Adolescent daily smoking, negative mood-states and the role of family communication

Objective

To determine whether negative mood states constitute a risk factor for daily smoking during adolescence, and to specify the role of familial factors in the association between the two variables.

Methods

Cross-sectional study of a representative sample (second wave, Panel of Families and Childhood) of Catalan adolescents between 14 and 18 years of age. Six logistic regression models were used for girls (n = 1,442) and six for boys (n =1,100) in order to determine whether negative mood states constitute a risk factor for daily cigarette consumption, and to what extent this effect is attributable to familial factors.

Results

The prevalence of daily smoking at ages 17-18 is 3.8% for girls and 3.6 for boys. Feelings of sadness constitute a risk factor for daily cigarette consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 1.633), and communication with the father cancels out this effect. Parental pressure is a risk factor for daily smoking in both sexes (girls, OR = 2.064; boys, OR = 1.784). When parental communication is controlled for, this effect is reduced but not canceled out. Living in a reconstituted family is a risk factor for daily cigarette consumption among boys (OR = 2.988).

Conclusions

Intergenerational communication decreases the risk of daily tobacco use among adolescents independently of their mood state. Anti-smoking interventions designed in accordance with these findings may be more effective.     

Binge eating and substance use among male and female adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the relationship between binge eating and substance use behaviors and attitudes in adolescents and explores gender differences and mental health correlates. METHOD: The data are derived from the 1997 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey of public and Catholic school students. A weighted sample of 1,031 girls and 888 boys was categorized as nonbingers, past bingers, and noncompensating or compensating binge eaters. RESULTS: Binge eaters, particularly those who compensated, were more likely to use all types of substances, particularly cannabis and drugs other than tobacco and alcohol. Binge eating was associated with more problematic and heavier substance use and with lowered self-esteem and more depression. Female bingers were more likely to report compensatory behaviors than male students but gender differences in the relationship between binge eating and substance use were few. DISCUSSION: Adolescent binge eaters who engage in compensatory behaviors may be an appropriate target group for preventive programs in high schools.     

Parent-child connectedness and behavioral and emotional health among adolescents

BACKGROUND: This study sought to examine teen perceptions of mother-child and father-child connectedness, with focus on valuing parental opinions and perception of parental communication and caring, and associations with behavioral and emotional health. METHODS: A population-based sample of 4746 students in public schools completed the 2001 Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) survey. RESULTS: Overall, the majority of girls and boys reported valuing their parents' opinion when making serious decisions and believing that their parents cared about them. Yet, one fourth of girls and boys felt unable to talk to their mother about problems, and over half of girls and one third of boys felt unable to talk to their father. Valuing friends' opinions over parents' opinions, and perceiving low parental communication and caring were associated with unhealthy weight control, substance use, suicide attempts, body dissatisfaction, depression, and low self-esteem. Of significant concern, compared to their peers who reported feeling that their mother cared quite a bit or very much, youths who reported feeling as though their mother cared very little or not at all about them reported particularly high prevalence rates of unhealthy weight control behaviors (63.49% girls, 25.45% boys); suicide attempts (33.51% girls, 21.28% boys); low self-esteem (47.15% girls, 24.56% boys); and depression (63.52% girls, 33.35% boys). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents' perceptions of low parental caring, difficulty talking to their parents about problems, and valuing their friends' opinions for serious decisions were significantly associated with compromised behavioral and emotional health. Interventions aimed at improving the parent-child relationship may provide an avenue toward preventing health risk behaviors in youth.     

