While evidence indicates a connection between bullying involvement (perpetration and victimization) and peer relationships, the direction of this relationship remains debated. It is unclear whether peer relationships are a consequence or a precursor to bullying, and whether such association varies by gender. To address these gaps and capture fluctuations in daily school life, the present study employed a weekly diary method to examine the bidirectional relationships between bullying perpetration/victimization and peer relationships, as well as potential gender differences. A total of 452 adolescents (285 boys, Mage = 12.90, SDage = 0.48) completed the 7-week diary survey. Multilevel modelling revealed that weekly bullying/victimization significantly predicted subsequent decreases in peer relationships, while peer relationships did not predict later bullying or victimization, indicating a unidirectional pathway. Gender analyses showed that gender did not moderate these links but did differentiate bullying patterns: stratified analyses further revealed the unidirectional pathway only in boys, where verbal and relational perpetration/victimization predicted later declines in peer relationships. These findings not only theoretically expand our understanding of the dynamic interplay between bullying and peer relationships, unveiling unique cultural and social mechanisms of psychological bullying among boys, but also provide empirical evidence for developing targeted anti-bullying interventions for adolescent boys.

This paper examines the impact of diverse financial sources on the export performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Togo, with a specific focus on gender-based disparities. Utilizing firm-level data from the 2018 General Business Census (RGE), the study employs probit and ordered probit models, validated by the Lewbel instrumental variable (IV) procedure to address endogeneity. The results reveal that while nearly 94% of SMEs rely on microfinance, this access remains insufficient for internationalization. Conversely, formal banking significantly drives export intensity. Interaction analysis reveals a gendered duality: while male-led firms leverage networks more effectively for market entry, female entrepreneurs demonstrate superior marginal efficiency in scaling export intensity once the initial barriers have been overcome. These findings suggest that gender-sensitive financial reforms and institutional guarantee mechanisms are essential for transforming SME potential into sustainable export growth under the AfCFTA framework.

Understanding Predictors of Adolescent Well-Being in a Digital Age: A Focus on Digital Skills and Mental Health Literacy.

ABSTRACT Adolescent well-being is increasingly recognized as a crucial aspect of public health, with significant implications for both present and future societal outcomes. This study investigates gender and school-level differences in adolescents’ school well-being, using a multidimensional approach. The sample consisted of 1322 high school students, who filled in the School Well-being Questionnaire (QBS; Tobia & Marzocchi, 2015), originally created for primary and middle school students. As a first result, the factorial structure of the QBS remained valid for adolescents, with satisfactory fit indices. Gender and school-level analyses indicated significant differences in various dimensions of school well-being. Females reported higher satisfaction with their school results, while males scored higher in Relationships with Classmates, Emotional Attitude in School, and Sense of Self-Efficacy. Moreover, students in the triennial (11th–13th grade) period reported lower overall school well-being compared to their counterparts attending the biennial period (9th–10th grade). This study underscores the importance of assessing adolescent well-being within the school context and provides valuable insights into gender and age-related disparities. The findings offer a basis for developing gender and age-specific interventions aimed at promoting adolescent well-being, highlighting the need for targeted support mechanisms to address the diverse needs of high school students.

This study provides a pooled estimate of the prevalence of spinal curve patterns and gender distribution in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. The goal is to establish a clinical baseline to optimize screening and surgical planning. A preliminary systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, WOS, and Cochrane Library identified 24 studies (n=2,793). Meta-analysis used the Inverse Variance method with a Restricted Maximum-Likelihood (REML) random-effects model. Statistical analysis was performed using R software version 4.3.2. Proportions were analyzed as untransformed values to maintain data integrity. Among Single Curve Patterns, the pooled prevalence was: Thoracic 41.09% (n=2,713), Thoracolumbar 33.70% (n=2,689), and Lumbar 22.03% (n=2,305). For Multiple/Complex Patterns, Double Major curves accounted for 30.26% (n=666) and Triple curves 7.44% (n=472). Gender analysis revealed a Female prevalence of 79.07% and a Male prevalence of 20.93% (ratio ∼4:1). The cumulative prevalence exceeds 100% due to the independent meta-analytical modeling of each pattern, reflecting clinical overlaps where complex curves involve multiple regions. Thoracic and thoracolumbar patterns are the most frequent manifestations of AIS, with a consistent 4:1 female predominance. The overlapping prevalences underscore the complexity of classification and the urgent need for standardized reporting criteria to harmonize global epidemiological data.

