Adolescent tobacco use: the protective effects of developmental assets

Dying to Fit In: How Interpersonal Networks Shape COVID-19 Health Outcomes Through Discussion and Social Norms

Research has repeatedly demonstrated the ability of social networks, interpersonal discussion, and perceived social norms to shape health-related outcomes. There are still substantial gaps, however, in understanding the theoretical mechanism that holds these components together, as well as the boundary conditions of their effects. Employing ego-network analysis with a representative sample of Illinois residents (N = 711) and focusing on the context of COVID-19 vaccine adherence, this study constructs a comprehensive framework to examine the direct, indirect, and conditional relationships linking social capital within networks, factual knowledge, and vaccination. Overall, the results point to the ability of tight-knit networks to influence knowledge and behavior for better or worse, depending on the composition of the network and its conversational valence. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Smoking Behaviors and Viewpoints of Smoking by Erciyes University, Faculty of Theology Students

Religious beliefs and attitudes contribute to a healthy life by helping individuals avoiding negative behaviors that can affect health. In this respect, clergymen can play an important role in smoking control by being models for the society. This study was conducted to evaluate smoking situations and views on cigarette use by Erciyes University, Faculty of Theology students. In this cross-sectional descriptive research, a questionnaire was conducted with the first and last year students studying in the Faculty of Theology (305). 88.2% of the students (97.0% of the women and 69.6% of the men) have never smoked; 6.9% of them (3.0% freshmen/16.0% senior students) still smoke and 4.9% of them have quit smoking. 81.0% of the smokers have thought of quitting smoking and 47.6% of them have tried to quit smoking. 70.6% of those thinking of quitting smoking stated that religion is motivating their thought of quitting smoking. 73.8% of the students expressed that religious sensitivity could affect smoking, 54.4% stated that smoking was an abomination to religion and 43.3% expressed that religion totally forbids smoking. Some measures need to be taken for fight against smoking, a global and preventable problem. Countries make legislative regulations to solve this problem and in addition to this, individuals such as clergymen and educators should also be mindful for the solution of this problem.

Geographic isolation predicts tobacco product use among youth: A latent class analysis

PURPOSE

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate associations between geographic rurality and tobacco use patterns among adolescents.

METHODS

High school students (N = 566) from north-central Appalachia reported on their lifetime and/or current use of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes (ECIGs), cigars, and smokeless tobacco. Geographic rurality was measured via the Isolation scale, whereby residential ZIP Codes determined the degree to which respondents have access to health-related resources. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify discrete classes of adolescent tobacco users based on their use of tobacco products. Then, associations between participants' geographic rurality and class membership were evaluated using a series of multinomial logistic regressions.

FINDINGS

LCA classified participants as Nonusers, Current ECIG Users, Cigarette/ECIG Experimenters, and Polytobacco Users. Individuals with higher Isolation scores were more likely to be Polytobacco Users and Cigarette/ECIG Experimenters than Nonusers, and were more likely to be Polytobacco Users than Current ECIG Users.

CONCLUSIONS

The continuous Isolation scale used in the present study predicted polytobacco use patterns among adolescents in a manner that is consistent with, while simultaneously expanding upon, prior work. Tobacco control practices and policies should be viewed through a lens that considers the unique needs of geographically isolated areas.

Communication Hotspots: How Infrastructure Shapes People's Health

Informed by communication infrastructure theory (CIT) and the social capital approach to health, this study focused on the role played by communication hotspots: physical places in a community (e.g., parks, churches, or restaurants) where health information is shared between network actors. By analyzing survey data that included information about communication infrastructure, frequency of health conversations, as well as the size and diversity of respondents' social networks, this study illustrates how communication hotspots may reduce perceived barriers to healthcare among Latinas in the greater Los Angeles area (N = 780). The results suggest that communication hotspots can influence people's health by facilitating information-sharing activities. In addition, communication hotspots may reduce perceived barriers to healthcare by bringing together diverse network actors. We conclude by considering future health interventions and policy planning to leverage and enhance community members' interactions at communication hotspots.

Prospective Associations Among Youth Assets and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use in a Hispanic Youth Population

This study’s purpose was to determine whether specific youth assets (conceptualized as influencing health behavior at the individual, family, or community level) were prospectively associated with reduced alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use (ATD) in a sample of Hispanic youth. A longitudinal community-based study was conducted with five waves of data collected annually over 4 years. Participants were Hispanic youth (14.1 years old; 53% female) and their parents ( N = 306 youth/parent pairs). Generalized linear mixed models were used to determine the prospective influence of 17 youth assets on ATD over five waves of data. Results indicated that Hispanic youth with three of seven individual-level assets (e.g., educational aspirations), any of four family-level assets (e.g., family communication), or with one of six community-level assets (e.g., positive peer role models) were significantly less likely to engage in ATD. The results suggest that assets protect Hispanic youth from ATD and that family-level assets may be particularly important.

