The impact of stress on the health of postpartum mothers is poorly understood. Although the postpartum period increases risk for stress related diseases such as depression and autoimmune disorders, little qualitative research has focused on women’s perceptions of postpartum stressors. A constant comparative content analysis using Atlas.Ti was done on data collected by Groer (NIH R01 NR05000“Influence of Lactation on Postpartum Stress & Immunity) from 2001 to 2005. Women (n=127) answered the prompt, “Think of any one incident, thought, or feeling that stands out as very stressful to you and describe in as much detail as you choose.” Researcher triangulation was provided by independent coding of data by two qualitative researchers. The women were predominantly white (91%), married (72%), and not yet working following the baby’s birth (70%). Only 28% had family incomes greater than $40,000 per year. Vaginal births were experienced by 66%, 83% without complications. Forty-seven percent were breastfeeding exclusively with 43% bottle feeding. Slightly less than half (48%) were first time mothers. Eighty-nine percent claimed no recent major life event, such as a death in the family. Twenty-seven postpartum stressors were identified that were grouped into five themes: 1) environmental stressors, 2) symptoms of depression, 3) infant health and safety issues, 4) maternal role strain, and 5) lack of support. Seventeen women identified fatigue or lack of sleep as stressful and each questioned her ability to parent a newborn. Though these women would seem low risk for stress (having had an uncomplicated birth, being married and not yet back at work postpartum), 27 different postpartum stressors were identified. Stressors such as lack of sleep may be known by maternal-child nurses, but women are unprepared for them. Interventions need to be designed to provide anticipatory guidance for new mothers regarding postpartum stressors. Tools should be developed for use by clinicians to assess maternal stress in the postpartum period. Prenatal preparation anticipating stressors and postpartum vigilance in assessing stressors could ease the transition into motherhood.

Body dissatisfaction is a growing problem in the gay male population, with serious implications for psychological and social well-being. Gay men tend to be at higher risk of body dissatisfaction than their heterosexual counterparts. They report lower levels of body satisfaction and have higher rates of risky behaviors such as anabolic steroid use, eating disorders, and over-exercising (Gil, 2007; Willoughby et al., 2008; Kaminski et al., 2004). It is difficult to determine the cause of this issue in the gay community; however, two theories have been proposed to help explain this phenomenon. Minority stress theory posits that it relates to added stress involved with being part of a minority group. Gender role strain theory identifies these concerns with the strain to conform to masculine gender roles. A common link to bridge the two theories together may be visibility management, which is the way gay men carefully disclose behaviors that would identify their sexual orientation (Lasser & Tharinger, 2003). The proposed method will include participants that will be approximately 130 gay men 18-23 years of age. Participants will be sought through online collection from universities in the United States. Participants will respond to empirically validated measures in regards to Minority Stress, Gender Role Strain, Visibility Management, and Body Dissatisfaction to help determine if what links there are between these variables. / text

Past literature suggests that working mothers are at an increased risk for experiencing role strain compared to other employed adults. The current study investigated attitudes and beliefs of 783 working mothers of 15-month-old children using data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Working mothers' levels of role strain was associated with perceived social support, attitudes toward maternal employment, job and parental role quality, financial stress, and depression. Negative attitudes toward maternal employment predicted maternal separation anxiety, while positive attitudes toward employment did not affect separation anxiety. These findings have implications for the importance of decreasing role strain in working mothers.

Sexual and gender politics inform relational expectations surrounding sexual experiences of Peruvian transgender women (TW) and men who have sex with men (MSM). We used the framework of sexual role strain, or incongruence between preferred sexual role and actual sexual practices, to explore potential conflicts between personally articulated identities and externally defined norms of gender and sexuality and its potential to increase HIV/STI risk. Cross-sectional individual- and dyad-level data from 766 TW and MSM in Lima, Peru were used to assess the partnership contexts within which insertive anal intercourse was practiced despite receptive role preference (receptive role strain), and receptive anal intercourse practiced despite insertive role preference (insertive role strain). Sexual role strain for TW was more common with non-primary partners, while for MSM it occurred more frequently in the context of a primary partnership. Receptive role strain was more prevalent for TW with unknown HIV status (reference: without HIV) or pre-sex drug use (reference: no pre-sex drug use). For homosexual MSM, receptive role strain was more prevalent during condomless anal intercourse (reference: condom-protected) and with receptive or versatile partners (reference: insertive). Among heterosexual or bisexual MSM, insertive role strain was more prevalent with insertive or versatile partners (reference: receptive), and less prevalent with casual partners (reference: primary). Our findings suggest TW and MSM experience different vulnerabilities during sexual role negotiation with different partner-types. Future studies should explore the impact of sexual role strain on condom use agency, HIV/STI risk, and discordances between public and private presentations of gender and sexual orientation. / National Institutes of Health / Revisión por pares

