A dyadic analysis of anti-fat attitudes and partners' diet-related influence among gay married men.

Objectives: The focus on physical appearance among gay men has potential implications for anti-fat attitudes, including those directed toward romantic partners. Partners often influence each other's behaviors including those linked to weight, but most research has examined the of these influence strategies versus their antecedents. To address this research gap, we examined how men's own and their partners' anti-fat attitudes were related to both health-promoting (control) and health-compromising (undermining) types of diet-related influence and whether these associations differed by weight status.

Examining the link between exercise-specific relational processes and physical activity, psychological distress, and relationship satisfaction among heterosexual and gay male couples.

Despite the important role of romantic relationships in physical activity, little research has examined the role of gender and sexual orientation in exercise-specific relational processes. Utilizing cross-sectional, dyadic data from 462 heterosexual and gay couples, the present study examined how exercise encouragement, exercise discouragement, and frequency of exercise disagreements are related to physical activity, psychological distress, and relationship satisfaction. We included important covariates and examined gender and sexual orientation as moderators.

Examining foodwork and eating behaviors among heterosexual and gay male couples.

Objectives: Spouses play an important role in their partners' eating behaviors, including both promoting and impeding healthy eating. The division of foodwork in the relationship (i.e.

Associations between partner's diet undermining and poor diet in mixed-weight, older gay married couples: a dyadic mediation model.

Background: Prior studies have examined how individuals may undermine their partner's efforts to maintain a healthy diet, but gay couples have not been represented in this work. Additionally, research has not accounted for mixed-weight status [lighter partner (LP) and heavier partner] nor investigated the mechanisms through which undermining is associated with dietary outcomes.

Objective/design/measures: Utilising dyadic data from 224 gay married couples across the United States, we tested associations between perceptions of partner's diet undermining strategies and diet quality with couple food disagreements and depressive symptoms as putative, serial mediators in an actor-partner interdependence mediation model.

A qualitative inquiry on religious married men's perceptions of relationship dynamics during everyday sickness.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate men's perceptions of self-dynamics and partner dynamics during common everyday sickness. Five focus group interviews ( = 44) were conducted, each lasting approximately 120 minutes. The data were analyzed using a generic qualitative approach which identified two larger themes and several sub-themes: sickness appraisals and appraisal communication (gender differences in symptom appraisal and minimization of own and partner's sickness) and coping and support strategies (individual coping, one-way provision of support, and coping together).

Associations Between Masculine Norms and Health-Care Utilization in Highly Religious, Heterosexual Men.

The purpose of this study was to use focus groups to explore married men's avoidance of health-care utilization. Five focus groups of 8 to 10 married, heterosexual, male participants ( N = 44) were conducted and analyzed using grounded theory methods. Several important themes emerged connected to how masculine norms were associated with health-care utilization at several domains including at the organizational level ( perceptions of doctors), interpersonal level ( past family context and current family context), and individual level ( illness severity, money concerns).

A Case Study of Health-Related Support Processes in 2 Happy, Gay Couples.

The purpose of this case study was to explore 2, early-relationship, same-sex couples on the strategies used to support their partner's engagement in health promoting behaviors. A semistructured interview protocol was used to conduct 120-minute interviews with each couple and analyzed using grounded theory methods. Five organizing categories emerged during the analysis, resulting in a conceptual process model of health-related support in same-sex relationships.

Latino Health Behavior: An Exploratory Analysis of Health Risk and Health Protective Factors in a Community Sample.

Background: Demographic and cultural factors have been found to affect health behaviors in Latinos in both positive and negative ways, but few studies have examined the impact of culture and adherence to norms on health behaviors in a mixed gender community sample of Latinos. Of particular interest was if positive () or negative aspects of would affect Latino health behaviors.

Methods: A paper survey was given to a community sample of Latinos in northern Utah to explore the variables that affect both health promoting and health risking behaviors in this cross-sectional study (final N = 144 participants).

Adult protective services and animal welfare: should animal abuse and neglect be assessed during adult protective services screening?

Past research has examined links among animal abuse, child maltreatment, and intimate partner violence and demonstrated the importance of addressing the needs of both human and animal victims. We hypothesized that there might be a similar link between animal abuse and older adult welfare issues. As a first step in the earlier research was the development of a screening protocol that shed light on the link between domestic violence and animal abuse, we decided to follow a similar route to explore this new topic by asking state government representatives about their experiences, if any, with this topic.

"It used to be that if it weren't broken and bleeding profusely, I would never go to the doctor": men, masculinity, and health.

Masculine gender scripts have been influential in health decision making in men. In addition, although past research has identified some success in using churches as sites for health education with women, little is known if similar programs would be successful with men. It is also unclear if religious beliefs influence the health attitudes and behaviors of men.

A needs assessment of Latino men's health concerns.

Historically, Latino men are an understudied group. Researchers know little about the impact of culture or gender on health concerns. In this study, focus groups with Latino men were held that investigated their health concerns, barriers, motivators, and access to health information and health services.