In Reply: Trends in the Academic Neurosurgical Workforce: A Longitudinal Analysis of Gender and Race/Ethnic Representation in the United States From 2012 to 2021.

Letter: Trends in the Academic Neurosurgical Workforce: A Longitudinal Analysis of Gender and Racial/Ethnic Representation in the United States From 2012 to 2021.

Despite the increasing representation of women in the global dental workforce, gender disparities persist in academic leadership and high-visibility roles. No comprehensive study has jointly evaluated the gender and geographic distribution of invited speakers at international oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) congresses. This retrospective observational study analyzed invited speakers at four major international OMS congresses between 2016 and 2026. Publicly available scientific programs were reviewed, and data on speaker gender and continental affiliation were recorded. Statistical associations were assessed using chi-square and linear-by-linear trend analyses. In total, 3534 invited speakers were identified, of whom 21.7% were women. Gender distribution varied significantly by year, organizing society, and continent (all p < 0.001). Although a modest but significant increase in female representation was observed over time (p = 0.031), North America accounted for the largest proportion of invited speakers (50.8%). Overall, invited-speaker representation remains substantially imbalanced across gender and geographic dimensions. Persistent disparities suggest underlying structural inequalities. Transparent speaker-selection processes, structured mentorship for early-career women, and routine monitoring of representation metrics may help improve equitable academic visibility and strengthen diversity in oral health leadership.

Rethinking social support in depressive symptoms: A comprehensive analysis of support source, gender, and developmental stage.

From emotional maltreatment to adolescent non-suicidal self-injury: A moderated sequential mediation analysis of loneliness, depression and gender among Chinese adolescents.

e22603 Background: There are a large number of studies in literature that have described an inverse association between Alzheimer's dementia and cancer. Multiple biological mechanisms have been theorized to explain this association as well. Despite the reported inverse association, the two conditions tend to coexist. The main purpose of our study was to assess the mortality trends among adults aged 55 and older with concomitant diagnosis of both Alzheimer's dementia and malignant neoplasms. Methods: The CDC WONDER database was utilized to extract mortality data using ICD-10 codes. The age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR/100,000) for the population were extracted, and trends were analyzed for age, gender, race, and year. Results: There was a total of 124447 deaths from malignant neoplasms and Alzheimer's disease from 1999 to 2020 in patients older than 55 years of age. Gender analysis of this cohort showed that both genders have shown an overall gradual decline in AAMR over the course of years. Males have a consistently higher AAMR as compared to females. In fact mean AAMR in males is 7.78 (range: 7.26–8.30; SD: 1.13), and mean AAMR in females is 7.03 (range: 6.64–7.42; SD: 0.83). And the difference in mean AAMR is statistically significant (7.78 vs. 7.03 per 100,000, p &lt; 0.05). Race analysis showed that AAMR from malignant neoplasms and Alzheimer's disease in Asians is significantly and persistently less as compared to Whites and African Americans. The mean AAMR for Asians is 3.9 (range: 3.5–4.3; SD: 1.1) as compared to Whites 8.2 (range: 7.7–8.7; SD: 1.3) and African Americans 8.6 (range: 8.1–9.1; SD: 1.4). Conclusions: The mortality from malignant neoplasms alone has shown upward trends in both genders. Similarly, mortality trends from Alzheimer's disease has also shown an upward trend over the course of years. But our study shows a decreasing mortality trend from both conditions combined. These findings to a certain extent support the hypothesis that these two "beasts" (Alzheimer's and malignant neoplasm) tend not to coexist. The decreasing trend in mortality is noted in both genders and all races. Among all races, Asians have the lowest AAMR. It can be explained by decreased incidence of both Alzheimer's dementia and malignant neoplasms in Asian population. Mean AAMR from Alzheimer's disease and malignant neoplasms. Sex Mean Rate (per 100,000) SD 95% CI (Lower–Upper) Male 7.78 1.13 7.26 – 8.30 Female 7.03 0.83 6.64 – 7.42

