Background: Stroke remains a major public health burden. Few studies have focused on the age differences in the associations of behavioral and psychosocial factors with stroke while no study focusing on the effect of severe psychological distress (SPD) on stroke has been conducted. The aim of this study was to examine the age differences in these risk factors for stroke as young (18-44 years), middle aged (45-64 years), and elderly (65 years or older). Methods: A total of 1,258 adults with stroke and 39,985 controls were selected from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the associations of the factors with stroke at different ages. Results: The prevalence of SPD was 10% in cases and 3.6% in controls, respectively. Overall, current smoking, lack of physical activity, alcohol consumption, SPD, type II diabetes, male, older age, and unemployment were all associated with a higher prevalence of stroke. Practically, we found that smoking and SPD were associated with the prevalence of stroke in young adults, lack of physical activity was associated with the prevalence of stroke in middle-aged adults, and lack of physical activity and SPD were associated with the prevalence of stroke in the elderly. Conclusions: Appropriate intervention for reducing stroke and eliminating its disparities may be developed separately at each age.

Objectives: To examine associations between maternal smoking and overweight among school-aged children and also identify mothers and offspring characteristics that affect children's weight. Methods: We used data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCY). Childhood overweight was defined as having Body Mass Index (BMI) of 85th percentile or above. Smoking patterns among mothers were assessed by questioning smoking behaviour 1 year before birth of the target child: never or ever smoking. Standardized procedures were used to measure height and weight. Descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used for the analysis. Results: Descriptive results showed that children of mothers who smoked anytime within 1 year before birth were more likely to be overweight and have higher BMI percentile averages. GEE results showed that children of mothers who were ever smokers 1 year before birth were more likely to be overweight (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.94) and have higher BMI percentile averages (b = 4.46, P = 0.036) from grades 1 through 6 than those of mothers who were never smokers. Additionally, the level of mother's education and birth weight were significantly associated with childhood overweight. Conclusions: Confirmed relationships between maternal smoking and overweight among school-aged children have important implications for public health policy because this evidence can be used to enhance smoking cessation 1 year before birth to improve the health status of mothers and offspring.

Background: Screening rates for colorectal cancer (CRC) are increasing nationwide including Tennessee (TN); however, their up-to-date status is unknown. The objective of this study is to determine the trends and characteristics of TN adults who are up-to-date status with CRC screening during 2002-2008. Methods: We examined data from the TN Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 to estimate the proportion of respondents aged 50 years and above who were up-to-date status with CRC screening, defined as an annual home fecal occult blood test and/or sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in the past 5 years. We identified trends in up-to-status in all eligible respondents. Using multivariable logistic regression models, we delineated key characteristics of respondents who were up-to-date status. Results: During 2002-2008, the proportion of respondents with up-to-date status for CRC screening increased from 49% in 2002- 55% in 2006 and then decreased to 46% in 2008. The screening rates were higher among adults aged 65-74 years, those with some college education, those with annual household income ≥$35,000 and those with health-care access. In 2008, the respondents who were not up-to-date status with CRC screening included those with no health-care coverage (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-0.63), those aged 50-54 years (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.46-0.82) and those with annual household income <$25,000 (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.52- 0.82). Conclusions: TN adults who are up-to-date status with CRC screening are increasing, but not across all socio-demographic subgroups. The results identified specific subgroups to be targeted by screening programs, along with continued efforts to educate public and providers about the importance of CRC screening.

Research on highly intelligent individuals convicted for crime is relatively scarce. Many previous studies have found a link between low IQ and crime and seen higher IQ as aprotective factor for criminal activity. The current study questions whether it is really the case that high IQ would act as a protection factor and examines what motivates highly intelligent individuals to commit offenses. The study uses a qualitative method. A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals (seven men, three women) who had at least 126 in IQ, and were convicted for one or more crimes. A thematic analysis with an inductive approach was performed, after which the theory of rational choice and the theory of social bonds were chosen to interpret the collected data. The results showed that all participants ruled out the option of giving up crime, either for the reward of the crime or because they considered the criminal act necessary. It also emerged that several of the participants had committed many more crimes than they had been convicted for. Exclusion of various kinds was another picture that was painted, as well as a feeling of leading during school time. A further discussion on the relationship between intelligence and crime is initiated and proposals for further research are given. / <p>2022-01-31</p>

