Relationships between parent–child social media interactions and health behaviors

Social media use by both teens and adults has become increasingly common. This frequency of interaction can be capitalized upon by researchers looking to design programs to limit youth substance use. This study serves as a first step in this area of research, examining how parent–child social media exchanges (specifically on Facebook) may be related to youth risk behavior. In a sample of 252 college students, results indicated that roughly 63% of youth reported being friends with their parents on Facebook while in high school. A minority (27%) reported they blocked their parents from seeing certain material on their Facebook page, and most youth reported their parents discussed information from their Facebook page with some regularity (65%). Logistic regression analyses indicated that, when accounting for demographics, parental solicitation, and parental control efforts, youth who were friends with their parents on Facebook and did not block any materials from them had a decreased likelihood of alcohol and/or marijuana use in high school relative to those who were not friends with their parents on Facebook or who blocked materials from their parents. These findings imply that efforts to encourage parent–child interactions via social media may help prevent substance use in high school.     

Attachment and Sexual Health Behaviors in Homeless Youth

PURPOSE: To explore relationships and group differences in attachment-related constructs (social connectedness and social support) and sexual health behaviors in a sample of homeless youth. DESIGN AND METHODS: An exploratory design, this study analyzed baseline data from an ongoing intervention study. Survey data were collected by audio, computer-assisted self-interview (A-CASI) from a nonprobability sample of homeless youth (n = 176). RESULTS: Social connectedness was positively correlated with period of time homeless, while social support was positively related to sexual self-concept and to self-efficacy and intention to use condoms. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The street group that homeless youth identify with may be a potential resource for peer-mentoring and skill-building regarding healthy sexual behavior.     

Sexual abuse, alcohol and other drug use, and suicidal behaviors in homeless adolescents.

Previous research has shown that homeless youth have high rates of suicidal ideation, sexual abuse, and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. However, little is known about how these rates differ by gender and ethnicity. Our objective was to describe patterns of sexual abuse, alcohol and other drug use, and indicators of suicidal behaviors in homeless adolescents and to determine gender and ethnic differences in these factors. We used secondary data analysis of data from surveys completed by 96 homeless youth whose average age was 17.9 years. Over 60% of the sample reported a history of sexual abuse; the majority were under the age of 12 years when they first tried alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine; 56.3% had injected drugs, and 46.9% had tried inhalants. During the past 12 months, 35.1% had seriously considered suicide and 12.3% had actually attempted suicide at least once. Significantly more Hispanics than Whites had considered suicide (chi 2 = 4.31, p = .038). A disproportionate number of Hispanics (95% of the sample) reported a history of sexual abuse. Participants with a history of sexual abuse were significantly more likely than those who did not have a history of sexual abuse to have used alcohol and/or marijuana (chi 2 = 9.93, p < .01) and to have considered suicide in the past 12 months (F = 14.93, p < .001). We found that sexual abuse history is greater in this sample than in the general population and is particularly prevalent among Hispanic/Latino subjects. As in other studies, sexual abuse was more common among females than among males. High prevalence of sexual abuse, alcohol and other drug use, and suicidal behaviors in this sample of homeless youth underscores the need to develop and test community-based interventions to improve their health status.     

Predictors and Motivational Taxonomy of Youth Elopement From Residential Mental Health Placement

This study examined predictors of initial elopement from residential care settings (RCS) in a large sample of youth receiving residential treatment in Hawai‘i (n = 1,261) and analyzed mandated reports from a subsample of elopement events (n = 300) to classify behavioral motivations of eloped youth. Given youth were nested within facilities (k = 16), a multi-level logistic regression was conducted. After controlling for other factors, youth in unlocked facilities diagnosed with disruptive behavior disorders were most likely to elope. Three major elopement motivational categories emerged: peer influence, escape from negative stimuli inside the RCS, and approach toward reinforcing stimuli outside the RCS. Each of these categories was associated with at least one youth characteristic (e.g., gender, diagnosis). Common motivational sub-categories included escape from anger- or frustration-inducing events, desire to use substances, and unspecified peer involvement. Programmatic implications are discussed.     

