Assessing Social-support Network Among the Socio-culturally Disadvantaged Children in India

Social support has a direct as well as an indirect effect in satisfying the children's need. Present study aims at assessing the social support network and the satisfaction of the children's needs belonging to high and low socio-cultural status families. A total of 300 children of grade 8, 9 & 10 belonging to different socio-cultural environment (advantaged & disadvantaged) were taken as samples. Present study revealed that the children from advantaged socio-cultural environment were found to have healthy and enriching family climate. Whereas, the children from socio-culturally disadvantaged environment were deprived of getting necessary interpersonal and intra-family support as compared to their counterparts. Yet, these disadvantaged children were found to be getting more outside family support. Inspite of getting negative support and responsibilities from their families, the need satisfaction rate was found to be more in case of disadvantaged children. The study also found out that girls were receiving more negative response from their family members than the boys. However, this paper confirms the continuous positive social support (both outside/inside family) in satisfying children's needs in the Indian social system.     

Associations between sport participation, demographic and socio-cultural factors in Portuguese children and adolescents

BACKGROUND: The number of studies that focus on factors influencing the sport participation (SP) of children and adolescents is limited. The present study examines the associations between demographic [age, gender and socio-economic status (SES)] and socio-cultural factors (SP of family, and peers and physical educator influences) and the SP of children and adolescents. METHODS: A random sample of 3352 Portuguese children/adolescents, 10-18 years, their parents and siblings was surveyed. The assessment of SP was based on a psychometrically established questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used in data analysis. RESULTS: (i) age was not related to children/adolescent's SP; (ii) children/adolescents with high SES (OR:1.7, 95%CI:1.4-2.2) and medium SES (OR:1.4, 95%CI:1.1-1.7) were more involved in sports; (iii) children/adolescents were more likely to participate in sports when their family also participate; (iv) boys were more likely to participate in sports than girls (adjusted OR:3.3, 95%CI:2.8-3.9 from a main effects model), but mother's SP influenced their daughters and sons differently. Daughters showed a greater propensity for practising sports when their mothers did (OR:2.5; 95%CI:1.7-3.6). For sons, sports involvement was similar whether or not their mothers participated (OR:1.1; 95%CI:0.7-1.7); (v) peers had a positive influence on the participants' SP (OR:2.2, 95%CI:1.9-2.7); (vi) after adjusting for other factors, the influence of a physical education teacher was not found to affect the SP of the children/adolescents. CONCLUSION: There are important demographic and socio-cultural influences on the SP of children/adolescents-in particular, gender, SES, family members' SP and peer influence.     

The effect social information processing in six-year-old children has on their social competence and peer relationships

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect social information processing levels has on the social competence (entering a peer group, response towards provocation, response to failure, response to success, social expectations, teacher expectations, reactive aggression, proactive aggression) and peer relationship (prosocial behaviour, exclusion, victimisation) variables of six-year-old children. The Social Information Processing Evaluation, The Preschool Taxonomy of Problem Situation, The Child Behavior Scale, and Peer Victimization Scale were used in this study. According to the study results, it is obvious that skills within the social information processing model of six-year-old children have an effect on their social competence and peer relationship variables.     

Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Adolescent Food Insecurity in Baltimore

While emerging evidence is highlighting a growing problem of food insecurity among adolescents in disadvantaged neighborhoods, very little is known about the factors that may either protect or place adolescents at higher risk for food insecurity. The primary objective for this analysis, therefore, was to examine the associations between individual-, family-, and neighborhood-level risks and protective factors and food insecurity among 452 adolescents in Baltimore, Maryland. Results show that nearly 30% of our sample were food insecure (29.4%). Food insecure youth were more likely to be unstably housed (OR 5.17, 1.24–21.62), live in larger households (OR 1.14, 1.08–1.20), and perceive their neighborhoods unsafe (OR 2.37, 1.47–3.83). Protective factors included perceiving both male and female adult support (OR 0.55 and 0.47, respectively), having a higher sense of community belonging (OR 0.91, 0.32–0.95) and having positive perceptions of their neighborhood’s physical environment (OR 0.93, 0.88–0.98). These results suggest that strengthening family and neighborhood relations and resources may promote the health of adolescents in disadvantaged urban areas.     

