Gender Differences In Impact Research Articles

Internet Addiction and Psychological Distress: Can Social Networking Site Addiction Affect Body Uneasiness Across Gender? A Mediation Model.

The Internet, with its unlimited information, revolutionary communication capabilities, and innovative potential to expand knowledge, is ubiquitous throughout the world, but it also has significant implications for users' mental health. Given the not yet clearly defined and distinguishable nosographic categories of online addiction and the resulting difficulties in describing the impact on users' mental health, the present cross-sectional study aimed to gain new insights into the relationship between Internet addiction (especially social networking site [SNS] addiction), psychological distress, and physical discomfort, as well as gender differences in impact among users. A sample of 583 Italian speakers (50.8% males; 48.7% females) with a mean age of 30.96 (SD = 12.12) completed an online survey in July 2021. A set of psychometric self-report instruments was administered to assess the study variables. Mediation analyses were performed for both the whole sample and across genders. The study found that men exhibited higher levels of Internet addiction and craving than women, but no differences were found for SNS addiction. Furthermore, indicators of psychological distress (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, insomnia, and self-esteem) mediated the association between SNS addiction and body uneasiness, with slight differences across genders. This paper contributes to the existing literature on online addictive behaviors by also highlighting gender differences. The findings underscore the need for educational experiences that can prevent problematic use of the Internet and SNSs.

Gender difference in impact of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual function

There is a paucity of research on the difference between men and women in the impact of mental health on sexual function during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to explore sexual function changes and the effects of mental health on sexual function during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data from a self-administered online questionnaire completed by 180 healthy Korean volunteers were analyzed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, women tended to be more vulnerable than men in all subscales of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), except for the stress subscale (p < 0.001). Regarding sexual function, overall sexual function, including both the total International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score and total Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score, was lower during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. All subscales of DASS-21 and total DASS-21 scores were negatively correlated with total IIEF-5 and total FSFI score in men and women, respectively. On a multivariate analysis, the anxiety subscale of DASS-21 was an independent risk factor for decreased total IIEF-5 score in men (p < 0.05). Mental health during the pandemic has negatively influenced sexual function in both sexes. Particularly, anxiety was a significant risk factor for decreased erectile function in men during the pandemic.

Temporal trends in calls for suicide attempts to poison control centers in France during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide study

Concerns have been raised about early vs. later impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidal behavior. However, data remain sparse to date. We investigated all calls for intentional drug or other toxic ingestions to the eight Poison Control Centers in France between 1st January 2018 and 31st May 2022. Data were extracted from the French National Database of Poisonings. Calls during the study period were analyzed using time trends and time series analyses with SARIMA models (based on the first two years). Breakpoints were determined using Chow test. These analyses were performed together with examination of age groups (≤ 11, 12–24, 25–64, ≥ 65 years) and gender effects when possible. Over the studied period, 66,589 calls for suicide attempts were received. Overall, there was a downward trend from 2018, which slowed down in October 2019 and was followed by an increase from November 2020. Number of calls observed during the COVID period were above what was expected. However, important differences were found according to age and gender. The increase in calls from mid-2020 was particularly observed in young females, while middle-aged adults showed a persisting decrease. An increase in older-aged people was observed from mid-2019 and persisted during the pandemic. The pandemic may therefore have exacerbated a pre-existing fragile situation in adolescents and old-aged people. This study emphasizes the rapidly evolving situation regarding suicidal behaviour during the pandemic, the possibility of age and gender differences in impact, and the value of having access to real-time information to monitor suicidal acts.

Gender Differences in Impacts of Place-Based Neighborhood Greening Interventions on Fear of Violence Based on a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Maintained green space in underserved urban neighborhoods may be an important environmental pathway to improving community health and safety, though effects may vary across population subgroups and by time of day. We examined survey responses from 442 participants (178 men and 264 women), living near vacant lots in a cluster-randomized controlled trial of a cleaning and greening intervention, on perceived safety during the day and at night. At the intervention sites after the intervention, only men reported feeling less unsafe during the day. Women reported more fear, and men reported less fear, after the intervention, although these results and tests for effect modification were not statistically significant. The clean-and-green intervention may have allayed fears for men during the day and supported their ease of movement throughout their neighborhoods. However, at night, it may have had the opposite effect on women. Though our study was under-powered, not designed to test associations stratified by gender, directions and magnitudes of associations differed substantially, indicating a need for further investigations into potential gender differences in the benefits of green space, to inform and better tailor interventions to improve perceived safety for all.

