College Women Research Articles

Education differences in blood pressure trajectories by sex through midlife: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2018.

Although it has long been established that age and sex play a role in blood pressure levels across the lifespan, the extent to which educational attainment moderates these relationships has been understudied. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess educational differences in SBP, DBP, and pulse pressure (PP) trajectories among men and women through the midlife years. We conducted an analysis of pooled data from the 1999 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to assess whether education moderates blood pressure measurements among men and women over the midlife years. Statistical analyses were performed using survey-weighted linear and quadratic regressions to assess these trajectories. During midlife, women with at least a college degree maintained the lowest average level of SBP compared to men at all education levels and women with a high school diploma or less. They also maintained the lowest level of PP, though not different from men with at least a college degree and women with less than a college degree. However, no educational differences were observed in DBP between men and women during the midlife years. Our study shows clear delineation in the trajectories of PP and SBP by education such that a 4-year education is more protective than some college and a high school degree, particularly among women. These results highlight the need to consider upstream policy interventions (education policy initiatives) that could reduce population-wide elevated blood pressure.

Gender Differences in Normative Misperceptions of Food and Alcohol Disturbance Among a Multi-Site Sample of College Students

Background: Engagement in food and alcohol disturbance (FAD; e.g., restricting caloric intake in the context of using alcohol to quicken/increase intoxication [FAD-intoxication] and/or to offset calories consumed from alcohol [FAD-calories]) confers risk to college students. Much research suggests that students overestimate the frequency of high-risk drinking among their peers, leading to greater participation in personal high-risk drinking. However, limited work has examined social norms related to FAD and their association with FAD behaviors. Objectives: The present study investigated: (a) whether normative misperceptions exist for FAD, (b) whether FAD norms are associated with FAD behaviors, and (c) whether gender moderates the association between FAD norms and FAD behaviors. Participants were 1,499 college students from six universities who consumed alcohol in the last month and identified as a woman or man. A plurality of participants identified as being White, non-Hispanic (59.5%) and female (68.1%), with a mean age of 19.66 (SD = 2.09) years. Results: Analyses revealed that students overestimated the frequency and approval of both FAD-intoxication and FAD-calories behaviors among their same-gender peers. Notably, these misperceptions were greater for FAD participators compared to FAD abstainers. Moreover, the associations between FAD norms and FAD behaviors were generally stronger for women compared to men. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings identify social norms as a potential target for interventions aiming to reduce FAD among college students. Further, our results provide preliminary evidence that college women, especially those who engage in FAD, may reap the greatest benefit from interventions targeting normative misperceptions (e.g., personalized normative feedback) related to FAD.

Menstrual practice needs among college going women in Coimbatore district, India: an analytical cross-sectional study

BackgroundIn India, twenty-five percent of women who menstruate are unable to utilize sanitary methods, and even among those who have access, there are multiple obstacles to achieving proper menstrual hygiene management. The consequences of inadequate menstrual health may extend to affect a girl’s socialisation, empowerment, overall well-being, and even survival. ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of unmet menstrual practice needs and its determinants among college going women in Coimbatore district, India. MethodologyA questionnaire based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 3144 college going women from October 2022 to January 2023. Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS-36) was used to collect data regarding the unmet needs and their mean scores were compared across socio-demographic variables, menstrual knowledge, and the choice of hygiene material. ResultsThe mean (SD) age of the study population was 19.3 (1.8) years. The prevalence of unmet menstrual practice needs was 62.8% with a mean (SD) MPNS score of 1.8 (0.4). The total MPNS score was low for those currently residing in rural or having a rural hometown. The unmet need was better for those residing in-campus of the educational institute and having educated parents. The socioeconomic class and presence of a personal income also influenced the total MPNS scores significantly (p < 0.05). Menstrual talks with friends before puberty and with friends and family after puberty improved the MPNS scores. Regarding menstrual hygiene methods, modern menstrual methods (MMM), disposable and bio-degradable materials had a lower unmet need. Marital status, freedom to manage expenses, pre-pubertal menstrual talks with family, and total number of family members did not influence the scores of MPNS. Multivariate regression analysis showed that maternal education, menstrual talks with family after puberty, and type of menstrual hygiene method including its disposability were independent predictors of total MPNS scores. ConclusionAddressing unmet menstrual practice needs among college-going women in Coimbatore district necessitates a multifaceted approach encompassing education, access to affordable and sustainable menstrual products, and destigmatization efforts.

