Clinically Abusive Relationships in an Unselected Birth Cohort: Men's and Women's Participation and Developmental Antecedents.

In an unselected birth cohort (N=980, age 24-26 years), individuals in abusive relationships causing injury and/or official intervention (9% prevalence) were compared with participants reporting physical abuse without clinical consequences and with control participants who reported no abuse, on current characteristics and prospective developmental risks. In nonclinically abusive relationships, perpetrators were primarily women. In clinically abusive relationships, men and women used physical abuse, although more women needed medical treatment for injury. Women in clinically abusive relationships had childhood family adversity, adolescent conduct problems, and aggressive personality; men had disinhibitory psychopathology since childhood and extensive personality deviance. These findings counter the hibitory assumption that if clinical abuse was ascertained in epidemiological samples, it would be primarily man-to-woman, explained by patriarchy rather than psychopathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inferred sex differences in status as a determinant of gender stereotypes about social influence.

In 3 experiments, 470 male and 425 female university students read a scenario describing a communicator's attempt to influence a recipient and then judged how much influence would occur. The scenarios in Exp I described a man trying to influence a woman or a woman trying to influence a man. For scenarios in which job titles were omitted, Ss believed that women held lower status jobs than men and that women were more likely to comply behaviorally with men than men were with women. For scenarios in which job titles were included, Ss' beliefs about compliance were based on job status rather than the sex of the stimulus persons. In Exp II, scenarios in which job titles were omitted described an influence attempt between same- or opposite-sex persons. Both the communicator's and the recipient's sex were found to contribute to the greater perceived compliance of women to men (vs men to women). In Exp III, this perceived sex difference in compliance occurred only when the communicator and recipient were employed by the same organization. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) as risk factors for coronary heart disease in elderly subjects

The changes in lipoprotein(a) concentration that occur with age as a result of its association with an increased risk of coronary artery disease were investigated. Lipoprotein(a) concentrations were measured in serum samples from healthy volunteers, individuals with premature coronary artery disease, individuals with hyperlipidaemia but without evidence of premature coronary artery disease, and also in elderly men and women who had hyperlipidaemia. Concentrations in individuals with premature coronary artery disease were the same as those of the healthy volunteers, while in both these groups they were lower than those found in hyperlipidaemic elderly men and women, and those found in hyperlipidaemic women aged 36-68 years. No association between raised lipoprotein(a) concentration and mortality as a result of premature coronary artery disease was demonstrated. Raised lipoprotein(a) levels found in the hyperlipidaemic individuals also suggested that it may not be an independent risk factor.     

Skeletal muscle fatigue and endurance in young and old men and women

The effects of increasing age on skeletal muscle fatigue and endurance were assessed in 22 healthy young (14 men and 8 women; mean age, 28 +/- 6 years) and 16 healthy old (8 men and 8 women; mean age, 73 +/- 3 years) individuals. All subjects performed 100 repeated maximum dynamic knee extensions at 90 degrees.s-1 (1.57 rad.s-1) using an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex II). Peak torque was recorded during every contraction, and for each individual the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), the fatigue rate, the endurance level, and the relative reduction in muscle force were determined. MVC and endurance level were significantly lower in old men and women, but there was no discernible difference in relative muscle force reduction and fatigue rate between young and old individuals. We conclude that thigh muscles of older individuals are weaker than those of younger individuals, but relative to their strength, older individuals have similar properties as younger individuals with respect to muscle fatigue and endurance.     

Central markers of body fat distribution are important predictors of plasma lipids in elderly men and women

We determined the contribution of body fat distribution, peak VO2, fat mass, and dietary intake to variation in plasma lipids in elderly individuals. Volunteers were a healthy cohort of older Caucasian women (n = 75, mean age +/- SD, 72 +/- 5 years) and older men (n = 101, 72 +/- 5 years). We determined fat mass from underwater weighing, fat patterning from waist circumference, as well as peripheral and truncal skinfolds, exercise capacity from peak VO2, and dietary intake from three-day food diaries. Plasma lipid levels were measured in the fasting state and included total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and fasting triglycerides. Older women weighted less than older men, but had higher fat mass, truncal, and peripheral skinfolds. Waist circumference and peak VO2 were lower in older women than older men. Older women had higher total cholesterol (217 +/- 31 vs. 197 +/- 30; p < 0.01), HDL-C (54 +/- 12 vs. 49 +/- 14; p < 0.05), and LDL-C (133 +/- 26 vs. 121 +/- 27; p < 0.01) when compared with older men. No gender differences were noted in fasting triglycerides. Truncal skinfolds were the best predictor of plasma lipids in older men, accounting for between 9% and 30% (r2) of the variation in plasma lipids. Similarly, in older women, central markers of fatness (i.e., waist circumference and truncal skinfolds) were the best predictors of plasma lipids (r2 = 3% to 24%). Total fat mass, peak VO2 and dietary intake were not independent predictors of plasma lipids in older men and women. Indices of central body fatness, rather than total fat mass, peak VO2 or dietary intake are stronger predictors of plasma lipids in healthy older men and women.     