How to encourage children to use mobile phones safely

The safe use of mobile phones is part of the health promotion duty of children's nurses and those nurses working in schools. In this article the author advocates that children and young people should be encouraged to keep and use their mobiles in a safe place, avoid lengthy and incessant calls, provide their number only to those they feel they can trust and switch off the phone as soon as possible. They need to take care with the type of messages they send and to tell someone they can trust about any cyberbullying. The nurse can also help with school policies and can attend groups in schools and youth organisations to discuss the positive and negative aspects of mobile phone technology.     

Sexual Health Risks and Protective Resources in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Homeless Youth

ISSUES AND PURPOSE: To compare sexual health risks and protective resources of homeless adolescents self-identified as gay (G), lesbian (L), or bisexual (B), with those self-identified as heterosexual, and to determine the differences between these two groups and the differences within the GLB group. DESIGN AND METHODS: A secondary analysis of survey data collected from a nonprobability sample of 425 homeless adolescents between 16 and 20 years of age. RESULTS: Sexual health risks and protective resources differed between those self-identified as GLB and those self-identified as heterosexual. More G/L youth reported a history of sexual abuse and being tested and treated for HIV, and more scored lower on the assertive communication measure than did bisexual or heterosexual youth. Moreover, there were gender differences within the GLB group; more males than females self-identified as homosexual and more females than males self-identified as bisexual. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Sexual health interventions for this population should be both gender- and sexual orientation-specific.     

Homeless Youth: A Concept Analysis

Introduction. A variety of terms have been used to describe the homeless youth population. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to analyze the conceptual meanings of the term homeless youths by examining the evolution of the concept and its related terms in the current literature. Method. Online databases from 1990–2010 were analyzed using the Rodgers evolutionary approach. Results. The 6 attributes relating to homeless youth were physical location, age, health, behavior, choice, and survival. Conclusion. The analysis provided insight and clarification of homeless youth from a variety of related terms in the literature.     

Social Connectedness and Self-Esteem: Predictors of Resilience in Mental Health among Maltreated Homeless Youth

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore social connectedness and self-esteem as predictors of resilience among homeless youth with histories of maltreatment. Connectedness variables included family connectedness, school connectedness, and affiliation with prosocial peers. The sample included 150 homeless youth aged 14 to 21 (mean age = 18 years) with the majority being an ethnic minority. Participants completed surveys using audio-CASI. Results revealed that youth with higher levels of social connectedness and self-esteem reported lower levels of psychological distress. When all predictor variables were controlled in the analysis, self-esteem remained significant for predicting better mental health.     

A pilot study: dose adaptation of capecitabine using mobile phone toxicity monitoring — supporting patients in their homes

Purpose

Real-time symptom monitoring using a mobile phone is potentially advantageous for patients receiving oral chemotherapy. We therefore conducted a pilot study of patient dose adaptation using mobile phone monitoring of specific symptoms to investigate relative dose intensity of capecitabine, level of toxicity and perceived supportive care.

Methods

Patients with breast or colorectal cancer receiving capecitabine completed a symptom, temperature and dose diary twice a day using a mobile phone application. This information was encrypted and automatically transmitted in real time to a secure server, with moderate levels of toxicity automatically prompting self-care symptom management messages on the screen of the patient’s mobile phone or in severe cases, a call from a specialist nurse to advise on care according to an agreed protocol.

Results

Patients (n?=?26) completed the mobile phone diary on 92.6 % of occasions. Twelve patients had a maximum toxicity grade of 3 (46.2 %). The average dose intensity for all patients as a percentage of standard dose was 90 %. In eight patients, the dose of capecitabine was reduced, and in eight patients, the dose of capecitabine was increased. Patients and healthcare professionals involved felt reassured by the novel monitoring system, in particular, during out of hours.