Empowering the mind and body: The impact of exercise on college women’s stress resilience and self-esteem

Empowering the mind and body: The impact of exercise on college women’s stress resilience and self-esteem

Black college women's preventive health behaviors: Applications of a Black Feminist-Womanist research paradigm

ObjectiveThe researchers applied Lindsay-Dennis' Black Feminist-Womanist research paradigm to Andersen's Behavioral Model for Health Service Use to guide initial research about Black American women's preventive health behaviors. MethodsThis article highlights this application, using interpretive phenomenological analysis for qualitative questions assessing how 40 Black college women define health and their experiences in health care. This was part of a larger convergent parallel mixed-methods approach in a 2022 cross-sectional online survey. ResultsParticipants defined health as a concept involving health literacy, physical and mental health, and being free from health conditions or disease. Regarding health-related lived experiences, negative experiences were more frequently reported than positive experiences. However, many participants reported both positive and negative health care related experiences. Predisposing, enabling, and need factors were all present in qualitative responses. ConclusionsThis article highlights the fit of a Black Feminist-Womanist research paradigm to Andersen's model to better understand Black women's health experiences and illustrates ways that medical mistrust, health literacy, and past experiences with health care can influence health service use. Areas for future research on barriers and facilitators to preventive care and implications for reducing health disparities are also discussed.

Examining the Measurement Invariance of the Revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory Among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White College Women in the U.S.

The Revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI-R) is a widely used measure in research, yet the invariance of this measure has not been established in English speaking Non-Hispanic White (NHW) and Hispanic/Latine populations. This study examined whether the SOI-R, a measure developed in Germany, was invariant between US Hispanic/Latina (N = 208) and NHW (N = 190) undergraduate women. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess model fit in the Hispanic/Latina and NHW samples and fit of increasingly restrictive models was used to test configural, metric, scalar, and residual invariance of the models in both samples. CFA results revealed that data from both the Hispanic/Latina and NHW groups fit the model adequately in this sample, which consisted of highly acculturated Hispanic/Latina college women. Tests of measurement invariance found that the SOI-R was invariant across Hispanic/Latina and NHW college women. However, questions about the development of the SOI-R and the underlying assumptions made during the course of its development might be considered prior to the use of the measure in research, and further invariance testing should be conducted in future work with less acculturated Hispanic/Latine populations.

Healing strategies of women who experienced sexual assault: A mixed method analysis.

The primary objective of this study was to identify healing strategies directly from women who experienced sexual assault and sexual exploitation. The second objective was to explore secondary themes related to healing from sexual assault. This study included two quantitative objectives. The first was to examine if the frequency of reported sexual assault experienced predicted greater coping strategies and if rape that occurred in juvenile years and during college uniquely predicted reported use of more coping strategies. Using a mix-method design of college women who endorsed experiencing unwanted sexual contact as part of a survey, 283 provided details about healthy healing strategies. Qualitative responses were transcribed verbatim, and thematic classification followed an iterative process. Linear regressions were used to examine the relationships between sexual assault frequency and use of coping strategies. The most frequently endorsed categories as being helpful to one's healing were social support, proactive behavioral strategies, forgetting/ignoring/shifting focus, positive cognitive strategies, and counseling. Other themes related to healing included long-term effects, unsuccessful strategies, and posttraumatic growth. Secondary themes include validation, denial of/modified recognition of sexual assault, and specific campus environmental factors. Individuals who reported more sexual assault reported using more healing strategies. This study underscores the benefits of social support and specific strategies. Results suggest a positive relationship between the number of unwanted sexual experiences and coping strategies utilized. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Relationships amongst mother’s body image and eating attitudes, daughters’ body image and eating attitudes, and health in college women

Relationships amongst mother’s body image and eating attitudes, daughters’ body image and eating attitudes, and health in college women

“I Love My Body, but Hers is Better!” Body Positivity and Social Media Among College Women

This qualitative study explores how college women interpret and negotiate body positivity messages that appear alongside unattainable body image ideals on social media. The sample consisted of 44 undergraduate college women between the ages of 18 and 23. Methods included semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Using content analysis, the following key themes were identified: a persistent culture of comparison online that reinforced a narrow body ideal alongside an imperative to love your body at any size; skepticism about whether the body positivity movement could create meaningful or enduring cultural change; and the use of fat talk and other self-disparaging online strategies to mitigate critique from others and elicit compliments. Results suggest that women endeavored to internalize the values of body positivity even as they struggled to enact them online. Social media, an ever-changing environment, emerged as a key social and developmental context within which emerging adults negotiate body image ideologies.

