Brief report: Coping among Austrian children and adolescents

Coping strategies of school-going adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in the climate vulnerable Manafwa watershed, Uganda

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life, economies, and health, prompting strict government measures, including nationwide lockdowns and school closures in Uganda, resulting in significant academic setbacks for adolescents. The coping strategies employed by school-going adolescents in Uganda amidst the COVID-19 pandemic remain inadequately understood. This study aimed to assess the coping strategies adopted by school-going adolescents (early, middle and late adolescents) in the Manafwa watershed, recognized as one of Uganda's most vulnerable regions, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A cross sectional study design was conducted from I5th May, 2023 to 30th June, 2023 on 762 school going adolescents from government-aided secondary schools within the Manafwa watershed area. The adolescent version of the KidCope tool was used to evaluate adolescents' coping strategies. Factor analysis identified correlations among adolescents' coping strategies. Independent Samples t-Test and One-Way Variance of Analysis (ANOVA) was used for comparing the mean score differences of the coping strategies among the gender and adolescents' stages respectively.

RESULTS

Majority (n = 141, 36.2%) of the participants employed adaptive coping followed by negative-emotion coping (n = 127, 32.6%) and avoidant coping (n = 122, 31.3%). Females employed statistically higher resignation as a coping strategy compared to males, (mean of 1.2 vs. 1.0, respectively; P = 0.026). A higher proportion (n = 88, 69.3%) of middle age adolescents employed negative-emotion regulation (P-value = 0.040). However, those in early adolescence significantly utilized distraction as a coping strategy more than those in middle adolescence (mean difference = 0.36, p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

During the pandemic, majority of school-going adolescents employed adaptive coping mechanisms, including positive emotional regulation and social support. However, compared to males, females employed resignation more frequently. Moreover, middle-aged adolescents had a greater propensity for negative emotion copying. Findings from this study contribute valuable information for the development of targeted interventions and support mechanisms for adolescents facing unprecedented challenges.

Final Validation of the Quality of Life after Brain Injury for Children and Adolescents (QOLIBRI-KID/ADO) Questionnaire

Until recently, no disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire existed for pediatric traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In this revalidation study, the psychometric properties and the validity of the 35-item QOLIBRI-KID/ADO questionnaire in its final German version were examined in 300 children and adolescents. It is the first self-reported TBI-specific tool for measuring pediatric HRQoL in individuals aged between 8 and 17 years. The six-factor model fits the data adequately. The questionnaire's internal consistency was excellent for the total score and satisfactory to excellent for the scale scores. Intraclass correlations indicated good test-retest reliability, and the measure's construct validity was supported by the overlap between the QOLBRI-KID/ADO and the PedsQL, which measures generic HRQoL. The discriminant validity tests showed that older children and girls reported a significantly lower HRQoL than comparison groups, and this was also true of children who were anxious or depressed, or who suffered from post-concussion symptoms, replicating the results of the questionnaire's first developmental study. Our results suggest that the QOLIBRI-KID/ADO is a reliable and valid multidimensional tool that can be used together with the adult version in clinical contexts and research to measure disease-specific HRQoL after pediatric TBI throughout a person's life. This may help improve care, treatment, daily functioning, and HRQoL after TBI.

The association between physical activity, self-efficacy, stress self-management and mental health among adolescents

This study aimed to explore the interplay between physical activity, self-efficacy, stress self-management and mental health among adolescents. The study gathered data from an online survey conducted among 400 Chinese middle school students (mean age = 13.74 years). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 and PROCESS 4.1. The findings indicated a positive and significant relationship between physical activity, self-efficacy, stress self-management, and mental health. Notably, the association between physical activity and mental health was entirely mediated by self-efficacy and stress self-management. Moreover, self-efficacy and stress self-management exhibited a chain mediation effect on the relationship between physical activity and mental health. It is suggested that interventions focusing on physical activity should prioritize strategies for enhancing students' self-efficacy and stress self-management skills as integral components of promoting adolescents' mental health. Future research should delve into identifying specific types of physical activities that have a greater potential to enhance self-efficacy and stress self-management abilities.