家庭教养方式与3~6岁儿童情绪行为问题的关联

  目的  探讨家庭教养方式与3~6岁学龄前儿童情绪行为问题的关联及性别差异,为儿童情绪行为问题的早期预防和干预提供参考。  方法  采用分层整群抽样方法,于2021年6月选取安徽省芜湖、六安、阜阳3个市36所幼儿园的9 647名3~6岁儿童为研究对象,采用自编一般情况调查表、父母版长处和困难问卷及父母教养方式量表对儿童监护人进行调查。  结果  儿童困难总分异常检出率为6.5%,男童检出率(7.1%)高于女童(5.8%)。家庭教养方式溺爱性、放任性、专制性和不一致性高分组的儿童情绪行为异常检出率均高于低分组(χ2值分别为210.32,203.87,102.70,212.69,P值均＜0.01),检出率随得分增加呈上升趋势;而民主性高分组的儿童情绪行为异常检出率低于低分组(χ2=156.24,P＜0.01),检出率随得分增加呈降低趋势。Logistic回归分析结果显示,教养方式高水平溺爱性(OR=4.31)、放任性(OR=4.16)、专制性(OR=3.36)、不一致性(OR=4.76)与儿童情绪行为问题高风险相关,而高水平民主性(OR=0.34)与情绪行为问题低风险相关;男童中、高分组溺爱性教养方式出现情绪行为问题的风险高于女童(OR值分别为1.90,2.13)(P值均＜0.05)。  结论  家庭教养方式会影响3~6岁儿童情绪行为问题的发生,男童是溺爱教养方式负面影响的敏感人群,良好的教养方式有益于儿童情绪行为问题的防控。     

蚌埠市中学生父母文化程度与家庭类型对父母控制的影响

  目的  识别大学生问题性社交网络使用的潜在类别,并进一步分析其不同类别与线上社交焦虑和抑郁症状的关联,为制定促进大学生合理使用社交网络的预防措施提供参考。  方法  于2021年5—6月,采用方便整群抽样方法选取辽宁省沈阳市3所高校1 082名在校大学生,采用问题性移动社交网络使用问卷(PMSMUAQ)、线上社交焦虑量表(SAS-SMU)和流调中心抑郁量表(CES-D)进行问卷调查,并采用潜在剖面分析及稳健三步法对数据进行分析。  结果  大学生问题性社交网络使用分为适度使用组(31.98%,346名)、轻度依赖组(49.26%,533名)和深度沉迷组(18.76%,203名)3个潜在类别。多项式Logistic回归分析显示,城市学生在深度沉迷组所占比例更大(OR=1.62,P < 0.05);随着每天上网时间的增加,轻度依赖组和深度沉迷组的发生比例上升(OR值分别为1.11,1.20,P值均 < 0.01)。不同问题性社交网络使用类型大学生线上社交焦虑和抑郁症状检出率差异有统计学意义(χ2值分别为188.70,62.60,P值均 < 0.01),深度沉迷组在线上社交焦虑和抑郁症状上得分更高。  结论  大学生问题性社交网络使用存在异质性。为减少线上社交焦虑和抑郁症状的出现,高校教育者和家长应多关注问题性社交网络使用水平较高的学生。     

Adolescent risk behaviours and mealtime routines: does family meal frequency alter the association between family structure and risk behaviour?

Family structure is associated with a range of adolescent risk behaviours, with those living in both parent families generally faring best. This study describes the association between family structure and adolescent risk behaviours and assesses the role of the family meal. Data from the 2006 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children survey were modelled using Multilevel Binomial modelling for six risk behaviour outcomes. Significantly more children from 'both parent' families ate a family meal every day and fewer 'hardly ever or never' did. Family structure was associated with boys' and girls' smoking, drinking, cannabis use and having sex and with girls' fighting. Frequency of eating a family meal was associated with a reduced likelihood of all risk behaviours among girls and all but fighting and having sex among boys. Eating a family meal regularly nullified the association between family structure and drinking alcohol for boys and girls and cannabis use for boys and reduced the effect size of alternative family structures on boys having sex and smoking. The family meal, associated with a reduced likelihood of many adolescent risk behaviours, reduces or eliminates the association with family structure and may therefore help to overcome inequalities in adolescent risk behaviours.     

Perceived legitimacy of parental authority and tobacco and alcohol use during early adolescence.