Intersectional analysis of the barriers faced by university women accessing and using ai in the workplace

The purpose of this study was to analyze the barriers faced by university women in accessing and using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace in Argentina, Chile, and Mexico from an intersectional perspective. We explored the complex interactions between gender, ethnicity, social class, and geographical location in shaping these barriers. The study's design and methodology followed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach. We collected data in the quantitative phase using an online survey on a sample of 812 university women working in three countries. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with a subsample of participants. The findings revealed various barriers to accessing and using AI, such as lack of knowledge and skills, gender stereotypes, digital divides, and challenges in work-family balance. We also identified significant differences based on ethnicity and type of work. The qualitative analysis highlighted discrimination, lack of support, and mentoring, as well as the intersection of inequalities. The practical implications of this study underscore the importance of considering intersectionality when addressing the barriers faced by university women when interacting with AI. The findings have implications for the design of policies and programs that promote gender equity in AI and the workplace, taking into account the diversity of women's experiences.

Ankle, knee and concussion concerns: Unveiling injury patterns in highly trained South African netball players

ObjectivesTo describe the rate and type of netball injuries sustained during women's university-level tournament matches in South Africa. DesignDescriptive epidemiological study. SettingThree editions of the women's Varsity Netball tournament (2021–23). ParticipantsStudent-athletes representing nine university women's teams. Main outcome measuresMedical attention match injuries prospectively recorded by team medical staff. Injuries were classified according to the 2020 consensus statement, with the addition of “concussion” as a separate pathology type. The main outcomes are reported as incidence (injuries per 1000h; 95% confidence intervals - CIs), burden (days lost per 1000h; 95%CIs), and frequency (% of all injuries). ResultsSixty-three injuries were recorded from 48 different players (58.8 per 1000h; 45.2–75.3) and the overall injury burden was 401 days per 1000h (364–440). Injury incidence by pathology type was highest for joint sprains (28.9 per 1000h), tendinopathies (7.5 per 1000h), and concussions (4.7 per 1000h). Joint sprains to the ankle accounted for 49% of the overall estimated days lost. ConclusionsAnkle joint sprains should be the primary target of injury risk reduction programmes in highly trained netball players. Concussions were reported and efforts should be made to increase awareness among players, coaches and medical staff.

Prognostic Significance of Disseminated Tumor Cells in Bone Marrow for Endometrial Carcinoma Patients.

Background: Until now, limited clinical significance had been reported for disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in gynecologic malignancies. DTCs were previously reported not to be associated with established risk factors, L1CAM immunoreactivity, and outcome in endometrial carcinoma (EC). This study's primary objective was to investigate potential correlations of DTCs in the bone marrow (BM) of EC patients with disease-related survival, and a secondary objective was to evaluate associations between molecular classification of EC and DTCs. Methods: Patients treated for primary EC at Tuebingen University women's hospital between 2003 and 2016 were identified. A total of 402 patients with a complete set of BM cytology, molecular, and clinical data were evaluable. Results: DTC occurrence was distributed equally among all four molecular groups (p = 0.651). DTC positivity was associated with a less favorable disease-free survival (HR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.03-3.36, p = 0.036) and progression-free survival (HR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.01-3.44, p = 0.045). Presence of DTCs was associated with a higher frequency of distant disease recurrence (p = 0.017). Conclusions: In line with our previous findings, tumor cell dissemination is not associated with molecular features in our large cohort of primary EC patients. Since DTCs seem to be associated with survival and location of disease recurrence, further studies are needed to decisively define their role in EC survival.

A month in review: longitudinal dynamics between daily PTSD symptom networks, affect, and drinking behaviors in female college students.

