Open Science Indicators as Metadata Fields?

Since 2000, there has been qualitative growth in the field of scientometrics. Innovations such as the DOI and the ORCID have irrevocably changed the scientific landscape. They have enabled analyses previously unheard of, in the decades preceding the new millennium. This paper proposes open science indicators (open data, open material, preregistration) as article-specific metadata fields. The authors reference the history of funding information, from bare acknowledgements to metadata field. The authors describe the mission of the Center for Open Science, and its TOP Factor database, as well as the performance of open science badges. Possibilities for a pilot study are explored, with an acknowledgement of the complexity of this undertaking.

Is living in the US conducive to your health?

Prior to the coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19) of 2020, the United States was ranked first for its capacity to face infectious disease outbreaks. Twelve months later reveals a different story. The US, with less than 5% of the global population, has more than 20% of the world's Covid-19 deaths. In response, some may wonder: "Is living in the US conducive to your health?" I attempt to answer this question through an examination of several US health markers (health care costs, life expectancy, suicide rates, obesity rates, chronic disease burden) prior to the pandemic, in relation to those of 10 other high-income nations. In addition, I contrast the US Covid-19 performance with that of other nations who have managed the pandemic with a minimum of life loss and disruption. I conclude with the conclusions of health experts, who say the US is beset by a health crisis, due to decades of social inequalities. Although social change could remedy the situation, at present it lacks popular support.

Racial/ethnic disparities in health-related quality of life and health status across pre-, early-, and mid-adolescence: a prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

To examine (1) racial/ethnic disparities in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and overall health status among Black, Latino, and White youth during adolescence; (2) whether socioeconomic status (SES) and family contextual variables influence disparities; and (3) whether disparities are consistent from pre- to early- to mid-adolescence.

METHODS

A population sample of 4823 Black (1755), Latino (1812), and White (1256) youth in three US metropolitan areas was prospectively assessed in a longitudinal survey conducted on three occasions, in 5th, 7th, and 10th grades, when youth reported their HRQOL using the PedsQL™ short-form Total, Physical and Psychosocial scales and youth and parents separately reported on youth's overall health status. Parents reported their education and household income to index SES, family structure, and use of English at home.

RESULTS

Based on analysis conducted separately at each grade, marked racial/ethnic disparities were observed across all measures of HRQOL and health status, favoring White and disfavoring Black, and especially Latino youth. More strongly present in 5th and 7th grade, HRQOL disparities decreased by 10th grade. Most disparities between White and Black youth disappeared when adjusting for SES. However, even after adjusting for SES, family structure, and English use, overall health status disparities disfavoring Latino youth remained across all three assessments.

CONCLUSIONS

Racial/ethnic disparities in adolescent HRQOL and health are substantial. These disparities appear consistent from pre- to early-adolescence but diminish for HRQOL by mid-adolescence. As disparities appear influenced by SES and other family contextual variables differently in different racial/ethnic groups, efforts to reduce health disparities in youth should address culturally specific conditions impinging on health.

The Impact of Non-Brazilian Contribution on the Publishing Performance of Psychology Journals in Brazil

There is considerable variability in publishing performance among psychology journals in Brazil. However, research as to why is very scarce. This study empirically examined the relationship between non-Brazilian contribution and publishing performance, among these journals. A total of 746 articles from the top-18 psychology journals in Brazil were coded for study type, international collaboration, and non-Brazilian contribution. Analyses revealed that publishing performance was associated with the following: (i) international collaboration and (ii) non-Brazilian contribution. Collaboration with, and contribution from, English-speaking authors was more prevalent among the higher performing journals; while contribution from non-Brazilian Ibero-American authors was more prevalent among the lower performing journals. These findings suggest that publishing performance for psychology journals in Brazil may be strongly tied to non-Brazilian contribution. Implications may be relevant to journal publishers and editors, as well as arbiters of scientific policy.

Super-heróis como Recursos para Promoção de Resiliência em Crianças e Adolescentes

RESUMO Pesquisas indicam que crianças e adolescentes em situação de risco psicossocial podem estar mais vulneráveis a apresentar comportamentos com consequências negativas na vida adulta. Este estudo integra um levantamento analítico das relações entre adversidades da vida ficcional de personagens super-heróis, em fases pré-super-potência e adversidades citadas na vida real de crianças desfavorecidas psicossocialmente. Analisou-se uma amostra de 20 super-heróis de maior visibilidade na cultura pop e conduziu-se uma indexação detalhada. Verificou-se que todos os super-heróis passaram por adversidades similares aos grupos de crianças em risco, tais quais: o abandono da família, violência doméstica e bullying. Esse recurso ainda inexplorado apresenta potencial para ser desenvolvido em intervenções psicoeducacionais e subsidiar políticas públicas para a promoção de resiliência nessa população.

Obesity and Overweight Among Brazilian Early Adolescents: Variability Across Region, Socioeconomic Status, and Gender

INTRODUCTION

As with most emerging nations, Brazil lacks up-to-date data on the prevalence of obesity and overweight among its children. Of particular concern is the lack of data on children in early adolescence, considered by many to be the crucial stage for weight-related healthcare.