Mental health disparities and high-risk alcohol use among non-heterosexual high school students

PURPOSE

To examine disparities in mental health and high-risk alcohol use among high school students by sexual orientation, and the impact of having access to an adult with whom to talk.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Cross-sectional survey, from the 2015 Kentucky Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Logistic regression estimated the relationship between being "non-heterosexual" on mental health (e.g, suicidal ideation/attempt) and alcohol behaviors (e.g, binge drinking), controlling for demographics and "having an adult to talk to."

FINDINGS

Non-heterosexual students were more likely to report all adverse outcomes and risk was lower among students who report "having an adult to talk to."

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Psychiatric nurses need to assess sexual minority youth for access to positive adult relationships.

Differential effects of internalizing behaviors on academic functioning for girls versus boys: An analysis of developmental cascades from elementary to high school

Youth's academic and emotional functioning are closely related, yet little is known about the timing and direction of relationships involving internalizing problems, which are characterized by over control of emotions, anxiety, and depression as well as multiple aspects of academic achievement. This study addresses these gaps using data from the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N= 1,048) to examine the processes by which problems in one domain of functioning lead to problems in another, known as a “cascade effect.” Results of longitudinal structural equation modeling indicate (a) a direct and indirect negative cascade effect from girls’ internalizing problems to their school achievement in high school, (b) a positive contemporaneous association of 9th grade boys’ internalizing problems with their cognitive achievement; and (c) ways in which demographic characteristics and adolescent social and maturational processes account for variation in functioning yet do not alter the processes by which the emotional and academic functioning interact. Results are discussed with regard to identifiying adolescents’ internalizing problems, gender differences in the effects of internalizing problems on academic functioning, timing of evidence-based interventions, and implications for mental health promotion among girls.

Developmental Assets Predictors of Life Satisfaction in Adolescents

The concept of Developmental Assets links positive features of developmental ecologies with personal skills, competences and values in order to further the understanding of optimal development. The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between the experience of Developmental Assets and adolescent's perception of Life Satisfaction. A convenience sample of 503 Portuguese students was evaluated, mean age of 15.92 years (SD = 1.17), 63% female gender. Findings revealed that both external and internal Developmental Assets are experienced differently across gender, grade and age. Results indicate that 74% of the adolescents report their Life Satisfaction to be in the positive range. Boys report significantly higher levels of Life Satisfaction than girls. Results show significant negative correlations between Life Satisfaction and age. The main effect of school grade on Life Satisfaction was not statistically significant. Findings revealed that 32 of the 40 Developmental Assets configured in the model showed a statistically significant positive relationship with Life Satisfaction. Also, results suggest that the greater the experience of Developmental Assets, the greater the Life Satisfaction. Stepwise regression was conducted to determine which Developmental Assets and demographic factors predict Life Satisfaction. Results suggest that the relationship between demographic variables and Life Satisfaction is weak, contributing modestly to the prediction of Life Satisfaction (2%). Nine Developmental Assets emerged as independent and significant predictors of Life Satisfaction: Overall Self-esteem made the largest contribution, with Family Support, Planning and decision Making, Sense of Purpose, Positive Family Communication, Positive Values of Caring, Youth as Resources, School Engagement and Other Adult Relationships also yield significant predictability. The total regression model (Developmental Assets and demographic variables) explained 54% of the variance in Life Satisfaction results. The present findings suggest the applicability and utility of the framework as a strategy to foster positive development in adolescence.

The Influence of Conduct Problems and Callous-Unemotional Traits on Academic Development Among Youth

The present study attempted to address developmental differences within the large group of youth with conduct problems through an examination of the relationship between callous-unemotional traits and academic outcomes in an effort to expand the field's understanding of heterogeneity in outcomes associated with behavior problems. Data were collected from a cohort of 3rd grade students (N = 942; 51 % female; 45.6 % Hispanic/Latino, 41.1 % Black/African American, 4.7 % Non-Hispanic White; mean age = 8.07 years) in eighteen public elementary schools, as well as their parents and teachers. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that callous-unemotional traits were associated with lower quality student-teacher relationships and worse performance on standardized math and reading exams over and above the effects of conduct problems. These findings suggest that school-based interventions may be particularly effective in ameliorating some of the deficits noted within this subset of youth exhibiting conduct problems. This finding has important policy implications as the field of developmental science attempts to design and enrich programs that focus on improving social-emotional learning.