The individualisation of risk and responsibility for retirement planning, with the requirement to make ‘good saving decisions’, is an essential feature of the financialisation of pensions. Individuals are encouraged to become active financial subjects to ensure their own economic welfare. Additionally, concepts such as individual responsibility, risk management and financial planning are presented as moral obligations. This narrative has become an intrinsic part of neoliberal policies implemented over the last four decades in the UK, aimed at further privatising retirement. This paper examines the views and attitudes of young women towards individual responsibility and risk, within the context of retirement planning in the UK. The study presents a gendered analysis of financialisation of the pension system. It draws from the concept of ‘individual investor’ to critically discuss its shortcomings, using interviews and a focus group with young British women. The findings show how deep-rooted the idea of personal responsibility is amongst respondents, but also that the concept of managing risk and uncertainty is not adequately recognised, despite its centrality to investment practices.

Hypertension remains a major public health concern in Bangladesh, yet comprehensive nationwide studies examining prescription‐based medication adherence are limited. To address this gap and understand adherence patterns for effective hypertension management, this study utilized secondary data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2022. A total of 1597 hypertensive individuals aged 18 years or older (670 urban, 927 rural) were included after excluding cases with missing values. Medication adherence was defined by self‐reported use of prescribed antihypertensive drugs among those identified with hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg or currently taking medication). Univariate, bivariate, and multilevel binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify key factors influencing adherence. Findings revealed that 83.2% of participants were adherent to medication. Adherence varied significantly by gender, wealth status, and diabetes comorbidity. In urban males, those from middle and rich households were 90.4% and 86.8% less likely to be adherent than poor counterparts, while nondiabetic men were over four times more likely to be adherent (AOR: 4.459, 95% CI = (1.371, 13.224), p value = 0.013). Among rural females, higher wealth status increased adherence (AOR: 1.998, 95% CI = (1.221, 3.268), p value = 0.006), but those with primary or secondary education showed lower odds of adherence. Urban females from rich households had significantly higher odds of adherence (AOR: 4.759, 95% CI = (1.838, 12.335), p value = 0.002). These findings highlight the substantial gender and urban–rural disparities in hypertension medication adherence in Bangladesh. Targeted policies, such as educational outreach for rural women, expanded diabetes screening in urban men, and subsidized medication access in rural areas, are urgently needed to improve hypertension management.

Women have the capacity to contribute to a variety of aspects of the development process. Nonetheless, there exists a potential disparity in women's responsibilities and involvement in development between urban and rural regions. The analysis of women's involvement in village development can be conducted by examining their access to and control over resources and development avenues. When women do not have enough access and control in the development process, they are potentially exposed to social exclusion at various phases of development. The goal of this study is to evaluate women's access, control and social exclusion in Niukbaun Village, Kupang Regency, in the context of development. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach. Data collection was carried out through observation, structured interviews with informants, and literature study. The analysis of the research results used the Harvard gender analysis model, which focuses on access and control, as well as an analysis of social exclusion that looks at the development process and the benefits received. The results of the study show that access to and control over resources are still dominated by men, particularly in their position as head of the family or successor to the clan. This condition is reinforced by gender-based division of labour, where women are more often placed in domestic roles as housewives, while agricultural land management and livestock activities are dominated by men. Strategic positions in village administration are mostly held by men, limiting women's opportunities to participate in decision-making processes. This limitation has resulted in women having minimal access and control in voicing their aspirations and interests in core village development programmes, which ultimately reinforces gender inequality in the context of rural development.

