Mental health in Somali youth in the United States: the role of protective factors in preventing depressive symptoms, suicidality, and self-injury

School Connectedness and Suicide Among High School Youth: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Suicide is a leading cause of death for adolescents, and school connectedness is a potential, modifiable protective factor for suicide. We sought to examine if school connectedness protected against suicide among high school students and if potential moderators affected the relationship between school connectedness and suicide.

METHODS

We searched online databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) on December 12, 2021, for studies that examined the effects of school connectedness on suicide among high school students.

RESULTS

This systematic review identified 34 studies that examined the effects of school connectedness on adolescent suicidality. Results indicated mixed findings of school connectedness on suicidality. Among studies that assessed a suicide ideation outcome, 73.3% found that school connectedness protected against suicide. Among studies that assessed a suicide attempts outcome, 50% found that school connectedness protected against suicide. Most included studies did not control for notable variables in their final models, such as sleep, impulsivity, substance use, or depression. No studies examined moderators of school connectedness and suicide.

CONCLUSIONS

School connectedness is somewhat protective of suicidality, and more protective of suicidal ideation than suicide attempts. Researchers should examine the construct of school connectedness among modern youth to better understand school connectedness and suicide.

Resilience to Self-Harm

Background: Although a wide range of studies discuss prevalence and risk factors associated with self-harm, protective factors that are equally important are rarely explored. Moreover, much of our understanding of young individuals who engage in self-harm come from studies conducted in Western countries with very little emphasis on marginalized groups. Aim: This scoping review identifies research on resilience among marginalized youth and youth living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) who show evidence of self-harm. Method: A scoping review following Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework was conducted. This effort included drawing upon peer-reviewed research published between January 2000 and September 2020 to identify protective factors and coping strategies that are employed by individuals 10-29 years old with self-harming tendencies. Results: A total of 15 original papers met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the LMIC publications were from China. Social support, positive youth development, and religiosity were the most frequently reported protective factors. Conclusion: Despite widespread concern about self-harm, there are few peer-reviewed articles that look at resilience or recovery among youth in LMICs and among marginalized young people. In addition to various internal and external protective factors, this scoping review identifies gaps in our understanding of resilience to self-harm among youth belonging to these groups.

Factors Influencing Improvement of Trauma-Related Symptoms Among Somali Refugee Youth in Urban Kenya

Somali refugee youth present with a heightened risk for common mental disorders (CMDs), and yet few studies have discussed factors influencing mental health outcomes after psychosocial interventions. This study aimed to identify key factors that contribute to the improvement of CMD symptoms among Somali youth displaced in urban Kenya. Logistic regression analyses revealed that trauma exposure and emotional coping predict overall symptom improvement, pointing to a differential intervention effect on those with differing levels of religious belief and attitudes toward violence. This study provides insights into how psychosocial factors likely contribute to positive intervention outcomes in Somali refugee youth.

Risk and Protective Factors for Physical Activity Engagement Among Adolescents With Comorbid Asthma and Obesity

OBJECTIVE

The current study identifies levels of physical activity (PA) engagement among adolescents with neither asthma nor overweight/obesity (OW/OB), one, or both conditions. Risk and protective factors are examined across groups.

METHODS

Data from 8th, 9th, and 11th graders were obtained from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey (N = 125,164). One-way analysis of variance was used to assess PA levels across risk groups. Linear regressions were used to examine patterns of risk and protective factors for adolescent PA engagement across four groups (neither asthma nor OW/OB, asthma only, OW/OB only, and comorbid asthma + OW/OB). Results were stratified by race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Adolescents with OW/OB only or asthma + OW/OB had significantly lower PA levels than youth with asthma only or neither condition (M = 3.65-3.67 days/week, SD = 2.20 vs M = 4.15-4.19 days/week, SD = 2.16-2.17, p < .001). The following variables were associated with adolescent PA (p < .001): Adult community care across all risk groups (β ranges = .13-.16), depressive symptoms among those with neither and both asthma + OW/OB (β's = -.10), and extracurriculars among those with asthma + OW/OB (β = .10). Extracurriculars and parent connectedness were protective for Hispanic adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents with OW/OB had significantly lower levels of PA compared to those without, regardless of asthma status. Individual and relational factors influenced adolescent PA. Future research investigating factors influencing adolescent PA should consider depressive symptoms, connectedness to adults in the community, non-sport-related extracurricular activity involvement, and address disparities among minoritized youth.

Family weight teasing, ethnicity and acculturation: Associations with well-being among Latinx, Hmong, and Somali Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the prevalence of weight-based teasing by family members and associations with unhealthy weight control behaviors, body satisfaction, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms among adolescents from three immigrant communities (Latinx, Hmong, and Somali).

METHODS

Data come from EAT 2010, a population-based study of weight and related behaviors (N = 1577, mean age = 14.5 years). Adjusted models tested associations between weight-based teasing and well-being, controlling for BMI and ethnic group; effect modification by ethnic group and acculturation were also explored.

RESULTS

Family weight-based teasing was common (12.1%-42.9% reporting this experience across gender and ethnic groups) and was associated with all four measures of well-being in the expected direction. Associations were statistically equivalent in all ethnic groups and were not modified by acculturation.

CONCLUSION

Youth from immigrant communities experience family weight-based teasing and associated threats to well-being. Additional research is needed to further understand the cultural context of weight-based teasing and develop relevant prevention messages.