Coping with economic disadvantage. A qualitative study of Chinese adolescents from low-income families

Using a qualitative approach, this paper examines how Chinese adolescents from low-income families cope with economic disadvantage. Thirty-five in-depth one-to-one interviews with twelve adolescents from economically disadvantaged families were conducted. The findings of the study revealed that, although the participants were growing up poor, they do not have a strong sense of poverty, or have a negative perception on poverty. Some of them even attached a positive meaning to their experience of poverty. The accounts of the adolescents revealed that there were personal (low sense of poverty), familial (support from parents and siblings), cultural (cultural interpretation on poverty) and contextual (unclear poor neighborhood boundary, weak poverty subculture) protective factors that promoted adolescent developmental resilience. The study results highlighted the distinct Chinese pattern of socialization and the impacts of Chinese cultural beliefs on poor families. The findings also illustrate the prominent role of family in helping adolescents cope with economic disadvantage.     

A longitudinal study of parenting and adolescent adjustment in Chinese adolescents with economic disadvantage

This longitudinal study examines the relationship between parenting behavior and adolescent adjustment (psychological well-being, substance abuse and delinquent behavior) in Chinese adolescents with economic disadvantage (N = 199). Results showed that parenting characteristics were concurrently and longitudinally related to measures of adolescent adjustment, particularly adolescent problem behavior. Compared with the norm based on adolescents of a community sample, poor adolescents perceived parenting characteristics to be more negative and they had relatively lower life satisfaction. Paternal parenting was perceived to be more negative than maternal parenting and parenting behavior was perceived to deteriorate over time.     

Socio-demographic and economic correlates of overweight status in Chinese adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To investigate over-weight prevalence and socio-demographic and economic correlates in Chinese adolescents. METHODs: Weight, height, waist circumference, and socio-demo-graphic and economic variables of 6863 middle and high school students were measured. RESULTS: 10% of girls and 17% of boys were overweight. Waist circumference and overweight risk were significantly associated with pubertal status (P<0.05). High levels of parental education and family income were significant risk factors for overweight (P<0.05). DISCUSSION: Our findings underscore the need for development of evidence-based and culturally appropriate public health programs to prevent and treat pediatric obesity in China.     

Hopelessness in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: demographic and family correlates

Chinese secondary school students (N = 3,017) responded to measures of adolescent hopelessness, perceived parental behavioral control (indexed by parental knowledge, expectation, monitoring, discipline, and demandingness, as well as Chinese parental control attributes), parental psychological control, and parent-child relational qualities (satisfaction with parental control, child's readiness to communicate with the parents and perceived mutual trust). Results showed that roughly one-fifth of Chinese adolescents displayed signs of hopelessness and adolescent hopelessness was related to adolescent age and gender as well as parental education and marital status. Although parental behavioral control was negatively related to adolescent hopelessness, parental psychological control was positively associated with adolescent hopelessness. Participants perceived parent-child relational qualities to be better showed lower levels of hopelessness.     

Frequent dieting among adolescents: psychosocial and health behavior correlates.

OBJECTIVES. The present study examined correlates of frequent dieting in 33,393 adolescents. It was hypothesized that frequent dieting would be correlated with negative psychosocial and health behavior outcomes. METHODS. A comprehensive, school-based health behavior survey was administered in 1987 to public school students in grades 7 through 12 in Minnesota. Students self-reported dieting behavior; substance use; suicidal, sexual, and delinquent behavior; family and peer concerns; sick days; and abuse history. Differences on psychosocial and health behavior risk factors by dieting frequency and by purging status were assessed with multivariate logistic regression, with body mass index and demographic variables controlled. RESULTS. Dieting frequency was associated with history of binge eating (females: odds ratio [OR] = 1.46, males: OR = 1.53); poor body image (females: OR = 0.56, males: OR = 0.63); lower connectedness to others (females: OR = 0.79); greater alcohol use (females: OR = 1.17); and greater tobacco use (females: OR = 1.08). Purging status was independently associated with negative risk factors in both males and females. CONCLUSIONS. These findings suggest that frequent dieting efforts in adolescents should not be viewed in isolation, but rather in the broader context of health and risk-taking behaviors.     

