Ethnic Harassment and the Protective Effect of Positive Parenting on Immigrant Youths’ Antisocial Behavior

Background

The existing literature suggests that positive parenting might serve as a protective factor against immigrant adolescents’ engagement in externalizing difficulties when they are exposed to negative experiences of ethnic derogation. To date, little is known, however, about whether different dimensions of positive parenting may moderate the detrimental impact of ethnic harassment at school on immigrant youth’s antisocial behavior.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate which specific dimensions of positive parenting may act as a buffer against the detrimental impact of ethnic harassment at school on immigrant adolescents’ antisocial behavior (i.e., delinquency and violence).

Method

Using longitudinal data, we followed first- and second-generation immigrant adolescents (N?=?365; Mage?=?13.93, SD?=?.80; 46% girls; 37% first-generation) in Sweden over a period of one year. Data collection at Time 1 (T1) was completed in the spring semester of the school year, and Time 2 (T2) assessments took place a year after the first data collection. We ran a series of regressions analyses via the SPSS PROCESS macro for each dimension of positive parenting behavior and each type of antisocial behavior.

Results

We found that ethnically harassed immigrant adolescents who received parental warmth, perceived their influence on family decisions and whose parents were aware of their children’s daily activities were less likely to engage in delinquency and violence one year later. In addition, we saw that immigrant youth whose parents actively sought information about their offsprings’ lives were less prone to display violence in the face of ethnic harassment.

Conclusions

The results suggest that parents are important in overriding the noxious effects of negative peer interactions targeting their children’s ethnic background, even during an adolescence marked by significant changes in child–parent and child–peer relationships. These findings might inform the development of intervention components for testing in interventions studies aimed at preventing immigrant youths’ antisocial behavior and future involvement in violent criminal offences.

     

Adolescent Growth in New Forms of Problem Behavior: Macro- and Micro-Peer Dynamics

Longitudinal data from an at-risk sample were used to analyze individual linear trend scores for each of three new forms of problem behavior that emerges during the interval from age 10 through 18 years. Growth in substance use, health-risking sexual behavior and police arrests defined a latent construct for growth in adolescent problem behavior. A structural equation model (SEM) showed a significant path from early involvement with deviant peers to a latent construct for growth in new forms of antisocial behavior. A second SEM showed that the contribution of early involvement to later growth was mediated by a latent construct for deviancy training assessed at age 14 years. The relative rates of reinforcement for deviancy, amount of time spent with deviant peers, and deviancy level of the peer network defined a deviancy training construct that accounted for 53% of the variance in later growth in new forms.     

The Family Check Up and Adolescent Depression: An Examination of Treatment Responders and Non-Responders

The Family Check Up (FCU) is a family-centered intervention for reducing children’s problem behavior through improving parenting skills and family interactions. Although the FCU was designed to prevent conduct problems, we have also found the program to be effective in preventing escalating symptoms of depression in early adolescence. The current analyses examine heterogeneous patterns of response to treatment in an effort to identify factors associated with differential response to family intervention. We examined heterogeneity in trajectories of youth-reported depressive symptoms from grades 6 to 9, using a Latent Growth Mixture Modeling framework to identify patterns of treatment response and non-response. Three symptom trajectories were identified, including the following: (1) a large class exhibiting stable, low symptom levels, (2) a class exhibiting high and stable depressive symptoms, and (3) a class exhibiting low initial symptoms that increased over time. Significant intervention effects were identified only among the third class, as a preventive effect on depression from 7th to 9th grade for youth with low initial symptoms. No effect of intervention was observed in the other two classes. Comparisons of classes 2 and 3 suggested that class 3 members were more likely to be females with high baseline antisocial behavior, but lower initial levels of depression. The findings suggest the importance of exploring heterogeneity within a prevention design, as well as the importance of tailored approaches to the prevention of adolescent depression.

