青少年网络使用卷入度与心理动机的关系研究及量表编制

目的 探讨青少年网络使用卷入度的有效测量指标;分析青少年网络使用心理动机的特征及与网络使用卷入度间的关系.方法 结合已有文献和深度访谈编制问卷,对青少年进行调查,对数据进行信度和效度检验、探索性因素分析和验证性因素分析.结果 网络使用卷入度的测量模型与数据拟合符合统计要求(x2=3.58,P =0.311,x2/df=1.192 ＜3,RSMEA =0.014);青少年网络使用心理动机分为情感获取性和信息获取性动机两个维度,均与网络使用卷入度各项指标存在正相关;心理动机和网络使用卷入度的关系模型与数据拟合达到统计学要求(x2=11.32,P=0.333＞0.05,x2/df=1.33 ＜3,RSMEA =0.011),情感获取性动机路径系数(0.875)大于信息获取性动机(0.640).结论 上网广度、上网时长、上网方式多样性、上网地点多样性和网络技能等5项指标对青少年网络使用卷入度具有较好的预测作用;情感获取性动机对网络使用卷入度的影响更大.     

Suicide Among Young People in the Americas

PurposeTo examine suicide mortality trends among young people (10–24 years of age¹) in selected countries and territories of the Americas.MethodsAn ecological study was conducted using a time series of suicide mortality data from 19 countries and one territory in the Region of the Americas from 2001 to 2008, comprising 90.3% of the regional population. The analyses included age-adjusted suicide mortality rates, average annual variation in suicide mortality rates, and relative risks for suicide, by age and sex.ResultsThe mean suicide rate for the selected study period and countries/territory was 5.7/100,000 young people (10–24 years), with suicide rates higher among males (7.7/100,000) than females (2.4/100,000). Countries with the highest total suicide mortality rates among young people (10–24 years) were Guyana, Suriname, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Chile, and Ecuador; countries with the lowest total suicide mortality rates included Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, and Brazil, and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. During this period, there was a significant increase in suicide mortality rates among young people in the following countries: Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and Suriname; countries with significant decreases in suicide mortality rates included Canada, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, and Venezuela. The three leading suicide methods in the Americas were hanging, firearms, and poisoning.ConclusionsSome countries of the Americas have experienced a rise in adolescent and youth suicide during the study period, with males at a higher risk of committing suicide than females. Adolescent and youth suicide policies and programs are recommended, to curb this problem. Methodological limitations are discussed.     

Adolescent Use of the Emergency Department Instead of the Primary Care Provider: Who,Why, and How Urgent?

PurposeAdolescents frequently rely on emergency medical care, rather than using primary care providers (PCPs). Our objectives were to characterize a population of adolescents presenting to a large, urban emergency department (ED) and to examine the reasons why they present to the ED, rather than to their PCP's office.MethodsAdolescents ages 12 to 21 years and their parents/guardians were invited to participate and asked to complete a brief online survey. Demographic data and triage information were collected from electronic medical records.ResultsOf 203 participants, 66% (n = 134) had public insurance, and 40% (n = 82) were triaged as nonurgent. Nearly all (93%, n = 189) reported having a PCP or primary clinic. The most common reasons given for presenting to the ED were participant perception of illness requiring immediate care (34%), followed by PCP referral to the ED (21%). Those with public insurance (odds ratio = 4.44; 95% CI 2.01 to 9.81) or no insurance/unknown insurance status (odds ratio = 4.77; 95% CI 1.34 to 17.01) were more likely to be triaged as nonurgent than those with private insurance.ConclusionsMany adolescents in this study were triaged as nonurgent, with several participants perceiving they were acutely ill requiring immediate physician care. Further analyses revealed that private insurance was significantly associated with urgent triage status. Future studies could educate adolescents and families about appropriate use of the ED or examine PCP offices directly to determine practices for phone triage and ED referrals of adolescents.     

Understanding the implications of the “vaping epidemic” among adolescents and young adults: A call for action

In the past 5 years, the use of nicotine delivered through electronic cigarettes (“e-cigarettes”) has sky-rocketed among adolescents and young adults. E-cigarettes, with their high nicotine content, appealing flavors, low costs, wide availability, and discreet designs threaten 5 decades of progress in the fight against tobacco use. Aside from the increased risk of subsequent use of traditional cigarettes, marijuana, opioids, and other illicit drugs, building evidence indicates that e-cigarette use also exposes youth to several acute and long-term health risks that greatly outweigh the as-yet unfounded potential benefits from the use of e-cigarettes as a smoking reduction or cessation tool in this age group. We discuss some of the latest research on e-cigarettes, highlighting risks and harms associated with their use in adolescents and young adults, and suggest opportunities for action, including the enforcement of age, sales and marketing limitations, and concerted research and public health efforts to help curb what has become a new nicotine epidemic among youth.     

Evaluation of Bone Mineral Status in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Background

Several reports have suggested low bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). We determined bone mineral status in patients with AIS to evaluate the effect of brace treatment on BMD.

Methods

BMD was measured in 46 patients (mean age, 17.8 ± 4.9 years) with AIS (17 with brace and 29 without brace) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan and compared the results to an age-matched (mean age, 16.6 ± 3.9 years) control group (n = 54).

Results

The AIS group had significantly lower bone mass at the lumbar spine (Z-score, -1.500 vs. -0.832) and hip (Z-score, -1.221 vs. -0.754) except at the femoral neck. No difference in BMD was found between patients with AIS who used a brace and those who did not.

Conclusions

The results confirmed that BMD was low in AIS patients and it was not affected by brace treatment.     

Male access to emergency contraception in pharmacies: a mystery shopper survey

Background

Pharmacy access to emergency contraception (EC) could involve men in pregnancy prevention. The objectives were to assess the availability and cost of EC.

Study Design

Male mystery shoppers visited 158 pharmacies in three neighborhoods in New York City. They asked for EC and its cost and noted weekend hours.

Results

Twenty-two (73.3%) of 30 pharmacies created barriers to get EC. The cost of EC was higher in the higher-socioeconomic status (SES) neighborhood (p<.001), and the higher-SES neighborhood pharmacies had a greater number of weekend hours (p<.001).

Conclusions

Overall, males had a 20% probability of not being able to access EC. The national dialogue should include males.