Parenting as an inhibitor of gender disparities in alcohol use: the case of early adolescents in China

Gender differences in the relationship between income inequality and health in China: Evidence from the China Health and Nutrition Survey data

This study examines gender differences in the relationship between income inequality and health in China. Multilevel regression models were used to analyse data from the most recent five waves (2004-2015) across 12 provinces in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). The findings remain robust when considering alternative measures of health outcomes and income inequality. Men showed greater sensitivity to income inequality in terms of adverse health outcomes. When individuals experienced the same level of changes in income inequality, men had a higher risk of reporting poor health status, higher BMI, higher systolic blood pressure, and a higher risk of smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol than women. Despite missing data and causal inference challenges, this study highlights gender differences in the relationship between income inequality and health in China, potentially attributed to cultural gender norms. Double standards regarding weight and health-compromising behaviours based on gender roles and stereotypes are more intensive in China, particularly in areas with higher income inequality. One policy implication of this study is that reducing income inequality could enhance individual health outcomes, with a more notable impact on men's health compared to women's.

Parental corporal punishment and adolescent drinking: the protective role of personal growth initiative and gender difference

Introduction

Parenting and peer victimization (PV) are crucial for adolescent drinking. To further explore the cause of adolescent drinking, the present study investigated the role of PV and personal growth initiative (PGI) in the relationship between parental corporal punishment (PCP) and adolescent drinking.

Methods

Present study build moderated mediation models to test the hypothesis, and detailed analysis of gender differences was conducted on the models. The data were collected in a cross-sectional questionnaire study with n = 1,007 adolescents (mean age = 13.16 years, 51.84% girls, n = 522).

Results

Model analysis showed that: (1) PV totally mediated the relationship between PCP and adolescent girls' drinking behavior; (2) The positive association between PV and drinking was only significant for girls with low PGI.

Discussion

These findings underscore the importance of the protective effect of a personality trait characterized by spontaneous self-promotion on adolescent girls' drinking.

The impact of the peer effect on adolescent drinking behavior: instrumental-variable evidence from China

Background

Governments around the world have taken measures to limit adolescent drinking, however, rates are still alarmingly high. However, most of these measures ignore the peer effect of drinking among adolescents. Previous studies have not sufficiently considered the reciprocal relationship between adolescent alcohol consumption and peer alcohol consumption, which may lead to an overestimation of the peer effect and mask underlying issues. Good instrumental variables are powerful but rare tools to address these issues.

Objective

This paper aims to correctly estimate the peer effect of drinking on adolescent drinking behavior in China.

Methods

Owing to the detailed information of household background in the dataset of our survey, we were able to use the drinking behaviors of peers' fathers and their beliefs about the health risks of alcohol as instrumental variables, which are more powerful than school-average instrumental variables. We collected data from the 2017 Health and Nutrition Panel survey, which surveyed 10,772 primary school students from 59 urban migrant and 60 rural public schools.

Results

The instrumental variable method estimation revealed that peer drinking significantly influences adolescent drinking behavior, with adolescents who have peers who drink alcohol being 10.5% points (2 stage least square, i.e., 2SLS, full sample estimation) more likely to engage in drinking compared to those without such peers. Furthermore, the effect differs significantly between migrant and rural adolescents.

Conclusion

The study found that parental care plays a significant role in the degree of peer effect, with the absence of parental care being a key factor in the presence of the peer effect.

A Parental Competence Scale: Dimensions and Their Association With Adolescent Outcomes

Positive family functioning during adolescence is usually studied analyzing parents' competences and children's relationship abilities. We present an instrument for the assessment of parental competence, which encompasses both educational style and transmission of values. The objective of the study was to analyze its factor structure and to assess its value in predicting adolescent outcomes. We recruited 2,459 high school students, aged 12–15, in 40 schools from Spain, Peru, Mexico, and Chile. They responded to the instrument and to other questions regarding lifestyles. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were carried out in order to assess the internal structure of the instrument, and internal consistency of the resulting dimensions was calculated. Finally, regression analyses were performed to establish associations between the parenting dimensions and adolescent outcomes. Factor analyses showed a consistent structure, with good fit indices in the four countries. The final four factors include parenting styles (Warmth and Demandingness) and education in values (Fortitude and Privacy). Regression analyses showed associations with adolescent outcomes. For example, adolescents' life satisfaction was best predicted by Warmth and Education in fortitude. Practical implications are suggested.

Gender Differences in the Prediction of Alcohol Intoxication among Adolescents

BACKGROUND

Alcohol is one of the most commonly consumed substances in adolescence and can lead to many (mental) health problems. This study aimed to examine social determinants related to family, peers and school achievement as risk factors for alcohol intoxication (AI) among adolescents and to examine whether these risk factors differ in their prediction of AI concerning potential gender differences.

METHODS

The data used in this study were obtained from the cross-sectional "European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs" and involved 2558 participants who were turning 16 in the year of the research. Multinomial and binary logistic regressions were performed for each AI indicator (lifetime, in the last 12 months, in the last 30 days and heavy episodic drinking (HED) in the last 30 days) in relation to gender.

RESULTS

School achievement, parental knowledge, peer pressure (for alcohol consumption and for AI) were found to be consistent predictors for varying AI among adolescents. High school achievement was found to be a protective factor for all AI indicators explored in our study, regardless of gender. Peer pressure made a more pronounced contribution to AI experience among boys, while parental knowledge demonstrated a more protective nature with regards to AI among girls.

CONCLUSION

Overall, results indicate that social determinants as predictors of AI among adolescents are consistent across various AI indicators and confirm gender specific predictors for AI. These findings indicate the possible benefit of involving parents in preventive programs and of using a gender perspective regarding observed differences.