Psychosocial Profiles of Young Adolescent Females Seeking Treatment for an Eating Disorder

PurposeChildren as young as 12 years of age are presenting for treatment of an eating disorder (ED), underscoring the need to understand the psychological and social make-up of this age group. Early adolescent females seeking treatment for an eating disorder were compared with healthy age-matched controls on psychosocial variables relevant to this stage of development.MethodsSelf-report measures of individual (e.g., competence and importance ratings across five domains of self-concept, self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism) and contextual factors (e.g., conditional support from mother, father, and peer, and negative peer, family, and school events) were administered to adolescents with EDs (n = 25) and a comparison group comprised of age-matched females from the general population (n = 25 in a low-risk and n = 25 in a high-risk group).ResultsCompared with the control sample, the ED group had significantly lower ratings of competence in physical appearance and higher ratings on the importance of physical appearance and self-oriented perfectionism. There were no group differences on the parental or peer support variables, or on negative life event variables.ConclusionThis study has implications for early identification and early intervention.     

Early Childhood Teachers' Beliefs About Promoting Peer Competence

The primary purpose of this study was to describe early childhood teachers' beliefs about the importance of young children's social competence with peers, and their beliefs about their own influence on children's developing peer competence. Teachers' beliefs specific to the promotion of peer competence were also examined in relation to their beliefs about developmentally appropriate practice and the observed quality of their classroom environment. Data were collected from 22 teachers of children from age three through six, using interview, various questionnaires, and observations with the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale. Results suggest that teachers valued peer competence in early childhood, but academic goals were more frequently valued than social goals. Teachers viewed peer competencies as more strongly influenced by the child's inherent nature than by teachers' efforts, but reported a moderate degree of self-efficacy for the promotion of peer competence. Lower program quality was associated with lesser commitment to social goals, and with the perception that promoting peer competence is an easy task. Lower program quality was also associated with a higher ranking of the influence of parents on children's peer competence. Implications for teacher education and future research are discussed.     

Being a Young Migrant in Italy: The Effect of Perceived Social Support in Adolescence

Parental and peer support seems to be a favourable determining factor in the acculturation process among young immigrants. We aimed to assess the level of perceived support among first- and second-generation adolescent immigrants and compare it to that perceived by the adolescents from the host population. Using Italian HBSC survey data collected in 2013–2014, first- and second-generation immigrants aged 11, 13 and 15 years were classified according to their ethnic background as being from Western countries, Eastern European countries, or from non-Western/non-European countries. The domains of teacher, classmate, family, and peer support was measured through multidimensional, standardised, validated scales. Analyses were run on a 47,399 valid responses (2195 from Western countries, 2424 from Eastern European countries, and 2556 from non-Western/non-European countries). Adolescent immigrants from Eastern European countries and non-Western/non-European countries reported significantly lower support than their peers from the host population in all explored domains. Girls perceived a lower level of classmate and family support compared to boys across all ethnic backgrounds. We observed two different immigration patterns: the Western pattern, from more affluent countries, and the Eastern pattern. Among the latter, second-generation immigrants showed the lowest level of support in all domains. Increasing family connections and developing peer networks should favour the acculturation process among adolescent immigrants.     

What do cancer support groups provide which other supportive relationships do not? The experience of peer support groups for people with cancer