Bakgrund: I Sverige drabbas cirka 10 000 nyblivna mödrar av postpartum depression (PPD) varje år. Att bli förälder är någonting som förknippas med en glädjefylld händelse men denna bild kan ibland stå i stark kontrast till verkligheten. Det är en omställning att bli förälder och i vissa fall kan det vara svårt att anpassa sig till livets nya riktning. Tiden efter förlossningen är en period av ökad sårbarhet både psykologiskt och biologiskt. Sårbarheten för depression varierar beroende på psykologiska och/eller biologiska faktorer vilket får till följd att olika individer kan reagera olika på samma påfrestning. Symtomen kan komma allt från någon vecka efter förlossningen men det kan också dröja upp till ett år. Det är viktigt att den som drabbats av PPD får en diagnos i ett tidigt skede då det ger en bättre förutsättning för ett tidigt tillfrisknande och mindre risk för att barnet ska ta skada. En del kvinnor som drabbats av PPD söker inte vård då de skäms över sina känslor och är rädda för att bli stigmatiserade vilket i slutändan kan leda till allvarliga och oönskade konsekvenser. Syfte: Syftet med detta arbete var att belysa hur biologiska och psykosociala faktorer påverkar risken för att utveckla PPD. Metod: Metoden som användes var en litteraturöversikt där sammanlagt 15 vetenskapliga artiklar inkluderades. Artiklarna var högst tio år gamla, peer reviewed, svarade på syftet och etiskt granskade. Artikelsökningen genomfördes i databaserna PubMed, CINAHL och PsycINFO. Även manuella sökningar förekom. Författaren klassificerade och utförde kvalitetsbedömning på samtliga artiklar. Resultat: De biologiska faktorerna som ingick i de genomgångna artiklarna i litteraturöversikten var hormoner, sömn och barnets temperament. De psykosociala faktorerna som ingick var socioekonomiska faktorer och socialt stöd. Det sammanställda resultatet visade på att dessa faktorer kan öka risken för att drabbas av PPD. Slutsats: Resultatet i föreliggande studie pekar på att hormonella faktorer, sömn, barnets temperament, socio-ekonomiska faktorer och brist på socialt stöd är riskfaktorer för att utveckla PPD. Det är därmed av stor vikt att vårdpersonal på mödravård, förlossning och BVC är uppmärksamma på dessa riskfaktorer samt tidiga symtom. Det är också viktigt att den gravida kvinnan/ nyblivna mamman, partnern och anhöriga känner till både riskfaktorer och symtom för att få hjälp i ett tidigt skede.

