Multilevel Modeling in Family Violence Research

Family violence researchers often use an ecological perspective to describe persons nested within groups. Further, family violence researchers frequently investigate whether group characteristics impact individual outcomes. The theoretical orientation and research designs typically used therefore present opportunities to utilize multilevel modeling (MLM) for clustered designs. It is widely understood that MLM corrects standard errors for grouped data, though other approaches can address this issue. Importantly, MLM presents a structured approach to the examination of group differences in outcomes, group differences in the association between the characteristics of persons and these outcomes, and the explanation of group differences using group-level characteristics. This journal frequently receives studies that use MLM for clustered designs, and a set of analytical guidelines may assist authors in preparing such articles so as to properly implement and better leverage the power of MLM to advance family violence research. I describe MLM for the new user, providing guidance on estimation of these models in the context of two examples. In addition, for more experienced users of MLM, I argue for greater attention to between-group and compositional effects that may be prevalent in family violence research, and the opportunities they may raise for a better understanding of the complexities at the group level. In closing I discuss some extensions of MLM and place MLM in the context of research design, providing guidelines for designing, carrying out, and reporting findings from studies that use these methods.     

A 26plex Autosomal STR Assay to Aid Human Identity Testing*†

Abstract: A short tandem repeat multiplex assay has been successfully developed with 25 autosomal loci plus the sex‐typing locus amelogenin for a total of 26 amplified products in a single reaction. Primers for the loci were designed so that all of the amplicons present were distributed from 65 base pairs (bp) to less than 400 bp within a five‐dye chemistry design with the fifth dye reserved for the sizing standard. A multiplex design strategy was developed to overcome challenges encountered in creating this assay. The limits of the multiplex were tested, resulting in the successful amplification of a wide range of genomic DNA sample concentrations from 2 ng to as low as 100 pg with 30 cycles of PCR. The 26plex has the potential to benefit the forensic community for reference sample testing and complex relationship evaluation.     

Suppurative pericarditis due to Angelchik prosthesis

Hiatus hernia is a common condition and while medical treatment is often sufficient, in some cases surgery may be necessary. Although there are a number of surgical treatments available, none has been totally successful. We report a case in which use of the Angelchik prosthesis proved fatal.     

Relationship Between Childhood Sexual Abuse Characteristics and Dissociation Among Women in Therapy

This study investigated the relationship between 10 characteristics of childhood sexual abuse and dissociation in adulthood. A structured clinical interview, the Dissociative Experiences Scale, and the Dissociation Subscale of the Symptom Checklist 90 - Revised were administered to 118 women survivors seeking psychotherapy. Separate stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted for each dissociation scale to determine which abuse characteristics were predictive of dissociation. In both analyses, the same four variables were significantly related to dissociation: age at onset, coercive sexual acts, objectifying sexual acts, and concurrent multiple perpetrators. Implications of findings for future research and clinical practice are explored.