PURPOSE: To assess the likelihood that young adolescents perceive that parents have legitimate authority regarding cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption; to test whether perceived parental authority predicts adolescents' use of tobacco and alcohol, and to test the association between parenting style and the legitimacy of parental authority regarding tobacco and alcohol. METHODS: Survey data were obtained in 1997 from 1220 sixth and eighth grade adolescents enrolled in a central North Carolina school district. The sample comprised 72.3% of 1687 eligible students and 92.3% of 1321 students with parental consent; 83.8% of the sample was European-American and 16.2% African-American. Students completed self-report questionnaires administered in classrooms. Logistic regression models were used to test the study hypotheses. RESULTS: Adolescents were significantly more likely to legitimize parental authority regarding tobacco and alcohol than parental authority regarding conventional or contemporary issues. Failure to legitimize parental authority was associated with significantly greater odds of current smoking (OR = 4.06; p <.000) or drinking (OR = 3.81; p <.000) among all respondents, and significantly greater odds of intending to smoke (OR = 3.38; p <.000) or drink (OR = 3.38; p <.000) among abstinent respondents. Adolescents' perceptions of parental authority regarding tobacco and alcohol varied significantly by parenting style. CONCLUSIONS: The results discredit the myth that adolescents uniformly disregard parental values and rules regarding tobacco and alcohol. The results also showed that general parenting style covaried strongly with adolescents' perceptions of parental authority regarding substance use. Additional research is warranted to test for causal relations between general parenting style, adolescents' perceptions of parental authority regarding substance use, and adolescents' risk of substance use.     

Adolescents' physical activity in relation to family income and parents' education

OBJECTIVE: Regular physical activity provides young people with important physical, mental, and social health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of family income and parents' level of education with physical activity in Finnish adolescents. METHOD: The study population consisted of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986, including 5457 boys and girls aged 15-16 years, and their parents who responded to a postal inquiry in 2001-2002. The associations between social background and adolescents' physical activity were analyzed in 2005 using cross-tabulation and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: High parental education was associated with adolescents being physically active. In boys father's high educational level (OR: 0.56; CI: 0.33, 0.95), and in girls both mother's (OR: 0.55; CI: 0.31, 0.98) and father's (OR: 0.35; CI: 0.20, 0.61) high educational levels were related to the least time spent watching TV. High family income was associated with being an active sports club member in boys (OR: 2.43; CI: 1.74, 3.40) and girls (OR: 2.67; CI: 1.81, 3.94). Adolescents' participation in different types of physical activity varied according to family income. CONCLUSIONS: Economic support for youth sports and informing parents on ways to encourage adolescents' physical activity are recommended to ensure equal opportunities for youths to participate in different physical activities.     

Estimating and comparing incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases by combining GP registry data: the role of uncertainty

Background

As the promotion of alcohol and tobacco to young people through direct advertising has become increasingly restricted, there has been greater interest in whether images of certain behaviours in films are associated with uptake of those behaviours in young people. Associations have been reported between exposure to smoking images in films and smoking initiation, and between exposure to film alcohol images and initiation of alcohol consumption, in younger adolescents in the USA and Germany. To date no studies have reported on film images of recreational drug use and young people's own drug use.

Methods

Cross sectional multivariable logistic regression analysis of data collected at age 19 (2002-4) from a cohort of young people (502 boys, 500 girls) previously surveyed at ages 11 (in 1994-5), 13 and 15 in schools in the West of Scotland. Outcome measures at age 19 were: exceeding the 'sensible drinking' guidelines ('heavy drinkers') and binge drinking (based on alcohol consumption reported in last week), and ever use of cannabis and of 'hard' drugs. The principle predictor variables were an estimate of exposure to images of alcohol, and of drug use, in films, controlling for factors related to the uptake of substance use in young people.

Results

A third of these young adults (33%) were classed as 'heavy drinkers' and half (47%) as 'binge drinkers' on the basis of their previous week's consumption. Over half (56%) reported ever use of cannabis and 13% ever use of one or more of the 'hard' drugs listed. There were linear trends in the percentage of heavy drinkers (p = .018) and binge drinkers (p = 0.012) by film alcohol exposure quartiles, and for ever use of cannabis by film drug exposure (p = .000), and for ever use of 'hard' drugs (p = .033). The odds ratios for heavy drinking (1.56, 95% CI 1.06-2.29 comparing highest with lowest quartile of film alcohol exposure) and binge drinking (1.59, 95% CI 1.10-2.30) were attenuated by adjustment for gender, social class, family background (parental structure, parental care and parental control), attitudes to risk-taking and rule-breaking, and qualifications (OR heavy drinking 1.42, 95% CI 0.95-2.13 and binge drinking 1.49, 95% CI 1.01-2.19), and further so when adjusting for friends' drinking status (when the odds ratios were no longer significant). A similar pattern was seen for ever use of cannabis and 'hard' drugs (unadjusted OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.24-2.62 and 1.57, 95% CI 0.91-2.69 respectively, 'fully' adjusted OR 1.41 (0.90-2.22 and 1.28 (0.66-2.47) respectively).