Background: Thousands of Canadians undergo cardiac surgery each year with the aim of relieving symptoms (e.g., angina) and improving health-related-quality-of-life (HRQoL). Despite the demonstrated symptom-related benefits of these surgeries, evidence suggests that the development of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is a major clinical problem. To date, several perioperative factors have been examined for their potential to confer risk for CPSP. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the association between preoperative moderate to severe anxiety and depressive symptoms; moderate to severe acute postoperative pain; and cumulative opioid dose consumption with the development of CPSP at six months and 12 months after cardiac surgery. Method: Design. This thesis was a prospective observational cohort sub-study of adults undergoing cardiac surgery in a tertiary care hospital setting (n=735), recruited from Hamilton Health Sciences, Canada over a five year period. Measures. The independent variables included state anxiety, depressive symptoms, acute postoperative pain intensity, and opioid dose consumption. At baseline, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) assessed state anxiety and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) assessed depressive symptoms. The Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) assessed acute postoperative pain intensity on postoperative days three (in-hospital) and 30 (at home via telephone). All instruments have established reliability and validity in cardiac surgery patients (e.g., STAI Cronbach’s alpha (α) =0.82; HADS α=0.81; BPI-SF α=0.87). Medical records were reviewed and total dose of opioids consumed up to three days postoperatively, were collected via analgesic chart audit and converted into milligrams of parenteral morphine equivalent dose using standard dosage tables. Dependent variable. The primary outcome of CPSP was assessed dichotomously (i.e., yes/no) at six months and 12 months after cardiac surgery. If present, CPSP was assessed via the BPI-SF. At baseline, data was collected on pre-specified model covariates (e.g., age, sex). Data Analyses. Logistic regression was used to model the primary outcome with the presence of CPSP at six months and 12 months, while adjusting for model covariates. Secondary linear regression models were constructed to examine the effect of the independent variables on the severity of CPSP with statistical significance set at p-values <0.05. Results: The incidence of CPSP was 8.7% at six months and 4.1% at 12 months after cardiac surgery. Baseline demographics (i.e., age, sex) and medical status (i.e., diabetes mellitus) were significantly associated with the presence of CPSP. Moderate to severe preoperative anxiety was not significantly associated with CPSP at six months (adjusted OR 0.629, 95% CI [0.300, 1.322], p=0.222) or 12 months (adjusted OR 0.743, 95% CI [0.242, 2.285], p=0.604). Moderate to severe preoperative depressive symptom was not significantly associated with CPSP at six months (adjusted OR 0.676, 95% CI [0.152, 3.005], p=0.607) or 12 months (adjusted OR 3.216, 95% CI [0.835, 12.382], p=0.089). Acute postoperative pain rated as pain ‘right now’ on day three was significantly associated with CPSP at six months (adjusted OR 2.263, 95% CI [1.255, 4.081], p=0.007) and 12 months (adjusted OR 2.749, 95% CI [1.174, 6.441], p=0.020). Acute postoperative pain ‘right now’ on day 30 was significantly associated with CPSP at six months (adjusted OR 2.913, 95% CI [1.304, 6.505], p=0.009). Cumulative opioid dose consumed was significantly associated with the development of CPSP at six months (adjusted OR 1.001, 95% CI [1.000, 1.002], p=0.003) and 12 months (adjusted OR 1.001, 95% CI [1.000, 1.001], p=0.033) after cardiac surgery. Significance: The findings demonstrate that acute postoperative pain ‘right now’ and cumulative opioid dose consumed are risk factors for CPSP after cardiac surgery. These findings offer targets for nursing staff to identify potentially at-risk patients, implement evidence-based pain management strategies, as well as contribute to nursing-led research designed to target CPSP after cardiac surgery. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This study uses a sample of 600 companies from Europe to investigate the risk-adjusted returns of four portfolios with high and low ESG ratings between 2011 and 2021. Four asset pricing models and additional measures for risk and return are tested on different portfolio weights. The findings show that there are no statistical differences in risk-adjusted returns between portfolios with high and low ESG scores. These findings are evident when sole capital gain is considered, and when dividends are reinvested. Differences can however be discerned between portfolio weights. All portfolios show excess returns when adjusted for risk factors in the market. The results from this study contribute to the literature surrounding ESG assets by providing evidence of how high- and low-rated ESG stocks have performed in the European market. This study has practical implications for actors in the capital markets, as it is evident from the results that ESG ratings have no apparent effect on the risk-adjusted returns of a portfolio. If sustainability is of high importance, high ESG companies offer the advantage of aligning financial performance with stakeholder goals, as well as providing adequate returns.

No description available.

Overweight and obesity among children and youth in the United States is a serious public health concern. The longitudinal relationships between maternal depression and childhood overweight and obesity were examined using data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (NICHD SECCYD). A national cohort of 1,384 children was followed from birth to adolescence and longitudinal data collected on multiple variables, including child weight and height, maternal depression, maternal influence, and family context. Maternal Depression was assessed by the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and defined as a score of 16 or greater. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the recommended BMI age- and sex-specific percentiles. Maternal depression was assessed when the child was 1 month old, 36 months, and in grade 1. Overweight and obesity status was assessed at 36 months, grade 1, grade 3, and grade 6. The effect of changes or persistence in the pattern of maternal depression for different childhood age points on the development of childhood overweight and obesity was evaluated. A variety of statistical methods were used including t-test, ANOVA, multiple linear regression, multiple logistic regression, and generalized estimation equation (GEE). Results: After adjustment for confounding, compared with mothers with no depression at child's age of 1 month, 36 months, and in grade 1, mothers with depression at 1 or 2 of those time points had a 45% higher risk for childhood overweight and obesity at grade 3 (OR= 1.45, 95% CI= 1.01-2.07). For mothers with depression at all 3 time points, there was an even greater increase in risk at grade 3 (OR= 2.25, 95% CI= 1.05-4.84) and grade 6 (OR= 3.36, 95% CI= 1.46-7.77). Conclusion: Maternal depression is associated with childhood overweight and obesity. Child overweight and obesity intervention efforts may benefit from identifying strategies to improve maternal mental health status, including depression.

This study examined the longitudinal associations of family income level, maternal marital status, and maternal employment with body mass measurements and the development of overweight and obesity. Multiple linear and logistic regressions were used to assess the effects of the exposure variables on weight status with simultaneous adjustment for the exposure variables and the covariates. Key findings include: Children in families with incomes below the poverty line at child's 24 or 54 months of age were at a higher risk of becoming overweight and obese at child's third grade than children in families with incomes above the poverty line; longer maternal working hours at child's 54 months of age was associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity at child's third grade. In conclusion, this study confirms that family poverty status and maternal working hours are associated with child's overweight and obesity risk.