=?0.08, CI?=?(0.03, 0.15), p?=?.0007). However, WTFC was not associated with other variables reflecting cardiometabolic risk, such as including blood pressure, cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin and cigarette smoking status.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that BMI, which is linked to potentially malleable health behaviors, is more closely related to inter-role conflict than biological markers reflecting longer-term physiologic processes. These effects are exacerbated over time and may be particularly detrimental to already overweight and obese individuals.     

The Influence of Consent on College Students’ Perceptions of the Quality of Sexual Intercourse at Last Event

ABSTRACT. The current study assessed consent's relation to quality of sexual intercourse. College students (n = 640) participated in a survey assessing their most recent intercourse. Hierarchical regression was conducted: alcohol consumption, relationship status, and age were entered in Step 1; the Internal and External Consent Scale factors were entered in Step 2. For women, three internal consent factors explained a significant proportion of variance in quality of intercourse beyond Step 1 (ΔR² = .17, p < .001). For men, one internal and two external consent factors were significant predictors beyond Step 1 (ΔR² = .24, p < .001). Preliminary findings suggest consent is associated with quality of intercourse.     

Circulating testosterone and estradiol,autonomic balance and baroreflex sensitivity in middle-aged and elderly men with heart failure

Abstract

Background: Heart failure (HF) is considered as a cardiogeriatric syndrome. Its fundamental pathophysiological feature is autonomic imbalance (and associated abnormalities within cardiovascular reflex control), but recent evidence suggests the involvement of deranged hormone metabolism. Both these neural and endocrine pathologies have serious clinical and prognostic consequences in patients with HF. We investigated the relations between autonomic status, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and hormone status in men with mild systolic HF.

Methods: We examined 46 men with stable systolic HF (age: 62?±?10 years, NYHA class I/II: 10/36 [22%/78%], ischemic aetiology: 72%, left ventricular ejection fraction: 32?±?8%). Serum hormone levels (i.e. total testosterone [TT], dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate [DHEAS], oestradiol [E2], insulin-like growth factor type 1 [IGF-1] and cortisol) were assessed using immunoassays. Estimated free testosterone (eFT) was estimated using the Vermeulen’s equation. Heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed in time and frequency domains, based on 10-min resting recordings. BRS was estimated using the sequence method (BRS-Seq) and the phenylephrine test (BRS-Phe).

Results: Deficiencies in circulating TT, eFT, DHEAS and IGF-1 (defined as a serum hormone ≤the 10th percentile calculated for the adequate age category in the cohort of healthy men) were found in respectively 13%, 30%, 55% and 93% of men with systolic HF. Serum SHBG ≥50?nmol/L and cortisol ≥700?nmol/L characterised, respectively 44% and 29% of men with HF. In multivariable models after the adjustment for clinical variables, the following relationships were found in examined men: DHEAS and SDNN (time domain of HRV defined as a standard deviation of average R–R intervals) (β?=?0.29, p?=?0.03); E2 and: HRV-LF (ms²) (β?=?0.37, p?=?0.01), HRV-HF (ms²) (β?=?0.44, p?=?0.02) and BRS-Phe (β?=?0.51, p?=?0.008); TT and: HRV-HF (%) (β?=?0.35, p?=?0.02), HRV-LF/HF ratio (β?=??0.35, p?=?0.02) and BRS-Seq (β?=?0.33, p?=?0.04).

Conclusions: The observed associations between reduced circulating androgens, oestrogens and lower HRV and depleted BRS, irrespectively of HF severity suggest the pathophysiological links between these two mechanisms. These results constitute the premises to investigate whether the pharmacological supplementation of depleted hormones would enable to restore the autonomic balance and improve the efficacy of reflex control within the cardiovascular system in men with systolic HF.     

Application of multivariate longitudinal models in SIRT6, FBS,and BMI analysis of the elderly

Abstract

Objective: SIRT6 is a main regulator of metabolism and lifespan and its importance has been implicated in the prevention against aging-related diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the application of multivariate longitudinal models in SIRT6, FBS, and BMI analysis in the elderly men after eight weeks concurrent training with supplementation of l-arginine (l-Arg).

Methods: Thirty two elderly men with mean age of 63.09?±?3.71 years were randomly divided into four equal-sized groups (each n?=?8); Exercise?+?supplement (ES) group; exercise?+?placebo (EP) group; supplement (S) group and control (C) group. The ES and EP groups performed the eight weeks of concurrent training, three sessions per week. Group ES and group S consumed 1000?mg of l-Arg per day at 8:00?pm. Measurements of biochemical variables were done by ELISA Reader method. For analytical purposes, we used the paired sample t-test and multivariate longitudinal modeling with generalized estimating equation (GEE) methodology. All analyses have been implemented in R-3.4.1. p Values less than .05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: With respect to significant association between sirt6, FBS, and BMI, this study showed that synergy effect of training and supplementation was greater than the sum of their individual effects on SIRT6 (β?=?0.79, p?<?.001), FBS (β?=??5.56, p?=?.022), and BMI (β?=??3.89; p?=?.041). Also exercise alone had a significantly larger effect than supplementation alone on responses.

