Predictors of Pregnancy Disclosure in DIII Collegiate Athletes

CONTEXT

Pregnant athletes cannot receive proper care if they choose to conceal their pregnancy. Unfortunately, there are many factors that may lead an athlete to conceal. Whereas the extant qualitative literature suggests scholarship and sponsorship are prominent factors in the decision to disclose, this research is limited to elite athletes.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the current study was to quantitatively examine predictors of pregnancy disclosure beyond scholarship and sponsorship in DIII college athletes.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Midwestern United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Athletes on DIII women's sports teams (N = 127).

MEASURES

Confidence in the AT, perceived training and performance changes, athletic identity, and athletic identity during pregnancy. Two separate multiple regression analyses were conducted with the four predictors and two outcomes: likelihood to disclose and time to disclosure.

RESULTS

Confidence in the AT and athletic identity during pregnancy were significant predictors in both models, whereas the variable of perceived training and performance changes was only significant in the likelihood to disclose model. Athletic identity was not a significant predictor in either model. Results suggest DII athletes believe they would be more likely to disclose their pregnancy and may disclose sooner if they feel that their AT can properly manage their physical, emotional, and social wellness during. Additionally, disclosure is promoted if they believe they will still be viewed as an athlete by themselves and the people around them.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings emphasize the importance of the role of the AT, with implications that formal education of ATs should include the holistic support of the pregnant athlete.

To Show or Not to Show: Factors within the School Environment That Influence the Expression of LGBTQ Identities

Prejudice against LGBTQ people during their schooling years can be detrimental due to its long-term consequences. This includes the development of beliefs that the world is unsafe, which can perpetuate mental health struggles later in life. Fostering a school environment where LGBTQ people can express their identity can contribute to greater well-being. This qualitative study drew on interviews with 13 school graduates to examine the environmental factors within Australian schools that influenced LGBTQ students' expression of their identity. Drawing on Altman's conceptualization of oppression and liberation, this study found students typically experienced liberation in the form of acceptance and validation within their micro-environment at school. This micro-environment was composed of those close to the student, such as friends, allies, teachers, and other LGBTQ students who provided acceptance and validation, which enabled the student to express their identity regardless of oppression within the broader school environment. Oppression on the other hand originated from the invisibility of LGBTQ identities; the limited representation in curriculum and access to LGBTQ-specific resources and supports; concerns around gendered, gender-neutral, and safe spaces; and limited support from teachers. Based on the findings, implications are drawn to enhance both the micro and macro environment for LGBTQ school students.

Cosmetic camouflage as an adjuvant to vitiligo therapies: Effect on quality of life

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is a pigmentary disorder associated with considerable psychological imbalance. Partial response to therapy and long duration for repigmentation are common. Meanwhile, camouflage may help through concealing vitiligo lesions and improving patient confidence and self-esteem.

AIM

To assess the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in vitiligo patients, and to determine the patients' acceptance and willingness to utilize camouflage regularly and the impact of using camouflage as an adjuvant modality.

PATIENTS/METHODS

The study was carried out on 100 vitiligo patients who underwent thorough history taking, clinical examination, and DLQI assessment. Forty patients were randomly chosen, taught how to apply camouflage, and followed up over 1 month of regular application.

RESULTS

Dermatology Life Quality Index in the 100 vitiligo patients was found to be 12.2 ± 3.9, denoting the very large effect on quality of life vitiligo has. It was significantly worse in female patients, adolescents, students, and high-socioeconomic level patients, in visible sites and genitalia, and in unstable cases. There was a significant positive correlation between the DLQI and disease duration (r = 0.75, P < .001) and VES (r = 0.79, P < .001). The 40 cases on camouflage showed a significant percent reduction in their DLQI when compared to noncamouflage users (P: .00).

CONCLUSIONS

Dermatology Life Quality Index is significantly affected by vitiligo. Camouflaging is a technique that needs to be taught to the patient to overcome the anticipated problems that drive them away from using it; especially, it significantly improves their DLQI in their devastating disease.