Building school-based cardiovascular health promotion capacity in youth: a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

Essential to building cardiovascular health promotion capacity in youth, which extends into adulthood, are approaches that seek to empower, educate, and support. The Five Cs model of positive youth development (PYD) guided this study. This model represents the ability of youth to develop competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring when given the appropriate resources. The purpose of this two-year school-based feasibility study was to determine if providing a research intervention in the form of education, empowerment, and support build youth's capacity for cardiovascular health promotion.

METHODS

A mixed methods case study design was used to evaluate the process, and outcome of a youth-led cardiovascular health promotion program. Twenty-six youth aged 12-13 years from a Canadian middle school took part in the study. Youth participating in this study planned, implemented, and monitored cardiovascular health promotion activities in four areas: smoking, physical inactivity, nutrition and obesity. Qualitative data was collected from the youth participants using three focus groups and individual reflective journals. Quantitative data was collected with the PYD.2, a self-report questionnaire that assesses positive youth development and consists of 5 subscales: character, competence, caring, connection, and confidence. The participants completed the PYD before and after the program to determine if there were any changes in PYD scores after the intervention. The quantitative data was analyzed using paired samples t-tests, and the qualitative data was analyzed using constant comparative analysis.

RESULTS

While the PYD scores showed no significant changes, the qualitative findings confirmed that the youth acquired increased awareness and understanding of cardiovascular health promotion initiatives. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data, (1) doing the right thing, (2) wanting to make a change, but feeling constrained, (3) I get it, and (4) The project has changed me! The intervention was found to be acceptable and feasible for the youth participants and their school.

CONCLUSIONS

The contributions of this study were twofold. It generated evidence to support integrating positive youth development strategies into cardiovascular health promotion programs. Secondly, this study determined that the research intervention improved the participants' knowledge and attitudes about cardiovascular health and were suitable for further implementation and testing.

Trying to Lose Weight and Alcohol Misuse Among High School Girls: Findings From the U.S. National 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

BACKGROUND

Trying to lose weight has been associated with alcohol use among college-aged females. Excessive drinking along with purging as a method for weight control has been documented in this population. However, little is known about the relationship between alcohol use and trying to lose weight among high school girls.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationship between trying to lose weight and past 30-day (1) alcohol use and (2) binge drinking (separately).

METHODS

Using data from the National 2011 YRBS, we examined these relationships among 5,106 girls aged 14-18+ who reported ever using alcohol. Survey-weighted iterative logistic regression models were conducted.

RESULTS

44.0% of girls reported current alcohol use with 27.8% reporting binge drinking. While a significant relationship was not found between trying to lose weight and current alcohol use in the final multivariable model, a significant relationship was found between trying to lose weight and binge drinking (AOR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02-1.52). Additional variables that were found to be associated with an increased odds of binge drinking included: being in 11th and 12th grades compared to being in 9th grade, screening positively for depression, and current cigarette use. Variables associated with a decreased odds included: talking to an adult/teacher about a problem, and identifying as Black/African American compared to White.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPORTANCE

Understanding the relationship between trying to lose weight and binge drinking among high school students is important, as these behaviors may be a precursor to risk behaviors later in life and need to be more fully examined.

Prospective associations among youth assets in young adults and tobacco use

BACKGROUND

Developmental assets protect adolescents from tobacco use; however, their influence during the transition to young adulthood is unknown.

PURPOSE

To determine the prospective associations among assets and tobacco use in older adolescents and young adults.

METHODS

Prospective analyses were conducted using five waves of annual data collected from 467 randomly selected ethnically diverse youth (baseline age, 15-17 years) from 2003 to 2008. Logistic regression was conducted in 2013 to prospectively examine associations between ten Wave 1 assets with no tobacco use in the past 30 days over the five waves of the study (no use). Assets that were significantly associated with no use were included in a second analysis to examine the cumulative effect of Wave 1 assets on no use.

RESULTS

Youth who possessed Family Communication, Relationship with Mother, Aspirations for the Future, Parental Monitoring, or Responsible Choices assets had significantly higher odds of no tobacco use. There were significant interactions between Relationship with Father, Non-Parental Adult Role Models, Future Educational Aspirations, and Peer Role Models assets and family structure, gender, or both. There was a significant interaction between cumulative assets and family structure. For youth in two-parent households at Wave 1, those with more assets had significantly greater odds of reporting no tobacco use over five waves compared to those with the fewest assets.

CONCLUSIONS

The influence of assets in adolescents can influence tobacco use into young adulthood. Family structure and gender can influence the asset-tobacco use relationship.

