James Sydney Jackson (1944-2020).

James Sydney Jackson (1944-2020). Jackson had a profound, wholly unique, and enduring impact on the discipline of psychology and a host of other affiliated fields of study. His insistence on seeing Black populations and other peoples of color in full- appreciating their complexities, variabilities, and contrasts- fundamentally altered our approach to the study of race/ethnicity within these scholarly frames. In the Fall of 1971, Jackson assumed his first (and only) academic post in the University of Michigan's Department of Psychology. Jackson held a number of key positions over the years, and served as the 7th director of Michigan's famed Institute for Social Research (ISR) from 2005-2015. In 2014, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to the National Science Board. Jackson was also elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Science, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Jackson's most pivotal contribution to psychology, social science, public health, and other related fields was the legion of impactful scholars he mentored, nurtured, and encouraged throughout his and their academic careers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploratory analysis of verbal aggression in romantic relationships among unmarried men and women: Predictive patterns by gender and race.

This is an exploratory study that examined verbal aggression in romantic relationships among unmarried Black and White women and men as a function of gender and race. We employed an ecological approach to examine the receipt of verbal aggression separately for men and women at the levels of individual, relationship, and community. We also explored whether gender-specific correlates of verbal aggression interacted with race. Analyses were based on a sample of 212 women and 133 men in non-marital romantic relationships recruited from 21 U.S. cities for a larger study. Linear mixed-effects models revealed that factors related to experiencing verbal aggression differed substantially for unmarried women and men in romantic relationships. Interesting racial differences also emerged distinctly for women and men.

Cervical cancer survivorship in a population based sample.

OBJECTIVE: Though cervical cancer is preventable, this cancer nonetheless poses serious mortality and morbidity threats to American women and women globally. The purpose of this study is to utilize a multidimensional framework to assess Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and its salient predictors among a population based sample of cervical cancer survivors. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used with a population-based sample ascertained from the California Cancer Surveillance Program. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Participants were 560 cervical cancer survivors: English-speaking Latina- (n=88), Spanish-speaking Latina- (n=199) and European- (n=273) Americans. The greatest concerns were documented for family/social and emotional well-being, and body image and sexual health. In general, Latina-Americans reported poorer overall HRQOL, functional, emotional, and social/family wellbeing compared to European-Americans. Differences in HRQOL persisted by ethnic/language group after controlling for covariates. Radiation, comorbidity, role limitations, perceived health status, psychological wellbeing, body image, sexual impact, doctor-patient relationship, and social support were significant predictors of overall HRQOL. The regression model explained 58% of the variance in predicting HRQOL. CONCLUSION: These cervical cancer survivors reported poor to moderate HRQOL with persistent psychosocial challenges. Our findings indicate that lower SES, monolingual Latinas are at greatest risk for poor HRQOL outcomes. Clinicians should pay attention to their patients' socio-ecological context as a risk factor for poorer outcomes; and provide early referrals to resources that are low cost and culturally and linguistically appropriate.

The impact of cervical cancer and dysplasia: a qualitative, multiethnic study.

STUDY PURPOSE: Cervical cancer (CCA) remains a health challenge nationally and globally. In the US, more than 12,000 women are diagnosed each year with invasive cervical cancer and more than 220,000 are living with a history of this diagnosis (ACS, 2003). This qualitative study aims to examine health related quality of life (HRQOL) from a culturally consistent framework. METHODS: Key-informant interviews (N = 23) and focus group interviews (N = 51) were conducted with a multiethnic sample of cervical cancer survivors (CCS) recruited from hospitals and clinics. ANALYSES AND RESULTS: Content and theme analyses were conducted. Findings indicate that cultural and family factors often promote coping and well-being, but may foster delay in care seeking and self-deprecation, particularly among Latina and Asian CCS. Faith in God was relied on for comfort, strength and healing by many survivors, especially the African Americans and Latinas. Overall, our participants reported moderate HRQOL. However, persistent concerns included treatment side-effects; difficulties accessing quality care; inadequate health insurance, barriers to good physician-patient relationship such as language and doctors' time constraints; insufficient knowledge about CCA due to limited information from medical staff; lack of control over treatments; social support, family well-being, functional and work issues; and sexuality and relationship concerns. Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, cultural beliefs and practices, age and family support dictated the level of cancer-related burden. CONCLUSION: Invasive CCA is primarily a cancer of women who are economically disenfranchised. Women with a CCA diagnosis are disproportionately challenged by lack of resources including quality, affordable health care and psychosocial services. CCS experience persistent medical, psychological, social, and relational concerns. Information concerning CCS is needed, particularly in Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean. There is an urgent need for further research to understand the risk factors, and the social and cultural mediators of cancer-related HRQOL for CCS.

