Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M W Groër

Publications and source records attributed to M W Groër.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Relationship of breastfeeding and formula-feeding practices with infant health outcomes in an urban poor population.

The article reports a study examining symptoms of infection and use of medications and the health care system by breastfeeding or formula-feeding urban poor mothers. A prospective, self-report design was used. Mothers completed a demographic and anthropometric questionnaire, an infection checklist, and a medication and health care system survey. Results showed that more of the breastfeeders were white, older, and economically better off than formula feeders. Scores on the infection checklist were higher for those feeding their infants by bottle. Colds, rashes, episodes of vomiting, ear infections, colic, and health care utilization were less frequent for breastfed infants. This small study suggests that there is a protective effect of breastfeeding in this population and provides a basis for larger epidemiologic and cross-sectional studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Characterizations and psychoneuroimmunologic implications of secretory immunoglobulin A and cortisol in preterm and term breast milk.

This article combines data from two separate investigations. One study examined relationships between psychosocial factors and preterm milk immune variables. The other examined relationships between psychosocial and breastfeeding satisfaction factors and perceived milk sufficiency in term mothers. Milk samples were collected on the fifth postpartum day and frozen. Both studies collected data on anxiety, but other psychosocial variables differed. Mood states and social support were studied in preterm mothers, while breastfeeding satisfaction, milk maturation, and infant suckling characteristics were studied in term mothers. Milk samples were assayed for secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and cortisol. sIgA and cortisol levels were higher in the milk from preterm mothers and were inversely related to each other in both preterm and term milk. In preterm mothers, anger and vigor were positively correlated with higher milk sIgA. The findings suggest that cortisol is present in milk and may potentially influence the secretion of milk sIgA. The relationships that were found when comparing psychosocial, dyadic, and stress factors with milk sIgA and cortisol are provocative and suggest new paradigms for studying lactation.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1992

Adolescent stress and coping: a longitudinal study.

The purpose of this longitudinal panel study was to investigate developmental and gender influences on stress and coping in adolescents attending a suburban high school in Tennessee. Data were collected from the same 167 subjects during the freshman year and again during the senior year. Life events stress was measured through the Adolescent Life Change Event Scale (ALCES) and ways of coping were categorized from data gathered from an open-ended questionnaire. Girls reported more life events stress at both testings than boys. Life events stress was greater at senior testing for both girls and boys, but girls' scores increased more. The "gender intensification" phenomenon may account for the greater disparity in types of stress reported by boys and girls as seniors. Girls generally reported more life events associated with interpersonal and family relationships. Both girls and boys reported coping with stress mostly through active distraction techniques such as exercise. However, girls' use of active distraction decreased over time, while passive distraction increased. Self-destructive and aggressive coping behaviors increased for boys. There were no relationships between amounts or types of life events stress and ways of coping for subjects at either time.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence and predictors of adolescent dating violence.

This study of 561 rural North Carolina adolescents examined relationships among race, parental educational level, family structure, parental discipline, family violence exposure, and dating violence experiences. The sample was predominantly female (77%), with 40% black and 58% white. The subjects ranged in age from 15 to 20 years; 80% of the adolescents were 16-18. Dating violence experiences were assessed by a researcher-constructed instrument measuring warning signs of potential violence and actual violent experiences. The results suggested that recognition of abusive relationships is difficult, with many adolescents denying such a relationship but actually reporting numerous abusive events. Sixty percent had experienced violent acts during dating relationships; 24% reported extreme violence (episodes of rape, use of weapons). More than 20% of the adolescents reported family violence and 2.2% reported family sexual abuse. The study suggests new avenues for research in adolescent date violence, and for interventions with high risk groups.

Adolescent↗