Prospective Associations Among Assets and Successful Transition to Early Adulthood

Objectives. We investigated prospective associations among assets (e.g., family communication), which research has shown to protect youths from risk behavior, and successful transition to early adulthood (STEA). Methods. We included participants (n = 651) aged 18 years and older at study wave 5 (2007-2008) of the Youth Asset Study, in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, metro area, in the analyses. We categorized 14 assets into individual-, family-, or community-level groups. We included asset groups assessed at wave 1 (2003-2004) in linear regression analyses to predict STEA 4 years later at wave 5. Results. Individual- and community-level assets significantly (P < .05) predicted STEA 4 years later and the associations were generally linear, indicating that the more assets participants possessed the better the STEA outcome. There was a gender interaction for family-level assets suggesting that family-level assets were significant predictors of STEA for males but not for females. Conclusions. Public health programming should focus on community- and family-level youth assets as well as individual-level youth assets to promote positive health outcomes in early adulthood.

The influence of assets and environmental factors on gender differences in adolescent drug use

For adolescents, illicit drug use remains a significant public health problem. This study explored prospectively the differential effects of 17 youth assets and 5 environmental factors on drug use in adolescent males and females (Youth Asset Study - a 5-wave longitudinal study of 1117 youth/parent pairs). Baseline analyses included 1093 youth (53% female). Mean age was 14.3 years (SD = 1.6) and the youth were 40% Non-Hispanic White, 28% Hispanic, 24% Non-Hispanic Black, and 9% Non-Hispanic other. Analyses revealed that 16 assets for males and 15 for females as well as the total asset score were prospectively associated with no drug use. No environmental factors were prospectively associated with any drug use for males, and for a subset of females, only Neighborhood Support was significant. This study confirms and extends previous work regarding youth drug use by recognizing the importance of the protective effect of assets for both males and females.

Hookah smoking: behaviors and beliefs among young consumers in the United States

Hookah smoking is growing in popularity among college-age students in the United States. Community-based, semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 college-age individuals who had used a hookah to smoke tobacco. A structured analysis of responses was conducted and framed in terms of the health belief model's four main constructs. Although hookah smokers were aware of the potential severity of tobacco-related illnesses, they did not express a perceived susceptibility to those illnesses. To the extent that cues to action exist with respect to hookah smoking, they generally serve to promote a risky behavior that is perceived to be largely social in nature.

The relative roles of types of extracurricular activity on smoking and drinking initiation among tweens

OBJECTIVE

Youth involvement in extracurricular activities may help prevent smoking and drinking initiation. However, the relative roles of types of extracurricular activity on these risks are unclear. Therefore, we examined the association between substance use and participation in team sports with a coach, other sports without a coach, music, school clubs, and other clubs in a nationally representative sample of U.S. tweens.

METHODS

We conducted telephone surveys with 6522 U.S. students (ages 10 to 14 years) in 2003. We asked participants if they had ever tried smoking or drinking, and we asked them about their participation in extracurricular activities. We used sample weighting to produce response estimates that were representative of the population of adolescents aged 10 to 14 years at the time of data collection. Logistic regression models that adjusted for appropriate sampling weights using jackknife variance estimation tested associations with trying smoking and drinking, controlling for sociodemographics, child and parent characteristics, friend/sibling/parent substance use, and media use.

RESULTS

A little over half of the students reported participating in team sports with a coach (55.5%) and without a coach (55.4%) a few times per week or more. Most had minimal to no participation in school clubs (74.2%); however, most reported being involved in other clubs (85.8%). A little less than half participated in music, choir, dance, and/or band lessons. Over half of participants involved in religious activity did those activities a few times per week or more. In the multiple regression analysis, team sport participation with a coach was the only extracurricular activity associated with lower risk of trying smoking (adjusted odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.49, 0.96) compared to none or minimal participation. Participating in other clubs was the only extracurricular activity associated with lower risk of trying drinking (adjusted odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.32, 0.99) compared to none or minimal participation.

CONCLUSIONS

Type of extracurricular involvement may be associated with risk of youth smoking and drinking initiation. Future research should seek to better understand the underlying reasons behind these differences.

The association between family and community social capital and health risk behaviours in young people: an integrative review

Background

Health risk behaviours known to result in poorer outcomes in adulthood are generally established in late childhood and adolescence. These ‘risky’ behaviours include smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use and sexual risk taking. While the role of social capital in the establishment of health risk behaviours in young people has been explored, to date, no attempt has been made to consolidate the evidence in the form of a review. Thus, this integrative review was undertaken to identify and synthesise research findings on the role and impact of family and community social capital on health risk behaviours in young people and provide a consolidated evidence base to inform multi-sectorial policy and practice.

Methods

Key electronic databases were searched (i.e. ASSIA, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts) for relevant studies and this was complemented by hand searching. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied and data was extracted from the included studies. Heterogeneity in study design and the outcomes assessed precluded meta-analysis/meta-synthesis; the results are therefore presented in narrative form.

