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Background: Over one-third of cancer cases are attributable to modifiable risk factors. Because health-related behaviors are often established at adolescence, it is important that adolescents understand the risks and lifestyle decisions that may reduce their chances of developing cancer. This study aims to identify the levels of cancer awareness of adolescents in Australia. Methods: Paper questionnaires were used to collect information about baseline levels of cancer awareness. These questionnaires included socio-demographic questions and the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) with slight modifications to ensure their suitability for the Australian adolescent population. Students aged 11 to 19 years were recruited from 13 Australian high schools between 2016 and 2019. Results: A total of 766 adolescents (58% female, mean age = 14.5 years) completed the questionnaires. Adolescents' cancer awareness was low. Adolescents who knew someone with cancer recognized significantly more cancer risk factors and cancer warning signs than those who did not know someone with cancer (t (756) = 2.35, p =.019; t (747) = 5.57, p =.001). Those from high Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) schools significantly recognized more cancer risk factors than those from low ICSEA schools (t (764) = 2.42, p =.016). Females recognized significantly more warning signs than males (t (583) = 3.11, p =.002) and students from senior high school grades recognized more warning signs than those from junior grades (t (754) = 2.24, p =.02). Most adolescents (78%) were aware of skin cancer as one of the most common cancers in Australia, however half or less were aware of other common cancers. Although most adolescents would seek medical help in the presence of possible cancer symptoms as soon as possible, approximately 20% of them would not see a doctor promptly. Emotional barriers were the most common reasons to delay seeing a doctor (56%), for example "being worried about hearing bad news" (27%). Conclusions: Australian adolescents show poor awareness of cancer risk factors and cancer warning signs. A number of demographic and experience factors were found to be related to lower cancer awareness. Education is essential to raise cancer awareness, promote healthy lifestyles from adolescence and avoid a preventable cancer diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent relational violence has significant and pervasive impacts for young people's current and future relationships. It is known that there is a cross‐over between adolescent family violence and other offending behaviour, meaning there is a need for youth justice systems to recognise and respond to these forms of violence. This paper outlines a pilot intervention, the KIND Program, run in Youth Justice South Australia, and aimed at intervening with adolescent family and dating violence. KIND aims to provide tailored systemic intervention to young people and their support network, reducing violence while increasing connection and strength within relationships. The pilot of KIND ran for seven months in 2017, and had eight families participating in the program. Participation in, feedback from, and impact of the program suggest that participation was worthwhile and useful for young people and their families. The KIND Program would benefit from a more extensive pilot period to explore the outcomes of this form of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social media is increasingly used by young people, including those with communication disability. To date, though, little is known about how speech–language therapists (SLTs) support the social media use of young people with communication disability. Aims: To explore what services SLTs provide to facilitate the social media use of young people with communication disability, including what these services look like, and the factors that impact SLTs' professional practices. Methods & Procedures: A sequential mixed methods approach was employed including an online survey and in‐depth semi‐structured interviews. Participants were qualified practising SLTs in Australia with a caseload that included clients aged 12–16 years. Quantitative data were analysed with SPSS. A thematic analysis of qualitative data was conducted with NVivo. Outcomes & Results: Survey responses from 61 SLTs were analysed. Interviews were conducted with 16 participants. Survey data indicated that SLTs do not systematically assess or treat young people's use of social media as part of their professional practice. Interview data revealed that where SLTs do support young people's use of social media, they transfer knowledge and practices typically used in offline contexts to underpin their work supporting clients' use of social media. In terms of factors that affect SLTs' practices, three major themes were identified: client/family factors, SLT factors, and societal factors. Conclusions & Implications: While young people with communication disability may desire digital participation in social media spaces, SLTs' current professional practices do not routinely address this need. Professional practice guidelines would support SLTs' practices in this area. Future research should seek the opinions of young people with communication disability regarding their use of social media, and the role of SLTs in facilitating this. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: Young people with communication disability use social media, but digital inequality means that they may not do so to the same extent as their typically developing peers. Services targeting a young person's social media use is within the SLT scope of practice. Whether or not SLTs routinely address the social media use of young people with communication disability as part of their professional practice is unknown. What this study adds to existing knowledge: This study found that SLTs in Australia do not systematically provide professional services targeting young people's use of social media. When services do address a young person's use of social media, knowledge and practices typically used by SLTs in offline contexts are adapted to support their work targeting online social media contexts. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: This study indicates that SLTs should consider a range of factors when deciding whether to address a young person's social media use. Adapting existing offline professional practices to online environments could support SLTs' work in providing services targeting social media use. Professional practice guidelines would support SLTs' work facilitating the social media use of young people with communication disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue addressed: Given the increasing prevalence of cancer, there is a growing need for health interventions educating individuals about the disease and its impacts, risk‐reduction strategies and how to support others who are affected. School‐based programs are a promising medium addressing these issues in adolescents, yet no comprehensive cancer education program exists in Australia. This paper reports on the piloting of a cancer awareness program for Australian students. Methods: When Cancer Comes Along is a 90‐minute interactive presentation covering cancer's impacts, risk‐reduction strategies and how to support those affected. The program was piloted in four Australian secondary schools, with students (N = 113, 13‐16 years) and teachers (N = 2) providing feedback via postprogram survey. Results: Participants reported high satisfaction overall (92%‐97%) and with each program component (71%‐95%), and agreed that the program achieved learning outcomes (72%‐95%). Conclusions: Results indicate that When Cancer Comes Along is relevant, engaging and age‐appropriate. Participants reported improved understanding of cancer, its impacts, risk‐reduction strategies and how to support those affected. A larger‐scale evaluation is underway to more comprehensively evaluate program outcomes. So what?: The program has potential in educating students about various aspects of the cancer experience. It further demonstrates the feasibility and value of addressing psychosocial impacts and support strategies as well as information about cancer risks, elements which have not previously been combined in educational interventions. Equipping adolescents with the knowledge and skills to reduce their cancer risk and support others who are affected has significant health promotion implications for cancer prevention and support provision. Summary: This paper describes the piloting of a cancer awareness program for high school students that addresses what cancer is, its impacts, risk‐reduction strategies and how to support someone affected by cancer. Participating students and teachers indicated high satisfaction, suggesting the program is relevant, age‐appropriate and effective in educating adolescents about cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of games for social skill development in the classroom is accelerating at a tremendous rate. At the same time, the research surrounding games designed for teaching social skills remains fragmented. This systematic review summarizes the current existing literature on social skill serious games for young people ages 5 to 19 and is the first review of serious games to note the demographic and geographic component of these studies. Method: This review included papers that: evaluated a game designed to teach social skills ; included measurable, quantitative outcomes; have a translation or be published in English; were peer-reviewed; date from January 2010 to May 2020; and have a nonclinical study population between ages of 5 to 19. Keywords were obtained from the CASEL 5 framework. Results: Our findings are mixed but suggest that serious games may improve social skills when used alongside in-person discussion. We also found potential effects of the length of time of gameplay, intervention, and follow-up on social skill serious game effectiveness. Although this review found promising research conducted in East Asian countries and with minority samples in the United States, the majority of social skill serious game research takes place in the United States and Australia, with unreported demographic information and white-majority samples. Conclusions: Due to the limited number of published studies in this area and studies lacking methodological rigor, the effectiveness of using games to teach social skills and the impact of background on social skill learning require further discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children and adolescents with intellectual disability are at risk of developing psychiatric symptoms and disorders; yet, the estimates reported in the literature have been inconsistent, presenting a potential barrier for service planning and delivery. Sources of variability could arise from differences in measurement instruments as well as subgroup membership by severity of intellectual disability, gender and age. This systematic review aimed to address these gaps. Method: MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases were searched from inception to 2018 and selected studies were reviewed. Studies were included if they reported point prevalence estimates of mental health symptomology or diagnoses in a general population of 6- to 21-year-old individuals with intellectual disability. The Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Checklist was applied to eligible papers to appraise their scientific strength. Pooled prevalence for mental health symptomology was determined using a random-effects meta-analysis. Results: A total of 19 studies were included, including 6151 children and adolescents. The pooled prevalence estimate captured by the Developmental Behaviour Checklist was 38% (95% confidence interval = [31, 46]), contrasting with 49% (95% confidence interval = [46, 51]) captured by the Child Behaviour Checklist; both rates were higher than a non-intellectual disability population. Severity of intellectual disability did not significantly influence the Developmental Behaviour Checklist risks. Insufficient data were available to conduct statistical analyses on the effects of age, gender and socioeconomic status. Of diagnosed psychiatric disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (30%), conduct disorder (3–21%) and anxiety disorders (7–34%) were the most prevalent conditions. Conclusion: This review consists of the largest sample hitherto evaluated. In the intellectual disability population, mental health comorbidities could be better detected by a symptom phenotype than a psychiatric