Gender differences in the impact of plasma xanthine oxidoreductase activity on coronary artery spasm

Abstract Background It has been reported that decreased nitric oxide bioavailability due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the most important causes of coronary artery spasm (CAS). Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) is the rate-limiting enzyme for uric acid (UA) production and plays a pivotal role in generating ROS. It was reported that the gender differences exist in the impact of serum UA levels on cardiovascular risks. We previously demonstrated that increased plasma XOR activity is significantly associated with the incidence of CAS. However, the gender differences in the impact of plasma XOR activity on CAS remain unclear. Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the gender differences in the clinical impact of plasma XOR activity on CAS. Methods We investigated plasma XOR activity in 132 patients suspected for CAS (male, n=78; female, n=54), and underwent intracoronary acetylcholine provocation test. XOR activity assay was performed using stable isotope-labeled substrate and liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Provoked CAS was defined as total or subtotal occlusion (≥90%) with accompanying symptoms of chest pain and/or ischemic ST-segment changes on the electrocardiogram. We excluded the patients who had significant coronary artery stenosis (≥50%) and/or were taking XOR inhibitors. Results Plasma XOR activity was significantly lower in female compared with male patients (30.3 pmol/h/mL, interquartile range (IQR) 22.8–42.7 vs. 51.7 pmol/h/mL, IQR 34.7–101.8; P<0.001). CAS was provoked in 36 male patients and 17 female patients, and they each had significantly higher plasma XOR activity compared with those without, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that plasma XOR activity was independently associated with the incidence of CAS in both genders after adjustment for confounding factors. The optimal cut-off values for predicting CAS were lower in female than those in male patients (52.3 vs. 91.6 pmol/h/mL). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that female patients with high XOR activity (≥52.3 pmol/h/mL; odds ratio [OR] 22.6, P<0.001) exhibited a higher incidence of CAS compared with that in male patients (≥91.6 pmol/h/mL; OR 8.2, P<0.001). Conclusions Plasma XOR activity was an independent predictor for the incidence of CAS in both genders. The impact of plasma XOR activity on CAS was stronger in female patients than in male patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1Figure 2

Precarity in a Time of Uncertainty: Gendered Employment Patterns during the Covid-19 Lockdown in India

ABSTRACT India implemented one of the world’s most stringent lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 crisis. This study examines whether the impacts of the lockdown on employment differed by gender in areas surrounding Delhi. An ongoing monthly employment survey between March 2019 and May 2020 allows for comparison before and after lockdown. Estimates based on random-effects logistic regression models show that for men, the predicted probability of employment declined from 0.88 to 0.57, while for women it fell from 0.34 to 0.22. Women’s concentration in self-employment may be one reason why their employment was somewhat protected. However, when looking only at wage workers, the study finds that women experienced greater job losses than men with predicted probability of employment declining by 72 percent for women compared to 40 percent for men. The findings highlight the gendered impacts of macro crises and inform policy considerations through ongoing phases of lockdowns and relaxation. HIGHLIGHTS Ongoing survey data reveals gendered changes in employment before and during India’s pandemic lockdown. Results show substantial decline in employment for men and women during the lockdown period. Absolute decline in employment was larger for men than for women. However, broad comparisons mask gender differences in impact on different industries and occupations. Comparing only wage workers, employment decline was far greater for women than for men.

P3453Gender difference in impact of ischemic heart disease on long-term outcome in patients with heart failure reduced ejection fraction

Abstract Background Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major underlying etiology in patients with heart failure (HF). Although the impact of IHD on HF is evolving, there is a lack of understanding of how IHD affects long-term clinical outcomes and uncertainty about the role of IHD in determining the risk of clinical outcomes by gender. Purpose This study aims to evaluate the gender difference in impact of IHD on long-term clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods Study data were obtained from the nationwide registry which is a prospective multicenter cohort and included patients who were hospitalized for HF composed of 3,200 patients. A total of 1,638 patients with HFrEF were classified into gender (women 704 and men 934). The primary outcome was all-cause death during follow-up and the composite clinical events of all-cause death and HF readmission during follow-up were also obtained. HF readmission was defined as re-hospitalization because of HF exacerbation. Results 133 women (18.9%) were died and 168 men (18.0%) were died during follow-up (median 489 days; inter-quartile range, 162–947 days). As underlying cause of HF, IHD did not show significant difference between genders. Women with HFrEF combined with IHD had significantly lower cumulative survival rate than women without IHD at long-term follow-up (74.8% vs. 84.9%, Log Rank p=0.001, Figure 1). However, men with HFrEF combined with IHD had no significant difference in survival rate compared with men without IHD (79.3% vs. 83.8%, Log Rank p=0.067). After adjustment for confounding factors, Cox regression analysis showed that IHD had a 1.43-fold increased risk for all-cause mortality independently only in women. (odds ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.058–1.929, p=0.020). On the contrary to the death-free survival rates, there were significant differences in composite clinical events-free survival rates between patients with HFrEF combined with IHD and HFrEF without IHD in both genders. Figure 1 Conclusions IHD as predisposing cause of HF was an important risk factor for long-term mortality in women with HFrEF. Clinician need to aware of gender-based characteristics in patients with HF and should manage and monitor them appropriately and gender-specifically. Women with HF caused by IHD also should be treated more meticulously to avoid a poor prognosis. Acknowledgement/Funding None