This qualitative study examined the questions of what cancer support groups provide that other supportive relationships do not, and what the self perceived consequences are of support group attendance. Nine representative Australian cancer peer support groups, consisting of a total of 93 interviewees, 75 women, and 18 men, with a mean age of 62, took part in participant observation and focus group interviews, with the data analysed using positioning theory. Support groups were positioned by participants as providing a unique sense of community, unconditional acceptance, and information about cancer and its treatment, in contrast to the isolation, rejection, and lack of knowledge about cancer frequently experienced outside the group. Groups were also positioned as occasionally emotionally challenging, in contrast to the experience of normalising support from family and friends. Increased empowerment and agency were positioned as the most significant consequences of group support, consisting of increased confidence and a sense of control in relation to self, living with cancer, and interactions with others, in particular the medical profession. The support group was also positioned as facilitating positive relationships with family and friends because of relieving their burden of care, by providing a safe space for the expression of emotion. No difference was found between professionally led and peer led support groups, suggesting that it is not the professional background of the leader which is of importance, but whether the group provides a supportive environment, mutuality, and a sense of belonging, and whether it meets the perceived needs of those attending. It is suggested that future research should examine the construction and experience of social support in those who drop out of, or who do not attend, cancer support groups, in order to provide further insight into the contrast between social support within groups and support in other contexts.     

Day-care experience and children's social development

Two groups of 20 children attending nursery school in the first year of their enrolment are observed, one comprising children who went to day care centers for at least two years and the other comprising children who were reared only in their family. In light of the hypothesis that social peer competence lies in the skills developed in the child-peer system instead of in the child-adult system, we compared social participation and language in the two groups in order to show the influence of early peer experience on the development of peer social competence. We found that children who went to day care are engaged more in cooperative play than children reared in family and direct more linguistic initiative towards their peers. We concluded that the opportunity by day-care centers to meet peers in a systematic way helps the child to develop the skills required by the child-peer system.     

‘I am not alone’ – an ethnographic research on the peer support among northern-Finnish children with hearing loss

This study focused on the peer support group activities organized in two northern-Finnish places for children with hearing loss and their experiences of it. This was an ethnographic child research, in which the research participants were 16 (12 girls, 4 boys, aged 7-17 years) northern-Finnish children with hearing loss. The main research data consisted of the researcher’s field notes and diaries, and focus group interviews among the research participants. Additional research data consisted of various questionnaires and background information. Peer support group activities provided children with hearing loss social, functional, cognitive, and emotional peer support. The benefits of peer support were:(1) peer support group activities provided information and coping skills for the children’ daily lives;(2) participation in group activities and group discussions strengthened the children’s social competence; and (2) peer support group activities empowered the participants. The importance of social relationships is discussed based on the findings.     

Characteristics of social networks in adolescents with end-stage renal disease treated with renal transplantation

In adolescents, the establishment of same- and opposite-sex nonfamily peer relations facilitates the normal development of independence and separation from family. Adolescents with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may be particularly vulnerable to delayed social development and isolation from their peers because of the unique physical and psychosocial aspects of their illness. The characteristics of the social networks of 16 adolescents with ESRD treated with renal transplantation were studied using the Social Networks of Youth Questionnaire. Compared with a matched group of healthy adolescents, these teenagers named fewer significant others in their total social networks, as well as fewer unrelated and opposite-sex peers. Family members comprised a greater proportion of the transplant patients' networks compared to controls. Self-esteem, measured by the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Scale, was similar for transplant and control groups, with the exception of home self-esteem, which was higher in the chronically ill adolescents. Body image was somewhat lower, but not significantly, in adolescents with ESRD. The characteristics of the chronically ill adolescents' social networks suggest that these patients may experience a degree of social isolation. Interventions that promote increased peer contacts and enhance interpersonal skills should be included in the psychosocial management of adolescents with ESRD after renal transplantation.     

Adolescents from low‐income families in Hong Kong and unhealthy eating behaviours: Implications for health and social care practitioners