Results

Thirty-four papers satisfied the review inclusion criteria; most were cross-sectional surveys. The majority of the studies were conducted in North America (n=25), with three being conducted in the UK. Sample sizes ranged from 61 to 98,340. The synthesised evidence demonstrates that social capital is an important construct for understanding the establishment of health risk behaviours in young people. The different elements of family and community social capital varied in terms of their saliency within each behavioural domain, with positive parent–child relations, parental monitoring, religiosity and school quality being particularly important in reducing risk.

Conclusions

This review is the first to systematically synthesise research findings about the association between social capital and health risk behaviours in young people. While providing evidence that may inform the development of interventions framed around social capital, the review also highlights key areas where further research is required to provide a fuller account of the nature and role of social capital in influencing the uptake of health risk behaviours.

Health-risk behaviors among a sample of US pre-adolescents: types, frequency, and predictive factors

BACKGROUND

Children as young as 10 years old report curiosity and participation in health-risk behaviors, yet most studies focus upon adolescent samples.

OBJECTIVE

To document the types and frequencies of health risk behavior among pre-adolescents and to examine the child, family, and environment factors that predict them.

METHOD

A sample of 297 pre-adolescents (mean age=10.5, SD=0.6) from two Midwestern US cities and their parents (child-parent dyads) provided data about demographic characteristics, health risk behavior participation, child self-esteem, child pubertal development, child and adult perception of their neighborhood, and parent monitoring. Their participation was at intake to a 5-year clustered randomized controlled trial.

RESULTS

Pre-adolescents participated in an average of 3.7 health-risk behaviors (SD=2.0), primarily those that lead to unintentional (helmet and seatbelt use) and intentional (feeling unsafe, having something stolen, and physical fighting) injury. Factors predictive of unintentional injury risk behavior were self-esteem, pubertal development, parent monitoring, and parent perception of the neighborhood environment. Boys were 1.8 times less likely than girls to use helmets and seatbelts. Pre-adolescents whose parents were not partnered were 2.8 times more likely than pre-adolescents whose parents were partnered to report intentional risk behavior.

RECOMMENDATIONS

These data demonstrate trends that cannot be ignored. We recommend, focused specifically upon boys and non-partnered families that (a) developmentally appropriate, appealing prevention messages be developed and delivered for parents and pre-adolescents and community interventions targeting both parent and pre-adolescent together be provided to help them establish and monitor behavioral expectations and (b) organized nursing endorse policy in the US and globally that assures adequate family environments for children.

Religion and smoking: a review of recent literature

Tobacco smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are a major threat to human health worldwide. The effort to prevent tobacco use should be regarded as an important public health strategy. Given the significance of religion and spirituality in the daily life of more than 90% of the world's population, the relationship of religion and smoking should be seen as a critical research area. Religions are many and varied, but most value human well-being highly and so do not approve of tobacco use, even though they do not prohibit it entirely. In recent years, researchers have shown more interest in the subject of religion and health, including drug and tobacco use. Differences of focus and methodology notwithstanding, most studies have ascertained a deterrent role for religion as regards tobacco use, and several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the negative relationship between religion or spirituality and smoking. Many of the studies, however, suffer from shortcomings that need to be acknowledged and addressed, such as using nonstandard data-gathering tools, lack of a unified definition of religion or spirituality, and paucity of research in non-Christian and developing countries. Finally, the cross-sectional nature of many of the studies makes the meaningful interpretation of findings difficult.

Not all developmental assets are related to positive health outcomes in college students

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this investigation was to model the relationships between developmental assets, life satisfaction, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among a stratified, random sample (n = 765, 56% response rate) of college students.

METHODS

Structural equation modeling techniques were employed to test the relationships using Mplus v4.21; Model evaluations were based on 1) theoretical salience, 2) global fit indices (chi-square goodness of fit, comparative fit index: CFI and Tucker-Lewis Index: TLI), 3) microfit indices (parameter estimates, root mean squared error of approximation: RMSEA and residuals) and 4) parsimony.

RESULTS

The model fit the data well: χ2(n = 581, 515) = 1252.23, CFI = .94, TLI = .93 and RMSEA = .05. First, participants who reported increased Family Communication also reported higher levels of life satisfaction. Second, as participants reported having more Non-Parental Role Models, life satisfaction decreased and poor mental HRQOL days increased. Finally increased Future Aspirations was related to increased poor mental HRQOL days. Results were variant across gender.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary results suggest not all developmental assets are related to positive health outcomes among college students, particularly mental health outcomes. While the findings for Family Communication were expected, the findings for Non-Parental Role Models suggest interactions with potential role models in college settings may be naturally less supportive. Future Aspirations findings suggest college students may harbor a greater temporal urgency for the rigors of an increasingly competitive work world. In both cases, these assets appear associated with increased poor mental HRQOL days.