Conclusions

Despite some limitations, which are discussed, these cross-sectional results add to a body of work which suggests that it is important to design good longitudinal studies which can determine whether exposure to images of potentially health-damaging behaviours lead to uptake of these behaviours during adolescence and early adulthood, and to examine factors that might mediate this relationship.     

Trends in tobacco,alcohol and cannabis consumption among secondary school pupils in Barcelona,Spain (1987-1999)

OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis consumption among secondary school pupils in Barcelona between 1987 and 1999. METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys administered to representative samples of pupils in the second year of secondary school between 1987 and 1999. The questionnaires were anonymous and self-completed. We present data from 5013 secondary school pupils from Barcelona who participated in one of the five surveys. RESULTS: Regular smoking (daily and weekly) showed a uniform decrease between 1987 and 1996. The results of the last survey (1999) showed an increase over those the 1996 survey, ranging from 13.4% for regular smoking to 38.7% for experimental smoking. Between 1987 and 1999, the percentage of schoolchildren who reported drinking at least half a glass of alcohol at some time showed an overall decrease of 14.0%. No differences in sex were found in problematic alcohol consumption, while a higher proportion of girls (14.0%) than boys (10.5%) reported getting drunk at some time. Whereas in 1996, 6.9% of the population studied had smoked cannabis at some time, in 1999 this proportion was 7.3%, with no differences between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: During the study period regular smoking increased, alcohol consumption decreased and cannabis consumption tended to level-off. Differences between boys and girls tended to disappear.     

Family structure, parent-child relationships, and alcohol and other drug use among teenagers in France and the United Kingdom

This paper compares samples of 15-16-year-olds from the UK and France on their usage of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs and also seeks to describe the associations between alcohol and other drug use with "family variables" within the two countries. Compared to UK adolescents, French adolescents showed a slightly higher rate of cigarette smoking, were almost identical on cannabis use, rather lower on the use of other illicit drugs and very considerably lower on alcohol use. Family variables were related to substance use. In the two countries, children from non-intact families, those who were not satisfied with their relationships with their father or mother and those who were less closely monitored, were more likely to be heavy substance users than other students. Logistic regressions showed that parental knowledge of the whereabouts of their offspring on Saturday evenings was the strongest factor, in both countries, that family structure is frequently still significant in the UK, and that paternal relationships are highly significant among French students. Differences in national drinking culture, urbanization and parental practices are discussed in an attempt to interpret some of these findings.     

Socioeconomic gradient shifts in health-related behaviour among Slovak adolescents between 1998 and 2006

Objectives

We aimed to assess the development of the socioeconomic gradient in health-related behaviour (HRB) among Slovak adolescents between 1998 and 2006.

Methods

Data were collected in 1998 (n = 2,616; 14.9 ± 0.6 years) and in 2006 (n = 1,081; 14.3 ± 0.6 years). ORs of socioeconomic differences—as measured by parental education—were calculated for each cohort in smoking, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity, and the interactions of socioeconomic position and the time period on these behaviours were calculated.

Results

The higher odds of smoking in the low socioeconomic group compared to the high socioeconomic group decreased among boys (interaction OR 0.54), but became evident among girls (interaction OR 1.96). In alcohol consumption, no socioeconomic differences were found among boys, but the higher odds among girls from high socioeconomic position compared with those from low socioeconomic position disappeared in 2006. In physical inactivity, socioeconomic differences increased among boys but not among girls.

Conclusion

During this period, socioeconomic differences in HRB developed in a different way among boys than among girls. Prevalence rates in substance use increased especially among girls from the low socioeconomic group. This group should be particularly targeted by prevention programs.     