The development of dietary preferences of adolescents involves a complex interplay of individual behaviours and environmental factors. Interpersonal factors—such as peer influences and unpleasant school experiences—and institutional factors—such as school rules and policies—are closely associated with unhealthy eating of adolescents. Family support and guidance are also crucial in influencing adolescents’ eating habits. However, the low social status, low educational levels, and low household incomes of disadvantaged parents can markedly prevent their children from establishing healthy eating habits. Therefore, adolescents from low‐income families are more likely to engage in unhealthy dietary behaviours and hence to be more susceptible to diet‐related health problems. However, few studies have addressed the difficulties associated with inculcating healthy eating habits among adolescents from low‐income families. Therefore, to investigate the barriers to adopting healthy eating habits, this study adopted a qualitative research approach and conducted five focus‐group semistructured interviews with 30 junior‐ and senior‐form students of a secondary school in Hong Kong, all of whom were from low‐income families. The results revealed skipping meals because of poverty, following irregular meal patterns on school holidays, receiving poor guidance from family and peers, perceiving healthy eating as expensive and unappealing, and geographical inaccessibility to healthy food all prevented these students from healthy eating. These mutually reinforcing factors were interlocking with the economic strain that was experienced by the participants and their families. In particular, the stereotype of “healthful food is expensive” was strong. Therefore, we suggest students from low‐income families should be enabled to understand that healthy eating is not necessarily expensive. The participants’ stereotypes about healthy food was handed down by their parents. Such stereotypes, together with the low health literacy, influence the food preparation habits of the parents. Therefore, parents should be made to aware that healthful food can also be affordable.     

Neighborhood Disadvantage, Residential Stability, and Perceptions of Instrumental Support among New Mothers

Using longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study (N = 4,211), we examine neighborhood disadvantage and perceptions of instrumental support among mothers with young children. We find that: (a) living in a disadvantaged neighborhood is associated with less instrumental support, particularly financial assistance, from family and friends; (b) residential stability is associated with stronger personal safety nets irrespective of neighborhood quality; and (c) mothers who move to a more disadvantaged neighborhood experience a small but significant decline in perceived instrumental support compared to those who do not move. In interpreting these results, we suggest instrumental support may be either a cause or consequence of living in an advantaged neighborhood, but, in either case, neighborhood and social network disadvantages go hand in hand.     

Enhancing protective factors in South African adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS

This article explores the lived experiences of early adolescents orphaned by HIV/AIDS and seeks to identify the different factors that contribute to resilience at the individual, family or home and larger community levels. Ten early adolescents aged from 12 to 14 years living in Soweto, South Africa, participated in the study. Data were collected using photovoice, structured interviews and autobiographical essays and were analysed using thematic networks analysis. The analysis revealed individual assets, family variables, peer and teacher support alongside other community resources as being protective factors that cultivate resilience. Based on the findings, recommendations are made on how to increase protective factors for adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS.     

What helps children eat well? A qualitative exploration of resilience among disadvantaged families

It is well known that persons of low socioeconomic position consume generally a less healthy diet. Key determinants of unhealthy eating among disadvantaged individuals include aspects of the family and external environment. Much less is known about family and environmental determinants of healthy eating among social disadvantaged children. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the family and environmental factors underlying resilience to poor nutrition among children and their mothers living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 mother-child pairs (N = 76) from disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Children were selected if they were a healthy weight, consumed adequate intakes of fruit and vegetables and were physically active. Two main themes emerged from the interviews: active strategies from parents to promote healthy eating and external barriers and supports to healthy eating. Mothers believed that exercising control over access to unhealthy food, providing education and encouragement for consumption of healthy food and enabling healthy food options aided their child to eat well. Children did not perceive food advertisements to be major influences on their eating preferences or behaviour. The results of the current study offer insight into potential avenues for nutrition promotion among disadvantaged children.     

Impact of social norms and social support on diet,physical activity and sedentary behaviour of adolescents: a scoping review

The prevalence of non‐communicable diseases (NCDs) in adulthood is rapidly increasing, and it is essential that risk factors for NCDs be addressed in adolescence, both for the health of individuals during adolescence and for their health in later life. These risk factors include diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. No literature has been published that comprehensively summarizes the impact of social norms and social support on these behaviours among adolescents. Therefore, a scoping review was conducted to determine the extent of recent (since 2000) literature available on this topic. A comprehensive search strategy was used to search PubMed and EMBASE for eligible reviews. Review papers (narrative reviews, systematic and non‐systematic reviews) published in English in peer‐reviewed journals from 2000 to February 2013 were included in the overview. Two of the authors screened the titles and abstracts of the search results independently. Thirty reviews were included in the scoping review. This scoping review has shown sufficient evidence for parental influences, and especially the positive impact of an authoritative parenting style, on healthy behaviours of adolescents, although the evidence is somewhat more compelling for diet than for physical activity and sedentary behaviour. More research is needed to investigate parental and family influences on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. And the effect of peer influences on diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour of adolescents requires further investigation. The evidence presented affirms the consideration of social norms and social support in the development of interventions to address these behaviours in adolescents. The evidence regarding parenting style provides some concrete guidance for such interventions.     