Gender differences in impact of CYP2C19 polymorphism on development of coronary artery disease.

The aim was to clarify whether CYP2C19 polymorphism is associated with the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study enrolled 723 patients with CAD (men 71%, 70 years) and healthy subjects undergoing a medical checkup (n = 453) as controls (men 69%, 53 years). We analyzed the incidence of CYP2C19 polymorphism and its association with the development of CAD in the absence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease to minimize the influence of conventional coronary risk factors. In the analysis without risk factors, there was no difference in the incidence of the CYP2C19 genotype between CAD (n = 115) and control (n = 194) groups [extensive metabolizer, intermediate metabolizer, poor metabolizer (PM) in non-risk CAD: 33%, 46%, 21%, respectively; in non-risk control: 31%, 52%, 17%, respectively]. Analysis between CAD and control groups by the χ test showed that there was significant difference in distribution of CYP2C19 genotype in women alone (P = 0.025) but not in total subjects (P = 0.471) or men (P = 0.678), respectively. CYP2C19 PM was an independent predictor of CAD risk in women alone (odds ratio, 10.717; 95% confidence interval, 1.753-65.505; P = 0.010) but not in men. CYP2C19 PM status might be associated with the development of CAD as a disease susceptibility gene, especially in women.

Abstract 13172: Gender Differences in Impact of Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction or CYP2C19 Polymorphism on Clinical Outcome Following Coronary Stenting in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Background: Vascular endothelial dysfunction and CYP2C19 polymorphism are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular event in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The aim was to examine the gender differences in vascular endothelial dysfunction or CYP2C19 genotype on clinical outcomes following stent implantation. Methods: We enrolled 600 patients following stent implantation, taking dual antiplatelet therapy. Patients were divided into male (n=426) and female (n=174) groups. Platelet reactivity (PR) by a light transmission aggregometry, reactive hyperemia index (RHI) using reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry as an index of endothelial dysfunction, and CYP2C19 polymorphism were examined. CYP2C19 genotype was classified into carrier (at least one CYP2C19 loss-of function allele carriage) and non-carrier. Cardiovascular event (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, unstable angina, revascularization, intraprocedural thrombotic event and heart failure) was assessed according to male or female over 18 months follow-up. Results: There were no significant differences in distribution of CYP2C19 carrier and non-carrier (78.9 vs. 64.3%, P=0.126), PR (4474 vs. 4223 AU*min, P=0.485) and clinical outcomes (17.8 vs. 16.7%, P=0.731) between male and female. In male group alone, the incidence of cardiovascular event was significantly associated with CYP2C19 carrier, renal failure, high PR, previous MI, and peripheral artery disease. While in female group alone, low RHI was significant (0.47 vs. 0.61, P=0.015). Multivariate analysis identified CYP2C19 carrier (HR, 1.908, 95% CI, 1.043-3.489; P=0.032), previous MI (HR, 1.918, 95% CI, 1.125-3.269, P=0.017), and peripheral artery disease (HR, 1.872, 95% CI, 1.079-3.247, P=0.026) as predictors of cardiovascular events in male group, while low RHI alone was a predictor in female (HR, 0.129, 95% CI, 0.021-0.811, P=0.029). Conclusions: The impact of CYP2C19 polymorphism on clinical outcome is more significant in male, not female, while effect of endothelial dysfunction is more significant in female, not male, respectively. There are gender differences in impact of CYP2C19 genotype or endothelial dysfunction on clinical outcome in CHD patients.

