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Depression can disproportionately affect low-income women. The purpose of this study was to explore the chronicity of depressive symptoms in a sample of 276 low-income inner-city mothers of children with high-risk asthma. The aims were to identify factors (asthma health status, stress, social support) associated with change in depressive symptomatology over 12 months as well as to ascertain what factors are most consistently associated with depressive symptoms. Using latent growth curve analysis, demographic variables, asthma severity, stress, and social support failed to explain changes in depressive symptomatology. The growth curve models, however, were predictive of Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D) scores at distinct time points indicating that higher daily stress and lower social support were associated with increased depressive symptoms. Our data highlight the chronic nature of depressive symptoms in low-income mothers of children with poorly controlled asthma. Integrating questions about caregiver psychological state across all clinical encounters with the family may be indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Many patients with advanced heart failure (HF) experience the life-extending benefits of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), but at the end stage of HF, patients may experience shocks with increasing frequency and change the plan for end-of-life (EOL) care including the deactivation of the ICD. This report describes family members’ experiences of patients with ICD making decisions at EOL. Understanding the decision-making of patients with ICD at EOL can promote informed decision-making and improve the quality of EOL care. Methods: This pilot study used a mixed methods approach to test the effects of a nurse-guided discussion in decision-making about ICD deactivation (turning off the defibrillation function) at the EOL. Interviews were conducted, audiotaped, and transcribed in 2012 to 2013 with 6 family members of patients with advanced HF and ICDs. Three researchers coded the data and identified themes in 2014. Results: Three main themes described family members’ experiences related to patients having HF with ICDs making health-care decision at EOL: decision-making preferences, patients’ perception on ICD deactivation, and communication methods. Discussion: Health-care providers need to have knowledge of patients’ decision-making preferences. Preferences for decision-making include the allowing of appropriate people to involve and encourages direct conversation with family members even when advance directives is completed. Information of ICD function and the option of deactivation need to be clearly delivered to patients and family members. Education and guidelines will facilitate the communication of the preferences of EOL care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically reviews 62 empirical studies that examine the prevalence of female-perpetrated intimate partner violence across three distinct populations (adolescents, college students, and adults). All studies were published between 1996 and 2006 and reported prevalence rates of physical, emotional, and/or sexual violence perpetrated by females in heterosexual intimate relationships. The highest rates were found for emotional violence, followed by physical and sexual violence. Prevalence rates varied widely within each population, most likely because of methodological and sampling differences across studies. Few longitudinal studies existed, limiting the extent to which we could identify developmental patterns associated with female-perpetrated intimate partner violence. Differences and similarities across populations are highlighted. Methodological difficulties of this area of inquiry as well as implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a sample of 616 active duty military women, 30% reported adult lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV), defined as physical and/or sexual assault. The prevalence of IPV during the time of military service was 21.6%. Lifetime prevalence of any abuse, including emotional abuse and/or stalking, was 44.3%. Risk factors for IPV (lifetime and while in the military)from multivariate logistic regression were separated or divorced marital status (odds ratio = 5.23, 6.17, respectively), being widowed (odds ratio = 3.57, 4.57), having one child (odds ratio = 2.12, 2.49) or three or more children (odds ratio = 2.72, 3.34), and being enlisted personnel rather than officers (odds ratio = 2.45, 2.77). These prevalence rates and risk factors were similar to a demographically comparable civilian sample from the same geographic area. Existing military policies and programs should be examined and enhanced to maintain military readiness as well as reduce military women's risk of harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence has been demonstrated to be a significant public health problem among African American women. This study provided an opportunity to examine prevalence of intimate partner violence and health consequences among a group of primarily middle-class, employed African American women enrolled in a privately insured HMO (n = 109 abused and 97 never-abused women). Significantly more abused African American women were divorced or widowed and had incomes less than $50,000 a year. Abused women had more health problems (central nervous system, gynecological, STDs, gastrointestinal), more health problems per medical visits, and more emergency room visits (p < .05) compared to never-abused women. The health consequences of abuse and its association with health disparities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a contextual and longitudinal analysis of women's responses to battering over time. Assessment of women's decision-making in terms of the relationship status and continuing or cessation of abuse; Relationship status over time; Process of achieving nonviolence.

Focuses on the importance of patient-health care provider interaction and the influence of ethnicity to this interaction. Differences in medical belief systems; Influence of beliefs to health practices within popular, folk and professional areas of health care; Impact of complementary expectations between patients and providers; Influence of norms of behavior to the interaction.