Health asset profiles and health indicators among 13- and 15-year-old adolescents

Are health promotion activities and preventive health practices predictors of adolescent eHealth literacy?

Adolescents' general health status and health behaviors have been closely monitored in recent years. It is estimated that adolescents comprise one-sixth of the world's population. This study examined whether eHealth literacy was predicted via health promotion activities and preventive health practices among Turkish adolescents. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2022 with 706 adolescents in Çorum, Turkey. A face-to-face questionnaire form was used, including socio-demographic characteristics, preventive health practices, eHealth literacy scale and Adolescent Health Promotion Scale. The data of the research were analyzed with the SPSS 22.0 program. Percentage, mean, Pearson Correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis were used in the analyzes. The p < 0.05 value was considered statistically significant in the evaluations. In the study, 55.8% were female, and the mean age of the whole group was 16.09 ± 2.63 years. The mean score on the eHealth literacy scale was 29.40 ± 6.29. The mean of the total scores obtained from the Adolescent Health Promotion Scale was 137.97 ± 21.87. There was a significant positive correlation between eHealth literacy and the Adolescent Health Promotion Scale (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to predict eHealth literacy using the variables of Adolescent Health Promotion and preventive health practices. eHealth literacy positively and significantly predicts health promotion activities (β = 0.27, t (695) = 7.54, p < 0.001). eHealth literacy increased annual weight measurement by more than 0.13 (β = 0.13), annual blood iron measurement by more than 0.16 (β = 0.16) and annual dental examination by more than 0.11 (β = 0.11). Developing eHealth literacy interventions will be necessary for environments with a high concentration of adolescents (schools and courses). Also, primary health care services should be integrated with the school environment.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Oral Health Status and Behavioral Risk Indicators among Non-Smoking and Currently Smoking Lithuanian Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to evaluate oral health status, behavioral risk indicators, and the impact of smoking on oral health among Lithuanian adolescents. This representative cross-sectional study was conducted among 15-year-old Lithuanian adolescents. The method of multistage cluster sampling was used. A total of 1127 adolescents met the inclusion criteria. Two originally created self-reported questionnaires were used in this study. Dental caries, periodontal status, and oral hygiene status were evaluated by four trained researchers. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was set to indicate statistically significant differences. Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation tests. Out of all the participants, 9.6% self-reported being a current tobacco smoker. The mean PI value was 1.14 ± 0.69 among all the participants. Currently smoking adolescents had more active caries lesions (D-S) than those who did not smoke (13.2 ± 16.4 vs. 9.8 ± 10.7, p = 0.023). Considering periodontal status, non-smoking adolescents had significantly lower mean PSR index scores than current smokers (0.52 ± 0.51 vs. 0.61 ± 0.50, p = 0.0298). Tobacco smoking and the consumption of energy drinks were significantly associated (OR = 3.74, 95% CI 2.66-5.26, p < 0.001) among participants. Currently smoking adolescents tended to have improper dietary habits, especially a higher consumption of energy drinks; thus, they were more likely to have active dental caries lesions, as well as poorer periodontal status, than their non-smoking peers.

Early physical maturation and subjective health complaints in adolescent girls: a pooled cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND

Although adolescents are generally healthy, subjective health complaints (SHC) are common in this age group, especially in adolescent girls. We explored the association between early menarche and the frequency of psychosomatic symptoms and how this association varies between countries.

METHODS

Our sample included 298 000 adolescent girls from 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 cycles of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in 41 European and North American countries. School surveys measured the frequency of eight psychosomatic symptoms in the past 6 months. Early maturation was defined as self-reported age at menarche below 11 years. Using logistic regression, we estimated adjusted ORs (aORs) and 95% CIsof experiencing each psychosomatic symptom at least more than once a week and experiencing two or more symptoms at least more than once a week.