Gender differences regarding psychopathological, family and social characteristics in adolescents with abnormal eating behavior

OBJECTIVE: (1) To identify gender differences regarding psychopathological, family and social characteristics in adolescents with abnormal eating behavior; (2) to study risk factors for this abnormal eating in boys and girls. METHOD: Adolescents participating in this community-based longitudinal study completed, at the age of 13 (t(1)) and 15 years (t(2)), a semi-structured interview and the validated Spanish versions of several self-reported questionnaires measuring eating and general psychopathology. A control group of 150 pupils and 159 adolescents with abnormal eating behavior were selected. RESULTS: Girls with abnormal eating showed significantly more psychiatric morbidity and boys more social difficulties. Body dissatisfaction and psychiatric morbidity predicted abnormal eating at t(2) only in girls. DISCUSSION: The findings contribute to the debate on gender differences in abnormal eating behavior etiology.     

Psychological and interpersonal correlates in men with erectile dysfunction and their partners: a pilot study of treatment outcome with sildenafil

The role of psychological and interpersonal factors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) with sildenafil or other oral therapies has not been sufficiently investigated. We conducted a pilot study of psychosocial predictors of pharmacotherapy treatment outcome and satisfaction in men with ED and their partners. Sixty-nine men with mild to moderate ED and their partners were enrolled in a multicenter, open-label, treatment trial with sildenafil. Treatment measures included a battery of validated self-report measures and questionnaires. Subjects also were interviewed according to a semistructured interview protocol. Partner assessments included self-report measures of sexual function, mood, and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that, prior to treatment, patients had erectile function scores in the range of mild to moderate ED, with relatively low levels of concomitant depression, anxiety, and psychological stress and high overall levels of relationship adjustment. Partner sexual function was in the normal range of total Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women (BISF-W; Taylor, Rosen, Leiblum, 1994) scores, although more than one third of female partners had specific sexual complaints or problems. Among couples who completed one or both follow-up visits (N = 34), sildenafil treatment resulted in significant improvements in all aspects of sexual function in men, including sexual desire, orgasmic function, erectile function and overall sexual satisfaction. Significant improvements also were noted in partners' ratings of sexual function in most domains, including arousal, pleasure, and orgasm. Higher baseline levels of sex-specific anxiety were negatively associated with improvement in erections following treatment. Relationship adjustment at baseline, contrary to expectations, did not predict erectile or sexual satisfaction following treatment in the men or their partners but was significantly correlated with changes in sexual desire. Baseline levels of depression, anxiety, and stress generally were unrelated to efficacy or treatment satisfaction. However, we observed a curvilinear relationship in the men between baseline levels of stress and treatment discontinuation (i.e., subjects with moderate levels of stress were less likely to discontinue treatment). Because of a high number of dropouts, results of this pilot study await confirmation in a larger and more adequately powered clinical trial.     

The association of body mass index with social and economic disadvantage in women and men.

BACKGROUND: Although an inverse relationship between socioeconomic status and body mass index (BMI) is well documented, broad population studies focusing on the association between BMI and various forms of disadvantage such as unemployment, low income or social isolation are rare. METHODS: A nationwide, representative sample of 25-64-year-old Finnish subjects (n = 6016) was classified according to their BMI into four groups: 'thin' (BMI < 20), 'normal' (BMI 20-24.9), 'overweight' (BMI 25-29.9) and 'obese' (BMI > or = 30). Multivariable analyses using logistic regression were conducted with this BMI-grouping as an independent variable to predict social and economic disadvantage, controlling simultaneously for age, educational attainment, region of residence, and limiting long-standing illness. RESULTS: In women, overweight was associated with current unemployment and obesity with long-term unemployment as well as absence of close friends outside the family circle. Both overweight and obesity were associated with low individual earnings. Obese women were also most likely to have low household disposable and individual incomes; a similar pattern was seen among thin women. A small subgroup of thin men were socially and economically disadvantaged with all our indicators whereas excess body weight was not problematic for men. CONCLUSIONS: Deviant body weight is associated with social and economic disadvantage in a gender-specific and partly curvilinear way. In particular, obese women face multiple social and economic disadvantage.     

Social and family correlates of eating problems and muscle preoccupation in young adolescents

This study examined the unique contribution of a number of social and familial factors to body change strategies and eating problems in youths. A sample of non-clinical adolescents aged 10 to 16 years (N=405) completed a modified version of the Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT) and questionnaires for measuring various social and familial factors that may play a role in the etiology of eating problems and muscle preoccupation. Regression analyses indicated that specific eating disorder-related factors (such as the encouragement of peers and parents to lose weight or to become more muscular) and more general factors (such as negative parental rearing behaviors and insecure attachment) made independent contributions to problem eating and muscle preoccupation in youths.     