Pubertal Timing and Substance Use: The Effects of Gender, Parental Monitoring and Deviant Peers

PURPOSE: Early pubertal timing is associated with early initiation of cigarettes and alcohol; we evaluated parental monitoring and affiliation with deviant peers in a moderated, mediational model of this relationship for both genders. METHODS: We tested a prospective model explaining the process through which pubertal timing is related to early use of cigarettes and alcohol for 360 fourth and fifth graders, following them for 4 years. RESULTS: We found a relation between early pubertal maturation and trying cigarettes and alcohol without parents' knowledge for both boys and girls. In addition, for both genders, parental monitoring moderated the association between pubertal timing and trying alcohol, but not trying cigarettes. Affiliation with deviant peers mediated the effect of pubertal timing on both alcohol and cigarette initiation for girls only. CONCLUSIONS: Although pathways to substance use differ by gender, both early maturing girls and boys should be regarded as high-risk populations for initiation of substances, and intervention programs may be more effective if they are targeted accordingly.     

Associations between children's physical activities, sedentary behaviours and family structure: a sequential mixed methods approach

This mixed method paper explored the effect of family structure on children's physical activities and sedentary pursuits. It furthers the limited understanding of how family structure impacts on children's time in, and reasons behind engaging in, certain physical activities. Children from three inner city comprehensive schools in the Midlands, United Kingdom, participated through questionnaires (n = 381) and semi-structured interviews (n = 62). The results indicated that boys and girls from single parent families spent more time in sedentary activities during the week and at the weekend (P < 0.01) when compared with their intact couple family counterparts. It was identified that children in single-parent families received less parental support due to a lack of time, transport and additional parental responsibilities that created a family environment that encouraged sedentary pursuits. Moreover, the barriers that encouraged sedentary activities also prevented children in single parent families from engaging in lifetime activities during the week. Children from intact couple families recorded more time in lifetime activities than those in single parent families (P < 0.01). Finally, children in two-parent families had more opportunities to engage not only in these activities individually but also in joint activities with their parents, further reinforcing these behaviours.     

Stigma starts early: Gender differences in teen willingness to use mental health services

PurposeTo explore gender differences and the role of stigma in teen willingness to use mental health services.MethodsSelf-administered, written questionnaires were conducted with 274 eighth graders in a suburban community in a mid-Atlantic state. Teens reported on social support for emotional concerns, mental health experience and knowledge, and stigma and barriers associated with mental health service use. Data analysis included chi-square statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine associations between gender and independent variables of interest. Logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship of gender, stigma, and willingness to use mental health services, adjusting for race and receipt of mental health services.ResultsMore girls than boys turned to a friend for help for an emotional concern, whereas more boys turned to a family member first. Boys had less mental health knowledge and experience and higher mental health stigma than girls. In adjusted analyses, girls were twice as likely as boys to report willingness to use mental health services (odds ratio [OR] 2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–4.99). Parental disapproval and perceived stigma helped to explain the relationship between gender and willingness to use mental health services (OR 1.65, 95% CI .72–3.77).ConclusionsGender differences in negative mental health attitudes and willingness to use mental health services are present early in adolescence. Enhanced mental health education and services in middle school may reduce gender disparities by incorporating stigma reduction efforts that actively involve parents and address differences in knowledge and exposure to mental health issues.     

Prevalence and related risk factors of licit and illicit substances use by adolescent students in Southern Taiwan

Deleterious health sequelae caused by licit and illicit substance use is a serious problem in our society. Adolescent students and particularly those who are prone to substance use are of special concern in the prevention of drug abuse. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking and illicit drug use and to identify the risk factors related to these habits among adolescent students. A total of 1358 adolescent students aged 16–18 y old were recruited into this study via stratified random sampling from a vocational school in Kaohsiung city. Students were asked to complete a structured questionnaire anonymously and a 96.7% response rate was achieved. Prevalence of substances use was estimated as follows: alcohol drinking, 70.7% (boys 75.1%, girls 51.4%); tobacco smoking, 56% (boys 61.8%, girls 30.2%); illicit drug use 6.4% (boys 6.6%, girls 5.6%). Significant risk factors that emerged as common correlates with substances use were behaviour problems, non-negative attitude toward parent's substance use, and peer influence. A dose–response relationship was found between the prevalence of drinking, smoking, illicit drug use and the number of risk factors adolescents were exposed to. Prevention of adolescent substance abuse should be attempted and risk factors should be reduced. An educational approach is essential not only to gain/impart knowledge of substance abuse, but also to develop an effective program for health and social development.     

