1
|
Chen MY, He F, Rao WW, Qi Y, Rao SY, Ho TI, Su Z, Cheung T, Smith RD, Ng CH, Zheng Y, Xiang YT. The network structures of mental and behavioral problems among children and adolescents in China using propensity score matching: A comparison between one-child and multi-child families based on a nationwide survey. J Affect Disord 2024:S0165-0327(24)00864-4. [PMID: 38797390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exploring networks of mental and behavioral problems in children and adolescents may identify differences between one-child and multi-child families. This study compared the network structures of mental and behavioral problems in children and adolescents in one-child families versus multi-child families based on a nationwide survey. METHODS Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match children and adolescents from one-child families with those from multi-child families. Mental and behavioral problems were assessed using the Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) with eight syndrome subscales. In the network analysis, strength centrality index was used to estimate central symptoms, and case-dropping bootstrap method was used to assess network stability. RESULTS The study included 39,648 children and adolescents (19,824 from one-child families and 19,824 from multi-child families). Children and adolescents from multi-child families exhibited different network structure and higher global strength compared to those from one-child families. In one-child families, the most central symptoms were "Social problems", "Anxious/depressed" and "Withdrawn/depressed", while in multi-child families, the most central symptoms were "Social problems", "Rule-breaking behavior" and "Anxious/depressed". CONCLUSION Differences in mental and behavioral problems among children and adolescents between one-child and multi-child families were found. To address these problems, interventions targeting "Social problems" and "Anxious/depressed" symptoms should be developed for children and adolescents in both one-child and multi-child families, while other interventions targeting "Withdrawn/depressed" and "Rule-breaking behavior" symptoms could be useful for those in one-child and multi-child families, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yi Chen
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao; Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao
| | - Fan He
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Wang Rao
- Department of Preventive Medicine,Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guandong province, China
| | - Yanjie Qi
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shu-Ying Rao
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao
| | - Tin-Ian Ho
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao
| | - Zhaohui Su
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Teris Cheung
- School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Robert D Smith
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao
| | - Chee H Ng
- Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic and St Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Richmond, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Yi Zheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yu-Tao Xiang
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao; Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen JK, Yang B, Lin CY, Wang LC. Affiliation With Delinquent Peers as a Mediator of the Relationships Between Family Conflict and School Bullying: A Short-Term Longitudinal Panel Study. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2023; 38:10686-10702. [PMID: 37226726 DOI: 10.1177/08862605231175517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Despite a hypothesized link between family conflict and school bullying perpetration, previous findings on the direct association have been inconsistent. It has been argued that affiliation with delinquent peers may be a potential psychosocial mechanism mediating the relationships between family conflict and school perpetration. However, such a proposition has not been examined employing longitudinal panel data. Using longitudinal panel data (two waves with a 9-month interval) from Hong Kong collected from 424 lower secondary students (grades 7-9), this study examined how affiliation with delinquent peers mediates the relationships between family conflict and adolescent school perpetration. The results of the half-longitudinal mediation model indicated no significant link between family conflict at T1 and school bullying perpetration at T2. However, family conflict at T1 was indirectly linked to school bullying perpetration at T2 through affiliation with delinquent peers. The findings imply that affiliation with delinquent peers mediates the association between family conflict and adolescent school bullying perpetration. The findings provide insights into the future development of policies and interventions to reduce school bullying perpetration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Kang Chen
- Department of Social Work, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Boyuan Yang
- Department of Social Work, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Chung-Ying Lin
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Li-Chih Wang
- Department of Speical Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ehrenreich SE, Jouriles EN, Mortensen JA, Meter DJ, Underwood MK. Peer Communication about Antisocial Activities as a Mediator of Interparental Conflict in Mid-Adolescence and Externalizing Problems in Late Adolescence. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES 2022; 31:3221-3233. [PMID: 36643614 PMCID: PMC9838825 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-022-02427-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The current study investigated whether adolescent peer communication about antisocial activities mediates the association between interparental conflict within the family system in mid-adolescence and externalizing problems in late adolescence. Participants were 115 families in which an adolescent and caregiver participated in a longitudinal study. Adolescents (53 girls, 62 boys) completed measures of interparental conflict and externalizing problems in 8th grade (age 14). Afterward, adolescents received a BlackBerry device configured to capture all text messages sent and received. During the 9th grade, four days of text messages were coded for peer communication about antisocial topics. Adolescents again completed a measure of externalizing problems in 11th grade (age 17). Results indicated that interparental conflict in 8th grade correlated positively with adolescents' externalizing problems in 11th grade, but only for girls. In addition, the frequency of communication about antisocial activities mediated the link between interparental conflict and girls' externalizing problems. The findings support the idea that adolescent girls' communications about antisocial activities with their peers may contribute to the link between interparental conflict and girls' externalizing problems.
Collapse
|
4
|
Nesi J, Burke TA, Caltabiano A, Spirito A, Wolff JC. Digital media-related precursors to psychiatric hospitalization among youth. J Affect Disord 2022; 310:235-240. [PMID: 35533775 PMCID: PMC10042225 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Digital media, including smartphones and social media, are central in youths' lives. This study aimed to examine the role of digital media in psychiatric hospital admissions among adolescents. 343 psychiatrically-hospitalized youth (Mage = 15.2; 70.3% White, 13.7% Black, 33.9% Hispanic; 48.7% female) completed self-report measures of potential digital media-related reasons for hospitalization, patterns of digital media use, and clinical symptoms (internalizing, externalizing, suicidal ideation and attempts). Digital media-related reasons for hospitalization were common, with over 40% of the sample endorsing at least one such reason; 24.8% endorsed having their phone taken away as a reason for admission. Younger adolescents and youth with addictive patterns of phone use were more likely to endorse digital media-related reasons for hospitalization, including phone restriction and negative social media experiences. In addition, youth endorsing suicide-related social media engagement (e.g., posting or messaging about suicide) as a precursor to admission reported more severe suicidal ideation and greater likelihood of a recent suicide attempt. Limitations of the study include a reliance on self-report measures and cross-sectional design. Findings highlight the need to identify youth who may be especially vulnerable to digital media experiences that contribute to risk for psychiatric hospitalization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Nesi
- Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States of America.
| | - Taylor A Burke
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Anna Caltabiano
- Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Anthony Spirito
- Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Jennifer C Wolff
- Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|