Conclusions: It can be concluded that the joint usage of concurrent training and supplement of l-Arg for elderly men could improve the metabolism and body composition.     

The Relationship Among the Material Welfare,Maternity, and Marital Status of Women in the State of Georgia

Childbearing among unmarried women has been the subject of intense public health debate for decades, reflecting concerns about the impact on family structure and the economic security of born children. This report analyzes 2007 data from the OASIS, the website of the Division of Public Health of the Georgia Department of Community Health. Significant inverse correlations were recorded among the counties' median household income on one side and birth rate (r = –.239, p < .01), percentage of all births from unmarried mothers (r = –.679, p < .001), and percentage of all births from mothers with less than a 12th-grade education (r = –.488, p < .001). We believe that creating a network of maternity education and support programs across the state of Georgia that works under centralized supervision from a maternity committee could help alleviate the negative effect of median household income on nonmarital birth and decrease regional disparities related to nonmarital births.     

Perceptions of Environmental Supports on the Physical Activity Behaviors of University Men and Women: A Preliminary Investigation

Objective To examine perception differences between genders of university sidewalks and safety from crime on the physical activity (PA) behaviors of undergraduate students. Participants Five hundred and sixty undergraduate students participated in this study. Methods The authors derived questions from the South Carolina Environmental Supports for Physical Activity Questionnaire (SCESPAQ) and National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRS) PA module. Results The authors found a significant mean difference between genders for the Moderate Intensity Item (eg, walking and biking) and the Flexibility Item, t(558) = 3.602, p = .001, and t(558) = 1.946, p = .050, respectively. Of participants surveyed, 30% of women perceived this campus to be extremely safe compared with 49% of men, t(558) = 4.240, p = .001. Gender and the perceptions of sidewalk presence were significantly related (p < .05) to respondents' walking or bicycling patterns. Conclusions Perceptions of sidewalks and safety from crime on this university campus were related to students' PA behaviors.     

Implementation of an intimate partner violence screening program in a university health care clinic

Abstract

Objectives: To examine whether an intimate partner violence (IPV) screening program is related to a positive change in health care providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of IPV screening. Participants: Eleven health care providers at a university health care clinic participated in the IPV screening program. Methods: A one-group pretest-posttest design was used to examine whether an IPV screening program was related to a change in health care providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of IPV screening. Results: Findings indicated that there was a significant difference (p?<?000) between the posttest scores and the pretest scores on the Domestic Violence Healthcare Provider Survey Scale. Domain analysis of the scale revealed a significant difference in perceived self-efficacy (p?=?.001), system support (p?=?<.002), victim provider safety (p?=?.015), and beliefs of blaming victims (p?=?<.004). No statistical difference was found in professional role resistance/fear of offending (p?=?.158). Conclusions: A university health care clinic IPV screening program was related to a positive change in health care providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of IPV screening.     

Attachment Styles,Loneliness, Quality,and Stability of Marital Relationships

Quality and stability of intimate relationships are determined by various factors. Associations between attachment styles, social and emotional loneliness, competence in being alone, and relationship qualities in couples have not yet been investigated. Sixty-three couples completed self-report measures of current relationship quality and duration, attachment style, and loneliness. Marital quality is predicted by means of experienced emotional loneliness, fearful attachment style, age, and participation in relationship counseling (R ² _corrected = .568). Length of relationship is predicted by age, experienced social loneliness, and competence in being alone (R ² _corrected = .648). Attachment styles, loneliness, age, competence in being alone, and participation in relationship counseling are all possible determinants of relationship qualities.     

Compensatory Weight Control Behaviors of Women in Emerging Adulthood: Associations Between Childhood Abuse Experiences and Adult Relationship Avoidance

Abstract

Objective: To examine correlates of compensatory weight control behaviors among women in transition between adolescence and adulthood. Participants: The authors recruited a sample of undergraduate women (N = 759) at a large northwestern university during the 2009–2010 academic year. Methods: Logistic regression was used to assess relations among childhood abuse, psychosocial functioning, adult dating relationship factors, and women's endorsement of compensatory weight control behaviors. Results: The final model reliably distinguished between participants who endorsed versus denied use of compensatory behaviors (χ²[5, N = 747] = 36.37, p < .001), with global psychosocial functioning and relationship avoidance accounting for the most variance. Conclusions: These findings illustrate the importance of considering childhood abuse histories and adult relationships while assessing young women's compensatory weight control behaviors.     