Sexual victimization (SV) is common among college women, with approximately half of those who have experienced SV meeting criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within a year. Both SV and PTSD are associated with alcohol misuse among college women, often explained by the self-medication hypothesis. Existing literature focuses on overall PTSD severity rather than potential day-to-day fluctuations in specific symptoms, which might play a crucial role in understanding alcohol misuse risk. Studies also examine only same-day or next-day associations between PTSD and drinking, neglecting the potential for longer-term changes. This study explores the short-term longitudinal stability and time-lagged predictive dynamics of PTSD symptoms, affect, and drinking behavior among 174 female college heavy episodic drinkers over four weeks. Participants were categorized into three groups: those with a history of SV and PTSD (n = 77), women with SV but without PTSD (n = 59), and women without prior trauma history (n = 38) to be able to examine differences by trauma exposure, and PTSD. We compared the longitudinal stability of PTSD symptom networks, affect (arousal, positive affect, and negative affect), and drinking behavior across groups. Support vector regression determined which PTSD symptom networks and affect best predict drinking behavior at specific time lags within a 0-7 day range. The PTSD group showed higher longitudinal stability for PTSD symptom networks (adjusted ps <.049) and arousal (adjusted ps <.048), but lower stability for negative affect (adjusted p =.013) and drinking behavior, including alcohol cravings (adjusted p =.019) and consumption (adjusted ps =.012), compared to the comparison groups. This suggests individuals with PTSD have more stable symptoms and arousal levels but greater fluctuations in negative affect and alcohol-related behaviors. Secondary analysis revealed PTSD symptom networks optimally predicted alcohol cravings with a three-day time lag (r=.88, p <.001) and consumption with a four-day time lag (r=.82, p <.001). These findings challenge assumptions regarding immediate effects of PTSD and affect on drinking behavior and underscore the need for therapeutic approaches that consider longer-range effects. Future research should expand on these findings by incorporating longer-range assessments and exploring a broader range of symptom interactions.

Female Academics Career Development - Stories from Senior Female Academics in Tanzania’s Public Universities

This paper investigates the career experiences of female academics in Tanzanian public universities, employing a qualitative methodology to elucidate their career development trajectories. Data were collected through interviews with senior female academics and a comprehensive literature review and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that career advancement among these women is driven by a desire for professional growth, a commitment to excellence, the influence of role models, family support, efforts to challenge cultural norms, and opportunities provided by scholarships. The study concludes that personal dedication and growth motivation are critical in promoting the career advancement of female academics. It recommends fostering collaborative research, publication, outreach, and consultancy initiatives among male and female academics to support the career development of women in public universities in Tanzania. Keywords: Female academics, Career development, Senior positions, Public universities, Tanzania

The roles of psychosocial resources in reducing the impact of gendered racism on worry among Black women attending an HBCU

Objective: The study ascertained the effects of Black college women’s experiences of gendered racism on worry. Psychosocial resources were examined as factors expected to reduce the impact of gendered racial microaggressions on worry. Participants: The sample comprised 197 Black-identified students enrolled at a southern Historically Black College or University. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used. After adjusting for covariates, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models evaluated the associations between gendered racial microaggressions, psychosocial resources, and worry. Results: Frequent experiences of gendered racial microaggressions were associated with heightened worry. The Angry Black Woman stereotype had the most robust relationship with worry. Psychosocial resources, specifically mastery, self-esteem, and resilience, reduced the impact of gendered racial microaggressions on worry. Conclusion: Gendered racism contributes to increased worry, and thus, heightens the risk of experiencing anxiety. High levels of mastery, self-esteem, and resilience reduce the effects of gendered racism on worry.

The Relationship between Lifestyle Behaviors and Mental Illness in Women in College.

Women, particularly those in college, have the highest prevalence of any mental illness (MI), which negatively impacts social connection, academic performance, and health. Research into alternative treatment methods suggests that lifestyle behaviors are safer and more effective than medication at reducing MI symptoms. This study explores the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and MI in college women through an online survey. The survey included a food frequency questionnaire (Diet History Questionnaire II) and questions about lifestyle behaviors, symptoms of MI, and sociodemographic information. Diet quality was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and MI was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Independent sample t-tests, ANOVA, and chi-square analyses were conducted. A total of 222 women completed the survey. Overall, diet quality was poor, with a mean HEI of 62.6 ± 10.4. No significant differences or associations were found between MI groups for total HEI score, sleep, or tobacco use. However, alcohol use was significantly associated with MI (p = 0.049). Individuals with fewer concurrent unhealthy lifestyle behaviors had less severe symptoms of depression (p = 0.009) and anxiety (p < 0.001) compared to those with more unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. In this study, alcohol use was the only independent lifestyle behavior associated with symptoms of MI. We also found an association between the number of concurrent unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and depression and anxiety symptoms. Future research should explore the benefits of a healthy lifestyle on MI in a more diverse sample of women.

