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Background: Fibromyalgia, a potentially debilitating chronic pain syndrome of unknown etiology, may be characterized by inflammation. In this study, we investigated the relation of FMS to serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in a large population of adults (18+) and investigated the influence of other factors on this relationship, including BMI, comorbidities, as well as mood and sleep disturbance.Methods: Participants were 52,535 Ohio Valley residents (Fibromyalgia n = 1125). All participants completed a comprehensive health survey (2005-2006) part of the C8 Health Project; serum levels of CRP were obtained, as was history of Fibromyalgia physician diagnosis. Logistic and linear regressions were used for this cross-sectional analysis.Results: Mean CRP was higher among participants reporting Fibromyalgia than those without (5.54 ± 9.8 vs.3.75 ± 7.2 mg/L, p < .0001)). CRP level showed a strong, positive association with FMS (unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for highest vs. lowest quartile = 2.5 (CI 2.1,3.0;p for trend < .0001)); adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors attenuated but did not eliminate this association (AOR for highest vs. lowest quartile = 1.4 (CI 1.1,1.6;p for trend < .0001)). Further addition of body mass index (BMI) and comorbidities to the model markedly weakened this relationship (AORs, respectively, for highest vs lowest CRP quartile = 1.2 (CI 1.0,1.4) and 1.1 (CI 0.9,1.3). In contrast, inclusion of mood and sleep impairment only modestly reduced the adjusted risk estimate (AORs for highest vs. lowest quartile = 1.3 (CI 1.1,1.5) for each)).Conclusions: Findings from this large cross-sectional study indicate a significant positive cross-sectional association of Fibromyalgia to serum C-reactive protein may be explained, in part, by BMI and comorbidity. Prospective research is needed to confirm this, and clarify the potential mediating influence of obesity and comorbid conditions on this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical mistrust is a significant barrier to medication adherence among African Americans living with HIV. In this study 380 African American people receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a southern US city completed computerized measures at a community-based research site. Multiple mediation modeling showed that medical provider mistrust was associated with medication beliefs and ART adherence. Also, medication beliefs predicted adherence. The indirect effects of medical mistrust on adherence via medication beliefs was significant; the indirect effect was significant for medication concerns beliefs, but not medication necessity beliefs. Medication concerns beliefs therefore mediate the association between medical mistrust and ART adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether body appreciation mediates the relationships between anti-fat microaggression experiences and perceived physical and mental health. Using a cross-sectional survey design, our study included 384 adult cisgender women in the United States. We found that anti-fat microaggression experiences had a negative association with body appreciation, and perceived physical and mental health. Body appreciation had a positive relationship to perceived physical and mental health. Our study further suggests that body appreciation is an important modifiable factor that mediates the relationships between anti-fat microaggression experiences and perceived mental and physical health. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Based on news content analysis and survey data from the 2004 presidential election, this study examines the theoretical link between second-level agenda setting and various types of political participation beyond mere voting. Using the hierarchy-of-effects model, this study tested the sequence of C(cognitive)-A(affective)-B(behavior): News attention to presidential candidates creates second-level agenda-setting effects among the public (C); in turn, agenda-setting effects trigger strong attitudes toward candidates (A); and finally, strong attitudes lead to various types of political participation (B). Every direct effect in the structural model was significant. Indirect and total effects of agenda setting for political participation were all found to be significant. As hypothesized, agenda-setting effects operated as a mediator between media use and political participation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This qualitative study examined multiple perspectives of participants who experienced a Victim-Offender Mediation (VOM) program in a Midwestern city in the United States. Of particular interest are the roles and skills of mediators. Data consisted of 34 face-to-face interviews with 37 participants including adult crime victims, juvenile offenders and their parents, mediators and representatives from referring agencies. Insider perspectives regarding the roles and skills of the mediators in restorative processes were revealed through personal stories. Although the majority of the participants reported that the roles and skills of mediators were consistent with restorative justice principles, this exploratory study also revealed that some roles and skills exhibited by mediators were inconsistent with restorative justice values, which shows the variance of 'real world' restorative justice. Recommendations are made to promote mediators' roles and skills that are compatible with restorative justice principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bullying is a prevalent concern among adolescents and causes great mental/behavioral consequences. In addition to the direct association between bullying victimization and adolescent physical health (measured by self-rated health), this study investigates the indirect effect of mental health and the moderating role of gender to such relationship. Study participants comprised a national sample of adolescents (n = 3435) aged 15 to 16 years old in the United States. Structural equation modeling analyses showed that, in addition to the main effect of bullying on adolescents physical health, (based on joint significance test) mental health has an indirect effect on and gender moderates the relationship between bullying victimization and adolescents' self-rated health. Bullying has negative impact on adolescent health. Prevention and intervention programs need to take into account the critical roles of gender and mental health in addressing the negative consequences of bullying victimization. • Bullying poses a real and substantial effect on adolescents' general health status • Bullying affects adolescents' self-rated health both directly and indirectly through mental health • The indirect effect of mental health on the relationship between bullying and self-rated health differ by gender [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]