Loriena A. Yancura

Stability and change in retrospective reports of childhood experiences over a 5-year period: findings from the Davis Longitudinal Study.

The paths via which childhood experiences influence well-being in adulthood are not well defined because most research relies on retrospective reports. This study examined the influence of demographic characteristics and current mood states on the reliability of reports of childhood experiences. The Child Experiences Scale (CES) was administered in 1996 and 2001 to participants in the Davis Longitudinal Study (N = 571; age range 22-61 years). Responses showed moderate to high cross-time reliability. Males were slightly more likely to change their responses. The influence of mood states was weak and more evident for global ratings of childhood than for specific experiences. These findings support the use of retrospective reports of childhood.

Service Use and Unmet Service Needs in Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Most in-depth studies of grandparents raising grandchildren use samples recruited from service providers, so little is known about those who do not use formal services. A sample of 200 grandparents registered with a public school district completed a survey on service use and unmet service needs. Of the 131 who did not use services, 82 reported unmet service needs, and 49 reported no needs. Those with unmet needs were younger, more likely to be Native Hawaiian, and less likely to receive public assistance. These findings indicate that some grandparents are falling through the cracks of the service provision network.

Three predictive variables of social physique anxiety among gay men

Using a sociological framework, three variables related to gay men’s body image are examined as possible predictors of social physique anxiety: drive for muscularity, internalised homophobia and a new variable, sexual position identity. Internet survey methodology was used to collect usable data from 542 gay men, with a mean age of 33 years. They were mostly White, college educated and lived in the United States. Findings from a regression analysis indicated that social physique anxiety was predicted by internalised homophobia, drive for muscularity and sexual position identity, accounting for 22% of the variance. Future research and limitations are discussed.

Advance Care Planning Decision Making Among Asian Pacific Islander Family Caregivers of Stage 4 to 5 Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Hemodialysis: A Focus Group Study

Advance care planning is a critical part of care management for Asian Pacific Islander family caregivers of patients with Stage 4 to 5 chronic kidney disease. This study described the attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control Asian Pacific Islander caregivers of family members on hemodialysis and their intentions to complete advance care planning and advance healthcare directives based on the theory of planned behavior. This is a descriptive study using four focus group sessions in a dialysis center in Hawaii with a purposive sample of 14 Asian Pacific Islander family caregivers of individuals receiving hemodialysis for Stage 4 to 5 chronic kidney disease. Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control were the three major constructs with linkages to categories and subcategories. Patient wishes and family decision making appeared to be linked with both patient- and family-centered decision making. Perceived control was linked to the family members role and communication style. This study will add to the literature by increasing our understanding of how Asian Pacific Islander caregivers of family members on dialysis make end-of-life decisions and will utilize the findings of this study to inform instrument development and culturally sensitive care management strategies based on the theory of planned behavior.

Exploring Gender Differences in the Association Between Childhood Physical Abuse and Thyroid Disorders

This study used a regional subsample (n = 13,070) from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey to explore the independent contribution of childhood physical abuse to thyroid conditions in adulthood. Gender-specific logistic regression analyses controlled for age and race, in addition to 5 clusters of variables: childhood stressors, health behaviors, general stress levels, mental health, and socioeconomic status. No significant relationship between childhood abuse and thyroid conditions was found in men; however, childhood physical abuse was associated with higher odds of thyroid conditions among women, independent of a wide range of factors. In a fully adjusted model, abused women had 40% higher odds of thyroid conditions compared to their non abused peers, 95% CI [1.05, 1.87]. Future research on gender differences in the abuse–thyroid relationship is warranted.

The contributions of religious practice, existential certainty, and raising grandchildren to well-being in older adults

ABSTRACT Religious beliefs and practices are believed to foster well-being across the life course. This study examines whether religious practice, spiritual development, and existential certainty are positively linked to well-being in grandparents (N = 2,503) and whether these factors buffer grandparents from risks associated with raising grandchildren and adjusting to changing roles. Data were collected from individuals attending Protestant churches. Spiritual development and existential certainty were positively associated with well-being. We found no evidence for buffering effects of religious practice on grandparent well-being. Grandparents raising grandchildren reported more challenges in adjusting to changes in roles compared to their peers.

“These classes have been my happy place”: Feasibility study of a self-care program in Native Hawaiian custodial grandparents

Native Hawaiian custodial grandparents have a distinctive set of strengths and challenges that may lead them to benefit from a structured self-care program. The purpose of this paper is to describe a feasibility study with nine Native Hawaiian custodial grandparents who participated in a 6-week self-care intervention. Based on openended questions during the post-questionnaire and at the 6-month follow-up focus group, grandparent participants noted that their grandchildren needed education and clothing. Most grandparents did not endorse statements that their grandchildren had any mental or physical health conditions. Grandparents reflected that the intervention provided them with skills to help cope with raising grandchildren and helped them realize the importance of their health to providing care to their grandchildren. Based on the findings from this pilot study, the self-care approach may have benefits for Native Hawaiian custodial grandparents.