Psychosocial correlates of eating behavior in children and adolescents: a review

Background  

Understanding the correlates of dietary intake is necessary in order to effectively promote healthy dietary behavior among children and adolescents. A literature review was conducted on the correlates of the following categories of dietary intake in children and adolescents: Fruit, Juice and Vegetable Consumption, Fat in Diet, Total Energy Intake, Sugar Snacking, Sweetened Beverage Consumption, Dietary Fiber, Other Healthy Dietary Consumption, and Other Less Healthy Dietary Consumption in children and adolescents.     

Aggression and fighting behavior among African-American adolescents: individual and family factors.

OBJECTIVES. This study examined the extent to which individual and family factors are associated with aggression and fighting behavior among African-American middle school adolescents. METHODS. Four hundred thirty-six African-American boys and girls from two middle schools in a predominantly low-income North Carolina school system were surveyed and their school records examined. Information was collected concerning students' aggression levels, school fighting behavior, school suspensions for fighting, attitudes toward violence, perceptions of their families' attitudes toward violence, weapon-carrying behavior, and sociodemographics. Multivariate analyses were employed to predict the students' aggression levels, fighting behavior, and school suspensions. RESULTS. Factors related to the individual adolescents, such as gender, age, weapon-carrying behavior, and attitudes toward violence, were associated with students' reports of aggression and fighting behavior. Factors related to family and school were associated with school suspension for fighting. CONCLUSIONS. This study suggests that violence prevention programs set in our elementary and middle schools may reduce aggression and fighting among our youth. School teachers and public health practitioners are encouraged to work together in understanding and preventing adolescent violence.     

Prospective psychosocial, interpersonal, and behavioral predictors of handgun carrying among adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: This study identified behavioral and psychosocial/interpersonal factors in young adolescence that are associated with handgun carrying in later adolescence. METHODS: A sample of 2200 high school students was surveyed at 9th grade and again at 12th grade. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that measures of risk-taking preference, depression, stress, temper, and drug use assessed while the students were in 9th grade were predictive of handgun carrying in 12th grade for both male and female students. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the need for a comprehensive approach to prevention that focuses on both individual and interpersonal factors associated with adolescents' decision to carry a handgun.     

Psychological distress among adolescents, and its relationship to individual, family and area characteristics in East London

This paper identifies factors associated with variation in psychosocial distress among adolescents in a relatively deprived and ethnically diverse inner city setting in London, UK. The research draws on literature which discusses whether neighbourhood socio-economic conditions are associated with mental health, as well as attributes of individual adolescents and their families. We report an analysis of data from the Research with East London Adolescents: Community Health Survey (RELACHS). The survey collected data on mental health measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and on various aspects of individual and family circumstances. These data were linked with information about social and economic conditions in 'middle layer standard output areas' (MSOA) used for the population Census 2001, having a mean total population of 6767 in the study area. Census statistics including the Indices of Deprivation for 2004 proposed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, were used to describe the socio-economic conditions within these areas. Although the socio-economic disparities among small areas were not typical of those across the whole of the country, there were differences in levels of deprivation and crime, social fragmentation, and ethnic composition. A Bayesian regression analysis using Gibbs sampling in the programme WinBugs investigated whether there was variability in SDQ at both individual and area (MSOA) level, and whether the predictor variables at both levels were significantly associated with SDQ. Individuals from Asian or Black ethnic groups, and those in families with harmonious relationships and no financial stress had significantly lower SDQ scores, i.e. better health. Those who had special educational needs or long standing illness, or were from reconstituted families had significantly worse SDQ scores. About 6% of the variation in SDQ was associated with area differences. However, this area variation was not related to differences in area indicators of socio-economic deprivation, crime or social fragmentation. There was a complex association between SDQ and ethnic composition of neighbourhoods.     

Food insecurity is associated with past and present economic disadvantage and body mass index.

Fears and experiences of food restriction influence eating behavior but the association between past and present economic disadvantage, food insecurity and body size is poorly understood. Therefore, we examined these associations in a nationwide, representative sample of 25- to 64-y-old Finnish men and women (n = 6506). The respondents were classified by their body mass index (BMI) into four groups: thin, normal, overweight and obese. Economic disadvantage was assessed by three indicators including low household income, unemployment during past 5 y and long-term economic problems in childhood. Food insecurity was assessed by five separate items concerning economic fears and experiences related to sufficient supply of food during the past 12 mo, and a combined scale in which those with affirmative responses to four to five items were classified as hungry. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted using both the BMI grouping and indicators of economic disadvantage as independent variables to predict food insecurity, controlling simultaneously for age, educational attainment and sex. The results showed that low household income, recent unemployment and economic problems in childhood were all predictors of food insecurity. Thin people were most likely to be hungry and showed most food insecurity in five separate items. In addition, obese people reported more buying cheaper food due to economic problems and fears or experiences of running out of money to buy food than did normal weight subjects. In conclusion, both past and present economic disadvantage is associated with various aspects of food insecurity. The association between food insecurity and BMI is curvilinear.     

