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Over the last decade, there has been an increase in concern about sugar arrangements, relationships in which sugar babies, typically young women, provide romantic companionship to sugar daddies, typically older men, in exchange for money and/or gifts. This concern became more pointed in 2018, when the United States Congress passed the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA), which led to a purge of “sexual” content from social networking sites. In this context, I investigated changes in sugar babies’ Tumblr posts using a mixed-methods approach. My hypothesis that there would be a statistically significant decrease in sexual posts after Tumblr’s ban on sexual content was supported by my findings. The results of this study shed light on the ways neoliberal gender, sexual, and economic discourses are both perpetuated and resisted by sugar babies online in the wake of mass surveillance, censorship, and legal discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although links between social relationships and health are well established, few studies have concurrently examined the effects of compositional, structural, and functional dimensions of social networks on glycemic (HbA1c) control in low- and middle-income countries such as Ghana. In these settings where informal social relationships are critical for access to resources, evaluating the links between social network characteristics, social support, and glycemic control may provide clarity about important relationships that facilitate the well-being of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In 2018, we conducted a hospital-based, cross-sectional survey of noninstitutionalized adults with T2DM in Ghana. Using data from 247 study participants, multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate associations between: 1) HbA1c and three social network characteristics (kin composition, household composition, and network density); 2) social support and the three social network characteristics; and 3) HbA1c and social support. We also examined gender differences in these associations and applied mediation techniques to determine if network characteristics operated through social support to affect HbA1c. Findings indicated that higher kin composition and higher household composition were each significantly associated with increased social support. Neither social support nor social network characteristics were significantly related to HbA1c, and there were no gender differences in any of these associations. Although family and household members were identified as important sources of social support for diabetes management, the ways in which they influence HbA1c control among Ghanaians require further investigation. Future studies can examine whether changes in social support over time, social support satisfaction, or other dimensions of social relationships improve T2DM outcomes in countries like Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this qualitative study is to elucidate how food insecurity affects diabetes self-management among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Eleven persons with T2DM who screened as food insecure were recruited from a patient pool of a healthcare system in South Carolina. Interview recordings were transcribed, blinded, and imported into NVivo. Participant ages ranged from 36 to 66 years, and included nine women, and seven African American participants. Three major themes emerged: (1) coping with food insecurity; (2) strategies used to manage T2DM within the context of food insecurity; and (3) receiving unrealistic advice from providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence shows that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a root cause of risk behaviors. Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships (SSNRs) can potentially moderate the health risks associated with ACEs. This study examines the relationships among SSNRs in childhood, ACEs, and two risk behaviors in adulthood (smoking tobacco and binge drinking). Data were obtained from the 2016 South Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. The results show a significant decrease in odds of risk behaviors among individuals with ACEs when a SSNRs is present in childhood. This study suggests that programs and policies that promote resilience may reduce risk behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a theoretical framework describing culturally sensitive (CS) health communication, this experiment tested the relative contributions of surface structure and deep structure in the recall of oral health information from pamphlets varied in written message and images. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, Spanish-speaking Mexican heritage mothers of children under six (n = 160) were randomly assigned to read one of four 12-page pamphlets containing the same oral health information in Spanish: (1) standard written message/standard images; (2) standard written message/CS images; (3) CS written message/standard images; and (4) CS written message/CS images. Participants completed a 22-item oral health knowledge questionnaire before and after reading the pamphlet. Controlling for the effects of pretest scores, acculturation, and educational level on information recall, findings showed significant positive main effects for CS images (F(1, 152) = 5.03, p = .026, partial ŋ2 = .032) and CS written message (F(1, 152) = 5.21, p = .024, partial ŋ2 = .033). There was no interaction. These results support the two dimensions of CS and their independent effects. They should be applicable to a variety of health communication channels. Further research is needed to investigate the causal mechanism behind the observed effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional research is needed to guide the design of narratives for use in practice-oriented, naturalistic settings to maximize health behavior change, particularly among populations affected by health disparities. This mixed-methods study explored the influence of cultural tailoring and emotional arousal on identification and message recall in narratives promoting childhood obesity prevention among 40 Mexican American mothers. Participants were also asked about narrative exposure, narrative preferences, and beliefs about the purpose of a story. Participants were randomly assigned to listen to two stories: (a) a story tailored on noncultural or cultural variables, and (b) a story designed to enhance or minimize emotional arousal. Participants reported high engagement and identification with all stories. Participants generally envisioned protagonists as Latina, despite limited cues, and identified with protagonists in four ways: sharing personal characteristics; having similar thoughts and feelings; engaging in similar actions; and experiencing similar situations. Mothers were most interested in narratives that helped them to improve their lives. Findings from this study yield several hypotheses for consideration in future study, including ways in which story setting and message enactment may moderate message recall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]