A prospective study of the relative contribution of adolescent peer support quantity and quality to depressive symptoms

Multiple Risks and Adolescent Depressive Symptoms in Ethnic Regions of China: Analyses Using Cumulative Risk Model, Logistic Regression, and Association Rule Mining

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between multiple risk exposures in family and school settings and the depressive symptoms of Chinese students in early adolescence living in the ethnic regions of Yunnan and Hebei, China, via different multiple risk analytic approaches. A total of 2940 students (47.3% females) in grades 4 to 9 (Mage = 12.08, SD = 2.04) from ethnic minority counties in Yunnan and Hebei participated in the survey. The participants completed the questionnaires and reported family risk, school risk, depressive symptoms, and demographic information. The cumulative risk model and the individual multiple risk models with logistic regression/association rule mining were used to examine the effects of cumulative risk, the relative contributions of individual risks, and combinations of multiple risks. We found that (1) when a cumulative risk model was used, the associations between family cumulative risk and school cumulative risk on depressive symptoms were significant, but the cross-domain interaction effect was not significant. (2) The results of logistic regression indicated that high levels of family conflict, low levels of family cohesion, low levels of teacher support, and low levels of peer support were significantly correlated with a high risk for depression. (3) The results of association rule mining revealed meaningful associations between multiple risk factor combinations and depressive symptoms. In conclusion, the use of association rule mining enhanced the analyses and understanding of the effects of multiple risk exposures. Interpersonal stressors in family and school settings need to be addressed in depression prevention and intervention programs for adolescents.

Impact of childhood psychological abuse on the trajectory of adolescent depressive symptoms: a latent growth modeling approach

BACKGROUND

Although researchers have examined the impact of childhood psychological abuse on adolescent depressive symptoms, further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms by which childhood psychological abuse influences these symptoms.

METHODS

Utilizing a latent variable growth model, this study analyzed the dynamic trajectories of depressive symptoms among 1,300 adolescents from four middle schools in Jiangsu Province and Sichuan Province, as well as the factors influencing these trajectories. A longitudinal survey was conducted with three rounds of questionnaires over the course of a semester. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 24.0 and Mplus 7.0.

RESULTS

The findings revealed several key points: (1) Depressive symptoms among adolescents generally showed a linear decline; however, there were significant individual differences in initial symptom levels and rates of change; (2) Childhood psychological abuse was found to significantly predict both initial levels and the pace of change in depressive symptoms; (3) All three dimensions of childhood psychological abuse-verbal aggression, threats, and intrusiveness-significantly influenced both initial symptom levels and the trajectory of change; (4) The dynamics of psychological abuse were significantly correlated with the rate of change in depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The results highlight the detrimental effects of childhood psychological abuse and suggest the feasibility of interventions targeting early secondary school students, providing insights into strategies to mitigate the impact of depressive symptoms among adolescents.

Physical activity and mental health in Chinese high school students: a cross-sectional study

Adolescent physical activity (PA) is essential for mental health. However, the declining PA levels amongst this group pose global challenges. This study examines the relationship between PA and mental health amongst 1668 Chinese high school students, focusing on gender and grade-level differences. Only 30.9% of students met the recommended 60 min of daily moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), with boys showing a significantly higher compliance rate than girls (44.2% vs. 25.2%, P < 0.001). MVPA compliance was linked to better mental health, as compliant students had a lower mental health detection rate (43.6%) compared with non-compliant peers (56.4%, P < 0.001). The grade 11 students were at the highest risk of mental health issues (OR = 2.421, 95% CI: 1.893-3.096 and P < 0.001), whilst being female (OR = 0.630, 95% CI: 0.502-0.791 and P < 0.001). Meanwhile, MVPA non-compliance (OR = 0.792, 95% CI: 0.736-0.851 and P = 0.008) were additional risk factors. Poorer mental health correlated with reduced time in vigorous PA and increased time in low-intensity activities (P = 0.001). These findings highlight the low PA levels and significant mental health risks amongst adolescents, particularly girls and grade 11 students. Targeted interventions promoting PA, time management and mental health support are critical.

The Influence of School Bullying and Violence Victimization on Suicidal Ideation Among Urban Minority Adolescents

BACKGROUND

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), death by suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth aged 14 to 19. Suicidal behavior (suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts) has significantly increased among female and male Hispanic and Black populations in the past few years. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine if exposure to bullying and violence influenced adolescent suicidal thoughts.

