Objectification and body esteem: age group patterns in women's psychological functioning.

OBJECTIVES: Sexual objectification is related to negative outcomes for young adult women, but whether sexual objectification operates similarly for women in mid-life or older adulthood is less clear. Our aim was to assess self-objectification and sexually objectifying experiences for women in two different age groups, 18-27 and 48-90 and, further, test the relationship between objectification and psychological functioning. Based on objectification theory, we hypothesized that young adults would report higher self-objectification and sexually objectifying experiences compared to women in the older group. We further expected that these age differences would be related to body esteem and psychological functioning. METHODS: We surveyed 218 women regarding their sexually objectifying experiences and self-objectification, as well as body esteem, global self-esteem, and mood/anxiety, all outcomes theoretically expected to be related to sexual objectification and self-objectification. RESULTS: Sexually objectifying experiences and self-objectification were correlated with lower body esteem, lower global self-esteem, and higher mood/anxiety symptoms. Further, older women reported lower objectification and better psychological functioning. Tests of serial mediation showed that the relationship between age and two outcomes (self-esteem and mood/anxiety symptoms) was mediated by self-objectification and body esteem, while the model using experiences of sexually objectifying experiences was not supported. CONCLUSION: Older women differed from younger women in the impact of self-objectification. We discuss these outcomes referencing age patterns and objectification theory.

Childhood health conditions and insomnia among adults in mid-life.

Background: Little is known regarding the influence of childhood health broadly and childhood health conditions specifically on insomnia throughout adulthood. Methods: Health and Retirement Study (HRS) Baby Boomers born 1954-1965 were investigated. We fitted regression models predicting self-reported insomnia based on twenty-three retrospectively reported specific childhood health conditions (e.g., measles) and general childhood health measures and adjusted for demographics, childhood socioeconomic status, and adult socioeconomic status. Results: Nearly all the measures of childhood health significantly increased insomnia symptoms in adulthood. In a model where all measures were included, we found that respiratory disorders, headaches, stomach problems, and concussions were particularly strong predictors of insomnia. Conclusions: Our findings extend past work illustrating the "long arm" of childhood conditions for health, showing that specific health conditions in childhood may indelibly imprint insomnia risk.

Disproportionate Burden of COVID-19 Infection Among Hispanic Patients During the First COVID-19 Surge in South Texas.

Introduction: The morbidity and mortality of the COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionately burdened Hispanic populations in the United States. While health equity research is typically conducted in populations where Hispanics are the minority, this project analyzes COVID-19 racioethnic transmission trends over the first 6 months of the pandemic within a large majority-minority city in South Texas. Methods: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 across inpatient, emergency department, and outpatient settings of a large county health system were included in a clinical registry. For 4644 COVID-19-positive patients between March 16 and August 31, 2020, demographic and clinical data were abstracted from the registry. Race/ethnicity trends over time were compared for patients with and without COVID-19 diagnoses. Logistic regressions identified predictors of inpatient diagnosis by age, race/ethnicity, and testing delay. Results: The proportion of patients with COVID-19 identifying as Hispanic increased rapidly during the pandemic's first months: from 55.6% in March to 85.7% in June. A significantly greater proportion of patients identified as Hispanic within the COVID-19 cohort compared to other diagnoses cohort. Testing delay was 11.6% longer for Hispanic patients, with each day of testing delay associated with 7% increased odds of inpatient COVID-19 diagnosis. Conclusion: These findings highlight the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Hispanic populations even within a majority-minority community. In the United States, Hispanic persons are more likely to work frontline jobs, live in multigenerational homes in poverty, and be uninsured. The burden of COVID-19 cases within Bexar County's largest hospital system reflects this systemic inequity. Identifying racioethnic health disparities supports efforts toward mitigating structural factors that predispose minority groups to illness and death.

A Case of Early Osteoarthritis in a Patient With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

We present a case of early onset osteoarthritis in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and a history of developmental dysplasia of the hip. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is part of a wide spectrum of connective tissue disorders characterized by hyperextensible skin, hypermobile joints, and tissue fragility. Presentation varies from mild hyperextensibility of the skin and joints to debilitating physical disabilities and vascular complications because of genetic defects in type one and three collagen synthesis. Collagen is the most abundant protein in nearly all parts of the body and errors in the production of this protein have widespread effects. Therefore, we suggest a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with EDS, with an emphasis on patient education, to aid in the prevention and early detection of complications.

Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome in a Fire Captain.

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a commonly missed diagnosis. It is caused by an increase in intramuscular pressure which subsequently impedes local tissue perfusion and function. It disproportionately occurs in young females; however, the diagnosis should not be excluded in other demographics. We present a case of CECS in an otherwise healthy 53-year-old male fire captain. He presented with pain upon exertion and neurological deficits in the anterior compartment of his bilateral legs that impacted his occupation and daily functioning. Following fasciotomy, the patient returned to work with complete resolution of pain and neurological deficits. This review seeks to describe the prevalence, etiology, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and management of CECS of the lower extremities, as described in the literature.

Increasing psychological distress among Californians from 2013 to 2020: Race/ethnic differences.

The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health is of mounting concern to population-health researchers. While early reports indicated increases in mental health problems, noticeably absent from these studies is how mental health has changed in 2020 compared to previous years (2013-2019) and whether such trends vary by race/ethnicity. The present study used repeated cross-sectional data from the California Health Interview Survey (n â€‹= â€‹168,216) to systematically document trends in psychological distress scores (Kessler-6 scale; K6) and severe psychological distress scores (K6; 13+) from 2013 to 2020 and by race/ethnicity over the same period. Among all Californians we find that the reported average psychological distress scores increased by 22% between 2013 and 2020. Reported severe psychological distress scores increased 61% from 2013 to 2020. These increases were largely concentrated in the years 2017-2020. Increases in psychological distress were also especially pronounced among non-Latino/a White Californians (29% increase in K6 from 2013 to 2020), Latino/a Californians (14% increase in K6 from 2013 to 2020), and Asian Californians (35% increase in K6 from 2013 to 2020). Multiple and logistic regression models that accounted for sociodemographic and behavioral health covariates echoed these findings. Future research should continue to investigate secular trends in mental health that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic and carefully situate the shifts into broader temporal perspective.