Despite global commitments to inclusive and equitable maternal and newborn health (MNH) care, women with disabilities in fragile and conflict-affected settings remain overlooked. In Somalia, where maternal mortality is among the highest in the world, women with disabilities face systemic and structural barriers to accessing quality MNH services. This study examined experiences of and perspectives on equitable access to MNH care among women with disabilities in Mogadishu, Somalia. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in Mogadishu between July and September 2024. We conducted in-depth interviews with women living with physical or visual impairments (n = 8) and with caregivers of women with hearing impairments or intellectual disabilities (n = 4). We also conducted key informant interviews with representatives of national disability organizations (n = 5). Interviews explored pregnancy and birth experiences, access to and quality of MNH services and recommendations for improvement. Data were analyzed using a primarily deductive thematic approach with inductive refinement, informed by Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use and Morgan's Gender Analysis Matrix to examine individual, facility and systemic-level determinants. At the individual level, women with disabilities faced intersecting challenges related to gender, disability, poverty, unemployment, limited education, and social stigma. These factors pressured them into early marriage and childbirth to secure future caregiving support and social approval. Gendered power relations and unequal access to resources left many women relying on family members for transportation, financial support, and communication with healthcare providers, reducing their autonomy in MNH decision-making. Facility-level barriers included inaccessible infrastructure such as lack of ramps or adjustable beds, poor provider communication especially for patients with hearing impairments or intellectual disabilities, and provider stigma questioning women with disabilities' right to motherhood. These experiences led many women with disabilities to avoid health facilities, relying instead on traditional birth attendants. Systemically, limited disability-inclusive MNH policy implementation, lack of data disaggregated by disability, and inadequate nationwide public awareness further compounded exclusion. Despite these constraints, women with disabilities identified free public health facilities and strong family and community support networks as key enabling factors. These findings demonstrate urgent MNH care gaps for women with disabilities in Mogadishu, Somalia and provide evidence for action. Priorities include disability-inclusive infrastructure, provider training, accessible communication approaches, stronger disability-disaggregated data systems, and women with disabilities participation in planning and service design.

Gender-responsive institutional governance is essential for strengthening forest and land conservation in ecologically vulnerable watershed areas. This article examines institutional models for forest and land conservation in the Upper Bengawan Solo Watershed, Indonesia, where erosion, sedimentation, flooding, drought, and declining environmental carrying capacity remain persistent challenges. Using a qualitative participatory approach inspired by Rapid Rural Appraisal, the study focused on two areas: the Lawu forest area in Karanganyar, representing the Samin sub watershed, and the community forest area in Wonogiri, representing the Keduang sub watershed. Data were collected through focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, observation, documentation, stakeholder analysis, SWOT analysis, Venn diagrams, historical tracing, and gender analysis using the Harvard framework. The findings show that existing conservation institutions remain fragmented, sectoral, and insufficiently gender-responsive. Women’s participation is still limited, particularly in formal decision-making, although women have strategic potential in environmental education, local economic development, agroforestry, forest product processing, and community-based conservation. This article proposes a community based, multi-stakeholder, and gender-responsive institutional model that integrates environmental conservation, women’s empowerment, local economic strengthening, and upstream-downstream watershed governance. The study contributes to sustainable watershed management by positioning women and local communities as active institutional actors in ecological restoration.