Abstract 13435: Gender Differences in Impact of CYP2C19 Polymorphism on Risk of Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Several cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme families have been identified in extra hepatic tissues such as heart, vasculature, kidney, and lung. Specific CYPs, such as CYP2C9 and 2C19, localized in vascular smooth muscle and endothelium may contribute to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. The aim was to clarify whether CYP2C19 polymorphism would be associated with the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) as a disease-susceptibility gene independently of the conventional coronary risk factors. Methods: This study enrolled 723 patients with CAD (male 71%, 70yrs), and healthy subjects undergoing medical checkup (n=453) as control (male 69%, 53yrs). CAD was defined as definitive stable angina and acute coronary syndrome. We analyzed the incidence of CYP2C19 polymorphism for presence of CAD in all subjects and in the absence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) to minimize the influence of acquired and environmental coronary risk factors. CYP2C19 genotype was classified into 3 genotypes: (1) EM having normal function alleles, (2) IM having one loss-of-function (LOF) allele, and (3) PM having two LOF alleles. Results: The distribution of CYP2C19 genotype in total subjects between both groups was not different (EM, IM, PM: CAD; 34, 47, 19%: control; 32, 49, 19%). In the analysis of non-diabetes, non-dyslipidemia, and non-CKD status, there was no difference in incidence of CYP2C19 genotype between CAD (n=115) and control (n=194) groups (EM, IM, PM: non-risk CAD, 33, 46, 21%; non-risk control, 31, 52, 17%). When patients were stratified by gender, there was significant difference in distribution of CYP2C19 genotype between male and female in non-risk CAD patients (EM, IM, PM: male; 35, 50, 15%: female; 27, 36, 36%). In short, the PM frequency was significantly higher in female than in male (15% vs. 36%, P=0.011). Moreover, in females between CAD and control, incidence of PM was significantly higher in non-risk CAD patients than in non-risk control (36 vs. 14%, P=0.006), but not in male (16 vs. 19%, P=0.546). Conclusions: CYP2C19 PM status might be associated with the development of CAD. CYP2C19 polymorphism seems to have an important role in pathophysiology of atherosclerotic disease as a disease-susceptibility gene.

Abstract 14862: Gender Differences in Impact of CYP2C19 Polymorphism and Low Grade Inflammation on Coronary Microvascular Disease

Background: Specific CYPs localized in vascular smooth muscle and endothelium contribute to the regulation of vascular tone and homeostasis. CYP2C19 two loss-of-function alleles (PM) were found to be an independent risk factor for diabetic retinopathy, and PM is associated with the coronary spasm especially in female. However, it is unknown whether CYP2C19 genotype is associated with the coronary microvascular disease. The aim was to evaluate the impact of CYP2C19 genotype on coronary microvascular disease. Methods: We examined CYP2C19 genotype in patients with microvascular disease (n=40) who were diagnosed by intra-coronary acetylcholine infusion test and healthy subjects (n=455) as control group. We defined the coronary microvascular disease that have no epicardial spasm and have angina, ischemic ECG changes, reduced coronary blood flow, or inversion of lactic acid level between intra-coronary and coronary sinus. CYP2C19 genotypes were divided into 3 groups; (1) CYP2C19*1/*1: EM, (2) one loss-of-function allele (*1/*2, *1/*3: IM), and (3) two loss-of-function alleles (*2/*2, *2/*3, *3/*3: PM). Results: The ratios of CYP2C19 genotype (EM, IM, and PM) were 33, 35, and 32% in microvascular disease group, and 32, 49, and 19% in control group. In short, PM frequency was significantly higher in microvascular disease group (32%vs19%,P=0.039). In microvascular disease group, the ratios of CYP2C19 genotype (EM, IM, and PM) were 44, 38, and 19% in male, and 25, 33, and 42% in female, respectively. Briefly, the PM frequency was significantly higher in female than in male (42%vs19%,P=0.011). Moreover, the level of hs-CRP was significantly higher in microvascular disease group (0.37±0.908 vs 0.10±0.240, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis for microvascular disease indicated that gender, high age, smoking, hypertension, and the high level of hs-CRP are predictive factors among all subjects. PM is a predictive factor for microvascular disease in female group only (OR3.214, 95%RI 1.286-8.034, P=0.012), but not in male (OR0.909, 95%RI 0.251-3.285, P=0.884). Conclusion: The CYP2C19 two loss-of-function alleles (PM) and low grade inflammation may be associated with pathophysiology of coronary microvascular disease, especially in female.