     

Tobacco use among immigrant and nonimmigrant adolescents: individual and family level influences

PurposeTo identify individual and family level characteristics that might explain differences in rates of tobacco use among immigrant and nonimmigrant adolescents.MethodsData for analysis come from a probability sample of 5401 adolescents aged 12–18 years participating in the Ontario Health Survey (OHS). Three groups were compared: (a) adolescents born in Canada to Canadian-born parents (n = 3886), (b) adolescents born in Canada to immigrant parents (n = 1233), and (c) adolescents born outside of Canada (n = 282). Discrete, multilevel logistic regression was used in the analysis.ResultsAdolescents born outside of Canada report the lowest rates of tobacco use, despite greater economic hardship. A negative association emerges between family socioeconomic status and tobacco use among adolescents born in Canada but not among adolescents born outside of Canada. Immigrant youth are less likely to affiliate with peers who smoke and are more likely to come from families where parents do not smoke: these differences partially explain the decreased rates of tobacco use among immigrant adolescents.ConclusionsAlthough subject to greater economic hardship, immigrant youth are less likely to engage in tobacco use. Protective factors associated with immigrant family life, such as lower rates of parental tobacco use and less exposure among immigrant adolescents to peers who smoke, may counteract some of the negative effects of poverty and social hardship. Future research should begin to address the processes that lead to adaptive outcomes among adolescents from immigrant families, despite greater exposure to social disadvantage.     

Do Social and Behavioral Characteristics Targeted by Preventive Interventions Predict Standardized Test Scores and Grades?

This study assessed whether characteristics of individuals that are predictors of youth problem behavior such as substance use, delinquency, and violence also predict academic achievement. Longitudinal data from 576 students participating in the Raising Healthy Children (RHC) project were analyzed. The RHC project is a study of students recruited from a suburban Pacific Northwest school district. Tenth-grade academic achievement was measured by scores on a standardized test administered to students in Washington State (as part of compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act) and by student self-report of grades. Measures of social and behavioral characteristics at seventh grade were based on data from student, parent, and teacher surveys. Researchers assessed overall correlations between 7th-grade predictors and 10th-grade academic achievement as well as partial correlations adjusted for demographic characteristics and scores on an earlier achievement test, the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, in 4th grade. Results indicated that higher levels of school bonding and better social, emotional, and decision-making skills were related to higher test scores and higher grades. Lower test scores and lower grades were predicted by elevated levels of attention problems, negative behavior of peers, and disruptive and aggressive behavior. Lower test scores also were predicted by early use of alcohol and cigarettes. These findings support the premise that school-based social development interventions that address specific risk factors, curb early manifestations of antisocial behavior, and promote school bonding and social and emotional skills are likely to improve student academic achievement.     

Rates of student-reported antisocial behavior, school suspensions, and arrests in Victoria, Australia and Washington State, United States

Background: Few methodologically rigorous international comparisons of student‐reported antisocial behavior have been conducted. This paper examines whether there are differences in the frequency of both antisocial behavior and societal responses to antisocial behavior in Victoria, Australia and Washington State, United States. These 2 states were chosen due to their similarities on sociodemographic characteristics and their differences in policy frameworks around problem behavior including antisocial behavior and substance use. Methods: State representative samples of students (N = 5769) in school grades 5, 7, and 9 in Victoria and Washington State completed a modified version of the Communities That Care self‐report survey of behavior and societal responses to behavior. Chi‐square analyses compared frequencies of antisocial behavior, school suspensions, and police arrests in the 2 states. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted for each outcome measure to examine the effect of state, controlling for sample design, clustering of students within schools, age, socioeconomic status, and urbanicity. Results: Few state differences in student‐reported antisocial behavior were found, although frequencies varied across behavior type and grade level. Differences in societal responses were observed across grade levels with grade 5 Washington students reporting higher rates of school suspension. Older Washington students reported more arrests. Conclusions: Rates of student antisocial behavior appear similar in these 2 states in Australia and the United States. However, youth in the United States relative to Australia may experience greater societal consequences for problem behavior. Further research is required to examine the impact of these consequences on subsequent behavior.     

