Unique Bodies, Unique Stories: Exploring the Mental Health Experiences of Intersex Individuals

There is between 1 in 1,500 and 1 in 2,000 intersex births per year. The term intersex refers to infants born with genitalia that are not definitively male or female (“How common is intersex?,” n.d.). Though a relatively common birth condition, great societal and familial secrecy surrounds the issue of intersex conditions (Danon, 2019; Meoded-Danon & Yanay, 2016). Research shows that this secrecy, along with medical trauma from corrective and maintenance surgeries and confusion about one’s body and identity, can cause long-term mental health struggles among intersex individuals and their caretakers (Danon, 2019; Meoded-Danon & Yanay, 2016; Schweizer et al, 2009; Williams, 2002). The present study aimed to uncover specific mental health themes discussed by intersex individuals and their family members on social media sites with the intention of exploring self-described mental health experiences of this population. Using as our paradigms the Gender Affirmative Model (Hidalgo et al., 2013), Critical Theory, and Feminist theory, then analyzing data using Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) (Heppner et. al, 2008), the research team conducted a content analysis across 125 posts from three social media sites: Reddit, Facebook, and Susan’s Place. The posts were then coded according to six criteria: Trauma, Secrecy and concealment, Social support, Self-views, Calls for advocacy, and Other comments relating to mental health but not belonging to the other five classifications. Results show that discussions surrounding mental health are common on these online forums and that they span many categories. The intersex community is not monolithic; each voice deserves to be heard but is so rarely given the opportunity. This study recommends that future research be conducted regarding mental health experiences of intersex individuals so that those in the helping professions may become informed and better trained in supporting this community. Clinical implications will be discussed

Ground-Dwelling Invertebrate Abundance Positively Related to Volume of Logging Residues in the Southern Appalachians, USA

Invertebrates, especially those dependent on woody debris for a portion of their life cycle, may be greatly impacted by the amount of downed wood retained following timber harvests. To document relationships between invertebrates and logging residues, we sampled invertebrates with pitfall traps placed near or far from woody debris in 10 recently (2013–2015) harvested sites in western North Carolina with varying levels of woody debris retention. We measured the groundcover and microclimate at each trap and estimated site-level woody debris volume. We modeled predictors (e.g., site-level woody debris volume, percent woody debris cover at the trap site, site type) of captures of spiders (Araneae), harvestmen (Opiliones), centipedes/millipedes (Chilopoda/Diplopoda), ground beetles (Carabidae), rove beetles (Staphylinidae), other beetles, ants (Formicidae), grasshoppers (Acrididae/Tetrigidae), crickets (Gryllidae), and cave crickets (Rhaphidophoridae). In addition, we modeled ant occurrence at a finer taxonomic resolution, including red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren) and 13 other genera/species. Forest type, whether hardwood or white pine (Pinus strobus L.) overstory preharvest, was a predictor of invertebrate response for 21 of 24 taxonomic analyses. Invertebrate captures or the occurrence probability of ants increased with increasing site-level woody debris volume for 13 of the 24 taxa examined and increased with increasing coarse woody debris (CWD; diameter ≥ 10 cm) cover at the trap level for seven of 24 taxa examined. Our results indicate that woody debris in harvested sites is important for the conservation of a majority of the taxa we studied, which is likely because of the unique microclimate offered near/under woody debris. Stand-scale factors typically were more important predictors of invertebrate response than trap-level cover of woody debris. We recommend implementing sustainability strategies (e.g., Biomass Harvesting Guidelines) to retain woody debris scattered across harvested sites to aid in the conservation of invertebrates

Development and testing of methods to record and follow up spells in patients with alternating hemiplegia of childhood

Background: Developing methods to record Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC) spells is essential for clinical trials and patient care. Objectives: Test the following hypotheses: 1) Video-library training improves participants' ability to correctly identify AHC spells. 2) A custom-designed event-calendar with weekly reviews results in consistent documentation of such events over time. 3) Use of an electronic diary (e-Diary) to register events is a useful tool. Methods: 1) A video-library of AHC type spells was developed along with specific training; the effect of the training was tested in 36 caregivers. 2) An event-calendar was similarly developed and provided to 5 caregivers with weekly videoconference meetings for 8 weeks. 3) An e-Diary was developed and offered to 33 patients; time of usage and caregivers' feedback (telephone interview) were analyzed. Results: 1) Video-library training: Wilcoxon test showed improvement in caregiver identification of spells (p = 0.047), Cohen's Kappa demonstrated high degree of agreement between caregivers'-experts' classifications (>0.9). 2) Event-calendar: 96.42% of entries had complete information; this did not change during follow up (p = 0.804). 3) e-Diary: whereas 52% of respondents used the e-Diary when offered (duration: 10.5 ± 8.1 months), 96.3% indicated they would use it in future studies. Those who used it for 13 months, were very likely to use it during the rest of that year. Conclusions: Video-library training improved spell identification. Calendar with weekly reviews resulted in a sustained and consistent record keeping. Caregivers' e-Diary feedback was encouraging with long-term usage in many. These approaches could be helpful for AHC and, potentially, in similar disorders