The influence of gender on cough reflex sensitivity

BACKGROUND: The more common occurrence in women of cough due to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors raises the possibility of gender-related differences in the sensitivity of the cough reflex. Of two recent studies that evaluated cough response to inhaled capsaicin in normal subjects, one demonstrated heightened sensitivity of the cough reflex in women compared with men, while the other revealed no gender-related differences. To further investigate this question, we reviewed our experience with cough challenge testing in normal volunteers. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare cough reflex sensitivity in healthy adult female and male subjects. DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis. SETTING: Academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred healthy volunteers (50 male, 50 female). Interventions: Subjects inhaled capsaicin in ascending, doubling concentrations until the concentration inducing five or more coughs (C5) was reached. In addition, the concentration inducing two or more coughs (C2; cough threshold) was measured. Results: Mean log C5 was significantly lower in women than in men: 1.02+/-0.09 (SEM) microM vs 1.41+/-0.08 microM, respectively (p=0.002). Log C2 (cough threshold) was also significantly lower in female subjects: 0.534+/-0.068 microM vs 0.870+/-0.065 microM in male subjects (p=0.00058). CONCLUSION: Healthy women have a more sensitive cough reflex than do healthy men. The reasons for this significant gender difference remain to be elucidated, but may involve a heightened sensitivity, in women, of the sensory receptors within the respiratory tract that mediate cough.     

The use of differentiation and integration processes: Empirical studies of "separate" and "connected" ways of thinking.

Two studies investigated the prediction that differentiation would be used by individuals concerned with separateness, personal agency, and power, whereas integration would be used by individuals concerned with relatedness, interpersonal communion, and intimacy. In Exp 1, women who reexperienced a personal event linked to communal issues used more integration (relative to differentiation) when evaluating target persons than did men who reexperienced a personal event linked to agency. Exp 2 demonstrated that in situations that were congruent with their motives, intimacy-motivated women and men used more integration (relative to differentiation) when evaluating target persons than did power-motivated men and women. Findings suggest that differentiation and integration may serve different and specific functions related to the concerns of individuals in particular social contexts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Partner preferences across the life span: Online dating by older adults.

Stereotypes of older adults as withdrawn or asexual fail to recognize that romantic relationships in later life are increasingly common. The authors analyzed 600 Internet personal ads from 4 age groups: 20–34, 40–54, 60–74, and 75+ years. Predictions from evolutionary theory held true in later life, when reproduction is no longer a concern. Across the life span, men sought physical attractiveness and offered status-related information more than women; women were more selective than men and sought status more than men. With age, men desired women increasingly younger than themselves, whereas women desired older men until ages 75 and over, when they sought men younger than themselves. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social support, coping, and depressive symptoms in a late-middle-aged sample of patients reporting cardiac illness

This study tests a 1-year predictive model of depressive symptoms in a late-middle-aged sample of patients reporting diagnoses of cardiac illness. Results based on 325 individuals (248 men and 77 women) diagnosed with chronic cardiac illness, 71 individuals (52 men and 19 women) diagnosed with acute cardiac illness, and 219 healthy controls (129 men and 90 women) strongly supported the hypotheses. Compared with healthy persons, individuals with chronic and those with acute cardiac illness reported more depressive symptoms at follow-up. Women overall showed more depressive symptoms than did men, and women with cardiac illness were particularly vulnerable to behavioral manifestations of depressive symptoms. Integrative time-lag and prospective structural equation models indicated that, for individuals with cardiac illness, social support and adaptive coping strategies predicted fewer depressive symptoms.     