Religiosity as a protective factor against substance use among Hungarian high school students

Gender differences in the relationship between religiosity and substance use (lifetime prevalence and current use) were examined among high school students in Szeged, Hungary (N = 881). Experimenting with and consuming tobacco and alcoholic beverages were characteristic in the sample to a great extent, whereas marijuana use was not as frequent. Logistic regression analyses were employed to test how variables of religiosity, that is, denominational affiliation, religiosity, and religious attendance, were related to substance use of youth by gender. Our findings confirmed the importance of the protective role of religious involvement, particularly among females.

Nurse Perceptions and Experiences of Patient Health Assets in Oncology Care: A Qualitative Study

Health assets, a term that refers to patients’ strengths and potentials, has emerged as an important aspect of health care. A conceptual analysis of health assets revealed five core dimensions: mobilization, motivational, relational, volitional, and protective strengths. How nurses experience and use patients’ health assets, however, is unknown. In this qualitative study, 26 expert nurses in cancer care participated in focus group interviews. The nurses had a large repertoire of experiences with cancer patients’ health assets. When the data were subjected to thematic analysis, three new core dimensions were revealed: cognitive, emotional, and physical strengths. Balancing processes within and among health assets—identified as an overriding theme—appeared to be affected by individual and contextual variations. The nurses realized that patients’ health assets could be better used and voiced a need for the clinical and organizational support to do so. New issues about health assets raised in this study may be caused by its novel context (e.g., expert nurses in oncology care). More research is needed on health assets in other contexts, such as patients with different health problems, and of possible strategies to support nurses’ use of health assets.

Reliability and Validity of the Youth Asset Survey: An Update

Purpose.

Improve and expand an existing youth asset scale.

Design.

Consisted of seven steps: (1) review of poorer-performing items and constructs, (2) literature review for relevant new asset constructs/items, (3) review of revised instrument by panel of experts, (4) qualitative review through focus group research, (5) pilot-test of instrument, (6) evaluation of the performance of the instrument in a longitudinal study, and (7) conduct of test-retest analysis.

Subjects/Setting.

Youth (N = 1111) recruited through canvassing of randomly selected census tracts and blocks.

Measures.

Youth Asset Survey (YAS).

Analysis.

Factor analysis was conducted on 50% of the baseline data and repeated on the second half of the baseline data. Correlations were computed for the test-retest analysis.

Results.

Following modifications to the YAS based upon qualitative research, the survey was administered to youth (mean age, 14.3years; 53% female; 39% white, 28% Hispanic, 23% African-American, 9% other). Cronbach α = .55–.92. A majority (27 of 34) of α ≥ .65. All items loaded on one construct at α ≥ .40. The final results yielded 17 constructs assessed via 61 items. Spearman correlations and intraclass correlations ranged from .60 to .82 and .58 to .87, respectively.

Conclusion.

The results generally suggest that the expanded YAS is a reliable and valid measure of assets.

Older Adolescents' Perceptions of the Social Context, Impact, and Development of their Spiritual/Religious Beliefs and Practices

Religious and spiritual beliefs and practices develop in the context of social relationships, influenced primarily by family and peers. Among older adolescents, such beliefs may shape important decisions. As part of a mixed method preliminary study of 28 university students, participants were asked to write about how similar or different their beliefs were from those of their parents and closest friends, how these beliefs influenced major decisions, and how their beliefs changed since attending the university. Most participants held similar beliefs to those of their parents and friends, one-half said these beliefs influenced major decisions, and one-half said their beliefs were unchanged since attending the university. Findings add to the description of how religious and spiritual beliefs develop during adolescence.

Testing the feasibility of developmental asset measures on college students to guide health promotion efforts

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the reliability and validity of eight developmental asset measures among a stratified, random sample (N = 540) of college students to guide health promotion efforts. The sample was randomly split to produce exploratory and confirmatory samples for factor analysis using principal axis factoring and varimax rotation and structural equation modeling techniques. Items were retained on factors if they had high loadings greater than .40 and were not complex. Concurrent validity was examined among substance use (including alcohol and tobacco) and sexual risk-taking variables. Exploratory and confirmatory samples did not differ on demographics. Parallel analysis confirmed the eight theorized constructs. Exploratory factor loadings were greater than .40. Concurrently, validity analyses were in the predicted direction. Cronbach alphas were .70 or greater with the exception of the Future Aspirations asset. Preliminary analyses support the reliability and validity of measuring developmental assets among emerging adults. Implications and potential uses are discussed.