Individual and combined impact of physical fitness on health-related quality of life during adolescence: DADOS Study

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the individual and combined impact of physical fitness components at baseline on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at 24-month follow-up in adolescents. This longitudinal research included 199 adolescents (13.9±0.3 years at baseline) from the DADOS study. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the 20-m shuttle run test. Muscular strength was assessed using the standing broad jump test. Motor competence was assessed using the 4 × 10-m shuttle run test. A physical fitness z-score was calculated as the mean of the z-scores values of each fitness test. A fitness index ranging from 0 to 3 was created according to the number of physical fitness components in which participants achieved high levels according to normative values. HRQoL was evaluated by the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Linear regression analyses showed that cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and the physical fitness z-score at baseline were individually associated with HRQoL at follow-up (β ranging from 0.123 to 0.183; all p < 0.05). Moreover, logistic regression analysis revealed that adolescents with a fitness index ≥1 at baseline were more likely to achieve high HRQoL at 24-month follow-up, compared with their peers with an index of 0 (OR ranging from 3.554 to 9.087; all p < 0.05). Our results revealed an individual and cumulative positive impact of physical fitness at baseline on HRQoL at 24-month follow-up. These findings underline the key role of promoting the enhancement of overall physical fitness components in order to improve adolescents' health and well-being.Highlights Adolescents with high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and motor competence will benefit from a greater physical and mental well-being over the time.The more physical fitness components with optimal levels, the greater likelihood of reaching better HRQoL over the time.Public health authorities should focus on the promotion of multiple physical fitness components to increase adolescent's likelihood of achieving greater HRQoL over the time.

Longitudinal Associations between Coping Strategies and Psychopathology in Pre-adolescence

Much of the literature investigating the association between coping and psychopathology is cross-sectional, or associations have been investigated in a unidirectional manner; hence, bidirectionality between coping and psychopathology remains largely untested. To address this gap, this study investigated bidirectional relations between coping and psychopathology during pre-adolescence. Participants (N = 532, 51% male) and their primary caregiver both completed questionnaires assessing pre-adolescents' coping (i.e., avoidant, problem solving, social support seeking) and symptoms of psychopathology (i.e., generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression, eating pathology) in Wave 1 (M_age = 11.18 years, SD = 0.56, range = 10-12) and Wave 2 (M_age = 12.18 years, SD = 0.53, range = 11-13, 52% male), one year later. Cross-lagged panel models showed child-reported avoidant coping predicted increases in symptoms of generalized and social anxiety, and eating pathology. In separate child and parent models, symptoms of depression predicted increases in avoidant coping. Greater parent-reported child depressive symptoms also predicted decreases in problem solving coping. Taken together, results suggest unique longitudinal associations between coping and psychopathology in pre-adolescence, with avoidant coping preceding increases in symptoms of anxiety and eating pathology, and depressive symptoms predicting later increases in maladaptive coping.

Quality of life and adolescents' communication with their significant others (mother, father, and best friend): the mediating effect of attachment to pets

The relationship between adolescents' communication with their significant others (mother, father, and best friend) and quality of life (KIDSCREEN) was investigated in 2262 Scottish adolescent pet owners. The variable attachment to pets was also tested and assessed as a mediator of this relationship. A positive relationship between adolescents' communication with their significant other (mother, father, and best friend) and quality of life decreased when controlling for attachment to dogs. In cat owners, a positive relationship between communication with a best friend and quality of life decreased when controlling for attachment to cats. In cat and dog owners, attachment to these pets predicted higher levels of quality of life. Higher attachment to dogs and cats was explained by good best friend (IV) and attachment to pets (DV) and best friends. Mediation effects of attachment to dogs and cats might be explained in terms of the caring activities associated with these types of pets.

Mediators Linking Childhood Adversities and Trauma to Suicidality in Individuals at Risk for Psychosis

Suicidality is highly prevalent in patients at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. Childhood adversities and trauma are generally predictive of suicidality. However, the differential effects of adversity/trauma-domains and CHR-criteria, i.e., ultra-high risk and basic symptom criteria, on suicidality remain unclear. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms and, thus, worthwhile targets for suicide-prevention are still poorly understood. Therefore, structural equation modeling was used to test theory-driven models in 73 CHR-patients. Mediators were psychological variables, i.e., beliefs about one's own competencies as well as the controllability of events and coping styles. In addition, symptomatic variables (depressiveness, basic symptoms, attenuated psychotic symptoms) were hypothesized to mediate the effect of psychological mediators on suicidality as the final outcome variable. Results showed two independent pathways. In the first pathway, emotional and sexual but not physical adversity/trauma was associated with suicidality, which was mediated by dysfunctional competence/control beliefs, a lack of positive coping-strategies and depressiveness. In the second pathway, cognitive basic symptoms but not attenuated psychotic symptoms mediated the relationship between trauma/adversity and suicidality. CHR-patients are, thus, particularly prone to suicidality if adversity/trauma is followed by the development of depressiveness. Regarding the second pathway, this is the first study showing that adversity/trauma led to suicidality through an increased risk for psychosis as indicated by cognitive basic symptoms. As insight is generally associated with suicidality, this may explain why self-experienced basic symptoms increase the risk for it. Consequently, these mediators should be monitored regularly and targeted by integrated interventions as early as possible to enhance resilience against suicidality.