Abstract 14849: Gender Differences in Impact of CYP2C19 Polymorphism and Low Grade Inflammation on Coronary Spasm in Patients with Vasospastic Angina (VSA)

Background: Several cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme families have been identified in extra hepatic tissues such as heart, vasculature, kidney, and lung. CYP2C19 localized in vascular smooth muscle and endothelium contributes to the regulation of vascular tone and homeostasis. However, it is unknown whether CYP2C19 genotype is associated with the vascular tonus in patients with VSA. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of CYP2C19 genotype on coronary artery spasm in patients with VSA. Methods: We examined the distribution of CYP2C19 genotype in patients with VSA (n=129) who were diagnosed by intra-coronary acetylcholine infusion test and healthy subjects (n=455) as control group. CYP2C19 genotypes were divided into 3 groups; (1) CYP2C19*1/*1: EM, (2) one loss-of-function allele (*1/*2, *1/*3: IM), and (3) two loss-of-function alleles (*2/*2, *2/*3, *3/*3: PM). Moreover, we measured the level of high-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) as a degree of low glade inflammation in each group. Results: The ratios of CYP2C19 genotype (EM, IM, and PM) were 30, 42, and 28% in VSA group, and 32, 49, and 19% in control group. In short, PM frequency was significantly higher in VSA than in control (28% vs 19%, P=0.026). In VSA group, the ratios of CYP2C19 genotype were 36, 44, and 20% in male, and 20, 39, and 41% in female, respectively. Briefly, the PM frequency was significantly higher in female than in male (41% vs 20%, P<0.001). Moreover, the level of hs-CRP was significantly higher in VSA group than in control group (0.17±0.367 vs 0.10.±0.240, P=0.02). When patients were stratified by gender, the level of hs-CRP was significantly higher in VSA group in female (0.11±0.198 vs 0.06±0.105, P=0.031) and male (0.20±0.438 vs 0.12±0.277, P=0.044). Multivariate analysis for coronary spasm indicated high age, hypertension, and high level of hs-CRP as predictive factors among all subjects. PM is a predictive factor for coronary spasm in female group only (OR3.1, 95%RI 1.525-6.317, P=0.002), but not in male (OR0.829, 95%RI 0.453-1.518, P=0.543). Conclusion: The CYP2C19 two loss-of-function alleles (PM) and low grade inflammation may be associated with pathophysiology of coronary artery spasm and the regulation of coronary tonus, especially in female.

Gender differences in impact of vascular endothelial dysfunction on clinical outcome following coronary stenting in patients with coronary heart disease

Gender differences in impact of vascular endothelial dysfunction on clinical outcome following coronary stenting in patients with coronary heart disease

Gender differences in impact of food stores in neighborhoods on children’s obesity status change: U.S. early childhood longitudinal study (390.4)

Objective: Examine influence of food stores in neighborhoods on children’s weight change by gender. Methods: Height and weight of a national representative sample of US schoolchildren were directly measured at 5th and 8th grades (n=7,090). Information of food store quantities in neighborhoods (supermarkets, convenience stores, takeaway restaurants) in the years of follow‐ups (2004 and 2007) was obtained from the US Zip‐code Business Pattern Data. Children’s weight status and neighborhood environment characteristics were linked via children’s residence zip code. Results: Mixed‐effect models showed that girls living in neighborhoods with 2 supermarkets had lower odds of becoming obese 3 years later (OR=0.44 [95% CI: 0.23‐0.83]) than did those living in neighborhoods without supermarket. Girls living in neighborhoods with more takeaway restaurants had greater odds of becoming obese 3 years later than those living in neighborhoods with 蠄1 takeaway restaurant (OR=4.45 [1.54, 12.83]). Decreased number of supermarkets in neighborhoods was associated with increased odds of obesity for girls (OR=1.68 [1.07, 2.64]). However, there was no significant finding for boys. Conclusions: Girls’ weight status change at the pubertal age, but not boys’, was associated with local food store environments.Grant Funding Source: NIH (R01DK081335‐02, R01HD064685‐02)

Impact of Dating Violence on Male and Female College Students

This study examined gender differences in impacts of dating violence (specifically minor and severe physical injury, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], problems with alcohol, self-esteem, and relationship satisfaction) using a sample of 305 male and 363 female undergraduate students. Multiple linear regression models were used to test for the effects of dating violence victimization on the eight outcome variables while controlling for the effects of perpetration and psychological victimization. Results indicated that physical violence victimization did not impact problems with alcohol, self-esteem, or relationship satisfaction for either males or females. However, being a victim of minor violence significantly increased the levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD and being a victim of severe violence significantly increased minor and severe injury. Different gender effects were seen in anxiety and PTSD scores where male victims scored higher than male nonvictims, but female victims did not differ significantly from female nonvictims and in minor and severe injury where both male and female victims scored higher than nonvictims, but the difference between the two groups was greater for men on the severe injury subscale and greater for women on the minor injury subscale. Overall, results of our analyses indicate that both male and female victims of dating violence experience physical and mental health consequences and, on the whole, do not support previous findings that would suggest that female victims suffer a greater impact than male victims do.