Review of what youth programs do to increase the connectedness of youth with adults

Common sense and psychological research tell us that connections to adults--parents and others--are integral to the process of normal human development. A substantial research literature exists on the role of the parent-child relationship in development, and there is a smaller, but growing body of research that explores the effects of nonparental relationships. Adolescents, in particular, are open to nonparental adults as they strive to create for themselves lives more independent from their parents while still valuing advice from those more experienced than they. The most commonly examined nonparental relationship is that of a teacher and a student. One of the less explored areas of investigation is the importance of relationships youth have with adults they find in their weekend and after-school activities. This article examines field research that has been conducted over the past 15 years on youth programs, to address what has been learned about "connectedness" as it manifests itself in the field. By connectedness, we mean primarily the attachment youth have to the adults in the programs.

Family dinner meal frequency and adolescent development: relationships with developmental assets and high-risk behaviors

PURPOSE

To examine associations between family meal frequency and developmental assets and high-risk behaviors among a national sample of adolescents.

METHODS

Anonymous surveys were distributed to 99,462 sixth to 12th grade students from public and alternative schools in 213 cities and 25 states across the United States. Logistic regression analyses tested differences in assets and high-risk behaviors by family dinner frequency.

RESULTS

Consistent positive associations were found between the frequency of family dinners and all developmental assets, including both external (e.g., support, boundaries and expectations; odds ratio [OR] 2.1-3.7) and internal assets (e.g., commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity; OR 1.8-2.6); relationships were attenuated, but remained significant after adjusting for demographics and general family communication and support. Consistent inverse relationships were found between the frequency of family dinners and all high-risk behaviors measured (i.e., substance use, sexual activity, depression/suicide, antisocial behaviors, violence, school problems, binge eating/purging, and excessive weight loss; OR .36-.58), relationships were attenuated, but remained significant after adjusting for demographics and family factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study suggest that the frequency of family dinner is an external developmental asset or protective factor that may curtail high-risk behaviors among youth. Creative and realistic strategies for enhancing and supporting family meals, given the context within which different families live, should be explored to promote healthy adolescent development. Family rituals such as regular mealtimes may ease the stress of daily living in the fast-paced families of today's society.

Family and peer influences on tobacco use among adolescents with psychiatric disorders

The purpose of this study was to examine family and peer influences on smoking behaviors among 239 (191 smokers; 48 nonsmokers) psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents. Participants were queried using scales to measure parental supervision and monitoring, parenting style, adolescent-parent communication, family conflict and relations with parents, and the importance placed on life goals. The results of this study are consistent with previous findings from general population studies. Psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents' smoking status were also correlated with their siblings', peers', and girlfriends'/boyfriends' smoking status. In addition, we found that parental monitoring, closeness to parents, and ambitious life goals were protective factors against smoking. As a result, peer and family influences strongly impact the initiation and maintenance of adolescent smoking and should be considered when designing smoking cessation interventions for adolescents with psychiatric disorders.

The relationship between source of sexual information and sexual behavior among female adolescents

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between the source of sexual information and adolescent sexual behavior is not well understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

As part of a larger study, 892 sexually active female adolescents between 15 and 18 years of age completed a paper-and-pencil survey which assessed discussions about sexual intercourse, contraceptive use and condom use among friends and family members and their own sexual behavior. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations while controlling for key demographics.

RESULTS

Adolescents who had never used condoms were less likely to report having had discussions about sexual intercourse with their friends [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.2]. Discussions about condom use among friends and family members were associated with condom use in the past 3 months, with adolescents who used condoms at least half of the time being more likely to report hearing discussions relative to adolescents who never used condoms (AORs 2.0-3.8). Furthermore, the number of sexual partners was related to whether the adolescent had heard discussions among her family about condom use; the higher the number of sexual partners, the more likely the adolescent was to have heard discussions. For adolescents reporting 2-3, 4-5 and 6 or more partners (relative to one partner), the AORs were 1.7, 2.3 and 2.7, respectively.

DISCUSSION

Adolescents exposed to information about condom use among the primary individuals in their lives are more likely to be engaging in this behavior themselves.

Positive youth development linked with prevention in a Vietnamese American community: successes, challenges, and lessons learned

PURPOSE

To describe a positive youth development program that was successfully designed and implemented in partnership with a Vietnamese American community and to provide insight into the types of outcomes that can result from such programs in similar communities.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were conducted with Vietnamese community leaders (n = 8) and youth (n = 10) who were involved in a positive youth development program in Oklahoma City. Interviews were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded by two independent analysts. Data matrices were used to help identify major themes.

RESULTS

Participants felt they had strengthened numerous assets as a result of involvement in the youth development program, including communication with parents or another adult, leadership skills, constructive use of free time, and positive peer influences. Some of the participants also reported establishment of a relationship with a nonparent adult, inclusion of community service in their aspirations for the future, and avoidance of high-risk behaviors owing to their involvement in the program. Both adults and youth felt that the Vietnamese community had changed its perception of youth as a result of increased involvement of young people in community service and cultural activities.