diagnostic phenotype. Crucially, future research needs to address the effect of measurement validity in the intellectual disability population. Estimated prevalence rates were high compared to the general population, indicating the importance of systematic screening, case detection and appropriate management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine, in the first 2 years after the last planned appointment with paediatric diabetes services for young people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D): (1) the number of planned and unplanned healthcare contacts and HbA1c measurements made; (2) factors linked to diabetes-related service use; and (3) factors predictive of the number of planned and unplanned service contacts, and of meeting the minimum number of planned service contacts. Methods: Healthcare records of a major public healthcare provider in Australia were audited for preventive and acute service use by young people with T1D transferring from paediatric to adult public healthcare services. Statistical analyses included use of t-tests and logistic regression modelling. Results: Of 172 young people with T1D, 21% had no planned specialist care and 49% accessed acute services for diabetes-related matters. Residents of metropolitan areas and users of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy were more likely to access specialist care and were less likely to use acute services for unplanned care. Those achieving a minimum of nine planned care contacts in 2 years had a shorter duration between the last paediatric and first adult healthcare contact. Conclusions: Lack of specialist care in early adult years and non-metropolitan relative disadvantage compromise the present and future health of young people with diabetes. What is known about the topic?: Well-managed transition is thought to offer the best chance of achieving cost-effective continuing engagement with specialist services for planned preventive care, effective T1D self-management and deferral or early attention to diabetes-related vascular complications. However, transition is commonly reported as problematic. What does this paper add?: The findings of this study indicate a positive trend but continuing need to improve transition care for young people with T1D, especially those living in non-metropolitan areas and those not using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy. What are the implications for practitioners?: Without service innovation, suboptimal and delayed access to planned care, high use of acute services for unplanned care and poor glycaemic control will continue to threaten the future health and well-being of young people with T1D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a problem for children and young people living in out‐of‐home care (looked after children). As part of a broader action research project aiming to prevent both harmful sexual behaviour carried out by children and young people and CSE in out‐of‐home care, four focus groups were undertaken with 17 workers at three Victorian residential houses in 2017. The findings reported in this paper were generated through the research question: What do workers perceive as the key challenges in caring for children and young people vulnerable to CSE in out‐of‐home care? Three major themes were identified: (i) children and young people going missing from home; (ii) children and young people not identifying as victims; and (iii) frontline police response unhelpful when children and young people missing. The design of prevention and response strategies to combat CSE must take into account the challenges identified by workers to ensure the best possible sexual abuse prevention outcomes for children and young people living in residential care. 'What do workers perceive as the key challenges in caring for children and young people vulnerable to CSE in out‐of‐home care?' Key Practitioner Messages: Children and young people need to be educated about the tactics used by perpetrators so that they can recognise if they are being groomed or exploited.Residential staff need to be upskilled about how to respond to children and young people at the point that they are leaving the house for the purpose of CSE.Workers need to be empowered to make decisions about the day‐to‐day welfare of the children and young people in their care.Multiagency collaboration is vital in preventing and responding to CSE, and efforts should be upscaled across all local government areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issues Addressed: This paper investigates the influence of mood while driving, advocates for identifying high-risk groups and detects associations between mood while driving and risky driving behaviours. While commensurate studies regarding aggressive driving have confirmed significant detriments in driving performance, little scholarly research has studied the gaps and opportunities at the intersection of mood and risky driving in young drivers.Methods: A cross-sectional design was implemented using 660 young drivers (17-25 years) from Australia (34.7%) and Colombia (65.3%), who completed the Behaviour of Young Novice Drivers Scale (BYNDS). Cluster analysis differentiated young drivers across two groups: high-risk and low-risk driving while influenced by mood. Hierarchical segmentation analysis explored the relationship between driver mood and self-reported risky driving behaviour.Results: Young drivers reported frequent driving while influenced by mood. The typical risky driving behaviours of young drivers who are emotion-affected are transient violations (eg, speeding) and risky exposure (eg, driving tired).Conclusions: Risky driving behaviours that have been found to increase the risk of road injury (speeding, fatigued driving) and to decrease the survivability of road crashes (speeding) are inextricably intertwined with the influence of driver mood upon driving behaviour at an international level. Driver mood is a neglected issue in health promotion programs for young drivers. SO WHAT?: Current health promotion interventions for young drivers safety such as Graduated Driver Licensing may not prevent driving while influenced by mood. Additional strategies are required to minimise the exposure to driving while affected by negative mood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gender differences