Master of Public Health - MPH / Men comprise about 10% of the nursing population globally and approximately 15% of the nursing workforce according to the South African Nursing Council. There has been an increase noted in the number of males entering the nursing profession. However, it is reported that male nurses experience discriminatory encounters related to gender bias, nursing culture, lack of equity in learning opportunities, and the stigmatisation of male nurses by the media. Although figures indicate that men remain a minority within this female dominated profession, a university in the Western Cape reported an increased enrolment of males in the nursing programme. However, little is known about what motivates them to enter this female-dominated profession and the challenges they face within the nursing profession. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compile a profile of the current male student nursing population at his school of nursing. The objectives were to identify factors motivating male students to choose nursing as a profession; identify the perceived challenges of male students in the nursing programme; and determine any associations. A quantitative, descriptive study design was used to collect data from the study population, 218 male students registered for the undergraduate nursing programmes in 2018. Stratified sampling was used to select male students for participation in the cross- sectional survey and 143 completed the self-administered questionnaire. The tool in this study was adapted from studies conducted by Bartfay et al (2010) and from O’Lynn (2003, 2013). The Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient for the Likert scale questions to determine the motivation for choosing nursing was 0.700 -and 0.905 for the perceived challenges. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to calculate descriptive and inferential statistics. Spearman’s correlations to calculate the strength of the relationship between the dependent variables. Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal- Wallis tests were used to determine the associations between the different variables. A response rate of 65.5% (143) was obtained. The majority of the male students, 84% (120) were aged between 18-25 years and 13% (18) between 26 and 33 years. The majority, 77% (110) were Blacks, 19% (27) Coloureds and 1% (2) White. Forty four percent (63) resides in the Eastern Cape, whilst 39% (56) is from the Western Cape. The spread across the different year levels from 1st to 4th year of the B. Nursing programme are 25% (35), 27(39), 21% (29) and 20% (28) respectively. The majority, 88% (126) had no previous nursing experience before commencing the nursing programme but 53% (76) were studying. The majority, 95% (137) were single and 79% (114) indicating no dependents. The desire to make a difference in society (97%, n=137) and always wanted to be a nurse (38%, n=54) were identified respectively as the most and least important intrinsic factor for entering the nursing profession. The highest rated extrinsic factors for choosing nursing ranging from 92% -76% included having a stable career; variety of career paths; travelling abroad; career mobility and using nursing as a steppingstone to other careers. However, 39% (56) were encouraged by family to do nursing. In terms of perceivedchallenges, the majority of male students indicated that media portrayed nursing as a female profession, 86% (122) and male nurses as gay or effeminate, 71% (102). Challenges in the clinical settings reveal that 71% (102) of the respondents fear being accused of inappropriate touching of female patients, 82% (118) indicated that female patients were reluctant to receive care from male nurses, and 78% (112) perceive that female colleagues utilize male nurses primarily to lift heavy objects or heavy patients. Finally, the results indicate that extrinsic motivations were significantly associated with the respondents’ race (p = 0.004) and province (p = 0.047). A significant association was found between intrinsic motivation and the age of those respondents who considered nursing as a profession (p = 0.000). There was a significant association between extrinsic motivations and the age when the respondents considered nursing (p = 0.016). The main recommendation that nurse educators and clinical staff be informed of the challenges and gender-based issues that male student nurses face and implement remedial actions in both the classroom and clinical areas.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between masculine gender role conflict, attachment variables, narcissism, and adjustment. It was expected that men who reported higher masculine gender role conflict would also report unhealthy attachment, have a greater degree of narcissism and poorer adjustment. This study employed a sample of undergraduate males who completed self-report questionnaires measuring masculine gender role conflict, narcissism, adjustment, and attachment. Hypotheses were tested using canonical correlation techniques. Results indicated that healthy attachment was related to low masculine gender role conflict; however, unhealthy attachment was not related to high masculine gender role conflict. In terms of narcissism, higher amounts of narcissism were related to high amounts of gender role conflict, but in a subset of results individuals who reported low masculine gender role conflict also reported higher narcissism in areas that are assumed to relate to positive self regard. Results related to adjustment indicated that high masculine gender role conflict was related to less psychological well-being replicating past studies. Theoretical and methodological issues were discussed in light of these findings.

Nontraditional students have become the majority on community college campuses; however, a national report showed that 46.2% of nontraditional students were no longer enrolled after two years. Nontraditional students have competing life roles that affect their attrition rates as well as their academic performance. The purpose of this quantitative study was to understand the relationship between the number of roles and the academic achievement and persistence of nontraditional community college students. The roles identified were student enrollment status (full-time or part-time), spousal roles, parental roles, and employment status (full-time or part-time). Goode's theory of role strain was used as the theoretical framework to guide this study on nontraditional community college students. Additionally, the existence of statistical significance was determined between the number of different roles and academic achievement, measured by grade point average, and persistence, measured by enrollment through two consecutive terms for 250 participants. Descriptive statistics showed that being employed full-time was the most common role (f=171) among nontraditional community college students. Beta regression showed there was no statistical significance (p = 0.705) between the number of roles and grade point average. Logistic regression showed that the relationship between the number of roles and persistence was statistically significant (p -?¤ 0.0001). This study can help community college faculty and staff gain knowledge on the needs of nontraditional students. Positive social change can be promoted by creating or extending resources for these students to help them overcome the barriers that may hinder their academic achievement and persistence through school.

