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Violence is a major public health concern that particularly impacts Black young adults living in under-resourced, urban communities. There is limited research on promotive and protective factors that mitigate the impact of violence exposure on aggressive behavior. This study aims to address this gap by exploring positive factors across the ecological model in a sample of 141 predominantly Black young adults ages 18 to 22 years living in low-income communities. Regression analyses indicated that generally factors at the individual/peer and family level were more likely to be promotive. Additionally, nine significant interactions found in the moderation analyses highlighted a complex relation between ecological protective factors and aggressive behaviors for these young adults. Implications for future empirical work are discussed.

Objectives were (a) to understand a community‐informed narrative, as told by community members (CMs) and community partners (CPs), about the strengths, experiences, and perspectives of public housing communities; and (b) to analyze similarities and differences between CMs' and CPs' experiences and perspectives. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 CMs of public housing (ages 26–58, 100% female caregivers, 96% Black, 4% multiethnic) and 43 CPs (ages 28–78, 67.4% female, 81.4% Black and African American). Four themes were derived from the CM and CP interviews: (1) counters to public narratives, (2) disinvestment begets disinvestment, (3) community conditions should be better, and (4) community cohesion and connection. Findings from this study present community‐centered narratives and experiences that were counter to stereotyped public narratives and could influence public perceptions and behavior to inform policy changes related to improving living conditions and supporting CMs in public and low‐income housing communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Violence is a major public health concern that particularly impacts Black young adults living in under-resourced, urban communities. There is limited research on promotive and protective factors that mitigate the impact of violence exposure on aggressive behavior. This study aims to address this gap by exploring positive factors across the ecological model in a sample of 141 predominantly Black young adults ages 18 to 22 years living in low-income communities. Regression analyses indicated that generally factors at the individual/peer and family level were more likely to be promotive. Additionally, nine significant interactions found in the moderation analyses highlighted a complex relation between ecological protective factors and aggressive behaviors for these young adults. Implications for future empirical work are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Because of medical advancements, many congenital heart disease (CHD) survivors are relatively symptom-free until adulthood, atwhich time complicationsmay occur.Worsening health status likely drives a change in patient-reported outcomes, such as health-related quality of life (HRQoL), although change in HRQoL has not been investigated among adolescent and young adult CHD survivors. Objective: The aims of the current mixed cross-sectional and longitudinal study were to (1) examine changes in HRQoL over 3 years and (2) identify any demographic (age, sex, estimated family income, and distance from medical center) and medical predictors (functional status and number of cardiac-related medications) of that change. Methods: Baseline and 3-year follow-up data were obtained via an online survey of 172 CHD survivors (15--39 years old at baseline; 25% simple, 45% moderate, 30% complex) recruited from a pediatric hospital and an adult hospital. Medical predictors were abstracted from electronic medical records. Results: After controlling for New York Heart Association functional class, mixed-effects models identified significant declines in all subscales of the Research and Development Corporation 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 across the 3-year timeframe. A lower estimated family income (≤$35 000) predicted more decline in physical functioning (b = 0.5, 95%confidence interval, 0.2--0.8; P = .001) and emotional functioning (b = 0.3, 95% confidence interval, 0.1--0.5; P = .017). No other significant demographic ormedical predictorswere identified. Conclusions: Study findings highlight the importance of tracking patient-reported outcomes over time, suggesting thatmedical staff should discuss HRQoL with CHD survivors during late adolescence and early adulthood before decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health-related quality of life and emotional distress among mothers of sons with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophies (n = 82) were compared to sex- and age group–matched controls (n = 26). Participants self-reported health-related quality of life for themselves and their son(s), emotional distress, and mood/anxiety-related medication. Mothers reported poorer health-related quality of life across all domains of their health-related quality of life, as well as higher levels of emotional distress. Clinically elevated symptoms of anxiety were reported by 39% of mothers. Mothers' report of poorer health-related quality of life for their son(s) was a significant predictor of worse health-related quality of life and emotional distress for themselves across most domains. Additionally, older age of mothers predicted greater energy/less fatigue and lower levels of anxiety. Results highlight the need for screening emotional distress among mothers, as well as consideration for accessible interventions to improve the psychosocial functioning among these families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Congenital heart disease places survivors at increased risk for cardiovascular complications as they age and requires long-term medical management. Perceived health competence, or how capable one feels in managing one's health, is linked to emotional adjustment in various disease populations, but has not been investigated among congenital heart disease survivors. Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of perceived health competence at baseline (T1) as a predictor of anxiety and depressive symptoms three years later (T2). Methods: Congenital heart disease survivors (n =125; M T1age=27; 58.6% female; severity of cardiac lesion: 25% simple, 44% moderate, 31% complex) were recruited from a pediatric and an adult hospital as part of a larger study. Participants completed the Perceived Health Competence Scale and the Youth or Adult Self-Report at T1 for anxiety and affective/depressive symptoms. At T2, participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. New York Heart Association functional class, a measure of functional impairment, was abstracted from medical charts at T2. Results: Lower T1 perceived health competence was significantly associated with greater emotional distress at T1 (depression r =−0.47; anxiety: r =−0.45), as well as greater T2 functional impairment (r =−0.41). T1 perceived health competence also predicted T2 anxiety and depressive symptoms, which remained significant when including T1 anxiety and depressive symptoms and T2 functional impairment. Conclusion: Congenital heart disease survivors who feel more competent in managing their health may be less likely to experience future anxiety and depressive symptoms. Perceived health competence may be a worthwhile target for psychosocial intervention to promote emotional wellbeing among congenital heart disease survivors and ensure the best outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative mental health outcomes is well established. However, the intergenerational link between caregiver ACE history and their child's psychosocial outcomes is understudied, particularly within minoritized groups. This study aimed to delineate relations between caregiver ACE exposure and their child's depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms by proposing a serial mediation of caregiver PTSD, family management problems, and child ACEs., Method: Two hundred seventy-three caregiver ( M age = 39.27; 88% female) and adolescent ( M age = 14.26; 57% female) dyads from low-income urban communities completed electronic questionnaires measuring PTSD symptoms and ACEs. Child participants also completed a measure of depression and family management problems. Regression and serial mediation analyses were conducted to examine associations among these variables., Results: Caregiver ACEs were significantly associated with their child's PTSD symptoms but were not related to their child's depression scores. Serial mediation analyses indicated that child ACEs mediated the relation between caregiver ACEs and their child's PTSD symptoms. Evidence for an overall indirect effect via caregiver PTSD, family management problems, and child ACEs was not found. No indirect effects between caregiver ACEs and child depression were found., Conclusions: Findings demonstrate that higher levels of caregiver ACE exposure are associated with their child's PTSD symptoms in a sample of African American dyads living in urban, high-burden communities. These results suggest a need for ACE screening during medical visits and provides guidance for future clinical interventions. The distinct intergenerational consequences for caregivers with ACEs and their children's psychosocial wellbeing warrant further study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).