青少年家庭健康功能大五人格与进食行为的关系

  目的  探究核心家庭青少年家庭健康功能、人格特质与进食行为之间的关系,为基于人格的青少年不良进食行为易感性预测及家庭干预提供实证支持。  方法  选取“2021年中国家庭健康指数调查”数据中生活于核心家庭的563名12~17岁青少年为研究对象,采用一般资料调查表、家庭健康量表简版、大五人格量表简版、进食行为量表进行调查,采用结构方程模型分析青少年家庭健康功能、人格特质与进食行为之间的关系。  结果  单因素分析显示,不健康家庭、一般健康家庭、健康家庭青少年的大五人格及进食行为得分差异均有统计学意义(P值均 < 0.01)。相关分析显示,青少年家庭健康功能、大五人格及进食行为三者均存在相关关系(P值均 < 0.05)。结构方程模型显示,家庭健康资源、严谨性、外向性、宜人性可直接影响不良进食行为(标准化效应为-0.34,-0.17,0.14,-0.13),家庭健康资源可通过影响宜人性、家庭外部社会支持可通过影响外向性间接影响不良进食行为(标准化效应为0.12,0.22)(P值均 < 0.05)。  结论  核心家庭青少年的家庭健康功能通过大五人格影响进食行为存在直接和间接效应,应重视家庭干预对青少年不良进食行为的改善作用。     

Characteristics of family nucleus as correlates of regular participation in sports among adolescents

Objectives  

To estimate the relationship between family nucleus and sport practice among adolescents.     

The social and economic correlates of pregnancy resolution among adolescents in New York City, by race and ethnicity: a multivariate analysis.

This study utilizes a data set combining vital records from live birth and induced abortion certificates in New York City in 1984 to examine the correlates of the two outcomes among pregnant adolescents. Four groups totaling 31,207 teenagers were examined: Black non-Latinos (51 per cent), White non-Latinos (17 per cent), Puerto Ricans (25 per cent), and non-Puerto Rican Latinos (8 per cent). Multivariate regressions were fit for each group. Simulations based on the regressions reveal that the proportion of live births plus induced abortions among unmarried 18-year-olds, on Medicaid, with a previous live birth, no previous induced abortions, and nine years of completed schooling was .55 in the case of Puerto Ricans, .34 for non-Puerto Rican Latinos, .60 for Blacks, and .51 for Whites. For nulliparous adolescents of the same age and marital status, with an additional year of schooling, but not on Medicaid, and with a previous induced abortion, the fraction of pregnancies that were terminated rose to .84 in the case of Puerto Ricans, .81 for non-Puerto Rican Latinos, .87 for Blacks, and .96 for Whites. The results suggest that attitudes toward abortion as proxied by previous induced terminations substantially increase the likelihood of aborting as well as narrow the racial and ethnic differences with respect to pregnancy resolution.     

The organizational context of non-lethal workplace violence: its interpersonal, temporal, and spatial correlates.

This article examines 993 violent incidents involving faculty, students, and staff that occurred at a highly ranked teaching and research university and its affiliated medical center. Violent incidents were included in the sample if they involved faculty, students, or staff, regardless of their specific location or context (i.e., whether they occurred on campus and/or off-campus and whether they occurred within the context of work or some other activity). The theoretical goal of the project was to compare work-related incidents with non-work-related incidents of interpersonal violence occurring in a single, multifunctioning, and professionally hierarchical organization. Data were collected over a 7-year period from three police departments (city, county, and university), university records, and criminal history records obtained from the state police. The coding protocol was developed to capture crime-scene information pertinent to each of the incidents. This included information about the victim, the perpetrator, the relationship between the victim and perpetrator, and the violent incident. The data were examined using nonparametric statistics and logistic regression to model predictive differences between the workplace and non-workplace incidents. The results suggest that the workplace incidents of violence differ from the non-workplace incidents according to their time, victim age, degree of victim injury, and whether the workplace is a medical location. The authors conclude that these differences are better explained by the movement of people in and out of the workplace who bring societal violence with them, rather than by a category or type of workplace violence.