College Student Smokers' Cognitive Appraisal of High-Risk Activities

Abstract

Objective: Students who smoke are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as binge drinking and unprotected sex (Schnieder and Morris, Environ Behav. 1999; 23:575–591). The goals of the present study were to determine whether smokers assess these behaviors as lower risk than nonsmokers, and if smoking rate influences risk perceptions. Methods: Participants were 303 college students. Cognitive Appraisal of Risky Activities (Fromme et al., Cognit Ther Res. 1997; 21:421–442) and smoking were assessed August–November, 2006. Results: Smokers reported significantly less risk, more benefit, and more involvement in risky behaviors than nonsmokers (p < .01). In hierarchical linear regression, risk perceptions moderated the association between smoking and (a) expected benefit from risky sexual behaviors (β = ?1.121, p < .05); and (b) expected involvement with illicit drugs (β = ?.313, p < .01). Conclusions: College smokers’ assessment of high-risk behaviors influenced their intended involvement. Risk perception change may therefore alter their involvement in high-risk behaviors.     

Knowledge and perception of female nursing students about human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer,and attitudes toward HPV vaccination

Objective: The researchers aimed to evaluate the knowledge and perceptions of first-year female nursing students about human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer (CC), and HPV vaccination. Participants: The sample included 690 female nursing students from sampled universities between April and June 2015. Methods: Students were surveyed by using a pretested HPV and CC awareness questionnaire. Results: More than half of the students (65.1%) answered questions incorrectly with a mean HPV knowledge score of 6.085?±?3.38. The majority of students (82.6%) did not hear HPV vaccine. Only, 2.8% of the students had been vaccinated. A statistically significant relationship was found between HPV knowledge score and hearing about HPV vaccine (U?=?28280.500, p?=?.015), and believing HPV vaccine protectiveness (χ²?=?14.153, p?=?.001). Conclusions: This study highlights the lack of knowledge and low level of awareness about HPV, CC, and HPV vaccination among first-year nursing college students.     

Support for Resilience Theory with Female Adolescents Who Are Violent: A MIMIC Model

Resilience theory has been shown to explain aggression and violence in adolescents in general. No studies were found that supported this theory specifically with female adolescents. A multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) model was developed from the review of the literature. Structural equation modeling was then used to quantitatively test this theoretical MIMIC model. Results indicate that the direct effect of the demographic contingencies are significantly related to violent behavior: race (β = ?.53, t = 0.04, p < .001), community supports (β = ?0.55, t = ?0.04, p < .001), and subsidized income supports (β = 0.54, t = 0.04, p < .001). These results suggest demographic contingencies play an important role in predicting violent behavior in female adolescents.     

Association of vitamin D status and the risk of cardiovascular disease as assessed by various cardiovascular risk scoring systems in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D (25[OH]D) status and the risk of cardiovascular disease as assessed by various cardiovascular risk scoring systems such as QRISK2, BNF, ASSING, SCORE, and Framingham in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).

Methods: The study included 108 patients with vitamin D insufficiency (25[OH]D?≥?10–30?ng/mL) and 100 patients with vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D?Results: HbA1c levels were significantly higher in patients with vitamin D deficiency. Patients with vitamin D deficiency had significantly higher Framingham risk score (p?p?r?=?0.537) and a weak but statistically significant correlation between 25[OH]D levels and BNF score (r?=?0.295). 25[OH]D levels were significantly higher and HbA1c levels were significantly lower in patients with Framingham cardiovascular risk score ≤10%.

Conclusion: We found a close relationship with Framingham cardiovascular risk score in diabetic patients with very low serum vitamin D levels. Cardiovascular risk as assessed by the Framingham’s scale increases with decreasing 25[OH]D levels. BNF score was negatively correlated with 25[OH]D levels.     

Interleukin-18 and testosterone levels in men with metabolic syndrome

Objective: Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is an adipokine associated with obesity. Data about the relationship of IL-18 to the metabolic syndrome (MS) are still scarce. Low testosterone (T) levels are common in men with MS, but we did not find data about the levels of IL-18 in men with low T. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of IL-18 in men with MS with or without low T.

Patients and methods: A total of 251 men were included in the study. Of them 218 had MS (IDF 2005) and they were divided according to their morning total testosterone (TT) level (cutoff 10.4?nmol/l) into two groups: MS-low T (N?=?84) and MS-normal T (N?=?134). The control group consisted of 33 men without MS and low T. IL-18 was determined in serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A small group of eight men with MS and low T levels received testosterone therapy for three months and physical and laboratory parameters were monitored at the end of that period.