OBJECTIVE

To assess regional, socioeconomic, and gender differences in the prevalence of obesity and overweight among Brazilian early adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a racially diverse sample of students aged 10-13 years, from schools in three geographic regions (north, northeast, south) (N = 1,738). Data on gender, age, race, socioeconomic status (SES), weight, and height were obtained. Weight class was calculated from age- and gender-adjusted body mass index, based on children's weight and height. Bivariate and multivariable analyses, with post hoc tests, were conducted to estimate differences between groups and were corrected for multiple comparisons. Procedures were approved by institutional review boards at study sites.

RESULTS

Analyses revealed a higher prevalence of obesity and/or overweight among: (1) children of higher SES; (2) children in southern Brazil; (3) males; and (4) Black females.

CONCLUSION

The most salient predictor of weight risk among Brazilian early adolescents is higher SES. This finding is consistent with previous findings of an inverse social gradient, in weight risk, among emerging-nation population groups.

Regular physical activity has differential association with reduced obesity among diverse youth in the United States

This study examined whether daily or almost daily lower-intensity physical activity was associated with reduced obesity, among 4824 African American, Hispanic, and White youth assessed in fifth and seventh grades. Regular lower-intensity physical activity was associated with reduced obesity only among Hispanic and White males and only in seventh grade, and not among youth in fifth grade, females, or African American males or females. Findings from this study suggest that the reduced obesity risk generally attributed to physical activity may not be consistent across racial/ethnic and gender groups of early adolescents.

Associations between socioeconomic status and obesity in diverse, young adolescents: variation across race/ethnicity and gender

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and obesity risk during early adolescence, ages 10-13 years, and whether this association is present in different racial/ethnic and gender groups during 2 time points in early adolescence.

METHOD

Data were from the Healthy Passages study, which enrolled 4,824 African American, Hispanic, and White 5th graders (ages 10-11) in a population-based, longitudinal study conducted in 3 U.S. metropolitan areas, and assessed them again 2 years later. Weight status was classified from measured body mass index using standard criteria into nonobese and obese (27% in 5th grade). SES was indexed based on highest education attainment in the household.

RESULTS

Youth in the highest SES had a significantly lower prevalence of obesity than those of lower SES at both 5th and 7th grades when disregarding race/ethnicity. Within-racial/ethnic group analyses mostly confirmed this pattern for Hispanic and White youth, but not for African American youth. When also considering gender, the SES differential in obesity risk was more pronounced among White girls and 5th-grade Hispanic boys.

CONCLUSION

Growing up in a high SES home, marked by having a member with at least a college degree, is associated with lower risk for obesity among Hispanic and White youth. For African American youth, there appears to be no association between SES and obesity. Thus the health advantage generally attributed to higher SES does not appear consistently across racial/ethnic groups for obesity in youth. Further research should identify influences on weight status beyond SES, especially among African American youth.

Quality of Life Among Asian American Youth

The aims of the present study were to examine whether Asian American youth experience disparities in quality of life (QL) compared with Hispanic, African American, and white youth in the general population and to what extent socioeconomic status (SES) mediates any disparities among these racial/ethnic groups. Data were obtained from the Healthy Passages study, in which 4,972 Asian American (148; 3%), Hispanic (1,813; 36%), African American (1,755; 35%), and white (1,256; 25%) fifth-graders were enrolled in a population-based, cross-sectional survey conducted in three U.S. metropolitan areas. Youth reported their own QL using the PedsQL and supplemental scales. Parents reported youth's overall health status as well as parent's education and household income level. Asian American youth experienced worse status than white youth for three of 10 QL and well-being measures, better status than Hispanic youth on six measures, and better status than African American youth on three measures. However, the observed advantages for Asian American youth over Hispanic and African American youth disappeared when the marked SES differences that are also present among these racial/ethnic groups were taken into account. In contrast, the differences between Asian American and white youth remained after adjusting for SES. These findings suggest that the disparities in QL that favor white youth over Asian American youth exist independent of SES and warrant further examination. In contrast, the QL differences that favor Asian American over Hispanic and African American youth may be partly explained by SES. Interpretations are limited by the heterogeneity existing among Asian Americans.

Racial/ethnic disparities in health-related quality of life and health in children are largely mediated by family contextual differences

OBJECTIVE

To examine (1) racial/ethnic disparities in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and overall health status among African-American, Hispanic, and white 5th graders in the general population and (2) the extent to which socioeconomic status (SES) and other family contextual variables mediate any disparities.

METHODS

A total of 4824 African-American, Hispanic, and white fifth-graders participating in a population-based, cross-sectional survey conducted in 3 U.S. metropolitan areas reported their own HRQOL by using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.0 and supplemental personal and social well-being scales. Parents reported these children's overall health status. SES was indexed by parent education and household income. Other family contextual variables included family structure and degree to which English is spoken at home.

RESULTS

Marked racial/ethnic disparities were observed across all measures of HRQOL and health status, favoring white children and especially disfavoring Hispanic children. Most of these disparities were no longer significant after adjusting for SES and other family contextual differences that were observed among these racial/ethnic groups. Only disparities in parent-reported overall health status and self-reported global self-worth remained.

CONCLUSIONS

Racial/ethnic disparities in children's health status are substantial but may be mediated by corresponding disparities in SES and other family contextual variables. Race/ethnicity and family context are related to one another and should be considered jointly in efforts to reduce health disparities in children.