Relationship Contexts as Sources of Socialization: An Exploration of Intimate Partner Violence Experiences of Economically Disadvantaged African American Adolescents

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among African Americans is a serious public health concern. Research suggest that African Americans adolescents, particularly those from economically disadvantaged communities, are at heightened risk for experiencing and perpetrating dating violence compared to youth from other racial and ethnic groups. In the present study, we examined different relationship contexts that are sources of IPV socialization. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 economically disadvantaged African American adolescents. Content analysis yielded five relationship contexts through which the participants witnessed, experienced, and perpetrated IPV: (a) adolescents’ own dating relationships (64%), (b) siblings and extended family members (e.g., cousins, aunts, uncles) (59%), (c) parent-partners (27%), (d) friends (23%), and (e) neighbors (18%). Adolescents also frequently described IPV in their own dating relationships and in parent-partner relationships as mutual. Moreover, they appeared to minimize the experience of IPV in their own relationships. Efforts to reduce rates of IPV among economically disadvantaged African American adolescents should consider these relational contexts through which adolescents are socialized with regards to IPV and adolescents’ beliefs about mutual violence in relationships. Results highlight the importance of culturally relevant prevention and intervention programs that consider these relationship contexts

Sarcocystis (Aspergillus?) in Wood Warblers [General Notes]

On August 9, 1944, near Columbus, Ohio, Breiding collected an immature male black and white warbler (Mniotilta varia). Upon preparing it as a study skin, the bird was found to be heavily infected with Sarcocystis. This experience was repeated with an adult male Mourning Warbler (Oporornis philadelphia), taken near Cheat Bridge, Randolph County, West Virginia, June 14, 1945. Both birds appeared to be in healthy condition. Two species of wood warbler, the olive-backed warbler (Parula pitiayumi) and the American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) have previously been recorded as hosts for this organism (Erickson, Auk, 57: 114-119, 1940). As far as we have been able to determine, Sarcocystis has not previously been recorded from the species mentioned above. Spindler and Zimmerman (Journal of Parasitology suppl. to Vol. 31: 13, December 1945) reported the species infecting swine to be a fungus (Aspergillus sp.), rather than a protozoan. It is possible that the avian species will be found to have a similar life cycle