Results: MS men were at mean age (±SD)?=?53.77?±?9.59 years; body mass index (BMI)?=?34.0?±?6.3?kg/m²; and TT?=?12.59?±?5.66?nmol/l. The control group was at age?=?52.12?±?5.2 years (NS); BMI?=?25.6?±?2.4?kg/m² (p?p?p?p?p?p?Conclusions: In this study, higher IL-18 levels were found in the presence of MS compared to healthy men, but they did not differ between men having MS with or without LOH.     

Effect of cigarette smoking on sexual functions,psychological factors,and disease activity in male patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of smoking on sexual functions in AS patients.

Patients and methods: A total of 67 male AS patients with a median age of 34 years (range: 18–57) reporting sexual activity at least for the past 4 weeks period were included. Patients were divided into smokers (Group 1, n?=?47) and non-smokers (Group 2, n?=?20). Fagerström test for nicotine dependence, smoking history, exhaled carbon monoxide test were recorded for smoking AS patients. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were filled for both groups.

Results: There was no significant difference between smokers and non-smokers in all evaluation parameters. BASMI scores were significantly lower in the mild dependency subgroup as compared to those with moderate or severe dependency (p?=?.005 and p?=?.007, respectively). Total IIEF score and IIEF categories correlated significantly with BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, ASQoL, pain, fatigue, and cumulative smoking. BDI showed an inverse correlation with the IIEF score and IIEF category (p?r?=?–0.520, p?r?=?–0.508, respectively).

Conclusions: Sexual function in AS patients is associated with the pain, fatigue, disease activity, functional status, quality of life, depression as well as the cumulative exposure to smoking, and that sexual functions tend to decline with increasing degree of cigarette dependency.     

Correlates of Loneliness in Midlife and Older Gay and Bisexual Men

This study examined the correlates of psychosocial and behavioral factors on loneliness in midlife and older gay and bisexual men in South Florida. A community-based sample of 802 self-identified gay and bisexual men ages 40 to 94 years completed standardized measures of life orientation (optimism versus pessimism), internalized homonegativity, coping self-efficacy, and loneliness. Multivariate modeling successfully explained 45% of the variance in loneliness, which was significantly related to life orientation, coping self-efficacy, internalized homonegativity, and finding partners on the Internet (F = 96.140, df = 6, p < .001). The emphasis on skills building to increase coping self-efficacy and optimism and addressing the effects of internalized homonegativity may have lasting effects in reducing loneliness in older gay and bisexual men and thus improving their mental and physical well-being.     

Testosterone is not associated with mortality in older African-American males

Introduction.?Although testosterone and its association with disease progression and mortality is a widely studied topic, no studies have evaluated mortality risks related to testosterone levels in an older African-American population. The mechanisms for known racial differences in mortality risk for certain cancers and cardiovascular risk factors are largely unknown. Elucidating a mortality risk associated with testosterone levels may give insight into the elevated risk for certain diseases in African-Americans.

Methods and results.?Study data were derived from a cohort 622 African-Americans (age 80.05?±?6.4, range 68–102) from Saint Louis, Missouri that includes 190 males (age 79.38?±?6.2, range 70–102). The eligible sample for this report includes 56 of the 190 males (age 78.89?±?6.9, range 70–102) who donated blood at baseline in 1992–1994 and subsequently tested for total testosterone and bioavailable testosterone. Covariates for adjusted analyses were lower body functional limitations, physician visits and comorbidities, also collected at baseline. Males' mean bioavailable testosterone levels (ng/dl) were 33.33?±?24.4 (n above 70?ng/dl?=?5) and mean total testosterone levels (ng/dl) were 246.63?±?118.7 (n above 300?ng/dl?=?20). Vital status was determined through 2002; 41 males (73%) were deceased and 15 were alive. Mortality did not differ among males with testosterone levels?<300 versus 300+ (p?=?0.42) or with bioavailable testosterone levels?<70 versus > 70 (p?=?0.34). Total testosterone levels did not predict mortality when adjusted for age (Adjusted Hazard Ratio [AHR]?=?0.998; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.995–1.001; p?=?0.28) or adjusted for age and other covariates (AHR?=?0.099; 95% CI 0.996, 1.002; p?=?0.35). Bioavailable testosterone levels did not predict mortality when adjusted for age (AHR?=?0.992; 95% CI .977–1.007; p?=?0.30) or when adjusted for age and other covariates (AHR 0.991; 95% CI .976–1.006; p?=?0.261).

Conclusion.?In older African-American males, total and bioavailable testosterone levels, with and without adjustment for covariates, are not independently associated with mortality risk.