METHOD

Youth were asked to complete questions from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey focused on suicidal ideation, bullying exposure, and exposure to fights in the community. They were also asked to complete the 10-item Kessler psychological distress scale.

RESULTS

A total of 2,118 students participated in this study. Suicidal ideations was positively correlated with bullying exposure, exposure to fights, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Bullying exposure, exposure to fights in the community and symptoms associated with depression and anxiety increased odds of suicidal ideations. Perceived social support and family support lowered the odds of suicidal ideations.

CONCLUSION

Bullying and violence at school can influence mental health outcomes among youth. As healthcare providers, it is imperative to identify youth and implement culturally sensitive interventions to improve and enhance their home, community, and school environments.

Core self-evaluations and perceived classmate support: Independent predictors of psychological adjustment

INTRODUCTION

The main aim of this research was to explore the contribution of both core self-evaluations (CSE) and classmate support as unique predictors of positive and negative psychological adjustment among adolescents.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 2,293 Spanish adolescents (Mage = 14.07) completed the Core Self-Evaluations Scale, the Classmate Support subscale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales and the Frequency of Suicidal Ideation Inventory. Pearson correlations among assessed variables were examined, and three hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the predictive role of CSE and classmate support on life satisfaction, depressive symptomatology, and suicidal ideation.

RESULTS

Both CSE and classmate support were positively related to life satisfaction and negatively related to depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Hierarchical regression analyses identified CSE and classmate support as independent predictors of both positive and negative psychological outcomes in this sample. These results indicated support for a comprehensive model involving CSE and classmate support as additive predictors of both positive and negative outcomes among adolescents.

CONCLUSION

These findings underscore the unique and additive role of both individual (i.e., CSE) and, to a lower degree, social factors (i.e., classmate support) to augment the prediction model of positive and negative psychological adjustment among adolescents. Practical implications are discussed, focusing on preventive programs that include strategies to increase positive self-appraisals and create a supportive classroom climate.

Differential Impacts of Anticipated Success on Employment Outcomes Among Adults Who Stutter

PURPOSE

Stuttering is associated with disparities in labor market outcomes among young adults, but little is known about how labor market outcomes associated with stuttering change over time. Therefore, this study characterized longitudinal associations between stuttering and early life expectations, job satisfaction, receipt of employer-provided insurance benefits, and income.

METHOD

The analysis used data from three waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, which contained 16,653 individuals aged 18-43 years interviewed over 18 years. First, regression models evaluated the likelihood of employment between people who stutter (PWS) and people who do not stutter (PWNS). Second, conditional on employment, two-stage likelihood models quantified differences in their job satisfaction, receipt of employer-provided insurance benefits, and earned income, controlling for age, sex, race, and household characteristics. Finally, the relationship between their reported education and income expectations and these employment outcomes was evaluated.

RESULTS

Although stuttering was not related to the likelihood of working or receiving employer-provided benefits, PWS were 20%-22% (SE = 0.06-0.07) less likely to be satisfied with their jobs than PWNS, and dissatisfaction increased with age. Additionally, the odds of earning a higher income were significantly lower for PWS than for PWNS. PWS who anticipated attending college and earning a middle-class income were more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and earn a higher income. However, PWS were less likely to expect that they would earn a middle-class income (PWNS: 46.4%, PWS: 36.3%) or graduate from college (PWNS: 70.9%, PWS: 58.4%) compared to PWNS.

CONCLUSIONS

Labor market inequities associated with stuttering persist and increase with age. PWS have significantly lower expectations for their likelihood of future success, and these expectations predict their future occupational outcomes.

Rethinking peer influence and risk taking: A strengths-based approach to adolescence in a new era

The ways that psychopathology manifests in adolescence have shifted dramatically over the past twenty-five years, with rates of many externalizing behaviors declining substantially while rates of anxiety and depressive disorders have skyrocketed. This paper argues that understanding these changes requires rethinking the field's historically somewhat negative views of intense peer connections, peer influences, and adolescent risk-taking behavior. It is argued that intense peer connections are critical to development, and that peer influence and risk taking have important, often overlooked, adaptive components. The shift in observed manifestations of adolescent psychopathology over this period can be viewed at least partly in terms of a shift away from strong peer connections and toward greater risk aversion. Implications for research and intervention based on a focus on the adaptive aspects of peer influences and risk taking are discussed.

Relationship Between Family and Friend Support and Psychological Distress in Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the associations between family and friend support and depressive and anxiety symptoms among adolescents, considering potential sex differences.