The Family Check Up and Adolescent Depression: An Examination of Treatment Responders and Non-Responders

The Family Check Up (FCU) is a family-centered intervention for reducing children’s problem behavior through improving parenting skills and family interactions. Although the FCU was designed to prevent conduct problems, we have also found the program to be effective in preventing escalating symptoms of depression in early adolescence. The current analyses examine heterogeneous patterns of response to treatment in an effort to identify factors associated with differential response to family intervention. We examined heterogeneity in trajectories of youth-reported depressive symptoms from grades 6 to 9, using a Latent Growth Mixture Modeling framework to identify patterns of treatment response and non-response. Three symptom trajectories were identified, including the following: (1) a large class exhibiting stable, low symptom levels, (2) a class exhibiting high and stable depressive symptoms, and (3) a class exhibiting low initial symptoms that increased over time. Significant intervention effects were identified only among the third class, as a preventive effect on depression from 7th to 9th grade for youth with low initial symptoms. No effect of intervention was observed in the other two classes. Comparisons of classes 2 and 3 suggested that class 3 members were more likely to be females with high baseline antisocial behavior, but lower initial levels of depression. The findings suggest the importance of exploring heterogeneity within a prevention design, as well as the importance of tailored approaches to the prevention of adolescent depression.     

Predictors of Participation in Parenting Workshops

Raising Healthy Children is a multi-year, experimental test of a school-based intervention that seeks to promote positive youth development and prevent problem behavior among children recruited into the project in the first or second grade of elementary school. The primary components of the intervention include staff development for teachers in classroom management and instruction, in-home services for high-risk children and their families, and parenting workshops for parents with students attending intervention schools. This paper examines predictors of attendance at parenting workshops. The study panel (n = 272) consists of families with a student who remained at an intervention school through the first five years of the project. Variables that were considered as predictors of parent attendance include social demographic characteristics, parent characteristics (at-risk behavior and smoking), and child characteristics (behavior problems and academic achievement). Parent education and parent's perception of their child's antisocial behavior both had positive and statistically significant bivariate associations with attendance. These two variables were also significantly positively associated with attendance in a multivariate model that included low-income and single-parent status, parent smoking and at-risk behavior, and parent rating of child's antisocial behavior and academic performance. Parents with at-risk behaviors were not significantly more or less likely to attend workshops.     

Indian youth speak about tobacco: results of focus group discussions with school students.

This article discusses the findings of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) that were conducted as a formative assessment for Project MYTRI (Mobilizing Youth for Tobacco Related Initiatives in India), a randomized, multicomponent, school-based trial to prevent and control tobacco use among youth in India. Forty-eight FGDs were conducted with students (N=435) in sixth and eighth grades in six schools in Delhi, India. Key findings include: (a) students in government schools reported as "consumers" of tobacco, whereas students in private schools reported as "commentators"; (b) parents and peers have a strong influence on youth tobacco use; (c) chewing gutkha is considered less harmful and more accessible than smoking cigarettes; (d) schools are not promoting tobacco control activities; and (e) students were enthusiastic about the role government should play in tobacco control. These findings are being used to develop a comprehensive intervention program to prevent and control tobacco use among Indian youth.     

Longitudinal Effects of Hostility,Depression, and Bullying on Adolescent Smoking Initiation

PurposeThe present study examined the associations between smoking initiation and, hostility, depressive symptoms, and bullying (bullies and bully-victims) among a culturally diverse sample of 1,771 adolescents who reported never having smoked at baseline.MethodsData were obtained from a longitudinal school-based experimental trial of smoking prevention programs in Southern California. Annual survey was performed for students of the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. All students in the 24 participating schools were invited to participate in the study during the sixth grade.ResultsThe risk of smoking initiation was significantly higher among students who scored higher on hostility and depressive symptoms, and were bully-victims.ConclusionThe findings suggest that tobacco prevention programs should include strategies for managing hostile feelings and negative effect as part of the curriculum. In addition, it might be helpful to identify youth who score high on these psychosocial factors and teach them skills to handle interpersonal conflict and negative feelings to prevent their involvement in substance use.     