in the relationship between parent drinking and adolescent drinking are poorly understood. As parental alcohol use is a primary early exposure to alcohol for adolescents, it is important to understand how consequences may differ for adolescent males and females. Objectives: The aim of this paper was to examine gender differences in the relationship between mother's and father's heavy episodic drinking, and its combination, and adolescent drinking. Methods: The sample included 2,800 14-15 year olds (48.9% female) living in two-parent households from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. The adolescent outcome measure was having had an alcoholic drink in the past year. Mothers and fathers self-reported their frequency of heavy episodic drinking. Covariates included parents' education, smoking, non-English-speaking background, and symptoms of psychological distress. Logistic regression was used to examine the hypotheses. Results: After adjustment for covariates, both mothers' and fathers' heavy episodic drinking significantly increased the likelihood of adolescent drinking. Moreover, fathers' heavy drinking was more strongly related to adolescent drinking for girls. However, there were no gender differences in the relationship between mothers' drinking and adolescent drinking, and the combination of mothers' and fathers' drinking was not more risky than heavy drinking in either parent alone. Conclusions: Parent heavy episodic drinking is a risk factor for adolescent drinking, after controlling for potential confounding variables. Results suggest that girls may be especially vulnerable to parent heavy drinking in early adolescence. This variation should be considered in the design and evaluation of family-based interventions to prevent adolescent drinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leavers Festivals have become an institution for Australian youth to celebrate the completion of secondary school. Reported hazardous consumption of alcohol by leavers has focused concern on risk-taking behaviour. In response to this, campaigns such as "Don't Drink and Drown" have targeted youth to reduce alcohol consumption during aquatic activities. This research investigated intended and actual alcohol consumption, particularly during aquatic activities at a Leavers Festival located in the coastal town of Dunsborough, southern Western Australia.Method: In November 2016, 549 leavers aged 17 or 18 years completed a paper-based survey over a four-day period during the Festival.Results: Overall, 90% of leavers reported intending to drink during the Festival, with expected average daily consumption being seven to nine standard drinks; reported daily consumption was five to six standard drinks (P < 0.001). Of the 29% of leavers who consumed alcohol around water during Leavers, 47% had done so while swimming. About 91% were aware of the campaign "Don't Drink and Drown."Conclusion: Awareness of the "Don't Drink and Drown" campaign and knowledge of risks associated with alcohol consumption and swimming were relatively high. Intention and actual consumption of alcohol did not correlate, with daily consumption less than anticipated.So What: Leavers appear to have a reasonable level of awareness and knowledge of the risks associated with alcohol consumption and aquatic activities, which may reflect the impact of education campaigns. However, this knowledge is not always translated into nonrisky aquatic behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric Surveillance Units (PSUs) provide a unique model for the study of pediatric eating disorders (EDs). Australia, Britain, and Canada have surveillance programs that have generated valuable epidemiological and clinical data on early-onset eating disorders (EOED). The PSUs represent an important collaborative tool that has helped shape our understanding of EOEDs and offers potential to contribute to decisions regarding health resource allocation and public health policy. This paper reviews the role of PSUs as a unique model to study pediatric EDs and its success in translating the knowledge generated by these programs into improving the health of children and adolescents with EDs worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) was introduced in 2001 by the Australian Government to provide evidence-based psychological interventions for people with high prevalence disorders. headspace, Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation, was established in 2006 to promote and facilitate improvements in the mental health, social wellbeing and economic participation of young people aged 12-25 years. Both programs provided free or low cost psychological services. This paper aims to describe the uptake of psychological services by people aged 12-25 years via ATAPS and headspace, the characteristics of these clients, the types of services received and preliminary client outcomes achieved. Methods: Data from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2012 were sourced from the respective national web-based minimum datasets used for routine data collection in ATAPS and headspace. Results: In total, 20,156 and 17,337 young people accessed two or more psychological services via ATAPS and headspace, respectively, in the 3-year analysis period. There were notable differences between the clients of, and the services delivered by, the programs. ATAPS clients were less likely to be male (31 vs 39%) and to reside in major cities (51 vs 62%) than headspace clients; ATAPS clients were also older (18-21 vs 15-17 years modal age group). There was some variation in the number and types of psychological sessions that young people received via the programs but the majority received at least one session of cognitive behavioural therapy. Based on limited available outcome data, both programs appear to have produced improvements in clients' mental health; specifically, psychological distress as assessed by the Kessler-10 (K-10) was reduced. Conclusions: ATAPS and headspace have delivered free or low-cost psychological services to 12-25 year olds with somewhat different characteristics. Both programs have had promising effects on mental health. ATAPS and headspace have operated in a complementary fashion to fill a service gap for young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth alcohol consumption has been steadily