METHODS

Secondary data from a longitudinal cohort study of 1,348 adolescents ages 11-17 were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression, controlling for relevant factors. Interaction terms between sex and support were created to examine moderation by sex.

RESULTS

Youth who reported higher family support reported lower depressive symptoms (b = -0.53, p < .001) and lower anxiety symptoms (b = -0.39, p < .001). Similarly, youth's higher reported friend support was associated with lower depressive symptoms (b = -0.52, p < .001) and lower anxiety symptoms (b = -0.44, p < .001). Effects were not modified by sex.

CONCLUSION

Understanding modifiable factors such as supportive systems is important to mitigate mental health disorders. Further investigation of protective factors for promoting adolescent mental health is needed.

Longitudinal Association between Bullying Victimization and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Early Adolescents: The Effect of Life Satisfaction

Bullying victimization is associated with an increased risk of depression among adolescents. However, few studies have examined the association between bullying victimization and depressive symptoms, the impact of particular dimensions of life satisfaction on this relationship, and whether these associations vary by gender. A multilevel model (MLM) was used to explore the relationship between 1,611 Chinese early adolescents' incidence of bullying victimization and depression and life satisfaction's effect on this relationship (60.5% boys, M age = 12.48, SD = 0.48 at baseline). Bullying victimization was found to predict a high risk of depression in early adolescence. Further, we observed that life satisfaction mitigated the relationship between bullying victimization and depression; the MLM analysis indicated that these associations somewhat differed between genders. This study emphasized-based on ecological theory-four special dimensions of life satisfaction and bullying victimization in relation to depression risk. Additionally, this study provides novel insights into the correlation between bullying victimization and depression among Chinese early adolescents.

Love beyond gluten: self-esteem, illness identity, and social support in romantic rejection concerns among adolescents with celiac disease

Introduction

Fear of stigmatization, high perceived partner burden, or refraining from self-disclosure may manifest in romantic rejection concerns among adolescents with celiac disease (CD), potentially impacting their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study examined the prevalence, predictors, and consequences of romantic rejection concerns among adolescents and young adults with CD.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 165 German adolescents and young adults (aged 14-22) with self-reported CD. Participants completed measures of romantic rejection concerns, illness identity, self-esteem, peer support, and CD-specific HRQOL.

Results

Participants reported moderate levels of concerns about the impact of CD on their romantic relationships, with no significant gender differences. Participants involved in romantic relationships expressed lower concerns of rejection, but similar preference for a "gluten-free partner." Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that higher illness acceptance and peer support predicted lower rejection concerns. Significant interactions emerged between self-esteem and illness acceptance, and between self-esteem and peer support. Higher illness acceptance predicted fewer rejection worries only among those with high self-esteem, while peer support played a mitigating role only for those with low self-esteem. Romantic rejection concerns significantly predicted lower CD-specific HRQOL across all domains.

Discussion

Anxieties about CD's impact on romantic relationships are prevalent among adolescents and may hinder their HRQOL. The findings highlight the complex interplay between self-esteem, illness identity, and social support in shaping romantic concerns. Targeted interventions focusing on peer support and fostering positive illness identity are recommended to alleviate rejection fears and improve HRQOL among youth with CD.

Risk and Protective Factors of Depression in Family and School Domains for Chinese Early Adolescents: An Association Rule Mining Approach

Depression is one of the most common psychological problems in adolescence. Familial and school-related factors are closely related to adolescents' depression, but their combined effects need further examination. The purpose of this study was to explore the combined effects of risk/protective factors of depression in family and school domains using a sample of Chinese adolescents differing in gender, age group and left-behind status. A total of 2455 Chinese students in primary and secondary school participated in the cross-sectional survey and reported multiple risk/protective factors in family and school environments and depressive symptoms. Association rule mining, a machine learning method, was used in the data analyses to identify the correlation between risk/protective factor combinations and depression. We found that (1) Family cohesion, family conflict, peer support, and teacher support emerged as the strongest factors associated with adolescent depression; (2) The combination of these aforementioned factors further strengthened their association with depression; (3) Female gender, middle school students, and family socioeconomic disadvantages attenuated the protective effects of positive relational factors while exacerbating the deleterious effects of negative relational factors; (4) For individuals at risk, lack of mental health education resources at school intensified the negative impact; (5) The risk and protective factors of depression varied according to gender, age stage and left-behind status. In conclusion, the findings shed light on the identification of high-risk adolescents for depression and underscore the importance of tailored programs targeting specific subgroups based on gender, age, or left-behind status.