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Purpose: To compute reference centiles for 5- and 30-m sprint times relative to chronological and skeletal age in youth soccer players. Subsequently, to compare individual's sprint performance scores derived from the chronological and skeletal age reference centiles. Methods: Sprint times were collected for a sample of male U11 to U19 soccer players (n = 1745 data points). Skeletal age data were available for a subsample (n = 776 data points). Reference centiles were fitted using generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape. Individual z scores relative to chronological and skeletal age reference centiles were computed and compared for each maturity group (late, on-time, early, and very early) using standardized mean differences (SMD). Results: Reference centiles for chronological age increased more rapidly between 10.5 and 15.5 years, while reference centiles for skeletal age increased more rapidly between 13.0 and 16.5 years. Differences in chronological and skeletal z scores for very early (SMD: −0.73 to −0.43) and late (SMD: 0.58 to 1.29) maturing players were small to large, while differences for early (SMD: −0.30 to −0.19) and on-time (SMD: 0.16 to 0.28) were trivial to small. Conclusion: Reference centiles provide a valuable tool to assist the evaluation of sprint performance in relation to chronological and skeletal age for talent identification purposes in youth soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With mounting evidence showing the significance of non-cognitive skills for morbidity and mortality, information on the antecedents of non-cognition skill development is central for research, policy, and interventions on health. As such, this study examines the extent to the which (a) non-cognitive skills—namely, conscientiousness, future orientation, and risk aversion—are associated with neighborhood contexts of disadvantage and disorder; and (b) the association between neighborhood contexts and non-cognitive skills sustains after controlling for family socioeconomic status (SES), structure, conflict, and cohesion among adolescents. Survey-weighted linear regression models based on a sample of 10,874 respondents from Waves I and III of The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) reveal that, as expected, neighborhood disadvantage and disorder are independently associated with conscientiousness and future orientation, such that more favorable neighborhood environments are associated with greater levels of these two traits. However, contrary to expectation, living in a socioeconomically disadvantaged environment is associated with increased risk aversion (i.e. reduced risk-taking). Moreover, we find that after adjusting for family SES and covariates, neighborhood associations are no longer significant, and family SES remains positively associated with the three non-cognitive traits. Overall, our results suggest that any association between neighborhood environment and non-cognitive skills occurs through more proximal, family contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sense of personal agency (SPA) is crucial for adolescents' psychosocial adjustment and well-being. The relationships with parents and peers, as well as the adolescent's sex, have been suggested as important correlates of adolescents' SPA. Nevertheless, no prior study has adopted a gender perspective to analyze how the intertwining of relationships between parents and peers relates to adolescent's sense of agency. The current study investigates whether attachment to peers mediates the links between attachment to parents and SPA and whether these links are equal for boys and girls. The sample includes 1119 Portuguese adolescents (56.2% girls; 43.8% boys) aged 14 to 19. Structural equation modeling results suggest that attachment to peers is more strongly associated with boys' SPA than girls. Results also indicate that regardless of adolescent sex, the quality of the emotional bond with the mother, but not the father, is positively associated with adolescents' SPA. Furthermore, the results suggest that attachment to peers mediates the links between attachment to parents and adolescents' SPA. Quality relationships with the adolescent's different-sex parental figures (mother-son, father-daughter) are associated with higher-quality peer relationships, which are associated with a stronger SPA. On the contrary, inhibition relationships with the adolescent's same-sex parental figure (mother-daughter, father-son) are associated with lower quality in adolescent's peer relationships, which is associated with a lower SPA. These findings underline the importance of considering a gender perspective to understand better the role of family and peer contexts in the adolescent SPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior studies on coparenting have primarily focused on mothers and fathers, neglecting coparenting dynamics in multi-generational families. This study aimed to investigate coparenting perceptions among mothers, fathers and grandparents, and explore the associations between the coparenting relationship and adolescent problem behavior, as well as demographic characteristics. The sample included 1163 families with children aged 10–13 years. Mothers (n = 997) and fathers (n = 863) provided ratings of their coparenting relationship toward their partners and one grandparent, while grandparents (n = 249) reported on the coparenting relationship with mothers. Results showed that compared to mothers, fathers reported more undermining of their own parenting by their partner. They were more supportive of their partner's parenting and more positive about the division of labor. Fathers rated the overall coparenting relationship more positively than mothers, as indicated by the General Coparenting Scale. Notably, grandparents reported significantly more positive coparenting relations with mothers than mothers' reports of coparenting with grandparents, expressing affirmation of parental competency and alignment with parenting practices. More positive coparenting was associated with less problem behaviors, which was true for coparenting across parents and grandparents. Furthermore, older adolescent age and higher socioeconomic status were significantly correlated with increased coparenting agreement and closeness. Maternal and paternal grandmothers did not differ in their ratings of the coparenting relationship with the child's mother. These findings underscore the significance of recognizing differential perceptions among family members regarding coparenting behaviors, providing valuable insights for tailoring specific recommendations to enhance coparenting quality within diverse families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of self-management interventions on classroom behaviors and academic outcomes. Methods: Review procedures followed Campbell Collaboration guidelines to search, select, and extract data from published and unpublished studies employing an experimental/quasi-experimental comparison group or single-case experimental design assessing the effects of a self-management intervention in schools. Seventy-five single-case design studies (236 participants; 456 effects) and 4 comparison group studies (422 participants; 11 effects) were included. Results: Single-case results indicated self-management interventions positively impacted challenging behaviors (LRRi = 0.69 [0.59, 0.78]) and academic outcomes (LRRi = 0.58 [0.41, 0.76]). A significant main effect for improving challenging behaviors was revealed in group design studies (g = 0.63 [0.08, 1.17]). Discussion: Limitations, including methodological shortcomings in the single-group design studies and the small number of comparison group studies, should be considered when interpreting findings. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Present study investigated the effectiveness of school-based intervention programs on reducing aggression among children and adolescents. Method: A thorough search was carried out on 12 electronic databases. Seventeen studies were finalized, and meta-analyses were performed using a random effect model on RevMan software. Results: Findings reveal that existing school-based programs have a significant effect on reducing aggression (standardized mean differences = −0.35, 95% confidence interval [−0.53, −0.18], Z = 3.92, p <.001). Furthermore, subgroup analysis found that interventions with a theoretical basis, using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, or having a short duration of each session (below 45 min), were more effective than ones without a theoretical basis, using a quasi-experimental design, or having longer session duration (above 45 min) on reducing aggressive behaviors. Conclusion: This review provided implications to improve school-based interventions by developing designs based on the guidance of theories and RCT design, as well as limiting session duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationships between motives for smartphone use, family satisfaction, loneliness, grade point average (GPA), and problematic smartphone use (PSU). It included 519 elementary school students aged 12–16 years (M = 13.87, SD = 1.01). The authors used the Smartphone Addiction Scale, the Smartphone Usage Motivation Scale, the Illinois Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Questionnaire, and the Satisfaction With Family Life Scale. For girls, the study revealed a significant indirect relationship between loneliness and GPA via social interactions. There was also a significant indirect relationship between loneliness and PSU via relaxing entertainment. For boys, there were significant indirect relationships between loneliness and PSU via escapism and between age and PSU via loneliness. The results may serve as a basis for therapeutic interventions and prevention programs against PSU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent-child conversations are impacted by environmental setting. Yet, few studies have considered where mothers and early adolescent youth prefer to have conversations about daily stressors. This study examines where mothers and youth prefer to have conversations about daily stressors, differences in preference based on demographic variables, and why certain environmental settings are preferred. One hundred youth (M = 11.04, 53% boys) and their mothers participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings showed that youth preferred to communicate in their bedroom, the kitchen, and the living room, whereas mothers preferred the kitchen, their child's bedroom, and the car. Using thematic analysis, we found that participants preferred communicating in physically and psychologically comfortable environments, private locations that were away from others, and that they relied on bedtime and mealtime routines to engage in regular conversations. Findings suggest that the place mothers and youth converse matters and may meaningfully impact parent-child conversations about daily stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrepancies among family members' ratings on aspects of family functioning are challenging both, methodological and interpretational. Family members' perspectives and their discrepancies are indicators of family functioning, affecting adolescents' psychological development. Previous research focused on linear effects, ignoring that rather extreme than the small differences in ratings might be associated with higher levels of problem behaviors, indicating a negative development. Based on 947 German mother-adolescent-dyads, this study examined how level and discrepant parenting ratings on parental warmth relate to early adolescents' problem behaviors (3rd–6th), using LCSMs to assess the level as well as linear and quadratic discrepancy effects. This study showed that before secondary school-transition, high mother-adolescent levels in parental warmth negatively predicted emotional and social problems. After the transition, very high levels of discrepancies positively predicted problem behaviors, when modelled as quadratic effects. The study not only highlights the consideration of multiple perspectives but also the type of modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bystanders play a role in school bullying; more specifically, the defending behaviors of bystanders play an important role in stopping bullying. This study explores the relationship between defending behaviors and family functioning in the context of school bullying from a family perspective. The role played by individual characteristics (empathy and gender) in this relationship was also focused on. The participants were 994 adolescents (average age = 13.34 ± 0.92 years) from the east of China. They completed the McMaster Family Assessment Device, the Basic Empathy Scale, and the Defending Behaviors subscale of the Participant Role Questionnaire. After controlling for residence and age, we found that family functioning significantly and positively influenced defending behaviors, and cognitive empathy rather than affective empathy mediated the relationship between family functioning and defending behaviors. In addition, family functioning influenced defending behaviors in boys more strongly than in girls. This study may increase the likelihood that bystanders will engage in defending behaviors by informing interventions for school bullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempted to examine suicidal ideation among adolescents in terms of bullying victimization and emotional intelligence. It had been observed that adolescents have to face the challenge of suicidal ideation through bullying and reduce it through emotional intelligence. A sample of 1017 adolescents was sampled from public sector primary schools in the district of Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan to conduct the cross-sectional survey. For this study, the scale of bullying victimization (Illinois Bullying Scale by Espelage & Holt, 2001), emotional intelligence (Emotional Intelligence Scale for Children & Adolescents by Batool & Hayat, 2018) and suicidal ideation (Suicidal Ideation Attribution Scale by Van Spijker, 2014) had been used to measure the responses of the students. The study findings pointed out that emotional intelligence was a significant negative predictor of suicidal ideation. Similarly, the analysis showed that bullying victimization was a significant predictor of suicidal ideation among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of past alcohol use and to evaluate patterns of alcohol use among Chinese adolescents. Methods: 1,707 students from 11 high schools in Macao (SAR) China self-reported their alcohol use measured by the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were conducted to examine patterns of drinking and their correlates with alcohol-related use problems. Results: The prevalence of past alcohol use and problematic alcohol use (AUDIT ≥8) was 26.0% and 3.2%, respectively. Latent class analysis demonstrated that a five-class model best fit the participants' alcohol use patterns, including a heavy consumption group, two moderate consumption groups and two light consumption groups. Compared with the light consumption group, adolescents over the age of 15 (vs. 15 years or younger) were more likely to be classified into the moderate consumption group with mild negative consequences, and adolescents who smoked were more likely to be classified into all other groups vs. the reference group. Conclusion: The results suggest a high prevalence of alcohol use and several sub-groups were at increased odds of alcohol related harms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Substance use remains a public health threat with serious effects. It may be predicted by complex factors ranging from family to psychosocial disparities. We examined the magnitude of substance use and its influence on families among adolescents from Gitagata Rehabilitation Center. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 57 adolescents was conducted. Results: Our findings revealed that the proportion of substance users was higher (42 of 57 teens) than the proportion of non-substance users. Socio-demographic influences such as occupation, age and residence significantly increased the odds of substance use at p <.05. Adolescents who experienced domestic violence were more likely to be substance users [OR = 3.56; 95%CI (1.12–11.3)] than those who did not experience domestic violence. Children who were not neglected by their families were less likely to become substance users than neglected children [OR = 0.05; 95% CI (0.01–0.29)]. Adolescents from low-functioning families were more likely to be substance users [OR = 5.18; 95% CI (1.58–16.95)] than those from proper-functioning families. Those who were not properly monitored by their parents were more likely to use drugs [OR = 5.62; 95% CI (2.52–12.5)]. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary team is required to step up efforts to inform parents about their responsibility in lowering the likelihood that their children may use drugs by enhancing parental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Substance use, including alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs, is a growing public health problem worldwide. There is a rapid increase in substance use among young adults in many sub-Saharan African countries. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with the use of different psychoactive substances among university students in Yaoundé. Methods: A cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted from September to October 2023 at Yaoundé I University in Cameroon. All eligible students aged 18 years and older who gave written informed consent were included. A convenience nonprobability sampling method was used to recruit consenting students. The collected data were reviewed and checked for completeness before being entered. The data were analyzed using Statistics 4.3.3. Results: A total of 191 university students were enrolled in the study. Age (p-value = 0.002), level of study (p-value = 0.048), and smoking status (p-value = 0.005) of the participants were significant factors associated with alcohol use on univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression showed that students aged 20-25 years were significantly 2.9 times more likely to consume alcohol than those aged less than 20 years (p-value = 0.003). Students who smoke were 2.7 times more at risk to drink alcohol than those who do not smoke (p-value = 0.008). Living situation (p-value = 0.013) and drug use status (p-value < 0.0001) were significant factors associated with smoking on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, people who used drugs (cocaine, tramadol, cannabis, amphetamine) were 3.2 times more at risk to smoke than drug non-users (p-value < 0.0001). Drug use was significantly associated with district of residence of consumer on univariate analysis (p-value = 0.024). Living situation (p-value = 0.016), faculty/school (p-value = 0.04), and district of residence (p-value = 0.037) were significantly associated with polysubstance use. Students living in shared accommodation were 3.8 times more at risk to be polysubstance users than those living with their families (p-value = 0.023). Almost all smokers (95.1%) reported being aware of the psychosocial, mental and health consequences of substance use (p-value = 0.021). Conclusions: Age, living situation, district of residence and smoking status have been associated with substance use among college students. These sociodemographic factors can inform the development and implementation of tailored interventions to reduce the risk of subsequent substance dependence and other harmful consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) have elevated risk for acquired cardiovascular complications, increasing their vulnerability to e-cigarette-related health harms. Impulsivity and risky decision-making have been associated with adolescent substance use, but the relationships between these factors and e-cigarette-related outcomes among cardiovascular at-risk adolescents with CHD are unknown. This cross-sectional study aimed to (a) determine the associations of impulsivity and risky decision-making with e-cigarette-related outcomes (i.e. susceptibility, ever use, perceptions of harm and addictiveness) via variable-oriented analysis (logistic regression), (b) identify groups of adolescents with similar profiles of impulsivity and risky decision-making via exploratory person-oriented analysis (latent profile analysis; LPA), and (c) examine differences on e-cigarette-related outcomes between profile groups. Adolescents aged 12 to 18 years with CHD (N = 98) completed a survey assessing impulsivity facets (Short UPPS-P) and e-cigarette-related outcomes and were administered a risky decision-making task (Iowa Gambling Task, Version 2; IGT2). In variable-oriented analyses, impulsivity facets (negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation) but not risky decision-making were associated with e-cigarette susceptibility and ever use. The exploratory LPA identified two groups with similar patterns of responding on the Short UPPS-P and IGT2 labeled "Low Impulsivity" and "High Impulsivity," which were primarily characterized by significant differences in negative and positive urgency. Adolescents in the High Impulsivity group had increased odds of e-cigarette susceptibility but not ever use compared to the Low Impulsivity group. This work indicates that strategies to prevent e-cigarette use among adolescents with CHD may be enhanced by addressing impulsivity, particularly negative and positive urgency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study differentiated between self‐reported punishment responsivity (PR) and motivation to avoid punishment (MP) and examined their relationship with anorexia nervosa (AN) and its course in a combined cross‐sectional and longitudinal approach. We explored whether inconsistent findings regarding reward sensitivity may be explained by previous research not differentiating between reward responsivity (RR) and motivation to approach reward (MR). Method: Participants were 69 adolescents with AN and 69 adolescents without AN matched on age, sex and educational level. Eating disorder (ED) symptom severity, PR, MP, RR, and MR were assessed at the start of treatment and 1 year later. Results: Only PR was higher in patients with AN than in the comparison group. Both PR and MP decreased over the course of 1 year, however, only the reduction in PR was related to the reduction in ED symptoms. Lastly, only higher baseline PR was independently related to less improvement in ED symptoms over the course of 1 year. Conclusion: There was no support for the involvement of RS or its specific dimensions in AN. Most critical, the findings suggest that specifically the PR dimension of punishment sensitivity is related to the persistence of AN and could be an important target for treatment. Key points: Adolescents with AN showed higher punishment responsivity than a comparison group without an eating disorder.Punishment responsivity was also the only factor that was independently related to the course of AN.This points to punishment responsivity as a promising target for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender norms have been posited to impact intimate partner violence (IPV), but there is scant evidence of the longitudinal association between community-level gender norms and IPV. Using longitudinal data on 3,965 married girls surveyed in India, we fitted mixed-effects ordinal and binary logistic regression models for physical IPV intensity and occurrence of sexual IPV. We found a 26% increase in the odds that women experience frequent physical IPV per one unit increase in greater community-level equitable gender norms. We did not find an association between community-level equitable gender norms and sexual IPV. Findings suggest that the relationship between gender norms and physical and sexual IPV differs, indicating the need for tailored interventions for different types of IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During early adolescence, individuals can refine their use of cognitive reappraisal as an emotion regulation strategy while experiencing instability of psychological well-being through changes to positive affect, negative affect and life satisfaction. This scoping review aimed to identify and summarise the key findings from studies that have examined early adolescent cognitive reappraisal and psychological well-being. Using Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review methodology, this review yielded 63 studies; 58 studies found a positive relationship between cognitive reappraisal and psychological well-being. Most studies that examined age found no association between the frequency of reappraisal use and age. Findings connected to sex differences and contrasts between discrete emotions were inconsistent. The positive association between cognitive reappraisal and well-being indicates that cognitive reappraisal should be actively promoted in youth contexts. Future research should specify the direction of this relationship, how it develops and how effective the relationship is across sexes and discrete emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To measure a multivariate analysis of social media addiction and cognitive‐behavioral physical activity associated with several sociodemographic characteristics in adolescent girls. Design and Methods: A cross‐sectional study. The sample consisted of adolescent girls studying in a vocational high‐school in the Middle‐Black‐Sea region in Türkiye (n = 333). A questionnaire, Social Media Addiction Scale‐for‐Adolescents (SMAS‐A), and Cognitive‐Behavioral Physical Activity Questionnaire (CBPAQ) were used to collect the data. Results: The mean age was 15.35 (SD = 1.15), and 29.4% were the ninth‐class students. Of the adolescent girls, 85.9% were social‐media users, 59.8% used the internet 2‐hours‐or‐more/daily, 67.9% declared themselves as moderately‐active. The mean scores of the SMAS‐A and the CBPAQ were 3.40 (SD = 1.61) and 21.03 (SD = 7.64), respectively. There was a significantly‐negative correlation between cognitive‐behavioral physical activity and social‐media addiction levels. The One‐Way MANOVA results showed significant differences in the academic level, family income, mother education, and physical activity measurement application usage affected to cognitive‐behavioral physical activity. Social media usage habit affected to the social media addiction level. Conclusions: Daily internet usage time and self‐declared physical activity level were the mutually affected factors. School nurses should act to improve healthy social media usage habits to promote well‐being and encourage the positive attitudes towards regular physical activity in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baird and Conolly's systematic review on North American domestic minor sexual exploitation claimed that the literature most frequently identifies the internet as the initial site of contact. However, in my analysis of their sources, only three of the seven identified studies indicated that the internet was the site of initial recruitment, three studies did not have enough information to make a determination, and one study did not identify the internet as the site of initial recruitment. For the papers that did cite the internet as the initial site of recruitment, most identified the internet as among the least frequent locations of initial recruitment. The internet is not the most frequent location of initial recruitment and correcting this error is important because prevention programs that focus on raising awareness of risks may lead youth to develop a false sense of safety offline and contribute to the moral panic of youth risk online. Rather, prevention programs should focus on healthy relationship skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people of Pacific heritage living in Aotearoa New Zealand experience poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Current understandings of Pacific youth sexual and reproductive experiences are limited and efforts to deliver culturally appropriate sexuality education are made difficult by lack of resources and cultural sensitivities and taboos. This study aimed to understand Pacific youth experiences of sexuality education within the school setting to ascertain culturally responsive approaches to sexuality education for Pacific youth. The study used the Pacific talanoa methodology to conduct group discussions with young people aged 16–18 years old. A total of six group discussions were carried out over a three-month period. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study found a lack of information provided at school. Discussion of abstinence, sex before marriage and asking questions at home was aligned to Pacific values of family, taboo, and gender. Perspectives on trust, privacy and confidentiality within the school setting were important to young people, many of whom were not familiar with being able to speak freely about sexual health topics. Pornography and social media were easily accessible to youth and influenced their ability to explore and understand sexual and reproductive health issues and needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following China's rapid socioeconomic transition, the sexual attitudes and behaviours of Chinese youth have changed considerably, raising serious concerns about their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). While comprehensive and high-quality formal sexuality education has been shown to lead to safer sexual behaviour, the delivery of formal SRH education in China remains insufficient, especially in Western regions. This study used qualitative approaches to evaluate the implementation of a live-streaming comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programme in Western China between 2019 and 2021. Nineteen participants were recruited to participate in this study. Ten face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted privately with specialists, school principals, and live-streaming tutors. Two focus groups were conducted with classroom teachers and junior secondary students, respectively. Findings reveal that both programme implementers and students demonstrated high satisfaction with CSE implementation. They indicated that CSE provision helped enhance adolescents' SRH knowledge and attitudes so as to better prepare them for a healthy and secure future. Findings demonstrate the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, sustainability, and scale-up possibilities of the both the CSE curriculum and the live-streaming delivery approach. Findings may help guide future implementation of CSE at all levels, and thus improve access to CSE for vulnerable populations and diminish SRH disparities more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behavior of peers is one of the most robust correlates of deviance and arguably the strongest influence on substance use; however, not all youth mirror their peers' behavior. Understanding how youth may be differentially susceptible to peer influence has implications for both theory and substance use policy. The potential moderation of the peer behavior-youth substance use relationship by genetic risk is explored to determine if differential susceptibility to peer influence is partially tied to biological factors. A subsample of data from the first two waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) is utilized (n = 1,495). Evidence of a gene-environment interaction emerges whereby genetic risk conditions the relationship between peer substance use and early onset of alcohol use in models controlling for several risk and protective factors (e.g. poverty, self-control, victimization, social support, neighborhood dissatisfaction, religiosity). Genotype appears particularly salient when youth report a moderate degree of peer substance use (when peer substance use exceeds the mean but does not reach the extreme). This finding has implications for Burgess and Akers' Social Learning Theory and other peer-based theories of behavior. It suggests that interventions to insulate youth from substance-using peers will be particularly impactful for those at enhanced genetic risk for early alcohol use. The identified gene-environment interaction partially explains why some youth are differentially susceptible to peer influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Self-poisoning is the most common form of hospitalised self-harm in young people and has been increasing over the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with further increases in self-harm in adolescents. There are limited data on changes after pandemic restrictions ended. This study aimed to describe recent trends in self-poisoning in young people. Setting: Australia 2018–2023. Methods: A retrospective analysis of self-poisoning calls to Australia's poisons information centres. Intentional poisoning exposures in people aged 5–19 years were included in the main analysis. We also examined intentional poisonings in people aged 20 and over for comparison. We used interrupted time-series analysis to estimate the impact of COVID-19 (March 2020) and 're-opening' (December 2021), when many restrictions were lifted in Australia. We compared effects in the jurisdictions with most disruptions and lockdowns with other jurisdictions. Results: There were 201,755 self-poisonings documented, 64% female, with 19,946 children (aged 5–14, 9.9%) and 44,388 adolescents (aged 15–19, 22.0%). There was a steep increase in the rate of poisoning in female children and adolescents – with the annual increase being 1.361 (95% confidence interval = [1.074, 1.735]) and 1.154 (95% confidence interval = [1.049, 1.283]) times faster than pre-pandemic trends in these two groups between March 2020 and December 2021. Following relaxation of restrictions, there was a sudden drop and then slow decline in self-poisonings (despite rising COVID-19 infection rates). There was an overall 29.6% increase in intentional poisonings in young people over the study period. This is markedly more pronounced among young females (37.0%) vs males (11.2%). There were substantial jurisdictional variations, with larger increases in Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. Conclusion: There has been a marked increase in child and adolescent female self-poisonings over the last 6 years, with increases strongly associated with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions but persisting after their removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: We examined associations between sources of social influence (i.e. close friends, other underage people present) within specific settings with the number of drinks underage youth consumed. Methods: Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey with 422 underage youth in California (14 to 19 years old) who reported past-6-month alcohol use. Participants were asked to think about the last time they drank alcohol in the past 6 months at: restaurants, bars/nightclubs, own home, another's home, outdoors, and fraternities/sororities. Outcomes were the number of whole drinks participants drank the last time in each setting. Independent measures were social characteristics of these drinking events including number of people <21 years old present, number of close friends present, number of <21 years old who consumed alcohol, and number of close friends who consumed alcohol. We also assessed socio-demographics and accounted for the overall exposure to each setting in the past 6 months. Results: Using negative binomial regression models, the number of close friends was positively associated with number of drinks consumed at restaurants, another's home, and outdoors. The number of close friends drinking was positively associated with the number of drinks at restaurants, own home, another's home, and outdoors. Number of people <21 years old was positively associated with number of drinks at own home, and number of people <21 years old who consumed alcohol was positivity associated with number of drinks consumed at restaurants, own home, another's home, and outdoors. Conclusions: Results suggest that social influence from close friends and from other underage youth are context-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Predicting substance use in adolescence is a difficult yet important task in developing effective prevention. We aim to extend previous findings on the linear associations between familiarity with (knowledge of) substances in childhood and subsequent substance use in adolescence through a latent class analysis (LCA) to create risk profiles based on substance familiarity. Method: Using the ABCD Study® sample, we conducted an LCA using 18 binary substance familiarity variables (n = 11,694 substance-naïve youth). Complementary analyses investigated the relationship between LCA groups and (1) longitudinal use, (2) use initiation, and (3) early use. Results: The optimal LCA resulted in a four-class solution: Naïve, Common, Uncommon, and Rare, with each group increasing in both the number and rarity of known substances. Analysis 1 revealed an increased risk in use over time among both the Uncommon and Rare groups (ORs = 2.08 and 5.55, respectively, p's < 0.001) compared to the Common group. Analysis 2 observed a decreased risk for initiation between the Naïve and Common groups (OR = 0.61, p = 0.009); however, the Uncommon and Rare groups were at an increased risk compared to the Common group (ORs = 2.08 and 3.42, respectively, p's < 0.001). Analysis 3 found an increased risk of early use between the Common and Uncommon groups (OR = 1.92, p < 0.001) with a similar trend between the Common and Rare groups (OR = 1.90, p = 0.06). Conclusion: These results highlight distinct risk profiles for adolescent substance use based on substance familiarity in middle childhood. Current work could be applied as an early screening tool for clinicians to identify those at risk for adolescent substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent suicide is a major public health concern, particularly among adolescents who have endured Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Adolescents who have been exposed to multiple ACEs are as much as three times more likely to present with suicidality compared to the general adolescent population. Adolescents who have been exposed to multiple ACEs are also more likely to receive behavioral and mental health services in the community. It is therefore important to understand patterns of suicidality among this sub-population of adolescents in order to provide the best clinical care. The present study examined the temporal patterns of suicidality among adolescents who have been exposed to multiple ACEs and are receiving behavioral and mental health services in the community. Using Electronic Health Record (EHR) data from a community-based behavioral and mental health care organization, an exploratory survival analysis was conducted on time to suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) after suicidality risk screen at intake. Average time from suicidality risk screen at intake to STB was 185 days (6.2 months). Youth who screened negative for suicidality risk at intake had a longer survival time than youth who screened positive for suicidality risk, and the survival distributions between the two groups was significant. Predictors of STBs were also examined, with gender being a significant predictor of an STB occurring during the follow-up period. These findings may be used to guide suicidality screening and clinical practice at community-based behavioral and mental health care organizations serving adolescents who have been exposed to multiple ACEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on mental health service use among juvenile violent offenders prior to their acts of violence are sparse. Mostly, their service use seems to be short-term, although there may have been several service periods. Little is known about how they have perceived those services. Using a qualitative content analysis on data from forensic psychiatric examination statements, we studied discontinuities in the use of mental health services of 15-22-year-old violent Finnish offenders and descriptions of their perceptions of those services. There were several types of discontinuities: limited youth engagement and subsequent dropping out from services, or partial or total refusal of the proposed examinations or treatments. Most discontinuations were instigated by the youth themselves, followed by the parents and the service system. The subjects had perceived mental health services to be not beneficial for the most part, although some experienced benefits from medication. When treating children and adolescents with behavioral symptoms clinicians should identify the early signs of the process of disengagement from treatment and pay attention to the perceptions of the treatment of both the youth and their parents. Also, more research is needed on the user experience of mental health services among violent offenders, as well as factors relating to discontinuities along their mental health service path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our purpose was to represent a rare cohort of female collision sport athletes and investigate the association between sport type (collision, contact, and noncontact), symptoms, and performance on baseline neurocognitive assessments. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using baseline computerized neurocognitive scores (Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing [ImPACT]) of 75,128 female high school student-athletes (age, 15.27 ± 1.05 yr) playing multiple sports. The dependent variables were verbal memory, visual memory, visual motor speed, reaction time, and total symptom score. The independent variable was sport type, categorized as collision, contact, noncontact, adjusted for the effect of the following covariables: age, concussion history, and comorbidities (learning disability, ADHD, psychiatric condition, headaches, migraines, speech therapy, special education, and repeating one of more years of school) using multivariable regression models. Results: Female collision sport athletes reported significantly higher symptoms (9.81 ± 12.63) at baseline compared with contact (5.78 ± 9.25) or noncontact (6.39 ± 9.74) sport athletes (P < 0.001). Using noncontact sports as a reference, there was no significant association between collision sport participation and cognitive composite scores (verbal memory: β = −0.57, 95% confidence interval = −1.80 to 0.66, P = 0.38; visual memory: β = −0.83, 95% confidence interval = −2.46 to 0.79, P = 0.31; visual motor speed: β = −0.21, 95% confidence interval = −1.01, 0.59, P = 0.61; reaction time: β = 0.01, 95% confidence interval = −0.01 to 0.02, P = 0.29). Conclusions: Participation in collision sports appears to be associated with baseline symptoms but not neurocognitive functioning among female adolescent athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Self-regulation of effort during exercise (i.e., pacing) is a determinant of exercise performance, which develops during childhood and adolescence. Yet the various aspects of pacing under development, such as the capability to use task experience and retain the task goal in the presence of other competitors, have remained relatively unexplored. Methods: Nine adolescents (14.9 ± 2.1 yr old) and 14 adults (24.2 ± 3.2 yr old) completed four 4-km cycling trials in a well-controlled laboratory setting. After one familiarization visit, trials were performed in random order: alone, with the goal to finish the trial as fast as possible (AloneTime), with a competitor and the same goal (CompTime), or with a competitor and the goal to finish first (CompFirst). Within each age-group, repeated-measures ANOVA (P < 0.05) examined the differences in the estimated task duration, pacing behavior (distribution of mean power output per 500 m), and performance (finish time) between visits (4) or conditions (3). Results: In contrast to adults (P < 0.05, η p2 > 0.20), adolescents did not exhibit a change in estimation of task duration, pacing behavior, or performance over repeated visits (P > 0.05, η p2 < 0.10). Adolescents altered their pacing behavior in the presence of a competitor independent of the task goal (CompTime and CompFirst), whereas adults only demonstrated this alteration when instructed to finish first (CompFirst). Conclusions: Adolescents are still developing the capability 1) to use experience from previous tasks to adjust their pacing behavior and 2) to inhibit the intuitive action of engaging with the competitor to retain the more abstract task goal of finishing the trial as fast as possible. These findings establish novel experimental evidence for the underpinnings of pacing behavior development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the prevalence and the factors associated with experimentation and use of e-cigarettes. Cross-sectional study. Cross-sectional analysis of data from the National School Health Survey (PeNSE 2019), with students attending elementary school and high school in Brazil. Two outcomes were investigated: experimentation and last 30-day use of e-cigarettes. Potential exposures included family and adolescents' socio-demographic, mental health, and behavioral characteristics. Adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were obtained by Poisson regression with robust variance. 133,237 adolescents aged ≥13 years were included. Prevalence of experimentation and last 30-day use was higher in males (20.7 % and 4.1 %, respectively) than in females (15.4 % and 2.6 %, respectively). The higher PR were with ever use of hookah in males (PR = 3.34 for e-cigarettes experimentation and PR = 4.05 for last 30-day use) and females (PR = 3.26 for experimentation and PR = 4.14 for last 30-day use). For males who ever used alcoholic beverages, the PR for e-cigarettes experimentation ranged from 2.86 to 3.18, and the PR for last 30-day use ranged from 3.09 to 3.39, depending upon the age of first alcoholic beverage experimentation. Among the females who ever used alcoholic beverages, PR for experimentation ranged from 3.46 to 4.31 and PR for last 30-day use ranged from 2.44 to 4.09. About a quarter of school age adolescents had already tried e-cigarettes and 3.4 % used e-cigarettes in the prior 30 days. There were sex differences in the prevalence and in factors associated with experimentation and last 30-day use of e-cigarettes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacity to demonstrate resilience is important for performance and development outcomes in youth soccer. A key feature of resilience is the demonstration of positive behavioral responses to pressures or setbacks, yet little research exists on the specific behaviors that characterize resilience in the youth soccer literature. This study aimed to explore the behavioral indicators of resilience through focus groups and interviews with 60 participants from six professional soccer academies and one National Soccer Governing Body. The data was collected in two phases, the first involved a discussion of the observable behaviors associated with resilience in youth soccer. In the second phase, participants reflected on examples of resilience behaviors alongside video clips. These acted as a stimulus to contextualize the behaviors arising from the first phase. Content analysis was used to analyze the data and 36 behaviors were identified across six themes: (a) teammate support-focused (e.g., verbal support following mistakes), (b) emotion-focused (e.g., displaying emotional regulation), (c) effort-focused (e.g., physical efforts to overcome challenge), (d) rebound (e.g., positive reactions to a mistake), (e) robust (e.g., showing composure when under pressure), and (f) learning-focused (e.g., willingness to accept feedback). The results offer an insight into a multifaceted range of resilience behaviors in the context of youth soccer. With this knowledge, practitioners can make informed decisions around player development by assessing specific behavioral metrics related to resilience, players can engage in structured self-reflection practices pertaining to resilience development, and researchers can work toward the development of validated observational tools for resilience assessment. Lay Summary: This study offers insight into the observable behaviors characterizing resilience in youth soccer. Participants identified 36 resilience behaviors, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the concept in this specific context. The results provide a platform to support practitioners in observing resilience behaviors and structuring practices for resilience assessment and development. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings of this study can support youth soccer players in reflecting on their behavioral responses to in-game stressors, and thus better understand how and when they demonstrate resilience. Given the multifaceted nature of resilience behaviors highlighted in this study, practitioners in youth soccer settings may target specific themes for resilience development or use these to inform long-term curricular approaches. The findings can underpin the development of formalized observation instruments to support resilience behavior assessment and tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decades of research have established a significant association between people struggling with an eating disorder and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Despite a robust literature indicating a link between these two mental health conditions, few studies have explored how differential risk factors interact over time to produce this comorbidity. Using the lens of syndemic risk, this study applied a critical case study design to identify the social and contextual conditions that give rise to the circumstances in which eating disorders and suicidal behaviors cluster together. Specifically, we draw on life history and clinical ethnographic interviews with an adolescent and her mother to illustrate the intersections between psychosocial and structural processes. Through our analysis, we develop a model for syndemic risk that foregrounds poverty, racism, heterosexism, and gender oppression as critical to the production of mental health comorbidities. As we delineate in our findings, multiple forms of oppression led to a higher risk of exposure to stressful and traumatic experiences, including physical maltreatment, emotional abuse and neglect, sexual coercion, and peer victimization. These