Gender differences in the impact of families on alcohol use: a lagged longitudinal study of early adolescents

ABSTRACTAims From the pre‐teen to the mid‐teen years, rates of alcohol use and misuse increase rapidly. Cross‐sectional research shows that positive family emotional climate (low conflict, high closeness) is protective, and there is emerging evidence that these protective mechanisms are different for girls versus boys. The aim of this study was to explore gender differences in the longitudinal impact of family emotional climate on adolescent alcohol use and exposure to peer drinking networks.Design Three‐wave two‐level (individual, within‐individual over time) ordinal logistic regression with alcohol use in the past year as the dependent measure and family variables lagged by 1 year.Setting Adolescents completed surveys during school hours.Participants A total of 855 Australian students (modal age 10–11 years at baseline) participating in the International Youth Development Study (Victoria, Australia).Measurements These included emotional closeness to mother/father, family conflict, parent disapproval of alcohol use and peer alcohol use.Findings For girls, the effect of emotional closeness to mothers on alcohol use was mediated by exposure to high‐risk peer networks. Parent disapproval of alcohol use was protective for both genders, but this effect was larger for boys versus girls, and there was no evidence that peer use mediated this effect. Peer drinking networks showed stronger direct risk effects than family variables.Conclusions Family factors unidirectionally impact on growth in adolescent alcohol use and effects vary with child gender.

Audio enhancement of biomechanical impact data.

Analysis and interpretation of impact data from a force transducer or accelerometer can be augmented and enhanced using audio playback. Trends and differences which may be difficult to identify using data imagery can be elucidated and reinforced by converting digital data from a force plate to an audio signal, which can then be played through a high‐quality speaker system. The audio stream can be processed using standard acoustical methods such as tempo and pitch shifting, which can emphasize frequencies and tone bursts for improved signal characterization. We apply audio enhancement to data from two separate biomechanical studies: (1) a drop landing experiment for the investigation of gender differences in impact upon landing and (2) an experiment for the investigation of impact differences between cleated and noncleated shoes on artificial turf. The continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is used to process data from a force plate in both studies. Results are compared using the semblance analysis approach described by Cooper and Cowan [“Comparing time series using wavelet‐based semblance analysis,” Computers Geosciences 34, 95–102 (2008)]. Interpretation of results is enhanced using speaker‐driven audio output synthesized from the CWT and semblance analysis.

Men's and Women's Use of Intimate Partner Violence in Clinical Samples: Toward a Gender-Sensitive Analysis

Early research with nationally representative samples suggested that women reported initiating violence as often as men. Such research has been criticized as focusing only on participation rates, and not assessing gender differences in impact, context, and motivation for using partner violence. Furthermore, research with nationally representative samples has been largely a-theoretical and may lack relevance to those working with clinical samples. Research with clinical populations has begun to address gender similarity and differences in the commission and experience of partner violence. The present article reviews research on men's and women's partner violence using a model for examining such gender differences that incorporates key elements of partner violence, including initiation of the overall pattern of partner violence, proportional initiation rates of violent episodes, physical and mental health impacts of partner violence, behavioral and emotional responses to partner-initiated violence, motivations for using partner violence, and fearfulness of partner-initiated violence. The review concludes that, within and across clinical samples, women are disproportionately victimized by partner violence compared to men. Implications for research, clinical programs, and policy development are discussed.

Crime, Women, and the Quality of Urban Life

Although crime and the fear of crime affect both the men and women who live in cities, women are especially affected. In numerous studies they express significantly higher levels of fear than men. For example, according to a 1972 national poll,1 over half the women surveyed, compared with 20 percent of the men, said they were afraid to walk in their neighborhoods at night. The proportion of women reporting such feelings has grown in recent years.2 Accompanying this fear may be an increased use of certain safety precautions, such as staying home at night or avoiding certain parts of the city. This results in what Biderman3 has called "foregone opportunities." Beyond serving as means of protection for women, such restrictions may serve as instruments of social control. Feminist analyses of one crime, rape, have made this point eloquently: