Acculturation influences on AAPI adolescent-mother interactions and adolescents' sexual initiation

The purpose of this secondary analysis of data is to examine relationships among Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) adolescents' level of acculturation, maternal influences, and age of sexual initiation. Selected predictive variables are based on the theoretical frameworks and literature review. The results indicate that for these adolescents speaking English at home was positively associated with maternal sexual discussion, mothers' perceptions of connectedness with their adolescents, adolescents' perceived maternal sexual expectations, and later sexual initiation at Wave 1. Adolescents' years of U.S. residency are positively associated with adolescents' level of perceived connectedness with their mothers and later sexual initiation at Wave 2. Adolescents' level of acculturation influence how they interacted with their mothers, perceived their mothers' sexual expectations, and when they decided to initiate sexual intercourse. Interventions to delay AAPI adolescents' sexual debut should consider factors related to AAPI adolescents' and their mothers' levels of acculturation.     

Korean American adolescent depression and parenting.

PROBLEM: Korean American adolescents tend to experience more mental health problems than adolescents in other ethnic groups. METHODS: The goal of this study was to examine the association between Korean American parent-adolescent relationships and adolescents' depressive symptoms in 56 families. FINDINGS: Thirty-nine percent of adolescents reported elevated depressive symptoms. Adolescents' perceived low maternal warmth and higher intergenerational acculturation conflicts with fathers were significant predictors for adolescent depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The findings can be used to develop a family intervention program, the aim of which would be to decrease adolescent depressive symptoms by promoting parental warmth and decreasing parent-adolescent acculturation conflicts.     

Psychological Adjustment in Young Korean American Adolescents and Parental Warmth

PROBLEM: The relation between parental warmth and psychological adjustment is not known for young Korean American adolescents. METHODS: One hundred and three Korean American adolescents’ perceived parental warmth and psychological adjustment were assessed using, respectively, the Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire and the Child Personality Assessment Questionnaire. FINDINGS: Low perceived maternal and paternal warmth were positively related to adolescents’ overall poor psychological adjustment and almost all of its attributes. When maternal and paternal warmth were entered simultaneously into the regression equation, only low maternal warmth was related to adolescents’ poor psychological adjustment. CONCLUSION: Perceived parental warmth is important in predicting young adolescents’ psychological adjustment as suggested in the parental acceptance–rejection theory.     

Predictors of Depressive Cognitions in Young Adolescents

This prospective study examined the contribution of maternal history of depression, mothers' cognitive style, mothers' parenting style, and stressful life events to depressive cognitions in 240 young adolescents. Mothers and adolescents were assessed annually over 3 years starting in sixth grade. The cognitions examined were derived from cognitive models of depression and included self-worth, attributional style, and hopelessness. Maternal history of depression was associated with all three types of negative cognitions in offspring; maternal parenting style and stressful life events significantly incremented the prediction of teens' negative cognitions beyond maternal depression. Adolescents' self-worth was significantly predicted by low maternal acceptance. Attributional style was associated with maternal attributional style for child-focused events, and significantly predicted by maternal psychological control and negative life events. Hopelessness was predicted by high levels of stressful life events, particularly among youth with low self-worth.     

The preliminary effect of a parenting program for Korean American mothers: a randomized controlled experimental study

BACKGROUND: Traditional Korean American discipline is characterized by a lack of expression of affection and use of harsh discipline. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to pilot test the effect of the Incredible Years Parenting Program among Korean American mothers. METHODS: A randomized controlled experimental study design was used; 29 first-generation Korean American mothers of young children (3-8 years old) were randomly assigned to intervention (n=20) and control (n=9) groups. Intervention group mothers received a 12-week parenting program. Control group mothers did not receive the intervention. Mothers reported on discipline styles (positive, appropriate, and harsh), level of acculturation, and their child's outcomes (behavioral problems and social competence) at pre-, post-, and 1-year follow-up intervals. RESULTS: After completing the program, intervention group mothers significantly increased use of positive discipline as compared to control group mothers. Among intervention group mothers, high-acculturated mothers significantly increased appropriate discipline whereas low-acculturated mothers significantly decreased harsh discipline. In the 1-year follow-up, intervention group mothers maintained the significant effect for positive discipline. CONCLUSIONS: Providing this program appears to be a promising way of promoting positive discipline among Korean American mothers.     

Correlation of mental health problems with psychological constructs in adolescence: final results from a 2-year study

In recent years, it has been widely witnessed that a surprising number of adolescents suffer emotional and mental health problems, and such turmoil is very often carried over into adulthood with serious implications for adjustment during the post-adolescent years. On this point, mental health problems in Korea are only now being considered crucial factors in the health status of adolescents and important public and social issues. It is also true that studies concerning the link between adolescents' mental health problems and their psychology are limited. The purposes of this study were to investigate mental health problems of Korean adolescents, to reveal factors affecting their negative mental health and to explore a possible relationship between mental health problems and psychological variables. 2052 Korean adolescents selected randomly from junior high and high schools in Seoul, Korea were surveyed. Korean Symptom Checklist, Health Locus of Control Scale, Self-efficacy Scale and Self-esteem Scale were used to identify mental health problems and psychological variables of adolescents. Results indicated that Korean adolescents showed high prevalence in interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety and hostility. In addition, the findings revealed that there were significant differences in adolescents' mental health problems between gender and age. Furthermore, results revealed that the adolescents' mental health problems were statistically correlated with psychological variables. This study provides significant information for the relatively unstudied Korean adolescents and also has the potential to influence the development of better mental health programs for adolescents.     

Trajectories of depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood: Chinese Americans versus non-Hispanic whites

We examined age, sex, and race/ethnicity differences in trajectories of depressive symptom from adolescence to early adulthood; we also tested whether socioeconomic status and acculturation were associated with the differences. The findings suggest that adolescents over age 15 had a higher level and faster decline in depressive symptoms than their younger counterparts; females had higher level and a faster decline in depressive symptoms than males. Chinese American females had the highest depressive symptoms sustained across 7 years; Chinese American males over age 15 had higher depressive symptoms than their White male counterparts. Neither socioeconomic status nor acculturation was significantly associated with the differences in the trajectories. Our findings suggest a need for greater attention to Chinese American adolescents' psychological well-being.     

Adolescents' smoking behavior and its relationships with psychological constructs based on transtheoretical model: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: Korean adolescents' smoking is currently being considered as a crucial factor determining the health status of adolescents and an important public health and social issue. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to test the applicability of the Transtheoretical model to gain an understanding of smoking behavior change. METHODS: A total of 706 adolescents who participated in the smoking cessation programs administered by the Korea Quit Smoking Association or Korean Association of Smoking & Health in 2003 were recruited. Four Korean-version questionnaires were used to identify the stages of smoking behavior and psychological attributes: Stage of Smoking Behavior Change Scale, Processes of Change Scale for Smoking, Decision Balance Scale for Smoking, and Self-efficacy Scale to avoid smoking. RESULTS: Korean adolescents' smoking behavior was differed according to gender. In addition, the findings revealed that behavioral and cognitive processes of change, self-efficacy, and positives differed across the stages of smoking behavior, and that psychological constructs of the transtheoretical model had a statistically significant impact on smoking behavior change. CONCLUSIONS: This research could spawn the development of theory-based and empirically supported smoking cessation intervention strategies and programs directed toward adolescents in the health care and nursing areas.     

The relationship between maternal chronic pain and child adjustment: the role of parenting as a mediator.

The role of parenting in the relationship between maternal chronic pain and negative child outcomes, including internalizing, externalizing, and social and health problems, was investigated. Parenting strategies used by mothers with chronic pain were compared to parenting strategies used by a control group of mothers without pain. Thirty-nine mothers experiencing chronic pain, their 55 children, 35 pain-free mothers, and their 48 children participated in the study. The results showed that for mothers with chronic pain, dysfunctional parenting strategies and the quality of the mother-child relationship were related to negative child outcomes. Mothers with chronic pain were more likely to engage in lax parenting and report reduced relationship quality with children than were control mothers. For the chronic pain group, over-reactive parenting was found to mediate the relationship between maternal physical functioning and child adjustment. Dysfunctional parenting strategies may constitute part of the risk that maternal chronic pain poses for children. The similarities between the impact of maternal chronic pain on child adjustment and that of other maternal stressors, such as depression, are discussed. PERSPECTIVE: In mothers with chronic pain, poor maternal physical functioning was associated with increased maternal over-reactive behavior that was in turn related to poor child adjustment. Maternal over-reactive behavior did not, however, differ in chronic pain and control mothers.     

Korean American parental depressive symptoms and parental acceptance-rejection and control

This study explored the relationships between Korean American parental depressive symptoms and parenting in 64 mothers and 35 fathers of adolescents 11 to 17 years of age. Using multiple regression after controlling for family income, both parents' depressive symptoms were found to significantly influence their acceptance and rejection behaviors, explaining 14% of variance in the mother model and 47% of variance in the father model. Specifically, maternal depressive symptoms were found to significantly positively influence their hostility. Paternal depressive symptoms were found to significantly negatively influence their affection and positively influence their hostility, neglect, and undifferentiated rejection. Educating Korean American parents, especially fathers, regarding the possible influence of their depressive symptoms on their acceptance and rejection of their adolescents could be helpful.     

Korean American Parental Depressive Symptoms and Parental Acceptance–Rejection and Control

This study explored the relationships between Korean American parental depressive symptoms and parenting in 64 mothers and 35 fathers of adolescents 11 to 17 years of age. Using multiple regression after controlling for family income, both parents’ depressive symptoms were found to significantly influence their acceptance and rejection behaviors, explaining 14% of variance in the mother model and 47% of variance in the father model. Specifically, maternal depressive symptoms were found to significantly positively influence their hostility. Paternal depressive symptoms were found to significantly negatively influence their affection and positively influence their hostility, neglect, and undifferentiated rejection. Educating Korean American parents, especially fathers, regarding the possible influence of their depressive symptoms on their acceptance and rejection of their adolescents could be helpful.     

First-time mothers' and fathers' transition to parenthood: infant care self-efficacy, parenting satisfaction, and infant sex

The threefold purposes of our study were to determine differences between first-time mothers' and fathers' development of infant care self-efficacy and parenting satisfaction, relationships between mothers' and fathers' infant care self-efficacy and parenting satisfaction, and the effect of infant sex on the development of mothers' and fathers' infant care self-efficacy and parenting satisfaction during the first 4 months following the infant's birth. A convenience sample of 44 couples in a midwestern state completed the Demographic Questionnaire, the Infant Care Survey, and What Being the Parent of a New Baby is Like-Revised. Fathers' reports of infant care self-efficacy increased linearly during the first 4 months following the infant's birth while mothers' reports of infant care self-efficacy increased linearly during the first 3 months. At all data collection times, fathers reported significantly lower infant care self-efficacy than mothers. Reports of parenting satisfaction increased over time for mothers and fathers. At 8, 12, and 16 weeks following the infant's birth, mothers' infant care self-efficacy scores were significantly related to their parenting satisfaction scores. Fathers' infant care self-efficacy scores were significantly related to their parenting satisfaction scores at 12 and 16 weeks. Fathers of male infants had significantly higher parenting satisfaction scores than fathers of female infants at 12 and 16 weeks following the infant's birth. Nurses can develop individualized interventions to assist mothers and fathers during the transition to parenthood.     

Social support,acculturation stress,and parenting stress among marriage-migrant women

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between social support, acculturation stress, and the parenting stress of marriage-migrant women.

New Mothers Network: the development of an Internet-based social support intervention for African American mothers

Many single, low-income, African American mothers lack social support, experience psychological distress, and encounter difficulties caring for their infants during the transition to parenthood. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of a theoretically-based social support Internet intervention, the New Mothers Network, for improving single, low-income, African American mothers' health and parenting abilities. Conceptual and practical information is provided to describe the evolution of the intervention. The development of the New Mothers Network is described in six stages. The New Mothers Network may be an effective social support nursing intervention for improving single, low-income, African American mothers' psychological health outcomes, parenting outcomes, and health care utilization outcomes.     

Psychosocial predictors of maternal depressive symptoms, parenting attitudes, and child behavior in single-parent families.

The purposes of the study were to identify psychosocial predictors of depressive symptoms among low-income, single mothers and to investigate the effects of maternal psychosocial factors, depressive symptoms, and parenting attitudes on children's behavior. In-home interviews were conducted with 225 mothers to obtain data on their everyday stressors, coping strategies, social resources, depressive symptoms, and parenting attitudes, as well as reports of their children's behavior. High depressive symptoms occurred among 59.6% of the women. Higher depressive symptoms were associated with greater everyday stressors, fewer social resources, and greater use of avoidance coping. Neither social resources nor coping strategies buffered the relationship between everyday stressors and depressive symptoms. Maternal depressive symptoms predicted parenting attitudes. Parenting attitudes, in turn, predicted child behavior. These findings suggest that depressive symptoms are indirectly associated with mothers' reports of child behavior through their influence on parenting attitudes.     

Childhood abuse history and risk behaviors among teen parents in a culturally rooted, couple-focused HIV prevention program.