declining in Australia, as in other countries; fewer young people are drinking and the age of initiation is increasing. However, young people, their parents and others in their communities continue to believe that adolescent (excessive) drinking is the norm. This perception, and the concurrent misperception that the majority of parents are happy to provide their underage children with alcohol, creates a perceived culture of acceptance of youth alcohol consumption. Young people believe that it is accepted, and even expected, that they will drink; and parents perceive that not providing their adolescent children with alcohol will lead to social exclusion. There is evidence that shifting social norms can have an immediate and lasting effect adolescents’ (and adults’) alcohol related attitudes and behaviors. This paper reports on a novel, community based social marketing intervention designed to correct misperceptions of alcohol related social norms in an Australian community. The project utilized a social marketing approach, informed by the full complement of Andreasen’s social marketing benchmarking criteria, and concurrently targeted adolescents, parents of adolescents and the broader community. Using extensive formative research and multiple evaluation techniques, the study demonstrates that shifts in community social norms are possible and suggests that this approach could be used more widely to support the positive trends in youth alcohol consumption and parental supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent violence towards parents is one of the most poorly understood forms of family violence despite it being relatively common. This paper presents an overview of current knowledge about adolescent violence towards parents for practitioners who work with families, considering issues around definition, prevalence, impacts, and the key characteristics of perpetrators. It is concluded that both clinical and justice responses are, at present, not well informed by basic knowledge of the circumstances in which adolescent violence towards parents occurs, and there is a need to work systematically with families to balance safety and welfare needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive evidence has shown that working nonstandard hours, such as evening or night shifts, impacts negatively on workers' own health, and a growing literature suggests such impacts extend to the health of workers’ children. Using matched parent and child data from a large Australian panel survey this paper explores the effects of parental work schedules on the mental and physical health of adolescents aged 15–20 in sole-parent families. Random-effects models indicate adolescents have marginally worse emotional and physical health when their parent works nonstandard hours, based on SF-36 component summary scores, associated primarily with emotional or physical role limitations. Parental weekend schedules are particularly detrimental to adolescent physical health. Evidence is found that the effects of nonstandard work schedules on adolescent wellbeing are transmitted through increased work-family conflict and exacerbated where parents have low job control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few school-based interventions have been successful in reducing physical activity decline and preventing overweight and obesity in adolescent populations. As a result, few cost effectiveness analyses have been reported. The aim of this paper is to report the cost and cost effectiveness of the Physical Activity 4 Everyone (PA4E1) intervention which was a multi-component intervention implemented in secondary schools located in low-income communities. Cost effectiveness was assessed using both the physical activity and weight status trial outcomes. Methods: Intervention and Study Design: The PA4E1 cluster randomised controlled trial was implemented in 10 Australian secondary schools (5 intervention: 5 control) and consisted of intervention schools receiving seven physical activity promotion strategies and six additional strategies that supported school implementation of the intervention components. Costs associated with physical activity strategies, and intervention implementation strategies within the five intervention schools were estimated and compared to the costs of usual physical activity practices of schools in the control group. The total cost of implementing the intervention was estimated from a societal perspective, based on the number of enrolled students in the target grade at the start of the intervention (Grade 7, n = 837). Economic Outcomes: The economic analysis outcomes were cost and incremental cost effectiveness ratios for the following: minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day gained, MET hours gained per person/day; Body Mass Index (BMI) unit avoided; and 10 % reduction in BMI z-score. Results: The intervention cost AUD $329,952 over 24 months, or AUD$394 per student in the intervention group. This resulted in a cost effectiveness ratio of AUD$56 ($35-$147) per additional minute of MVPA, AUD$1 ($0.6-$2.7) per MET hour gained per person per day, AUD$1408 ($788-$6,570) per BMI unit avoided, and AUD$563 ($282-$3,942) per 10 % reduction in BMI z-score. Conclusion: PA4E1 is a cost effective intervention for increasing the physical activity levels and reducing unhealthy weight gain in adolescence, a period in which physical activity typically declines. Additional modelling could explore the potential economic impact of the intervention on morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to the recent proliferation of studies incorporating ordinal methods to generate health state values from adults, to date relatively few studies have utilised ordinal methods to generate health state values from adolescents. This paper reports upon a study to apply profile case best worst scaling methods to derive a new adolescent specific scoring algorithm for the Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D), a generic preference based instrument that has been specifically designed for the estimation of quality adjusted life years for the economic evaluation of health care treatment and preventive programs targeted at young people. A survey was developed for administration in an on-line format in which consenting community based Australian adolescents aged 