Conclusion

It is possible to optimise the individual dose of oral chemotherapy safely including dose increase and to manage chemotherapy side effects effectively using real-time mobile phone monitoring of toxicity parameters entered by the patient.     

A web-based personal health information system for homeless youth and young adults

Runaway and homeless youth face multiple challenges to their health and experience inadequate access to health care services. This article describes a web-based personal health information system (PHIS) called Healthshack that was specifically designed to improve health care access and health outcomes for runaway and homeless youth at a community-based agency that served homeless youth and young adults up to age 24. The program was developed in partnership with homeless youth and piloted by public health nurses. Preliminary findings from the program indicate that a PHIS is acceptable to runaway and homeless youth and feasible to incorporate into the flow of a youth agency. Thus, a PHIS may be an innovative model of service delivery for other marginalized populations.     

Overweight and Obesity Among Youth Entering Residential Care: Prevalence and Correlates

Little is known about the prevalence of clinical weight problems for youth living in residential care. Therefore, this study examined the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity in a large sample of youth (N = 1709) entering a residential care program. Results indicated that 48% of youth were overweight or obese at the time of intake, which is much higher than national pediatric rates. Females had higher rates of overweight/obesity, as did youth referred from moderately restrictive placements such as foster care. Youth who were overweight/obese had greater internalizing symptoms at intake. Clinical and research implications are discussed.     

Unmet Physical and Mental Healthcare Needs Among Stimulant-using Gay and Bisexual Homeless Men

The aim of this study was to gain a greater understanding of predictors of the unmet physical and mental healthcare needs of homeless, stimulant-using, gay and bisexual (G/B) men. This study correlated baseline self-reported unmet physical and mental healthcare needs among stimulant-using homeless G/B men (n = 422, 18–46 years of age). A structured questionnaire was administered at baseline and data were collected from October 2009 to January 2013. The study was approved by the University of California Human Subjects’ Protection committee and the Friends Research Institute Human Research Protection Committee. Logistic regression revealed that those who self-reported ever being married, being in fair or poor health and in moderate-to-very severe pain, were more likely to experience unmet needs for physical health care. In terms of unmet mental health needs, those who self-reported moderate-to-very severe pain and/or those reporting having sex while high, were more likely to report unmet needs for mental health care. In contrast, those reporting receiving social support from others were less likely to have an unmet mental healthcare need. Research implications are discussed as they relate to access to healthcare needs among this vulnerable population.     

Correlates of Substance Use Severity Among Homeless Youth

PROBLEM: This cross-sectional study identified a number of factors that were correlated with drug-use severity among homeless youth. METHODS: To examine a commonly used measure of substance-use severity, the TCU Drug Screen II, in a convenience sample of 156 homeless youth, ages 15–25 from a drop-in site in Santa Monica, California. FINDINGS: Higher drug-use severity scores were independently related to low levels of perceived health and maladaptive coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study are particularly relevant in that they support previous results showing that psychosocial variables are related to substance use behavior among young populations.     

A Relationship‐Based Intervention to Improve Social Connectedness in Street‐Involved Youth: A Pilot Study

PROBLEM: Street‐involved youth experience a range of mental health problems with elevated rates of psychiatric disorders compared with non‐homeless youth. The overall objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of a relationship‐based intervention for homeless youth receiving services from agencies in downtown Toronto. METHODS: The final sample included 15 homeless youth who met the study inclusion criteria. The intervention and comparison groups were compared at baseline and post‐treatment on measures of mental health symptoms, hopelessness, self‐esteem, resilience, and social connectedness. FINDINGS: Participants receiving the intervention demonstrated a significant improvement in social connectedness, with a trend toward decreased hopelessness. Those participants who did not receive the intervention did not demonstrate any improvements in social connectedness and hopelessness. CONCLUSION: This preliminary pilot study suggests that providing a relationship‐based intervention to street‐involved youth may offer promise to strengthen social relationships and to mitigate overwhelming hopelessness and despair.     