events contributed to the emergence of psychological and social vulnerabilities associated with heightened eating disorder and suicide risk. Ultimately, our qualitative study contributes to understanding how syndemic risk factors interact and mutually reinforce one another over time to shape comorbid psychopathology. In doing so, our findings shift understandings of mental illness as emerging from individual vulnerabilities to a conception of mental health that is framed within a multidimensional perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Self‐harm is very common in young people and is associated with suicide. Rates of both self‐harm and suicide have increased in young people, particularly in females. There is a clear need to identify new approaches to prevent repeat self‐harm. Method: We significantly update and build on previous reviews with the aim of identifying issues in research relevant to clinical practice. We identify challenges in developing, implementing and evaluating treatments for self‐harm in children and adolescents, suggest a way forward for research, and provide clear and practical guidance for clinicians on how to apply current research evidence in the real world. Results: Currently, there is limited evidence for effective interventions, other than some support for dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents (DBT‐A). To improve research and, by extension, clinical practice, future studies need to address psychosocial factors associated with youth self‐harm and suicide, investigate the critical mechanism(s) of action, ensure trials are sufficiently powered and representative, and involve young people more actively in the design, implementation and evaluation of these approaches. Consideration should also be given to alternative research designs, such as pragmatic or adaptive clinical trials, as well as registry‐based randomised controlled trials which leverage administrative data collected in routine clinical practice, to help meet these goals. Conclusions: Recommendations for practice include undertaking comprehensive assessment and formulation, and offering DBT‐A where indicated. There should be further development and evaluation (with input from young people) of Cognitive Behavioural‐based Therapy adapted for young people. Greater attention to the role of the therapeutic relationship and family involvement (where possible) is also an important considerations, irrespective of the specific therapeutic modality. Finally, more consideration should be given to improving staff training to ensure all clinical staff feel equipped to treat young people who self‐harm in a person‐centred and compassionate manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence‐supported treatment for adolescents with binge‐eating disorder (BED). Executive dysfunctions, which are associated with binge eating and elevated body weight in youth, may undermine CBT outcomes by making it difficult for youth to engage with or adhere to treatment, including recalling and/or implementing intervention strategies in real‐world contexts. Methods: We assessed 73 adolescents [82.2% female; Mage = 15.0 ± 2.5 year; M baseline standardized body mass index (zBMI) = 1.9 ± 1.0 kg/m2] with BED at baseline, posttreatment, 6‐, 12‐, and 24‐month follow‐up. Linear mixed models examined the effects of baseline executive functioning (EF) on loss of control (LOC) eating and weight change following CBT. Linear and logistic regressions probed associations between EF, attendance, and attrition. Results: More impulsive decision‐making, as reflected in higher baseline scores on the Iowa Gambling Task, predicted better attendance (β =.07; p =.019) and more frequent LOC eating following treatment (β =.12; p =.017). Lower cognitive flexibility, as reflected in lower baseline T‐scores on the Comprehensive Trail Making Test complex sequencing index, predicted higher zBMI following treatment (β = −.03; p =.003). Inhibition, concentration, attention, and parent‐reported EF behavior symptoms were not associated with outcome, attendance, or attrition. Conclusions: More impulsive decision‐making and lower cognitive flexibility were associated with suboptimal response to CBT for BED, although findings should be interpreted with caution in light of the sample size and waitlist control design. Future research should examine whether strengthening EF could improve eating and weight outcomes among adolescents with BED who have lower pre‐treatment EF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to identify gender and age differences in motivation toward physical education (PE) and to explore the relationship between bullying roles, in PE and in the educational context in general, and motivation toward PE. A total of 1352 schoolchildren (49.7% girls) from 5th year of Compulsory Primary Education to 1st year of Baccalaureate, completed 3 questionnaires to determine their attitude toward bullying and their motivation toward PE. The findings showed that being a girl and being older provoked a lower self-determined motivation toward PE. Regarding the attitude toward bullying, active defense behavior was a significant predictor of higher self-determined motivation. Conversely, victimization predicted lower self-determined motivation and increased demotivation toward PE. Motivation toward PE is influenced by gender, age, and bullying behavior, underscoring the need to implement programs that promote active defense behaviors and reduce victimization in the educational setting through PE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated topics of conflict across multiple family subsystems (i.e., the romantic couple, parent–adolescent, and parent–younger child) in present-day American families. Research questions were addressed from a nationwide sample of 593 adults parenting at least one child. Findings highlight the heightened severity of conflict in the couple relationship relative to equivalent topics appearing in parent–child subsystems as well as topics with greater conflict severity between parents and adolescents (e.g., being distant) and topics with greater severity between parents and younger children (e.g., food/picky eating). Salient sources of conflict in present-day families (e.g., technology/phone use in the parent–adolescent subsystem, mood and tempers in all subsystems) were also identified. Findings from the study illustrate ways in which conflict topics appear similarly and differently across distinct family subsystems as well as which conflict topics have changed in families over time and those that have remained constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use among youth aged 12 to 17 presents a major public health concern in the United States with statistics revealing that one in eight youths have engaged in illicit substance misuse within the past year (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2023). The long‐term consequences of youth substance use include complicated medical issues, mental health disorders, impaired brain development, social and behavioral issues, addiction and dependence problems, and financial and legal consequences. By comprehending, preventing, and addressing factors of youth substance use, parents, educators, and healthcare providers can protect the well‐being of young individuals, their families, and the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study explored the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and school factors, following the socioecological model, associated with sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in Korean high-school students. Methods: A total of 231 students from first to third grade, aged 15-18 years, participated in this cross-sectional study. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors. Results: Among the intrapersonal factors, fast-food consumption (β=0.13, t=1.97, p=.050) and habit strength of SSB consumption were positively associated (β=0.35, t=4.30, p<.001), and sleep duration was negatively associated with SSB consumption (β=-0.14, t=-2.02, p=.045). Among interpersonal factors, perceived SSB consumption by peers was positively associated (β=0.30, t=4.93, p<.001), and among school factors, vending machines at school (β=0.13, t=2.07, p=.039) and supermarkets and convenience stores near schools were positively associated with SSB consumption (β=0.17, t=2.87, p=.005). Conclusion: School nurses should propose policies and interventions that consider the multilevel factors to reduce SSB consumption in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescent smoking can lead to various health problems including atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, making it more difficult to quit smoking during adulthood. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the ordinance by assessing adolescents' smoking cessation behaviors and environmental conditions, according to the "Ordinance for the Prevention of Child and Adolescent Smoking and Support for Smoking Cessation", which was enacted in 2019 in Gwangju City, South Korea, for the first time in the country. Methods: The data for the analysis were obtained from the 2018 and 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Propensity score matching (PSM) ensured homogeneity between ordinance-adopted and non-adopted areas, followed by a difference-in-differences (DID) analysis to assess changes in adolescent smoking behavior, secondhand smoke exposure, and related advertisements. Results: The difference-in-differences analysis of the homogeneous treatment and control groups in 2018 and 2021 showed statistically significant reductions in the variables "experience of secondhand smoke indoors at school" in the secondhand smoke category, and "exposure to smoking advertisements in convenience stores" in the smoking advertising category. However, there were no statistically significant changes in the other eight variables, such as smoking behavior and smoking cessation advertising. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the ordinance enacted in Gwangju Metropolitan City in 2019 created a positive environment for smoking prevention in convenience stores and schools for adolescents. Furthermore, if the ordinance is supplemented with the management of smoking behaviors and smoking cessation advertisements, it is expected to achieve the main purpose of the policy, which is to protect adolescents from smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern that threatens the physical and mental health of adolescents. Given its high prevalence among adolescents, understanding the characteristics and contributing factors of NSSI is crucial. This study aimed to characterize NSSI and examine the relationship between self-control and NSSI among adolescent psychiatric outpatients. Method: This study was conducted in a psychiatric department of a hospital in Hubei Province, China, involving 206 adolescent psychiatric outpatients (135 females, 12–18 years old). Assessments included the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory (OSI), the Self-Control Scale (SCS), and a self-designed sociodemographic questionnaire. Result: In this sample, 77.18% reported a history of NSSI. The prevalence of NSSI was significantly higher in females than in males (χ2 = 19.059, p < 0.01). The NSSI group had significantly lower self-control scores compared to the non-NSSI group (F = 27.458, p < 0.01). In the NSSI group (n = 156), self-control was negatively associated with NSSI frequency and fully mediated by NSSI function. Conclusions: These findings highlight the complete mediating role of NSSI function between self-control and NSSI frequency, offering insights for future prevention and intervention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Happiness and health are crucial elements of adolescents' lives that significantly impact mental well-being and societal engagement. This article hypothesizes that a suitable school environment may be one of the components that can impact students' subjective feelings of happiness and health. This research aimed to determine the association between a negative school environment, such as experiencing bullying and feeling insecure at school, and students' happiness and health. Methods: The study was conducted in 2023, surveying students in grades 7–10 from two Lithuanian cities and their districts. The study included 1992 students (females 50.2%) with a mean age of 14.53 ± 1.12. Results: It was observed that male students felt healthier and happier than females. Also, male students felt safer at school more often than females. A positive correlation was found between a student's feeling of safety at school and their happiness and health. Regression analysis revealed that a feeling of safety at school was the most significant positive factor associated with male students' sense of happiness and health. Also, the most important factors for females were a feeling of safety at school, bullying, and how often teachers stop bullying. Conclusions: It was found that feelings of insecurity at school, experiences of bullying, and how often teachers stop bullying can be associated with students' subjective feelings of happiness and well-being. School environmental factors can affect students' happiness and well-being differently depending on gender. It is essential to focus on vulnerable student populations when creating preventive programs to enhance adolescents' sense of safety in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of freelisting for adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and use freelisting to identify how adolescents with CMP cope with pain. Methods: This was a mixed-methods cross-sectional single-center study of patients 12–18 years old, diagnosed with CMP. Twenty-seven subjects participated in an interview which included the freelisting exercise, probing questions, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10-item, and semi-structured interview. Feasibility was pre-defined as ≥85% completion. A list of 'standardized' freelisting terms was created, and we calculated Smith's salience index. Freelisting terms were grouped into individual, family, friends, school, and medical domains. Results: In this predominantly female population, resilience levels were low to moderate, and on average, participants had moderate pain intensity and functional disability. The freelisting exercise was feasible and acceptable among females, with low recruitment of males. Salient words to describe adolescents' pain included frustrating, upsetting, annoying, and painful. Participants identified family, friends, teachers, guidance counselors, and health professionals as key sources of support. Many participants reported difficulties communicating their pain. Helpful coping strategies included rest, distraction, relaxation, endurance, and extracurricular participation. Conclusions: Freelisting was well perceived among female adolescents with CMP. Supportive relationships with community members play an important role for this population. However, perceived stigma may deter female adolescents from talking about their pain. Purposive sampling of male participants and recruitment strategies ensuring diverse patient representation are necessary to ensure generalizability of future results when using the freelisting method for adolescents with CMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: According to the 2023 Ministry of Health and Welfare statistics, the suicide rate among adolescents aged 15 to 24 has steadily increased since 2018, from 3.7 to 5.5 per 100,000 populations, reaching a recent high. Although previous studies have pointed out that the future risk of suicide of those who had suffered from abuse was higher than that of the general population, researchers seldom focused on adolescent groups. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the risk of suicide after youth violence and the impact of subsequent comorbid mental illness and suicide risk. Methods: This retrospective matched cohort study analyzed data from the NHIRD, covering the period from 2000 to 2015. A total of 976 cases aged 10–18 who had experienced violence were included in this study. Controlled grouping was conducted by 1:10 matching based on gender, age, and the time of medical treatment, and a control group who had not experienced violence was selected for comparison. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to analyze the risk of suicide among adolescents after exposure to violence. Results: The suicide rate among adolescents who have experienced violence was significantly higher than that of the control group after 15 years of follow-up (1.0% vs. 0.5%). The prevalence of mental illness or disorders in adolescents exposed to violence was significantly higher than in the control group (45.2% vs. 40.1%). Among adolescents who had experienced violence, the methods of suicide included poisoning (solid and liquid) (53.6% vs. 43.2%), hanging (1.2% vs. 0.6%), firearms (2.4% vs. 0%), and cutting instruments (27.4% vs. 22.8%), all of which were significantly higher than in the control group. After adjusting for gender, age, residential area, and mental health comorbidities, the risk of suicide in those who had experienced violence was 1.475 times that of the control group (95% CI = 1.125–1.933; p = 0.005). Conclusions: In this study, female, younger age, and comorbid mental disorders were identified as risk factors for suicide among the adolescent victims of violence. Exposure to youth violence was associated with an increased prevalence of emotional disorders, including depression and social isolation, which subsequently elevated the suicide risk. These findings underscore the urgent need for governmental attention to the mental health of adolescent victims of violence. Implementing targeted psychological support and intervention programs could play a crucial role in mitigating the risk of suicide among this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: This study aimed to (i) investigate the association between lifestyle parameters (i.e., screen time [ST], food habits, and physical activity [PA]) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with executive functions (EFs, i.e., attention, inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) in Chilean children and adolescents, and (ii) determine the potential mediating role of HRQoL in the relationship between ST and EFs. Methods: A total of 511 children and adolescents (51.3% female) aged 10–17 years participated. Lifestyle parameters and EFs were evaluated. Results: Attention was inversely associated with ST (β = −19.51, p < 0.001) and positively associated with HRQoL (β = 4.17, p < 0.001). Inhibition was negatively linked to ST (β = −25.17, p < 0.001) and positively associated with HRQoL (β = 3.23, p = 0.041). Working memory was inversely related to ST (β = −28.89, p = 0.001) and positively associated with PA (β = 34.01, p < 0.001) and HRQoL (β = 4.22, p = 0.003). Cognitive flexibility was associated with ST (β = −26.76, p = 0.001), PA (β = 23.23, p = 0.047), and HRQoL (β = 4.91, p = 0.004). The indirect effect confirmed that HRQoL partially mediated the relationship between ST and EFs, including attention (5%), inhibition (3.18%), working memory (3.82%), and cognitive flexibility (5.3%). Conclusions: ST was inversely associated with all EFs assessed, and HRQoL showed a potential mediating role in these relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous studies have investigated the relevance of callous-unemotional traits in relation to externalizing psychopathology among children and adolescents. However, less research has examined the connections between callous-unemotional traits and internalizing psychopathology and findings were inconsistent. Consequently, the present study aimed to elucidate the role of callous-unemotional traits in the context of depression and anxiety while controlling for conduct problems, age, and gender. Methods: The study utilized self-report questionnaire data from 978 adolescent psychiatric inpatients (Mage = 15.18, SD = 1.44) presenting a range of psychopathological conditions. A network analysis was conducted, incorporating callous-unemotional traits, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, conduct problems, and covariates (age, gender). Additionally, comparisons were made between the networks of inpatients diagnosed with conduct disorders and those with internalizing disorders. Results: The findings indicated that callous-unemotional traits were relevant within the general network, as well as in both the conduct disorder and internalizing networks. In both contexts, callous-unemotional traits were predominately positively associated with depression and conduct problems. Within the conduct disorder network, callous-unemotional traits exhibited primarily negative associations with anxiety, whereas the relationships within the internalizing network were more varied. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that callous-unemotional traits hold substantial relevance for internalizing symptoms, supporting the notion that these traits should be considered potentially transdiagnostic factors. Highlights: The link between CU-traits and internalizing psychopathology is inconsistent. A CU-internalizing-externalizing network was constructed for adolescent psychiatric inpatients. The networks of CD patients and INT patients differed; however, in both networks, CU-traits played a central role. CU-traits have a complex relationship with anxiety, and CU-facets are not a uniform risk or protective factor for anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: During adolescence, due to lack of experience, individuals may engage in or tolerate certain non-consensual acts under coercion. There are significant associations between forced sexual intercourse and a range of negative effects on reproductive health, as well as psychological and emotional health. Studies on non-consensual sexual acts among adolescents are rare in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study is one of the first to focus on urban adolescents, aiming to assess the prevalence of non-consensual sexual acts and to identify associated factors. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the baseline survey of the project "Reducing the Vulnerability of Adolescents and Young Girls to Violence and HIV/AIDS Infection," conducted in 2018 in the provinces of Kinshasa and Kasaï Oriental among adolescents aged 10-24 years. A total of 2,123 adolescents were surveyed (46.8% in Kinshasa and 53.2% in Kasaï Oriental). A structured survey questionnaire was developed in French to collect data. This questionnaire was pre-tested and corrected before use. Non-consensual sexual acts were assessed using three variables: (i) Have you ever experienced non-consensual touching, (ii) Have you ever experienced an attempted forced sexual intercourse, and (iii) Have you ever been physically forced, injured, or threatened to have sexual intercourse. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted on these three variables separately. Results: Among all adolescents surveyed, 11.5% reported having experienced non-consensual touching, 15.3% reported having experienced an attempted forced sexual intercourse, and 5.8% reported having been physically forced, injured, or threatened to have sexual intercourse. Among the 575 sexually active adolescents, these proportions were 43.4%, 57.4% and 22.0%, respectively. Prevalences were higher among girls and in the province of Kinshasa. Factors associated with non-consensual sexual acts included gender, cohabitation with biological parents (father and mother), age at first sexual intercourse, communication about sexuality or intimate subjects with a family member, and adolescents' perceptions of the role and place of partners in intimate relationships. A quarter (25.5%) of adolescents who were victims of forced sexual intercourse and were aware of an appropriate institution or person sought help from a professional for the violence they experienced. Discussion: The results revealed a high prevalence of non-consensual sexual acts, the significance attributed by adolescents to traditional beliefs regarding the dominant role of men in intimate relationships, and the existence of barriers preventing victims of sexual violence from seeking appropriate care. These findings advocate for providing healthcare services tailored to the needs of adolescents and adapted to sociocultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Digital knowledge translation (KT) interventions play a crucial role in advancing adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH). Despite the extensive literature on their effectiveness, there's a lack of synthesized evidence on the efficacy of digital KT tools for adolescent ASRH globally. Objectives: This review aimed to systematically identify and map existing empirical evidence on digital KT tools targeting ASRH outcomes and identify research gaps. Design: The review employed an evidence gap-map (EGM) approach following 2020 PRISMA reporting guidelines. Data sources and methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases including Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane. Covidence software was used for data management. EPPI-Mapper software was used to synthesize findings and develop a graphical EGM. Results: The EGM comprises 68 studies: 59 experimental and 9 systematic reviews, predominantly from African (19 studies) and American regions (22 studies), with limited research from the Eastern Mediterranean and South East Asian regions. It examines digital KT tools' influence on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes, identifying research gaps. Websites are extensively studied for their impact on adolescent behavior, knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy, yet research on their effects on ASRH and health services access is limited. Similarly, mobile apps and short message service (SMS)/text messages impact various aspects of SRH outcomes, but research on their effects on health services utilization is insufficient. Interventions like digital pamphlets and gaming lack exploration in health service access. OTT media and social media need further investigation. Mass media, including radio, television, and podcasts, are largely unexplored in adolescent SRH outcomes. Topics such as menstrual hygiene, abortion, and sexual and intimate partner violence also lack research. Conclusion: The review underscores the dominance of certain KT tool interventions like SMS and websites. Despite advancements, research gaps persist in exploring diverse digital platforms on underrepresented outcomes globally. Future research should expand exploration across digital platforms and broaden the scope of outcome measures. Trial registration: The protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022373970). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between adolescent alcohol use and emotional problems remains unclear and contradictory. These inconsistencies may in part be due to differences in the measurement and operationalization of alcohol use and emotional problems across studies, as well as confounder selection and missing data decisions. This study explores the associations between common specifications of adolescent alcohol use and emotional problems in a large sample of adolescents. Methods: A multiverse analysis (also known as specification curve analysis or vibration of effects) was done with 7680 unique model specifications in a large longitudinal sample of 6639 Australian adolescents (aged ~14.7–15.7, 2021–2022). Results: While alcohol use and emotional problems nearly universally co-occurred in minimally adjusted cross-sectional models (98–99%), the operationalization of emotional problems, temporality of prospective relationships, and choice of confounders substantially impacted findings. Emotional problems appeared to predict later alcohol use more-so than the reverse, depression-focused measures yielded more consistent associations with alcohol use than anxiety-focused measures, and certain confounders (i.e. conduct, ADHD, smoking) explained most of the associations between adolescent alcohol use and emotional problems. Missing data decisions and whether outcomes were modelled continuously v. dichotomously had minimal impact on findings. Conclusions: While adolescent alcohol use and emotional problems commonly co-occur, inconsistencies in the magnitude, direction, and significance of effects are closely tied to researcher decisions that are often made arbitrarily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firearm carriage and possession predicts youth firearm violence victimization and perpetration. This study describes self-reported factors associated with firearm access, carriage, and possession among justice-involved youth. We conducted an exploratory, mixed-methods study. Participants were recruited from May 2022 to February 2023 from the Juvenile Justice Collaborative, a diversion program for justice-involved youth. We used online anonymous surveys to investigate exposures related to firearm access, carriage, and possession. We performed semi-structured interviews using the phenomenology framework. We used descriptive statistics to examine firearm exposures by participant demographics. We performed qualitative analyses using an iterative approach with constant comparison to identify key themes. We completed 28 surveys and 5 interviews. Most survey participants identified as male (57%) and Black (61%) with a median age of 18 years. Interview participants described the socialization and cultural normalization of firearms, most prominently among peers. Survey participants reported whether they had ever carried (25%) or possessed (21%) a firearm. Survey and interview participants endorsed protection in the context of increasing violence exposure over time as the primary motivation for firearm possession. Interview participants describe accessing firearms primarily through social networks while survey participants also reported access from strangers (25%) and licensed sellers/gun dealers (18%). In conclusion, justice-involved youth believe firearm carriage and possession may be needed for protection due to increasing violence exposure. Further investigation is necessary to determine interventions that may decrease firearm access, carriage, and possession among justice-involved youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]