Trajectories or Parental Monitoring and Communication and Effects on Drug Use Among Urban Young Adolescents

PurposeIdentify the number and characteristics of heterogeneous trajectories of parental monitoring and communication among a sample of urban, racial/ethnic minority youth and examine the effects of these patterns on alcohol, cigarette and marijuana use.MethodsThe study sample (n=2,621) was predominantly African American or Hispanic (38% and 32%, respectively) and low-income (67% received free, or reduced price, lunch). They completed classroom-based surveys when in 6th-8th grades. Multilevel general growth mixture modeling was used to identify the heterogeneous trajectories of parental monitoring and communication and estimate the effects of these distinct patterns on drug use in 8th grade.ResultsFour trajectories of parental monitoring and communication were identified: (1) High (76.4%), (2) Medium (9.1%), (3) Decreasing (6.0%) and (4) Inconsistent (8.5%). Relative to those with high monitoring/communication, youth in the decreasing and inconsistent trajectories were at significantly greater risk for past year and past month alcohol and marijuana use and having ever smoked a cigarette. After controlling for family composition, only youth in the decreasing trajectory were significantly more likely to report substance use in 8th grade.ConclusionsFindings support the role of parents in preventing drug use during early adolescence and suggest that efforts to improve the level and consistency of parental monitoring and communication may be a fruitful target for prevention. Many youth initiate use of alcohol, tobacco or marijuana in this critical developmental period and considered with the health and social consequences of use, engaging parents in preventing drug use should remain a priority for prevention.     

Assessing the variation of measurement of family structure in studies of adolescent risk behaviors: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Family structure is associated with many youth risk behaviors, such as sexual risk taking, substance abuse, and delinquency. These risk behaviors may result in increased negative health outcomes that impede the success of youth. However, family structure is inconsistently defined in the literature as a construct and is not always static. This review evaluated how family structure is conceptualized, defined, and measured in the literature on youth risk behaviors.

A literature search of electronic databases CINAHL, PsycInfo, and PubMed was conducted in June of 2016 to identify studies published between January 2006 and June 2016, meeting all inclusion criteria. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews methodology (PRISMA) was applied.

Of the initial 412 studies assessed, 53 studies were included and found considerable variation in the definition and measurement of this construct. The domains of family structure most commonly assessed for adolescents were: intact or non-intact, transitions or changes, marital status, head of household gender. Less common domains include other members of household (related or unrelated), parent education level, and parent income. Although family structure is multidimensional, the extent to which family structure is measured is limited. Family structure as used with youth risk behavior overwhelmingly describes the marital status and number of parents in the home. Analysis commonly involves dummy coding, using two biological/adoptive parents as the reference category. Family structure was generally assessed for the current household, but some studies assessed family structure longitudinally or for multiple time points.

The present study provides a synthesis of the literature on how family structure is defined and utilized for different youth risk behaviors and highlighted the need to more consistently and fully measure family structure. Future studies can capture a more accurate representation of families by using broader definitions of family structure that expand beyond traditional definitions of family.     

Assessing the moderating effects of anxiety sensitivity on antisocial behavior among urban African American youth

African American adolescents are a vulnerable population, overrepresented in the juvenile justice system and underserved by mental health providers. Consequently, a disproportionate number of African American youth in the juvenile justice system have diagnosable mental health problems. This study investigates whether, among African American adolescents, the effects of attitude towards deviance, self-efficacy, and exposure to delinquent peers on antisocial behavior are moderated by anxiety sensitivity. A sample of 238 African American adolescents ages 13-19 from 3 public housing developments participated in this study. Results indicated that 40% of the adolescents reported no involvement in antisocial behaviors. Gender, anxiety sensitivity, and attitudes towards deviance were significant correlates of antisocial behavior. Interaction effects indicate that the relative impact of attitudes towards deviance and exposure to delinquent peers on antisocial behaviors is contingent upon adolescents' level of anxiety sensitivity. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.     