Pregnant and parenting adolescents living in inner cities are at risk for acquiring HIV through unprotected sexual activity. In addition to individual risk behaviors, a lack of socioeconomic and other environmental resources create risk environments that make certain communities vulnerable to both adolescent pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Research indicates that adolescent parents, many who have histories of childhood trauma, may use their experience of young parenthood and the concomitant feelings of parental protectiveness as a source of renewed hope for their future. The purpose of this report is to explore the relationship between history of childhood abuse and high risk behaviors in adolescent Latino mothers and fathers enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of a culturally rooted, couple-focused HIV prevention program. In addition, this report describes the HIV prevention program that was designed specifically for young Latino parents wherein maternal and paternal protectiveness are viewed as intrinsic and developing critical factors that promote resiliency and motivate behavioral change.     

Health needs of Hong Kong Chinese pregnant adolescents

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of adolescent pregnancy have been associated with health risks such as obstetric complications and depression, and educational risks such as school dropout and reduced employment opportunities. These outcomes arise from a range of needs including perceived health needs, which are the focus of this paper. AIM: This paper reports a study to identify the perceived needs of Hong Kong Chinese adolescents following confirmation of an unintended pregnancy. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative approach was used with a purposive sample of 10 Hong Kong Chinese pregnant adolescents. The study was undertaken during their stay in a non-government organization maternal shelter. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore adolescents' perceptions of their psychological, social and health needs and the extent to which each of these needs was met. FINDINGS: Six major categories were identified within the context of need, of which three were related to health needs: acceptance of the pregnancy; psychological reactions to the pregnancy; and use of contraception and health advice. CONCLUSIONS: The findings contribute to an understanding of the perceived health needs of Chinese adolescents, in particular those that are culturally determined. Implications for nursing practice indicate the significance of comprehensive health assessments and health promotion strategies to help adolescents increase their knowledge about sexual health and contraception.     

Psychological adjustment in young children with chronic medical conditions

Children with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for behavioral and emotional problems compared to physically healthy children. This study used a conceptual model to examine factors associated with psychological adjustment in children aged 7-11 years old with any of four chronic illnesses. The variables most closely associated with child adjustment included the following: mothers' evaluation of the impact of the child's illness on the family; child's perceptions of parental acceptance; and child's self-perceptions of physical appearance, social acceptance, and athletic competence. These findings confirm the importance of maternal and child perceptions in understanding the psychological adjustment of children with chronic conditions.     

Exploring the Development of Perfectionistic Cognitions and Self-Beliefs

In a sample of 187 adolescent–parent pairs the relationships between parent behavior and adolescents’ self-reported perfectionistic tendencies (i.e., concerns over mistakes, doubts about actions and personal standards) and self-beliefs (i.e., self-esteem, contingent self-worth and labile self-esteem) were explored. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that adolescents’ tendency to doubt their actions was positively predicted by maternal self-reported psychological control and negatively predicted by adolescents’ perceptions of maternal involvement in their lives. A three-way interaction between paternal behavioral control, psychological control and acceptance positively predicted adolescents’ tendency to doubt their actions and their self-esteem. In addition, adolescents’ perceptions of paternal autonomy and involvement showed a negative association with their self-reported doubts about actions and concerns over mistakes respectively. This study provides support for the methodological value of examining both independent and interactive effects of both child and parent reports of parenting behavior.     

Coping experiences of adolescents with cancer: a qualitative study

Title.  Coping experiences of adolescents with cancer: a qualitative study.
Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of the coping experiences of Taiwanese adolescents with cancer.
Background.  Cancer treatments have adverse effects and negatively affect adolescents' lives. Psychological coping strategies are antecedents to adjustment. Little is known about the essential structure of the coping experience in adolescents with cancer.
Method.  Ten adolescents aged 12–18 years who were receiving chemotherapy were interviewed in 2007. Open-ended interviews were conducted in a quiet in-hospital setting. Interview data were analysed using Giorgi's four-step procedures.
Findings.  The essential structures of the coping experience were losing confidence and rebuilding hope . Losing confidence included sub-themes of physical and psychological suffering ; rebuilding hope included sub-themes of thought restructuring , revaluing what I have , and envisioning hopeful images of the future . Interviewees vacillated between moving on and giving up, depending on the strength of their hope. A focus on rebuilding hope helped the adolescents to move on in the midst of many distressful events.
Conclusion.  Understanding adolescents' coping processes relative to cancer can facilitate the establishment of a more supportive milieu. The findings can provide guidance for instrument development on coping for adolescents with cancer and be useful in guiding intervention development to promote positive psychological adjustment.