CONCLUSION

Positive youth development is a promising prevention strategy that can be adapted to Vietnamese communities in the United States.

Relationships among youth assets and neighborhood and community resources

Recent research suggests that a youth development framework emphasizing youth assets may be a promising intervention strategy for preventing adolescent risk behaviors. Understanding how neighborhood and community resources relate to youth assets may aid in identifying environmental strategies to complement individually oriented asset-building interventions. In this study, 1,350 randomly selected inner-city youth and their parents (paired interviews) were interviewed in person. After controlling for demographic characteristics of youth and parents using multivariate logistic regression, parental perception of neighborhood safety was associated with the nonparental adult role model asset, peer role model asset, and for African American youth, the community involvement asset. City services and neighborhood services were associated with use of time (groups/sports) and use of time (religion), respectively. Psychological sense of community was associated with community involvement for Native American youth. Findings suggest that neighborhood and community-level influences should be considered when designing youth development interventions to reduce risk behaviors.

An exploration of the relationship between youth assets and engagement in risky sexual behaviors

PURPOSE

To examine the relationship between specific youth assets and adolescents' engagement in risky sexual behaviors, as measured by an Aggregate Sexual Risk score, and to specifically explore which youth assets and demographic variables were predictive of youth engagement in risky sexual intercourse.

METHODS

A total of 2108 sexually active high school students attending public high schools in a southern state completed a self-report questionnaire that measured youth assets. Based upon responses to items measuring risk behaviors, an Aggregate Sexual Risk score was calculated for each student. Unconditional logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between the assets and the Aggregate Risk Score. Four separate analyses (white females, white males, black females, and black males) were conducted.

RESULTS

In general, the patterns in all four groups indicated that students who had an Aggregate Risk Score of > or = 3 (high risk) possessed less of the measured youth assets. The assets that were most significantly associated with engagement in risky sexual behaviors included self peer values regarding risky behaviors, quantity of other adult support, and youths' empathetic relationships. Thus, students who reported not having these assets were significantly more likely to engage in the risky sexual behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Results underscore the relationship of specific youth assets to sexual risk behaviors. Health researcher and practitioners who work to prevent teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among teenagers need to understand and acknowledge these factors within this population so that the assets can be built or strengthened.

The potential protective effect of youth assets on adolescent alcohol and drug use

OBJECTIVES

We examined the association between adolescent alcohol and drug use and 9 youth assets in a low-income, inner-city population.

METHODS

An in-person survey of 1350 adolescents and parents assessed youth assets and risk behaviors. We analyzed data with chi(2) tests and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

When we controlled for appropriate variables, there were significant positive relationships between several youth assets and nonuse of alcohol and drugs. Furthermore, youths who possessed all of the statistically significant youth assets were 4.44 times more likely to report nonuse of alcohol and 5.41 times more likely to report nonuse of drugs compared with youths who possessed fewer youth assets.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study supports the view that specific youth assets may protect youths from alcohol and drug use.

Religious identity and smoking behavior among adolescents: evidence from entering students at the American University of Beirut

This survey investigation examines the association between religious identity and smoking behavior in a sample of older adolescents entering the university in Beirut, Lebanon. A culturally appropriate item of religiosity was developed for data collection. Results suggest that religious identity is inversely associated with regular smoking among male and female adolescents, after adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioral, personal, and environmental risk factors. The pattern of associations between weak religious identity, other risk factors, and smoking suggests that risk mechanisms may be gender-differentiated. Overall, findings suggest functional religiosity in late adolescence may assist in promoting the health and decreasing the morbidity of both men and women. Implications for future research are discussed.

Rapid progression to regular cigarette smoking among nonsmoking adolescents: interactions with gender and ethnicity

BACKGROUND

While the correlates and predictors associated with transition through the stages of smoking acquisition have received substantial attention, the identification of factors associated with the time course of progression remain generally unexplored.

METHODS

We identified adolescents escalating from nonsmoking to regular smoking in 1 year as rapid progressors (n = 98) and those escalating from nonsmoking to experimental smoking in 1 year as slow progressors (n = 555). We entered demographic and psychosocial variables, initial reactions to smoking variables, and their interactions with gender and ethnicity into a logistic regression analysis comparing rapid progressors to slow progressors.

RESULTS

At baseline, rapid progressors reported more friends who smoked regularly. Girls who reported more concern with dieting and less social success were more likely to progress to regular smoking within 1 year; these variables did not influence progression in boys. Those who associated positive feelings with their initial smoking experience were more likely to progress to regular smoking. Differences between white and African American youth emphasize the importance of physiological interpretations of initial smoking experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that even as nonsmokers, adolescents likely to progress quickly to regular smoking can be identified. Researchers designing prevention programs should take these factors into account.