Loneliness as a moderator of the association of affective symptoms and binge eating among college women

Affective symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, shame) are a potent risk factor for binge eating. However, less is known on the role of loneliness as a moderator of affective symptoms and binge eating. This objective of the current study was to investigate main effects and interactions of affective symptoms and loneliness in relation to binge eating in college women. A sample of 556 undergraduate women completed self-report questionnaires of affective symptoms, loneliness, and binge eating. Results revealed significant interactions between each affective symptom variable and loneliness in relation to binge eating, such that loneliness strengthened the positive association of affective symptoms and greater binge eating. The findings of this study demonstrate an important role of loneliness to binge eating among college women, especially those with underlying affective vulnerabilities. More theoretical and treatment-oriented work on the role of loneliness in binge eating is needed to understand mechanisms and interventions/preventions.

Exploring the Loss Aversion Scale’s psychometric properties in Spain

Loss aversion is a psychological construct defined as a tendency to value potential losses more than gains in a situation that requires decision-making. The Loss Aversion Scale (LAS, eight items) measures an individual’s loss aversion to various situations. However, the generalization of its psychometric properties to different population groups is unknown. This study aimed to validate the LAS instrument for use among Spanish university adults. To this end, two studies were conducted: a content validity study calculating the substantive validity (N = 24) of the instrument’s translation from original English to Spanish and a study of internal structure and association (N = 766) among Spanish university men and women aged 18–35. The analyses performed for each sample indicated that the instrument had adequate validity and reliability values as a one-dimensional measure; however, items 5 and 8 had to be removed. Their scores indicated moderate-magnitude correlations with social desirability. This article debates the study’s limitations, practical implications, and future lines of research based on the results. The conclusion is that the Loss Aversion Scale instrument suits general Spanish population samples and requires probable methodological control concerning social desirability.

Gender Typicality and Engineering Attachment: Examining the Viewpoints of Women College Engineers and Variation by Race/Ethnicity.

Women remain under-represented in many STEM occupations, including in the high-status and lucrative field of engineering. This study focuses on women who have chosen to enter this men-dominated field, to consider whether and how feelings of gender typicality predict their attachment to the field. Specifically, utilizing a U.S. sample of approximately 800 women college engineers from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds, we build on emerging research on gender typicality to distinguish perceptions of feminine typicality as well as masculine typicality. Subsequently, we consider whether these perceptions have implications for their attachment to engineering, including their engineering identity as well as their certainty of staying in the field. Importantly, in doing so, we consider potential racial/ethnic variations in these relationships.

DEVELOPING DIGITAL LEADERSHIP PRACTICES IN MILITARY: A WAY FORWARD

Military leadership today deals with a plethora of information related to its on-field and off-the-field operations that are complex in nature and needs critical thinking which can affect the decision-making process. Information overload is a phenomenon that creates uncertainty and ambiguity in decision-making. Losing direction is very likely in such situations as it could be an issue for the leadership to keep track of what needs to be contained and what needs to be discarded from the chunks of informationreceived continuously. Building adaptive and agile leadership is imperative to technology adaption in the military as digital decision-making and a tech-savvy culture will be key attributes of the future. Adapting digital technologies will help fight and win wars in the digital era and military leadership must learn the digital leadership skills to win the fights driven by technology. With the future of warfare going digital, knowledge-based decision-making will be a valuable asset as these capabilities will become a necessity in times to come. Information control will play a pivotal role in digital leadership and digital leadership combined with the foresight and experience of the commanders can help tackle fifth-generation warfare.Keywords: Digitalisation,Digital Leadership, Hybrid Warfare, Military Leadership,PakistanIntroductionecurity threats have changed considerably for Pakistan in the last two decades. Today, the dangers lurking with traditional security challenges are still on the table because of the unstable regional dynamics but the non-traditional threats have increased in theirintensity. The characteristics of war have changed from traditional air, ground, and water to include space and information control. These technological changes especially autonomous systems and artificial intelligence also known as fifth-generation warfare have changed the dynamics of battlefields. Currently, less is fought on the ground as compared to information wars through digital media, cyberspace, and satellite technologies. The changes in military approach to warfare around the world demands the military leadership to be tech-savvy. Therefore, the current and future military leaders of the country must make their acquaintance with digital technologies. The adaption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the military is a key development around the world. The use of information warfare (IW) and *Mr. Jawad Mahroof and Ms. Rabbia Javaidare an M.Phil scholars at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi.S