RESULTS

Early menarche occurred in 4.73% of the sample and was positively related to headache, stomachache, backache, feeling low, irritability or bad temper, feeling nervous, difficulties in sleeping, feeling dizzy and two or more of these symptoms, respectively (all p values<0.001). The interactions between early menarche and survey circle were non-significant. Changing the age criterion to 12 years did not affect the results. The associations between early menarche and psychosomatic symptoms were robust across the HBSC-participating counties with two age criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Early menarche positively relates to various psychosomatic symptoms in European and North American adolescent girls. Our findings suggest that early-maturing girls may need early supportive interventions.

Defining and Measuring Child and Youth Thriving: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Promoting positive child and youth health and development requires clear definitions and comprehensive measures of child and youth thriving. The study's objectives were to identify the scope, range, and gaps in definitions and measures of thriving for children or youth (birth through young adult).

METHODS

Systematic searches of Pubmed, PsycInfo, Health and Psychosocial Instruments, Education Resources Information Center, and Scopus were conducted for articles that included definitions, conceptual frameworks, or measures of child and youth thriving. Inclusion criteria were that the articles: (1) provided a new definition or measure of child thriving, flourishing, or well-being; (2) focused on normally developing children 0 to 24 years old; and (3) were published between 2009 and 2022 in an English language peer-reviewed journal. Studies were categorized by child age, study type, population, and community-identified domains of thriving.

RESULTS

Of the 14 920 articles identified, 113 met inclusion criteria: 34 unique definitions or frameworks, 66 validated measures, and 12 articles presenting both a framework and measure. One-third of the articles focused on early childhood (0-5 years old); 47% on middle childhood (6-11 years old); 72% on adolescence (12-17 years old), and 22% on young adults (18-24 years old).

CONCLUSIONS

Current child thriving definitions, frameworks, and measures could be expanded in their coverage of age and key domains, such as racial equity and safety. Additional frameworks and measures focused on early childhood (0-5 years) and assessing thriving over time are needed.

El abordaje de terapia ocupacional considerando los activos para la salud en población joven: un análisis de la literatura

Resumen Introducción La salutogénesis es una orientación académica que busca resaltar los factores que promueven activamente la salud y el bienestar de las personas, ofreciendo un mayor control sobre sus vidas y su salud. Dentro de este enfoque destacan los activos para la salud de la población disponibles en la comunidad. Objetivo Revisar la literatura sobre las principales ocupaciones o actividades significativas considerando el planteamiento de los activos para la salud en jóvenes. Método Se realizó una revisión de la literatura en las bases de datos PubMed, Science Direct (Elsevier) y Biblioteca Virtual en Salud, entre los años 2013-2019. Se utilizaron los descriptores “health assets” AND (Children OR Adolescents) y “Activos para la salud” AND jóvenes. Se escogieron 10 artículos de los 145 cribados. Resultados Los diez artículos fueron seleccionados y analizados. Los activos para la salud más relevantes en los jóvenes son: el autoconocimiento y la autoconfianza. En cuanto a la ocupación, consideran que llevar un estilo de vida saludable, tener una vida con propósito, el ocio y las relaciones sociales son los principales activos para la salud. Por otra parte, se ha identificado un fuerte impacto de la relación con la familia para los activos para la salud. Conclusión En la intervención de terapia ocupacional es fundamental incluir a la población joven con la identificación de los activos para la salud y cómo impactan en la salud y el bienestar. Además, es importante investigar de qué modo los activos para la salud pueden reducir la desigualdad social de la comunidad. Por otra parte, se ha observado que los activos para la salud descritos por los jóvenes pueden presentar influencias por parte de la sociedad que, en vez de aportar salud, pueden ser nocivas para ellos.