Preventing High-Risk Sexual Behavior in Early Adulthood with Family Interventions in Adolescence: Outcomes and Developmental Processes

Adolescent study participants who engaged in a brief, family-centered intervention (the Family Check-Up, FCU) were later assessed for the intervention’s effects on high-risk sexual behavior (HRSB) in early adulthood (age 22). Participants (N = 998 adolescents and their families) were randomly assigned to a family-centered intervention in sixth grade and were offered a gated, multilevel intervention that included (a) a school-based family resource center, (b) the FCU, and (c) more intensive, family-based treatment. All services were voluntary, but high-risk families were actively recruited into the FCU. Approximately 23 % of the intervention families engaged in the FCU and approximately 18 % engaged in more intensive treatment. Using an intent-to-treat design, we found that the direct effect of the FCU on HRSB was not significant; however, an analysis of the developmental processes indicated that intervention families demonstrated improved family relationship quality when compared to control families, which in turn resulted in lower levels of HRSB in early adulthood. Furthermore, the significant effect of family relationship quality on HRSB was mediated by differences in parental monitoring and early sexual activity, and these effects varied as a function of gender and ethnicity. Indirect effects of the FCU on HRSB were significant via multiple different pathways. The implications of these findings for enhancing the impact of family-centered interventions are discussed.

     

家庭矛盾与青少年自杀行为关系的队列研究

目的 分析家庭矛盾与青少年自杀行为间的关系。方法 在山东省3个县（市）采用方便整群抽样的方法共选取8所中学作为调查学校，选取7、8和10年级的学生进行基线和随访调查，包括一般人口学、自杀行为、家庭矛盾和抑郁等信息，研究共纳入7 072名研究对象。采用多因素logistic回归模型分析家庭矛盾和自杀行为的关系。结果 7 072名研究对象的基线年龄为（14.58±1.45）岁，有任何自杀行为的有750人（10.6%），其中自杀意念、自杀计划和自杀未遂的人数（报告率）分别为707人（10.0%）、258人（3.6%）和190人（2.7%）。有自杀行为者的家庭矛盾得分高于没有自杀行为者。调整其他因素后，logistic回归结果显示，家庭矛盾与自杀行为（OR=1.05，95%CI：1.01~1.10）、自杀意念（OR=1.05，95%CI：1.00~1.09）、自杀计划（OR=1.08，95%CI：1.01~1.16）和自杀未遂（OR=1.10，95%CI：1.02~1.19）的风险增加有关。进一步对性别进行分层后，分析结果显示，女生的家庭矛盾和自杀行为无统计学关联；男生的家庭矛盾和自杀行为有统计学关联，尤其是自杀意念和自杀计划，且男生家庭矛盾对于自杀计划的预测作用大于自杀意念。敏感性分析显示该结果对于男生稳定。结论 家庭矛盾可能会增加青少年自杀行为的风险，尤其是男生。和谐的家庭环境、良好的家庭氛围对预防和控制青少年自杀行为的发生具有重要意义。     

Contribution of Family Violence to the Intergenerational Transmission of Externalizing Behavior

Research finds that early antisocial behavior is a risk for later intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and victimization, and that children??s exposure to their parents?? IPV is a risk for subsequent behavior problems. This study tests whether intimate violence (IPV) between partners contributes independently to the intergenerational transmission of antisocial behavior, using the Children in the Community Study, a representative sample (N?=?821) followed for over 25?years in 6 assessments. The present study includes a subsample of parents (N?=?678) and their offspring (N?=?396). We test the role of three mechanisms by which IPV may influence child antisocial behavior??parental psychopathology, parenting practices, and child self-regulation. Results suggest that IPV independently increased the risk for offspring externalizing problems, net of the effects of parental history of antisocial behavior and family violence. IPV also increased the risk for parental post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder 2?years later, but not for major depressive disorder. Alcohol use disorder independently increased the risk for offspring externalizing behavior, but IPV continued to predict offspring externalizing net of parental alcohol use. Parenting, particularly low satisfaction with the child, was significantly associated with both IPV and externalizing behavior, but did not mediate the effects of IPV on externalizing. IPV predicted higher levels of emotional expressivity, aggression and hostile reactivity, and depressive mood in offspring. Implications for future research and prevention are discussed.     