Reading Disability and Quality of Life Based on Both Self- and Parent-Reports: Importance of Gender Differences

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate self- and parent-rated quality of life (QoL) in children with a reading disability (RD) and the impact of comorbid psychopathology, with special focus on age and gender differences. Methods: Using the Dyslexia Differential Diagnosis Maastricht-Hungarian standard test, 127 children (aged < 18) were included in the RD group and 81 in the control group. To measure comorbid psychopathology, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was administered. To evaluate the children's QoL self- and parent-rated versions of the Measure of Quality of Life for Children and Adolescents (ILK) were used. Group differences in QoL and psychopathology were assessed using Mann-Whitney U-tests. Moderated mediational models were tested in which comorbid psychopathology mediated the relationship between group membership and self- and parent-rated QoL, which was dependent on gender. Child's age and parents' level of education were included as covariates. Results: The RD group showed lower QoL than the controls in several domains, according to the parent-report, while no differences between the two groups were found, according to self-report. In boys, results revealed conditional and indirect effects of group membership on self- and parent-rated QoL through comorbid psychopathology (-0.046, BCa 95% CI: -0.135 to 0.043 and 0.064, BCa 95% CI: 0.024-0.111, respectively) as well as a conditional direct effect of group membership on parent-reported (-0.098, BCa 95% CI: 0.012-0.184), but not self-rated, QoL. No relationship was found for girls. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of measuring QoL and comorbid psychopathology in children with RDs from more sources and accounting for gender and age differences.

Factors influencing quality of life of obese students in Hangzhou, China

Objective

To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of overweight and obese middle or high school students and identify relevant factors influencing their QOL scores.

Methods

716 students were recruited from 6 middle or high schools in Hangzhou, China. The Chinese version of the Youth Quality of Life Instrument–Weight Module (YQOL-W) was self administered. The YQOL-W scores were compared among different BMI groups, gender, educational status, annual household income, parental education and recruitment community using t test or one-way analysis of variance. The independent association of these variables with QOL among overweight and obese students was examined using multivariable linear regression modeling.

Results

Overweight and obese students reported lower total scores, self, social and environment scores than their normal weight peers (all P<0.001). The QOL of overweight and obese middle and high school students was associated with BMI value, gender, educational status, parental education, and recruitment community. Girls had lower total scores, self, social and environment domain scores than boys (all P<0.001); high school students had lower total and three domain scores than middle school students (all P<0.05). Students whose fathers had higher education reported higher total scores, self and social scores than students with less educated fathers (all P<0.05). Students whose mothers had higher education reported higher environment scores than students with less educated mothers (P = 0.01). Students from migrant communities reported significantly lower total scores, self and social scores than those from rural communities (all P<0.05), but comparable scores with those from urban communities (P>0.05). Students from migrant communities reported comparable environment scores with those from rural and urban communities (P>0.05).

Conclusions

Overweight and obesity have negative effects on students’ quality of life. Therefore weight specific QOL could be included in weight reduction interventions as a relevant outcome.

Age and gender differences in coping style across various problems: Omani adolescents' perspective

This study examines adolescents' coping styles, with relation to their gender and age and level, of six types of problems. The participants were 1843 adolescents (51.7% female and 48.3% male) from the Sultanate of Oman with a mean age of 15.75. Two scales examining general adaptive and maladaptive coping styles and levels of school, economic, personal, health, family, and emotional problems were administered. The findings showed that adolescents' high levels of perceived problems were associated with higher levels of maladaptive coping styles than those with low levels of problems. Furthermore, female adolescents seem to use maladaptive coping styles (across all levels of the six types of problems) more than males. The use of adaptive and maladaptive coping styles increase with age.

Parental psychological violence and adolescent behavioral adjustment: the role of coping and social support

The role of coping strategies (approach and avoidance) as a mediating factor between parental psychological violence and adolescent behavior problems, both internalized and externalized, as well as the protective role of social support were examined separately for boys and girls. A group of 278 adolescents (mean age: 14.2) were recruited in three high schools located in low, moderate, and high socioeconomic areas. Participants were in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades, and each completed a self-administered questionnaire. The use of avoidant coping strategies partially mediated the link between parental psychological violence and behavior problems among girls. The use of approach coping strategies partially mediated the link between parental psychological violence and behavior problems among boys. In all cases, coping enhanced this link. No protective role of social support was found. On the contrary, this variable was found to increase the relationship between parental psychological violence and externalized behavior problems among boys. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at strengthening coping skills and social support in adolescents may not be effective in alleviating various behavioral symptoms associated with parental psychological violence. They highlight the importance of prevention of psychologically violent parental practices, instead of only reacting to the problem after it has occurred.