The intake of nutrients by Northumbrian adolescents from one-parent families and from unemployed families

In order to tailor nutrition health education to 'at risk' groups, areas of nutritional insufficiency in the diets of such groups need to be identified. Low income and poor nutritional knowledge may predispose children from one-parent families and/or unemployed families to a poor diet. The present study compared intakes of nutrients between Northumbrian adolescents from one-parent and two-parent families and between Northumbrian adolescents from unemployed and employed families. In 1990, 379 children aged 11–12 years completed two 3-day dietary records, and were interviewed by a dietitian to verify the information given. Information on the employment status and number of parents of these children was obtained by questionnaire.
Compared to girls from employed families, girls from unemployed families had significantly higher intakes of energy, fat and carbohydrate. Boys from unemployed families had significantly lower intakes of iron and vitamin C than boys from employed families. Daily intake of energy and fat were significantly greater in girls from single-parent families compared to girls from two-parent families. No differences in intake of nutrients were observed between boys from one- and two-parent families. No additive effect of being from both an unemployed and single-parent family was observed.     

Is parental control over children's eating associated with childhood obesity? Results from a population-based sample of third graders

OBJECTIVE: Identifying parental behaviors that influence childhood obesity is critical for the development of effective prevention and treatment programs. Findings from a prior laboratory study suggest that parents who impose control over their children's eating may interfere with their children's ability to regulate intake, potentially resulting in overweight. These findings have been widely endorsed; however, the direct relationship between parental control of children's intake and their children's degree of overweight has not been shown in a generalized sample. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: This study surveyed 792 third-grade children with diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds from 13 public elementary schools. Parental control over children's intake was assessed through telephone interviews using a state-of-the-art instrument, and children were measured for height, weight, and triceps skinfold thickness. RESULTS: Counter to the hypothesis, parental control over children's intake was inversely associated with overweight in girls, as measured by body mass index, r = -0.12, p < 0.05, and triceps skinfolds, r = -0.11, p < 0.05. This weak relationship became only marginally significant when controlling for parents' perceptions of their own weight, level of household education, and children's age. No relationship between parental control of children's intake and their children's degree of overweight was found in boys. DISCUSSION: Previous observations of the influence of parental control over children's intake in middle-class white families did not generalize to 8- to 9-year-olds in families with diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. The present findings reveal a more complex relationship between parental behaviors and children's weight status.     

School-related risk factors for drunkenness among adolescents: risk factors differ between socio-economic groups

Purpose: To examine, separately for boys and girls, whether socio-economic differences in drunkenness exist in adolescence, whether the level of exposure to school-related risk factors differ between socio-economic groups, and whether the relative contribution of school-related risk factors to drunkenness differ between socio-economic groups. METHODS: The study population was a random sample of 1453 Danish 15-year-old students. The outcome measure was drunkenness 10 times or more, as a lifetime measure. Predictor variables comprised five aspects of well-being at school. Socio-economic position (SEP) was measured by parental occupation. RESULTS: Among girls, exposures to school-related risk factors were more prevalent in lower socio-economic groups. Poor school satisfaction was associated with drunkenness among girls from high SEP, odds ratio (OR) = 2.98 (0.73-12.16). Among boys from high SEP autonomy in decision-making was associated with drunkenness, OR = 2.74 (1.06-7.08), whereas poor school satisfaction was associated with drunkenness among boys from intermediate SEP, OR = 2.26 (0.98-5.22). Weak Parental Support in school-related matters, OR = 3.92 (1.16-13.24), and disliking school, OR = 9.12 (1.77-47.09), were associated with drunkenness among boys from low SEP. These associations were also seen among girls although not significant. CONCLUSION: We found that well-being at school had socially differential impact on drunkenness in adolescence.