The struggles of Latino males along the education pipeline have been well documented in recent history. Despite this increased research focus, gaps continue to exist in the literature on Latino males in education settings. Currently, the literature predominately centers on the Latino male experience in the K-12, community college, and 4-year college environments. The educational experiences of Latino males in doctoral education settings have not yet been presented. This study examines and provides insight into the Latino male doctoral student journey by detailing Latino male doctoral student experiences and perceptions at a predominately White, research-intensive, public university. In light of the deficit model research surrounding men of color, it is imperative to present the narratives of successful, high achieving Latino males along their pursuit of a doctoral degree. This study critically examines the experiences and perceptions of Latino males in pursuit of a PhD within the humanities or social sciences at a predominately White, research-intensive, public university. The mission of the study was to shed light on thematic influences, factors, and emotions that led these individuals to take interest and pursue a doctoral degree. The study's findings are presented under the lens of Latino critical race theory and gender role conflict in order to develop a thorough understanding of the internal and external influences on the Latino male doctoral student experience. My dissertation's unique contributions are its addition of the Latino male doctoral student experience to the literature on Latino males in educational contexts. Furthermore, this study's unique contributions include a new perspective on how Latino males perceive their gender roles and responsibilities as successful doctoral students. The Latino male doctoral students in this study displayed resilience during moments of vulnerability and embrace responsibility during challenging circumstances. These actions were efforts to maintain control of their doctoral education experience and to create a new image for Latino masculinity. As the findings indicate, the Latino male doctoral student experience at a large predominately White, research-intensive, public university is filled with complexity, adversity, and determination. / text

The enduring question of why apparently ordinary individuals participate in the systemic perpetration of mass violence hallmarks genocide studies, and it arose yet again when the multifarious atrocities faced by civilians in the Yugoslav Wars of 1991–1995 were apparent. With explanations resting on notions of “ancient hatreds” having been denounced in favour of ones that emphasise the role of emotions like fear and resentment, ethnic myths and symbols, and competition on group and individual levels of society, there remains some issues with these approaches; they cannot account for what motivates variations in behaviour by on-the-ground perpetrators nor can they describe the process by which violence develops in tandem on micro- and meso-levels, while still accommodating macro-level causes for conflict. In this thesis, symbolic interactionist and social constructivist theories of social roles and social norms are applied in the search for finding the motives for violent behaviour by perpetrators in the Yugoslav Wars of 1991–1995 to establish a more complete understanding the dynamics of individual decision-making and collective action in the context of violence. A directed qualitative content analysis is conducted of testimony provided by twenty-nine on-the-ground perpetrators and by select witnesses. This testimony was collected from the Hugo Valentin Centre’s database of court transcripts from the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. The research revealed that the (dis-)organisation of the perpetrating groups’ social structures, as well as the presence, or lack thereof, of both role strain and role conflict were deciding factors in motivating violent behaviour.

INTRODUCTION: In Canada, the role of Telehealth Coordinator is relatively new. Provider institutions and telehealth networks developed the role to support implementation and use of videoconferencing technology in health care delivery. As telehealth usage grows, an increasing number of Canadian nurses, other regulated health care professionals and unregulated workers are being called upon to function as Telehealth Coordinators. However, in some organizations, this role remains poorly understood and generally, little is known about the demographics of Canada’s Telehealth Coordinator community of practice. PURPOSE: Using Role Theory concepts and the tenets of Nursing Informatics, the broad aim of this qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of the demographics and role that nurses, other regulated health professionals and unregulated workers play in sustainable telehealth technology implementation and use in Canada. This is important in the context of leveraging technology to meet the challenges of an ageing population and increasing burden of chronic illness. METHODS: Qualitative exploratory study design using mixed methods. Telehealth Coordinators from the Canadian Society of Telehealth (CST) and Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) were invited to take part in an online survey (33 items) and telephone interview (20 items). RESULTS: From two identified populations – a provincial sample from Ontario and a national sample from other Canadian provinces and territories, 47 Telehealth Coordinators provided responses that could be analyzed. Over half of the respondents (56%) reported being between the ages of 40 – 59 years and 75% were female. Nurses and other regulated health care professionals comprised 53% of the sample. Of the respondents, 66% reported working in a health care provider organization. Responses to the qualitative questions are presented within the context of Role Theory and Nursing Informatics. CONCLUSIONS: Canada’s Telehealth Coordinators are an eclectic community of practice with varying roles, responsibilities, educational backgrounds and experience. Although the role of Telehealth Coordinator varied across organizations and regions in Canada, important commonalities were also found. Participants expressed a need and desire for standards, ongoing professional education opportunities and credentialing – especially if the role involved patient care. Major factors contributing to Canadian Telehealth Coordinators work satisfaction were: 1. patient contact and knowledge that they were making health care more accessible 2. educating others in the use of videoconferencing technology and 3. autonomy. Organizational issues including a lack of resources and understanding of the role by senior executives provided the least satisfaction for Telehealth Coordinators. Strong organizational support for Telehealth Coordinators will increase the probability of successful videoconferencing technology implementation and use.