Adolescents' online communication and well-being: Findings from the 2018 health behavior in school-aged children (HBSC) study

BACKGROUND

Digital transformation has influenced all areas of adolescents' lives, including the ways adolescents maintain friendships. Interpersonal communication is one of the most common activities while online. Online communication may provide adolescents with opportunities to expand their social contacts, but these encounters can be risky, especially when the communication is with unknown people on the internet. This study examined the associations between different forms of online communication behavior and well-being.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected from Finnish adolescents as part of the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study in 2018. The participants were 3,140 Finnish adolescents aged 11-15 years. Descriptive analyses were used to examine the frequency of different forms of online communication behaviors. The associations between online communications and individual factors were analyzed using the X² test and 95% confidence intervals. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the extent to which adolescents' online communication behavior explained the variance in adolescents' well-being indicators.

RESULTS

Overall, 60% of the adolescents reported communicating intensively with close friends, with higher rates of intensive communication reported by girls, higher age groups, and the high health literacy group. 22% of adolescents reported intensive communication with friends they got to know through the internet (online friends), while intensive online communication with unknown people was reported by 13% of adolescents. Overall, around one-fourth of adolescents preferred sharing personal matters online rather than in face-to-face encounters, and 10% of adolescents reported using the internet daily to get to know new people, and to look for like-minded company. The SEM analysis showed that keeping online contact with offline friends was linked to a positive outcome in all the measured well-being indicators; however, intensive communication with people contacted only online (online friends and unknown people) was negatively associated with well-being indicators (lower self-rated health, lower life satisfaction, higher loneliness, and problematic social media use).

CONCLUSION

Both positive and negative associations were observed between online communication and well-being, depending on the target and content of the communication. The results indicate that online communication has benefits for adolescents who have more offline social life. Overall, one should ensure that the impact of interventions is proportionately greater for adolescents at the bottom end of the health gradient.

Internal developmental assets and substance use among Hispanic adolescents. A cross-sectional study

AIMS

To determine the associations between internal assets (planning and decision-making, interpersonal competence and commitment to learning) and substance use (tobacco, alcohol, binge drinking, marijuana use and other drugs).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted in four countries (Chile, Mexico, Spain and Peru).

METHODS

Adolescents aged 12-18 self-completed a multi-purpose questionnaire between 2016 and 2019. Multiple logistic regressions and structural equation models were performed to analyse the association between internal assets (planning and decision-making, interpersonal competence, and commitment to learning) and substance use.

RESULTS

The results indicate that planning and decision-making and commitment to learning are conducive to the prevention of substance use. On the contrary, interpersonal competence was not associated with substance use.

CONCLUSION

The present study shows that planning and decision-making and commitment to learning can be relevant factors in explaining substance use during adolescence. Internal assets can be an important aspect to include in health promotion interventions with children, youth and families to prevent substance use. These findings may be useful for researchers, schools, paediatric nurse practitioners, and health professionals in general to design health programs focused on children and adolescents. Furthermore, the Developmental Assets framework has been proved as a suitable frame of reference for paediatric nurse practitioners to assess and develop child and adolescent positive development and design health promotion interventions to prevent substance use.

Health Assets, Vocation and Zest for Healthcare work. A Salutogenic Approach to Active Coping among Certified Nursing Assistant Students

People's health assets (HA) mapping process and design dynamization strategies for it are paramount issues for health promotion. These strategies improve the health heritage of individuals and communities as both the salutogenic model of health (SMH) and health assets model (HAM) defend. Connecting and mobilizing HA and strengthens the 'sense of coherence' (SOC) are both related to enhancing stress active and effective coping strategies. This study aims to describe the HA present in a population of certified nursing assistant students (n = 921) in Spain and then to explore their relationships with the SOC, the motivation to choose healthcare studies and their academic performance. A great variety of HA were identified and mapped. Findings showed that individuals with greater motivation towards self-care and 'caring for others' as internal HA, possessed higher SOC levels and a strong vocation for healthcare work. Differences in HA were identified according to gender, age and employment situation. Consistent connections between the care-relation factor and vocational factor with interpersonal and extrapersonal HA were reported. Evidence and results substantiated the salutogenic and asset-based approach as a proper strategy to strengthen SOC, dynamize their HA map, reinforce the sense of calling and enable Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) students to buffer against caregiving-related stress and thrive in their profession.