11–17 years (N = 1982) indicated the best and worst features of a series of 10 health states derived from the CHU9D descriptive system. The data were analyzed using latent class conditional logit models to estimate values (part worth utilities) for each level of the nine attributes relating to the CHU9D. A marginal utility matrix was then estimated to generate an adolescent-specific scoring algorithm on the full health = 1 and dead = 0 scale required for the calculation of QALYs. It was evident that different decision processes were being used in the best and worst choices. Whilst respondents appeared readily able to choose ‘best’ attribute levels for the CHU9D health states, a large amount of random variability and indeed different decision rules were evident for the choice of ‘worst’ attribute levels, to the extent that the best and worst data should not be pooled from the statistical perspective. The optimal adolescent-specific scoring algorithm was therefore derived using data obtained from the best choices only. The study provides important insights into the use of profile case best worst scaling methods to generate health state values with adolescent populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:This paper presents a summary of otoacoustic emission (OAE) data collected as part of an Australian hearing health survey (Carter, 2011; Williams et al, 2014) designed to: (1) examine the relationship between audiological indicators and participant characteristics, and (2) extract audiological data suitable for reference use.Design:Cross-sectional cohort study. Distortion product (DP) OAE and transient evoked (TE) OAE measures.Study sample:Age range 11–35 years;N =1386 participants (2672 test ears).Results:Descriptive statistics for amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were calculated for 327 participants (589 test ears; age 13 to 32 years). DPOAE amplitudes down to the 25th percentile were > 0 dB SPL for test frequencies up to 6 kHz. TEOAE SNRs down to the 25th percentile were > 6 dB SPL up to 4 kHz.Summary:This dataset can be used as a clinical reference for similar populations, providing that the same test parameters are used.Conclusions:The clinical significance of OAE testing would be greater if agreed criteria were available. These data could be pooled with other datasets to build a substantial OAE database, similar to the existing international standards for pure-tone hearing threshold levels (HTLs) (ISO, 2000). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sedentary behaviour (SB) has emerged as a potential risk factor for metabolic health in youth. Knowledge on the determinants of SB in youth is necessary to inform future intervention development to reduce SB. A systematic review was conducted to identify predictors and determinants of SB in youth. Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched, limiting to articles in English, published between January 2000 and May 2014. The search strategy was based on four key elements and their synonyms: (a) sedentary behaviour, (b) determinants, (c) types of sedentary behaviours, (d) types of determinants. The full protocol is available from PROSPERO (PROSPERO 2014:CRD42014009823). Cross-sectional studies were excluded. The analysis was guided by the socio-ecological model. 37 studies were selected out of 2654 identified papers from the systematic literature search. Most studies were conducted in Europe (n = 13), USA (n = 11), and Australia (n = 10). The study quality, using the Qualsyst tool, was high with a median of 82 % (IQR: 74-91 %). Multiple potential determinants were studied in only one or two studies. Determinants were found at the individual, interpersonal, environmental and policy level but few studies examined a comprehensive set of factors at different levels of influences. Evidence was found for age being positively associated with total SB, and weight status and baseline assessment of screen time being positively associated with screen time (at follow-up). A higher playground density and a higher availability of play and sports equipment at school were consistently related to an increased total SB, although these consistent findings come from single studies. Evidence was also reported for the presence of safe places to cross roads and lengthening morning and lunch breaks being associated with less total SB. Future interventions to decrease SB levels should especially target children with overweight or obesity and should start at a young age. However, since the relationship of many determinants with SB remains inconsistent, there is still a need for more longitudinal research on determinants of SB in youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of socially supportive relationships in assisting people to cope with stress and adverse events is well recognised, but the trajectories whereby individuals develop the capacity to attract those supports have been infrequently studied. Taking advantage of a substantial longitudinal data set, we aimed to explore the precursors during mid-adolescence, of satisfaction with social supports in young adulthood. Both personality factors (extraversion, neuroticism) and adolescent experiences of high-quality interpersonal relationships with parents and peers were hypothesised to predict subsequent satisfactory supports; we wished to compare the influence of these factors. Participants in a study of the school to work transition (N = 558) provided psychosocial information at 16-17 years of age and then again six years later at 23, using paper and online questionnaires and standardised measures. Personality and family climate variables both predicted adult social support, with family cohesiveness and neuroticism having the largest roles. The possible implications for mental health promotion are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative comparisons of subjective wellbeing (SWB) between samples of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian adolescents are scarce. This paper contributes to this literature by studying adolescents 'at-risk' of disengaging, or who have already disengaged, from school, their families or society. A three-group cross-sectional comparative design was employed, comparing Indigenous (N = 3,187) and non-Indigenous (N = 14,522) 'at-risk' adolescents with a mainstream sample of Victorian