Geschlechtstypische Unterschiede und geschlechtstypische Erwartungen beim Einsatz von Bewältigungsstrategien und ihre Zusammenhänge zum Problemverhalten von Jugendlichen

Zusammenfassung. In dieser Studie geht es um geschlechtstypische Unterschiede bei der Nutzung von Bewältigungsstrategien in der frühen Adoleszenz. Neben den Angaben zur Nutzung der Strategien wird zusätzlich berücksichtigt, in welchem Ausmaß Geschlechtsunterschiede von den Jugendlichen erwartet werden. Die Angaben zur Nutzung von Bewältigungsstrategien sowie das Ausmaß der Geschlechtsrollenkonformität der Erwartungen werden zu Anpassungsproblemen in Bezug gesetzt. An der Studie nahmen 260 Jugendliche mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 13.7 Jahren (SD = 1.9) teil. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass nur bei wenigen Bewältigungsstrategien Geschlechtsunterschiede hinsichtlich ihrer Nutzung bestehen, während bei wesentlich mehr Bewältigungsstrategien Nutzungsunterschiede erwartet werden. Vor allem als maladaptiv klassifizierte Bewältigungsstrategien stehen in beiden Geschlechtsgruppen mit erhöhten emotionalen und verhaltensbezogenen Anpassungsproblemen im Zusammenhang. Als adaptiv klassifizierte Bewältigungsstrategien sind weiterhin bei Jungen mit geringeren emotionalen Problemen assoziiert. Bei Mädchen finden sich weiterhin Bezüge zur Suche nach sozialer Unterstützung. Es zeigt sich weiterhin, dass mit geschlechtsrollenkonformen Erwartungen zum Einsatz von Bewältigungsstrategien eine weitere Varianzaufklärung bei Anpassungsproblemen erreicht werden kann. Dies gilt jedoch nur für Mädchen und kann möglicherweise durch die Wirkung von Geschlechtsrollenstereotypen erklärt werden, die sich sowohl auf die Angaben zu den Bewältigungsstrategien als auch auf die Angaben zu Anpassungsproblemen auswirken und dadurch gemeinsame Varianz erzeugen.

Bewältigung alltäglicher Stresssituationen von Kindern und Jugendlichen

Zusammenfassung. Dieser Artikel liefert einen Überblick über Befunde zu situativen und personalen Einflussfaktoren auf die Bewältigung alltäglicher Anforderungen von klinisch unauffälligen Kindern und Jugendlichen. Hierzu wurden insgesamt 28 Studien aufgenommen. Mit dem Ziel einer ersten Bestandsaufnahme wird die Frage beantwortet, welchen Einfluss die Faktoren Belastungssituation, Alter und Geschlecht auf das Bewältigungsverhalten der Kinder und Jungendlichen zeigen. Ausgehend vom dargestellten Forschungsstand werden Empfehlungen für zukünftige Studien abgeleitet und Perspektiven für die Gesundheitspsychologie aufgezeigt.

Estrategias de afrontamiento en adolescentes

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir y analizar las estrategias de afrontamiento que presentan los adolescentes escolarizados. La muestra total estuvo conformada por 323 adolecentes, estudiantes (184 hombres y 139 mujeres) de Octavo Básico a Cuarto Año Medio pertenecientes a diferentes tipos Establecimientos Educacionales de la ciudad de Arica (Chile): Privado (90), Particular Subvencionado (114) y Municipal (119). A todos ellos se les aplicó la escala ASC de Frydenberg y Lewis (1997). Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los tipos de Establecimiento Educacional, siendo el Establecimiento Particular Subvencionado el que evidenció mayor variedad de estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas. Se discuten las implicancias a la luz de los resultados hallados.

[Gender-specific stress management training at school]

Gender differences in coping suggest the conceptualization of gender-specific stress management trainings for adolescents. In this pilot study, the acceptance of the newly developed school-based cognitive-behavioral stress management training was examined and preliminary results of the effectiveness of our gender-specific program were obtained. The intervention effects on coping were investigated in N=35 girls and N=45 boys of the fifth and sixth grade using a within design, separately analysed for both genders and consisting of three four weeks intervals: The no-treatment period before the intervention served as control period. The stress management training with six sessions within the school setting were delivered in the following experimental period. During the follow-up period the mid term intervention effects were examined. Girls benefited in minimization and relaxation in the short term. Boys improved in relaxation coping in the short and mid term. Boys also decreased in externalizing coping in the short run. Results are discussed with regard to modifications of the gender-specific program.