Impact of Parent-Child Communication Interventions on Sex Behaviors and Cognitive Outcomes for Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino Youth: A Systematic Review, 1988–2012

PurposeWe reviewed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI)- behavioral interventions implemented with disproportionately affected black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino youth and designed to improve parent-child communications about sex. We compared their effectiveness in improving sex-related behavior or cognitive outcomes.MethodsA search of electronic databases identified peer-reviewed studies published between 1988 and 2012. Eligible studies were U.S.-based parent-child communication interventions with active parent components, experimental and quasiexperimental designs, measurement of youth sexual health outcomes, and enrollment of ≥50% black/African-American or Hispanic/Latino youth. We conducted systematic, primary reviews of eligible papers to abstract data on study characteristics and youth outcomes.ResultsFifteen studies evaluating 14 interventions were eligible. Although youth outcome measures and follow-up times varied, 13 of 15 studies (87%) showed at least one significantly improved youth sexual health outcome compared with controls (p < .05). Common components of effective interventions included joint parent and child session attendance, promotion of parent/family involvement, sexuality education for parents, developmental and/or cultural tailoring, and opportunities for parents to practice new communication skills with their youth.ConclusionsParent-child communication interventions that include parents of youth disproportionately affected by HIV/STIs can effectively reduce sexual risk for youth. These interventions may help reduce HIV/STI-related health disparities and improve sexual health outcomes.     

The Impact of Family and Peer Protective Factors on Girls’ Violence Perpetration and Victimization

PurposeThis study investigates whether family and peer connections and prosocial norms buffer adolescent girls’ violence involvement and whether a youth development intervention augments the power of these protective factors in reducing girls’ risk for violence.MethodsData were obtained from 253 13–17-year-olds enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of Prime Time, a youth development intervention offered through urban clinic settings to girls at high risk for pregnancy. Participants completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview survey at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 months after enrollment. Protective factors included scales assessing family and peer connections and prosocial norms. Outcome variables were violence victimization and perpetration scales measured at 18 months.ResultsFamily connections and prosocial norms independently protected girls against violence involvement. Peer prosocial norms also served as a protective buffer against violence perpetration and victimization; however, girls with strong peer connections had higher levels of violence perpetration. Participation in Prime Time augmented the protective effects of family and peer connections on girls’ violence victimization but not perpetration. Prime Time participants who had high levels of family connections reported the lowest levels of violence victimization at 18 months. Prime Time participants with strong peer connections trended toward lower levels of violence victimization than other girls.ConclusionsResults suggest that effects of the Prime Time intervention on violence victimization were optimized among high-risk adolescent girls with strong connections to family and peers. The intervention was most potent in preventing violence victimization among girls with strong prosocial connections to family and peers.     

Antecedents and Correlates of Deviant Activity in Urban Youth Manifesting Behavioral Problems

This study examines both risk and protective factors preceding and associated with the origin and extent of deviant activity reported by 375 inner-city, primarily African-American, youth admitted to youth bureaus designed to address early problematic behavior in the community. This report focuses on the findings and key underlying issues for the development and evaluation of primary prevention strategies targeting high-risk youth. Study participants varied considerably in terms of their self-reported exposure to risk and protective factors and in the nature and extent of their previous engagements in deviant activity. The principal antecedents and correlates of deviant behavior were found to be age, gender, school behavior problems, and the deviance of peers. For youth reporting ever having engaged in delinquent activity, the most prominent predictors of the extent and severity of activity, besides chronological age, were age at first deviance, the deviance of peers and the manifestation of school behavior problems. Family deviance was an additional predictor of engagement in multiple forms of deviance. In addition to reaffirming the utility of self-reported measures of early development in the prediction of deviant behavior, results of the study point to the need for a finer differentiation of the predispositional characteristics and circumstances of targeted youth than is ordinarily undertaken in primary prevention efforts.