high-school students (N = 1,105). Age and gender differences in SWB within the three groups were also explored. All participants completed the Personal Wellbeing Index-School Children (PWI-SC), which measures SWB. Mean SWB was significantly higher in the mainstream sample than in both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous 'at-risk' groups. However, within the at-risk adolescents, the Indigenous sample scored higher than the non-Indigenous. In the mainstream sample, male and female SWB did not significantly differ, whereas males scored higher than females in both at-risk groups-with males scoring higher on all seven PWI-SC domains. Finally, in all three samples, a decline in SWB from early to mid-adolescence was observed. This suggests that mid-adolescence is a challenging time for all young people as they approach adulthood. The implications of this research for educational and government policy concerning youths in Australia is discussed. For example, the importance of obtaining normative data that will assist in the identification of young people who are most at-risk for experiencing low personal wellbeing and who are in the greatest need of support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the cross-national relevance of community health promotion, this paper compared community variation in alcohol use and risk and protective factors for adolescents in Australia (State of Victoria, 2009) and the Netherlands (2007/2008). Multi-level analyses examined community variation in heavy episodic (binge) alcohol use [≥5 drinks in a session ≥once in the prior fortnight (>63 ml of ethanol)] and associations with predictors. Representative community samples of adolescents (12–17 years) were recruited. The participants were 7812 students from 36 Australian communities and 15 082 adolescents from 124 Dutch communities. Predictors included adolescent reports of family, school, peer and neighbourhood environments and community predictors (rural, disadvantage). The overall prevalence of alcohol use prevalence was similar in both nations. Australia had higher use at younger ages and no difference between genders. In the Netherlands older adolescents and males used alcohol at significantly higher rates. Although individual predictors were mostly similar, binge drinking was more strongly associated with poor family management, friends' use of drugs and community disorganization in Australia. Significant community variation in adolescent heavy alcohol use was observed in both countries, but was higher in the Netherlands [inter class correlation 6.1%, (95% CI: 4.5–8.3%)] than Australia (ICC 2.4%, 1.3–4.5%). Youth from rural areas drank at a higher level, especially in the Netherlands. Targeting community level adolescent alcohol use appears feasible in both countries. Although behavioural patterns and risk and protective influences are similar in the Netherlands and Australia, important differences should be taken into account in tailoring community interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet, physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior are important, yet modifiable, determinants of obesity. Recent research into the clustering of these behaviors suggests that children and adolescents have multiple obesogenic risk factors. This paper reviews studies using empirical, data-driven methodologies, such as cluster analysis (CA) and latent class analysis (LCA), to identify clustering patterns of diet, PA and sedentary behavior among children or adolescents and their associations with socio-demographic indicators, and overweight and obesity. A literature search of electronic databases was undertaken to identify studies which have used data-driven methodologies to investigate the clustering of diet, PA and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents aged 5-18 years old. Eighteen studies (62% of potential studies) were identified that met the inclusion criteria, of which eight examined the clustering of PA and sedentary behavior and eight examined diet, PA and sedentary behavior. Studies were mostly cross-sectional and conducted in older children and adolescents (≥9 years). Findings from the review suggest that obesogenic cluster patterns are complex with a mixed PA/sedentary behavior cluster observed most frequently, but healthy and unhealthy patterning of all three behaviors was also reported. Cluster membership was found to differ according to age, gender and socio-economic status (SES). The tendency for older children/adolescents, particularly females, to comprise clusters defined by low PA was the most robust finding. Findings to support an association between obesogenic cluster patterns and overweight and obesity were inconclusive, with longitudinal research in this area limited. Diet, PA and sedentary behavior cluster together in complex ways that are not well understood. Further research, particularly in younger children, is needed to understand how cluster membership differs according to socio-demographic profile. Longitudinal research is also essential to establish how different cluster patterns track over time and their influence on the development of overweight and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By almost all measures of objective life quality, Indigenous Australians are disadvantaged relative to the general population. However, no measures of their Subjective Wellbeing (SWB) have been published. This paper presents the first such data, norm-referenced to the general Australian population. A total of 519 Indigenous adolescents, aged between 12 and 19 years, were administered the Personal Wellbeing Index-School Children, which measures SWB. This scale is a parallel form of the Personal Wellbeing-Adult. The PWI-SC exhibited adequate psychometric properties. Moreover, consistent with SWB Homeostasis theory, participants' mean SWB was within the Australian adult normative range. However, female SWB was lower than males. These results suggest that Indigenous adolescents are resilient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses a study that aimed to develop a theoretical framework on adolescents' risk-taking behaviours while using the internet. Families play an important role in adolescents' upbringing. Therefore, the study's theoretical formulation focused on families' role in adolescents' risk-taking