Bullying has emerged as a behavior with deleterious effects on youth; however, prevalence estimates vary based on measurement strategies employed. We conducted a systematic review and content analysis of bullying measurement strategies to gain a better understanding of each strategy including behavioral content. Multiple online databases (i.e., PsychInfo, MedLine, ERIC) were searched to identify measurement strategies published between 1985 and 2012. Included measurement strategies assessed bullying behaviors, were administered to respondents with ages of 12 to 20, were administered in English, and included psychometric data. Each publication was coded independently by two study team members with a pre-set data extraction form, who subsequently met to discuss discrepancies. Forty-one measures were included in the review. A majority used differing terminology; student self-report as primary reporting method; and included verbal forms of bullying in item content. Eleven measures included a definition of bullying, and 13 used the term “bullying” in the measure. Very few definitions or measures captured components of bullying such as repetition, power imbalance, aggression, and intent to harm. Findings demonstrate general inconsistency in measurement strategies on a range of issues, thus, making comparing prevalence rates between measures difficult.

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) demonstrate a greater risk for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) than the general population. This study compared pathological and clinical outcomes in patients with RCC with and without ESRD. Patients with ESRD who underwent nephrectomy and were found to have RCC at our institution since 1999 were identified. The control group was composed of patients from the general population with RCC. The primary outcome was risk of cancer recurrence. The study included 338 RCC patients: 84 with ESRD and 243 without ESRD. In the ESRD group, mean tumor size was smaller, there was decreased prevalence of advanced T category (>3) , and the average Karakiewicz nomogram score was lower. ESRD was associated with decreased tumor recurrence and clear cell pathology. No patients with ESRD had metastatic disease. There was no difference in overall or cancer-specific mortality between the ESRD and control groups. Patients with ESRD who develop RCC have a better prognosis compared to RCC in patients without ESRD, which is likely secondary to favorable histopathologic phenotype as well as the likelihood of early diagnosis. Thus, the delay between nephrectomy and renal transplantation may not be necessary, especially in patients with asymptomatic, low grade tumors.

Purpose Expect Respect Support Groups (ERSGs) are a targeted 24-week dating abuse prevention program tailored to middle and high school students who have been exposed to violence. As part of a controlled evaluation, this qualitative study was designed to examine facilitators’ experiences with program implementation and generate a deeper understanding of factors that enhance or challenge implementation and program outcomes. Methods Semistructured interviews with Expect Respect Support Group facilitators (three males and four females) were conducted at the midpoint and endpoint of the school year. Interview topics included working within the school system, strategies for establishing a productive group process, and individual and group-level responses to the program. Results Facilitators indicated that school counselors’ awareness of students’ exposure to violence increased their ability to refer eligible students. Within a supportive school environment, successful groups harnessed the protective qualities of a positive peer group, supported members in questioning the normalcy of abuse, and provided opportunities for building healthy relationship skills. Challenges resulted from impediments to group cohesion including insufficient referrals, inconsistent attendance, and low levels of school support. Students who were frequently absent and disengaged from school were particularly challenging to engage in a school-based program. Conclusions This research demonstrates that successful implementation of a targeted school-based dating violence prevention program relies on building school support and awareness of teen dating violence, especially for appropriate identification and referral of at-risk students. High levels of school support enhance the development of a supportive group process and attitudinal and behavioral changes among participants.

The results of this study contribute a unique gender- and racial-specific perspective to cancer survivorship research. While the buffering hypothesis of the stress and coping theory was not supported, the main effects of BMI and social support on HRQoL were different across gender and race.