This study aimed to examine the actor and partner effects of dyadic coping (DC) on marital quality in young and middle-aged couples coping with cancer and the potential moderating role of gender at the actor and partner levels using actor-partner interdependence moderation models. A total of 229 couples completed the Quality of Marriage Index and the Dyadic Coping Inventory. The results revealed the following: (a) Both patients' and their spouses' positive DC interacted with their own marital quality. (b) While positive DC showed actor/partner effects unaffected by gender, negative DC exhibited gendered asymmetry: Husbands' negative DC was associated with lower female patients' marital quality (b = -0.216, p = .035), with wives' negative DC having no similar effect on male patients. Our study highlighted the important role of gender in understanding the relationship between DC and marital quality, especially in the processes of young and middle-aged couples coping with cancer. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective This qualitative study explored the experience of single fatherhood among divorced Arab fathers in Israel, using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory and Connell’s theory of multiple masculinities. Methods Participants were recruited through social service agencies in Northern Israel, meeting criteria as divorced Arab fathers who are sole guardians of at least one child. Thematic analysis was employed for this qualitative study. Results The analysis of twelve interviews revealed four central themes: the challenges of single fatherhood in Arab society, coping and resilience resources, relationships and social context, and the impact on personal and paternal identity Conclusions The findings illustrate how single Arab fathers navigate different levels of the ecological system while challenging traditional masculinity. This research suggests the potential for social and cultural change in Arab society and emphasizes the need for tailored support. Implications These insights underscore the importance of developing policies and services adapted to the needs of single fathers in Arab society in Israel.

Sexual fantasies have long been the subject of treatments and theories, yet empirical studies on their underlying motives are rare. This study analyzed the most arousing sexual fantasies reported by a quota sample of the German-speaking general population (N = 401, n = 327 valid fantasies, 18–70 years) using content-structuring qualitative content analysis to categorize and quantify descriptive-manifest acts and psychodynamic-latent motives. Fantasies showed a wide range of practices at the descriptive-manifest level, with over half involving impersonal counterparts (53.5%). Fourteen psychodynamic-latent motives emerged (e.g., power dynamics, playing with limits, care, objectification, self-actualization). Self-esteem-enhancing motives were most frequent (59.6%) and defensive processes (e.g., relativization, avoidance, undoing, distant from the self, distant from sexuality) appeared in every fourth fantasy (26.9%). Exploratory gender analyses largely reproduce conservative gender norms with women fantasizing more about passivity, affective connection, and playing with limits and men fantasizing more about objectification and omnipotence. Overall, the findings provide initial support that sexual fantasies may symbolically express individual motivational dynamics, including strivings that would be defended against outside the fantasy realm. At the same time, the gender differences point to culturally shaped patterns, underscoring the importance of considering both individual and socio-cultural perspectives when interpreting such narratives.

Women physicians are vital to the US healthcare workforce. Although women physicians have primary responsibility for home-life activities, career support initiatives have primarily focused on work-life. This scoping review examined recommendations from published research and working groups for opportunities to mitigate women physicians' home-life responsibilities. The literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus for English- or French-language quantitative surveys, qualitative studies, or working group studies on women physicians' home-life from January 2012 to December 15, 2025. Two reviewers independently screened records; disagreements were resolved with a senior advisor. Data were collected on study design, population, setting, and recommendations. Moser's Gender Analysis Framework categorized recommendations as follows: childbearing, childcare, housekeeping, and other family/community support. To offer additional insights into home-life challenges, we conducted 30-min semi-structured interviews with leading women in medicine recruited by snowball sampling. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Of 884 screened articles, 26 offered recommendations to improve women physicians' home-life: 13 surveys, 8 qualitative studies, and 5 working group studies. Recommendations primarily addressed childbearing by adapting schedules, increasing leave, on-site lactation facilities, and greater protected time for home responsibilities. Childcare was another focus of recommendations including on-site or home childcare support and flexible scheduling. Other home-life responsibilities, such as domestic chores and help with other family/community responsibilities, were less frequently addressed. Themes from 12 key informants included standardized policies and paid leave for childbearing, accommodation for lactation and quality on-site childcare with extended hours. This scoping review identified 26 research and working group publications with recommendations to support women physicians' home-life, which primarily addressed childbearing and childcare, with less emphasis on other domestic and family/community responsibilities. These recommendations serve as a basis for needed home-life support to facilitate the careers of younger women physicians. Open Science Framework ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/M8XFK ); April 9, 2024.