Prevalence and psycho-social determinants of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) juice cocktail consumption among youth in Surat Thani Province,Thailand

The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of Kratom juice cocktail (KJC) consumption among youth and psychosocial determinants using a cross-sectional community-based study design. A total of 468 adolescents in Surat Thani Province were selected using simple random sampling. Self-administered questionnaires were used, and multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors related to the KJC consumption. The findings suggest that the prevalence of KJC use was high (31.4%), while self-efficacy (AOR = 12.95, 95% CI = 1.64–102.35), attitude toward KJC (AOR = 30.14, 95% CI = 6.91–131.53), self-regulation (AOR = 23.80, 95% CI = 3.11–182.28), and existence of peers drinking KJC (AOR = 32.46, 95% CI = 4.86–216.58) were strongly associated with KJC drinking behavior of youth. Youth who drink alcohol (AOR = 5.23, 95% CI = 1.07–25.63), who are employed and have an income (AOR = 4.02, 95% CI = 1.07–15.13) were more likely to drink KJC. Increasing self-efficacy and developing better self-regulation skills to resist the urge to drink KJC in high-risk situations, formulating correct attitudes against drug use, and increasing surveillance of illegal drug use may drive down harmful drug use among youth. In addition, as friends influence KJC consumption, peer education can be used as a KJC consumption prevention strategy.     

Smoking patterns and preferences for technology assisted smoking cessation interventions among adults with opioid and alcohol use disorders

ABSTRACT

Background: Smoking remains a major public health burden among persons with opioid and/or alcohol use disorder.

Methods: A 49-item semi-structured survey was conducted among urban, inpatient detoxification program patients eliciting demographic and clinical characteristics, smoking profile, technology use patterns, and preferences for adopting technology-based smoking cessation interventions. Multivariate logistic regression models further evaluated the association between participant demographic and clinical characteristics and technology preferences.

Results: Participants were mostly male (91%), and admitted for detoxification for alcohol (47%), heroin (31%), or both alcohol and heroin (22%). Past 30-day smoking was reported by 78% of the sample. Mobile phone ownership was common (89%); with an average past-year turnover of 3 mobile phones and 3 phone numbers. Computer ownership was low (28%) and one third reported daily internet use (34%). Telephone (41%) and text message-based interventions (40%) were the most popular platforms to facilitate smoking cessation.

Conclusions: Despite concurrent AUD-OUD, most respondents had attempted to quit smoking in the last year and preferred telephone- and text message-based interventions to facilitate smoking cessation. High turnover of mobile phones, phone numbers, and limited access to computers pose barriers to dissemination of technology-based smoking cessation interventions in this vulnerable population.     

Planning a sexual health promotion intervention with homeless adolescents

BACKGROUND: Homeless adolescents are at very high risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), but few street-based interventions have been developed, tested, and made available to reduce risk and promote sexual health within this growing population. OBJECTIVES: This study, part of a larger study of the sexual health practices of homeless adolescents, explores participants' perceived need for more knowledge about sexual health and their ideas about developing a brief intervention to promote positive sexual health practices that would reflect their perspective. METHODS: Four focus groups with five to six participants each were conducted with 22 youth aged 16-20 years, randomly selected from the study sample of 425 homeless youth. Most participants (82%) were White, one was American Indian, two were Hispanic, and one did not indicate ethnicity. Local groups were audiotape recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for manifest and latent content. RESULTS: Participants were knowledgeable about symptoms, transmission, prevention, and treatment of STDs, but perceived the need for more knowledge about types of hepatitis, cancer, and long-term sequelae of untreated STDs. Participants identified barriers to seeking diagnosis and treatment for symptoms of STDs including cost, not knowing where to go, and lack of services specifically for females. They suggested developing a sexual health intervention based on respect that would provide concrete examples of how to promote their sexual health. CONCLUSIONS: Homeless adolescents were generally knowledgeable about symptoms and prevention of STDs and thought that street outreach interventions should be (a) brief, (b) gender-specific, (c) focused on the unique vulnerabilities and strengths of homeless youth, and (d) accessible.