Determination of deltoid fat pad thickness. Implications for needle length in adult immunization

OBJECTIVE: To measure deltoid fat pad thickness and determine the optimal needle length for deltoid intramuscular immunization in healthy adults. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective study of 220 healthy health care workers (126 women, 94 men) at the Mayo Medical Center, Rochester, Minn. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Deltoid fat pad thickness determined by high-resolution ultrasound scanning, weight, height, and mid-deltoid arm circumference. RESULTS: We found a highly significant difference between women and men in deltoid fat pad thickness, with women having a thicker deltoid fat pad (11.7 vs 8.3 mm; P<.001). Women had a greater deltoid skin-fold thickness than men (34.7 vs 17.2 mm, P<.001) and an equal body mass index. According to the ultrasound findings, a standard 16-mm (5/8-in) needle would not have reached 5 mm into muscle in 17% (16/94) of men and 48.4% (61/126) of women in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Among healthy adults of the age range we studied, the following needle lengths appear to be appropriate for true deltoid intramuscular immunization: For men across the weight ranges we studied (59-118 kg), use of a 25-mm (1-in) needle would result in at least 5 mm of muscle penetration in all subjects. For women who weighed less than 60 kg, a 16-mm (5/8-in) needle would be sufficient to achieve muscle penetration of 5 mm. For women between 60 and 90 kg, a 25-mm (1-in) needle would be sufficient, and women greater than 90 kg would require a 38-mm (1.5-in) needle to ensure intramuscular administration.     

The moderating influence of physical fitness on age gradients in vigilance and serial choice responding tasks.

The moderating influence of physical fitness on age gradients in measures obtained from vigilance and serial choice responding tasks is examined in a sample of 90 postal workers. Physiological data relating to aerobic fitness determined fitness level within 2 age groups: younger participants ages 18 to 30 years (M ?=?25.19; 24 men, 24 women) and older participants ages 43 to 62 years (M ?=?49.19; 20 men, 22 women). A performance decrement across time was found in several measures, and some variation as a function of age was apparent. However, post hoc statistical analyses did not indicate this was due to older adults underperforming younger adults. According to predictions, significant Age?×?Fitness interactions showed older less fit workers to consistently underperform other participants. The findings suggest that older less fit individuals have lower signal sensitivity and processing speed than older fitter people and younger individuals. Results are discussed in relation to underlying physiological mechanisms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Friendships of older men and women: Exchange patterns and satisfaction.

Investigated the relation between perceived equity of exchanges and friendship satisfaction for 58 female and 58 male 64–91 yr old individuals. Attempts were made to determine whether (a) older men and women differ in the extent to which they view themselves as being involved in equitable vs inequitable friendships, (b) the individuals who perceive themselves to be in equitable friendships report greater satisfaction with the relationship than older persons who perceive themselves to be in nonequitable friendships, and (c) there are gender differences in the relation between equity and friendship satisfaction. Ss were interviewed concerning their relationship with their best friend and 1 other friend in their support network. Perceived equity was a significant predictor of friendship satisfaction only in the case of the other friend. In addition, results show that men were involved in more equitable friendships than were women. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The utility of placing recollection in opposition to familiarity in early discrimination of healthy aging and very mild dementia of the Alzheimer’s type.

This study explored the ability to control familiarity-based information in a memory exclusion paradigm in healthy young, older adults, and early stage DAT individuals. We compared the predictive power of memory exclusion performance to standard psychometric performance in discriminating between aging and the earliest stage of DAT and between APOe4-present and APOe4-absent genotype in healthy control individuals. Participants responded “yes” to words that were previously semantically encoded, and “no” to words that were previously read aloud and to new words. The number of targets and distractors on the read “distractor” list was manipulated to investigate the degree to which aging and DAT influence the ability to recollect in the face of distractor familiarity due to repetition. Memory exclusion performance was better for healthy older adults than very mild DAT individuals and better for healthy control individuals with APOe4 allele than those without APOe4 allele even after controlling for standard psychometric performance. Discussion focuses on the importance of attentional control systems in memory retrieval and the utility of the opposition paradigm for discriminating healthy versus pathological aging. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Can Practice Overcome Age-Related Differences in the Psychological Refractory Period Effect?

Can dual-task practice remove age-related differences in the psychological refractory period (PRP) effect? To answer this question, younger and older individuals practiced 7 blocks of a PRP design, in which Task 1 (T1) required a vocal response to an auditory stimulus and Task 2 (T2) required a manual response to a visual stimulus (Experiment 1). The results showed that practice did not reduce, but rather increased, age-related differences in PRP interference. Using the trained individuals, the introduction of a less complex new T1 (Experiment 2) or a less complex new T2 (Experiment 3) with the task previously practiced reduced the PRP interference but only in older adults. The authors propose that older adults suffer from a large task-switch cost that is more sensitive to task complexity than to the amount of practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)