Factors Affecting Tobacco Use Among Middle School Students in Saudi Arabia

A rapid rise in the number of tobacco users in Saudi Arabia has occurred in the past decade, particularly among the youth. This study identified socio-cultural determinants of tobacco use and explored possible approaches to prevent adolescents?? tobacco use in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was administered using a self-administered questionnaire for collecting information on risk and protective factors for tobacco use among middle school students. School selection was stratified by region, gender, and type (public or private). Of 1,186 7?C9th grade students, 1,019 questionnaires were analyzed. Risk factors affecting tobacco use included all important others?? perceptions; mother, sister, friend, teacher and important person??s tobacco use; pressure to use tobacco from brother, sister, friend and important persons; easy access to tobacco and frequent skipping of classes. Protective factors for tobacco use included family??s perception; friend, teacher and important person??s tobacco use; parents?? help; support from family, friends, and teachers; accessibility to tobacco; school performance and family income, father??s education, and district of residence. The findings of this study show clear gender differences in social influences and attitudes towards tobacco use. Religious beliefs and access to tobacco products were significantly associated with attitudes towards tobacco use and future intention of use. Developing and implementing effective gender specific school-based tobacco prevention programs, strict reinforcement of tobacco control policies, and a focus on the overall social context of tobacco use are crucial for developing successful long-term tobacco prevention programs for adolescents.     

Adolescent cough medicine abuse in Hong Kong: implications for the design of positive youth development programs in Hong Kong

This study examines the phenomenon of adolescent cough medicine abuse in Hong Kong. Quantitative data obtained from questionnaire survey with 225 adolescents showed that there were personal, peer, family and community factors influencing adolescent cough medicine abuse. Part 2 of the study obtained qualitative data from focus group interviews with cough medicine abusers (N = 8), their family members (N = 5) and service providers (N = 6). The accounts of the participants revealed that the primary factors accounting for adolescent cough medicine abuse were social pressure (peer and environmental influences), family (difficult relationships or harmful incidents), availability (ease of access), and ignorance (unaware of the consequence of cough medicine use and belief that cough medicine was non-addictive). The present findings provide useful pointers for the development of the positive youth development program supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.     

Caregiver and community insights on coping strategies used by adolescents living in conflict-affected communities

The aim of this qualitative study was to provide a context-specific understanding of adolescent (10–15 years of age) exposure and coping with trauma from the perspective of mothers/female caregivers and key informants in rural conflict-affected villages. Focus groups were conducted with mothers/female caregivers (4 groups with total participants n?=?26) and interviews were conducted with key informants (n?=?9) in four villages in the Walungu Territory, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Focus group and interview guides were designed to elicit responses by participants on adolescent exposures to trauma and coping strategies. A grounded theory approach was used to identify emergent themes. Mothers/female caregivers and key informants reported use of both cognitive and behavioural coping strategies by adolescents. Cognitive coping strategies included avoidance and trying to forget. Behavioural strategies included self-imposed isolation, risk-taking and social-support-seeking behaviours. Findings indicated community social support was a critical resource for adolescents, particularly for adolescents that did not have adequate support from their family. Supporting positive peer, family and community relationships can help prevent risk-taking behaviours and teach positive coping strategies to break a cycle of violence reported in these communities. Recommendations for gender-specific intervention programming are highlighted.

Abbreviations: DRC: Democratic Republic of Congo; PAIDEK: Programme d’Appui aux Initiatives Economiques; PFP: Pigs for Peace; RFR: Rabbits for Resilience