'Nuff Gal'? The practices of sexually active Jamaican men - abstract

A national survey was conducted in Jamaica comprising a random sample of 2580 persons aged 15 - 50 years. The sample comprised 979 men, of whom 920 (94 percent) had experienced sexual intercourse and 769 (79 percent) were sexually active in the previous year. 32 percent of the latter were having sex with more than one person. Their medium number of sex partners was 2 with the range being 2 to 10. Having multiple sex partners was associated with youth, being involved in a visiting relationship, not being raised by both parents and initiating sex at an earlier age. They also had significantly shorter relationships (2 vs 3 years) and more sex acts per month than monogamists. Men with multiple sex partners were more likely to engage in prostitution than monogamists while the prevalence of partner swapping and oral and anal sex was low. Although condom use was higher among men who had multiple sex partners, 33 percent of them never used condoms. There was no significant association between having sex with more than one person and either regular church attendance (at least once per week) or self-reported religiosity. The median age at first intercourse for all men was 15 years (range 6 - 30), the same as the age of their first partner. In only 33 percent of cases was the first partner someone with whom they had a relationship. The most common reasons for sex the first time were for the experience (59 percent), to express love (14 percent) and to "answer the call of nature" (14 percent) (AU).

Characteristics of Jamaicans who smoke marijuana before sex and their risk status for sexually transmitted diseases

Because of the high prevalence of marijuana smoking in Jamaica, it is important to know if this practice is associated with increased risk for STD infections. A national sample of 2,580 randomly selected Jamaicans, aged 15 to 49 years were administered a questionnaire to measure a number of health and behavioural variables. The results indicated that more persons who smoked marijuana before sex had a history of STD infections than non-marijuana smokers, the difference was significant among men (46 percent vs 26 percent, p < 0.001) but not among women (19 percent vs 8 percent, p = 0.09). There was no difference in age, however, more of the smokers were unmarried, poorly educated and unemployed than persons who did not smoke marijuana before sex. They were also more likely to engage in high risk sex behaviours and other risk taking behaviors than non-smokers. The results of multiple logistic analyses indicated that marijuana smoking before sex was an independent risk factor for STDs among men (Odd Ratio = 2.0, p = 0.04). Although it was not possible to determine if the association was causal, the increased risk for STDs among men who smoke marijuana before sex should be incorporated into the Jamaican STD/AIDS control programme by making special efforts to encourage condom use among marijuana smokers (AU)

Ganja smoking and sex in Jamaica - abstract

The characteristics and risk status for STD infections of Jamaicans who smoked marijuana before having sex were investigated. The study comprised 2580 individuals, aged 15 to 49 years, who were selected using a multi-stage random sampling technique. The results indicated that the prevalence of marijuana smoking before sex was higher among men (12 per cent) than among women (2 per cent). More Jamaicans who smoked marijuana before sex were unemployed and unmarried, had lower education levels and lived in poorer neighbourhoods than those who did not smoke. In addition, more of them were regular alcohol drinkers, took hard drugs and gambled. When their sex behaviour were examined, there was no difference in condom use; however, more marijuana smokers had multiple sex partners, had had STD infections and began having sex at an earlier age than the non-smokers. More male smokers had sex with prostitutes, viewed ponographic material and were involved in partner swapping than the men who did not smoke marijuana. The prevalence of anal and oral sex was higher in women who smoke marijuana before sex compared to the female non-smokers. The results of logistic regression analyses indicated (after controlling for the demographic and behavoral variables mentioned above (OR = 2.3, p<0.01) that men who smoked marijuana before sex had an increased risk of having STD infections. No increased risk was found in women who smoked marijuana before sex. Because of the high prevalence of marijuana smoking among men, it is important that their increased risk for STDs be considered by health authorities in the planning of STD/AIDS control programmes (AU)

The meaning of sexual partnerships: re-examining the Jamaican family system

This paper seeks to re-examine some of the fairly accepted notions about Caribbean family and mating relationships. The situation in Jamaica is similar to that found in most other Caribbean countries. Data from a recently concluded study in this country is therefore utilized in this review. Specifically, this paper looks at the phenomena of multiple partnerships, union stability and longevity, and the alleged evolution of relationships from a visiting to marital status. Data from detailed union histories of men and women, aged 15 to 50 years in Jamaica are presented. It is argued that the dominant pattern appears to be one in which serial, as distinct from simultaneous partnering is the norm, and that the average length of relationships is short. It is further suggested that marriage rates may in fact be falling, that marriage is not normally a terminal state for unions, and that they may be entered into only when they are not perceived to represent a threat to the economic networks useful and necessary for the organisation and rationalisation of resources. (Au)