behaviours during internet use. An anonymous survey was conducted that resulted in 501 valid responses. Adolescents' risk-taking behaviours were classified into three categories, namely Dangerous interactions with people; Accessing dangerous websites and Other Risk-taking behaviours. The results revealed that respondents engaged in many risktaking behaviours. Information was also collected related to the role played by parents/carers. Results revealed that families who had engaged in conversation with their teenage members regarding safe internet use managed to minimise the risks teenagers took while using the internet. Using the social learning theory and social control theory, the study argues that families need to include safe internet use as a socialisation process in a similar way to other socialisation processes such as the guidance and constant checks and balances used to help teenagers take up challenges in the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people transitioning from out-of-home care comprise arguably one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society. They experience multiple disadvantages resulting from their abuse or neglect prior to entering care, their often negative experiences in care, and the lack of support provided to them as they transition from care. Compared to most young people, they face particular difficulties in accessing educational, employment, housing, and other developmental and transitional opportunities. This paper critically analyses the pathways taken by care leavers, and the Australian and international policy and practice responses. We conclude by suggesting some policy and program reforms that are likely to lead to improved outcomes for care leavers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous research demonstrates that non-standard work schedules undermine the stability of marriage and reduce family cohesiveness. Limited research has investigated the effects of parents working non-standard schedules on children''s health and wellbeing and no published Australian studies have addressed this important issue. This paper contributes to bridging this knowledge gap by focusing on adolescents aged 15–20 years and by including sole parent families which have been omitted in previous research, using panel data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. Multilevel linear regression models are estimated to analyse the association between parental work schedules and hours of work and measures of adolescents'' mental health derived from the SF-36 Health Survey. Evidence of negative impacts of parents working non-standard hours upon adolescent wellbeing is found to exist primarily within sole parent families. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper reports on research on the attitudes of a differentiated sample of students to Catholic schools in general and religious education in particular. Core Catholic youth are described, following Fulton et al . (2000: Young Catholics at the New Millennium, Dublin, University College Press), as individuals who have an existing connection with the parish community. Some results that emerge from 58 in‐depth interviews with 14‐ and 15‐year‐old core Catholics are that they value their time in Catholic schools, feel that they are in a safe environment and are not well networked with others of a similar background. Attitudes to religious education by core Catholic youth are described as weak positive. Religious education is not unpopular but is not seen as a discipline that helps resolve some of the difficulties that they experience as young Catholics. These difficulties relate to trying to reconcile what they see as the conflict between the scientific and religious view of creation and many supernatural religious claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper describes the Child and Adolescent Component of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Method: The aims of the study, critical decisions in planning for the study, progress to date and key issues which influenced the course of the study are described. Results: The Child and Adolescent Component of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing is the largest study of child and adolescent mental health conducted in Australia and one of the few national studies to be conducted in the world. Results from the study will provide the first national picture of child and adolescent mental health in Australia. Conclusions: Large-scale epidemiological studies have the potential to provide considerable information about the mental health of children and adolescents. However, having a clear set of aims, ensuring that the scope of the study remains within manageable proportions and paying careful attention to the details of field-work are essential to ensure that high-quality data is obtained in such studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents have a significant role in the prevention of smoking among their children, yet there is scarce research into what parents actually do to encourage non-smoking. This paper examines the actions that a sample of mothers of grades 7 and 8 students in southern Sydney have taken with regard to smoking prevention and the factors associated with taking action. Data were collected from 1113 mothers through a self-completed questionnaire sent home and returned by students. About four out of five mothers had had an open discussion about the importance of not smoking and 28% had enforced non-smoking rules. Non-smoking mothers, mothers with a more positive attitude towards their role in preventing their child from smoking and mothers who were worried about their child smoking were more likely to have enforced rules. After adjusting for maternal smoking, level of worry about their child smoking and attitude towards smoking, mothers speaking a language other than English at home were significantly less likely to have discussed not smoking, but tended to have enforced non-smoking rules. When an associated study of the children of these mothers is considered, where students speaking a language other than English at home smoked less than those speaking English, it suggests that enforcing non-smoking rules is an effective strategy for at least delaying smoking among grades 7 and 8 students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]