Search Results (130)

Adolescence is a time of significant change which is experienced differently across sociocultural contexts. Understanding drivers of food practice in adolescence is vital as these impact future health outcomes and can drive health inequality. This study investigates drivers of food choice in predominantly British–Asian, Muslim adolescents living in a deprived urban area of England. It identifies dominant drivers of food choice and their impact on health and wellbeing, and explores how Muslim adolescents from a low socioeconomic, British–Asian group understand and action autonomy in their food practices. PhotoVoice, a focussed ethnographical methodology where participants reflect on lived experience, was used to address the study aim. Participants (n = 21) were secondary school pupils aged 14–15 years, recruited from a school situated in an area of deprivation. Four overarching themes were developed from the qualitative data framework analysis: (1) food preference and other determinants of food choice; (2) concept, understanding and importance of health; (3) developing autonomy, skills, and independence; and (4) role of community, friends, and family in food practices. The adolescents were developing autonomy in relation to their food practices, whilst navigating a complex web of factors which were, in part, determined by their social class location and demographics. Participants understood the constituents of healthy eating. However, there was a perceived “effort” of being healthy, including additional time for preparing healthier food and sacrificing taste preferences. Parents, friends, and schools highly influence food choices, with adolescents preferring a broad palate of takeaway and convenience foods and would prefer to eat less of these “unhealthy” options than eat healthily. Full article

Unaccompanied refugees are a high-risk group for trauma-induced psychiatric disorders. Besides traumatic experiences pre- and during migration, post-migration stressors such as insecure residency status affect refugees’ mental health and foster aggressive emotions. High levels of psychological distress and psychopathology distort time perspectives. Consequently, an insecure residency status linked to distress may influence a refugee’s time perspective. This study investigated psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, aggressive emotions, and time perspectives in 33 unaccompanied adolescent refugees with and without secure residency status in Germany. Refugees with precarious residency status showed higher levels of overall distress and aggression than individuals with secure residency status. Both groups revealed a distorted time perspective profile, but individuals with a residence permit showed a stronger orientation toward the present hedonistic perspective than those without a permit. Higher aggressive emotions were related to insecure status, higher levels of psychological distress, more pronounced PTSD symptoms, and lower orientation to future time perspective. Distorted time perspectives among refugees may be caused by traumatic experiences and having been uprooted, independently of their residency status in the host country. A higher future orientation may buffer the association between distorted time perspectives and aggressive emotions in the highly stressed group of unaccompanied adolescent refugees. Full article

This study evaluated a leadership-based physical activity program, Girls Organizing and Learning Sport (GOALS), by assessing changes in health behaviours, physical competence, self-esteem, and leadership. Of the 466 participants who enrolled in the program, 102 (22%) completed a pre-and post-program survey containing questions concerning demographics, physical activity, physical competence, self-esteem, and leadership. The GOALS program was held twice (fall 2022/winter 2023) and consisted of two-hour weekly sessions over four weeks at nine different locations. Paired-sample t-tests, Chi-squares, and one-way ANOVA tests were utilized to analyze differences before and after the GOALS program. Results revealed that more participants were involved in school sports, community sports, and regular physical activity post-program (all p’s < 0.05). A significant difference was also observed between pre-and post-test scores for physical competence and self-esteem (p’s < 0.05). However, the program did not elicit changes in health behaviours or total leadership scores (all p’s > 0.05). Moreover, significant results were observed between physical competence difference scores and those who care for their health by exercising (p = 0.025), leadership difference scores and those who take care of their health by exercising (p = 0.044), self-esteem difference scores by program location (p = 0.001), and physical competence difference scores by ethnicity (p = 0.003). Overall, further research into the design, administration, and targeted outcomes is recommended for future sessions. Full article

Age-disparate transactional sex relationships are often coerced and exploitative. The gender and economic disparities between affluent men and economically disadvantaged girls often perpetuate these relationships, resulting in their exploitation. This qualitative study assessed men’s understanding of factors influencing schoolgirls’ engagement in age-disparate transactional sex relationships in two rural districts in Kenya. Four focus group sessions were conducted with men from two primary professions: motorcycle taxi operators (Boda Boda) and teachers from primary and secondary schools from two districts in Kitui South, Sub County, Kenya. Focus group data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Several influential factors associated with schoolgirls’ engagement in these transactional relationships are discussed in three broad themes: access and coercion, parental influence, and peer-related factors. Study results indicate that schoolgirls in rural areas are more susceptible to predation by men willing to trade sexual favors with underage girls. These findings make it imperative to address the predation of adolescent girls by men involved in these transactional relationships by implementing comprehensive sex education programs that empower schoolgirls to recognize and resist coercion. Additionally, implementing measures involving community leaders, parents, and other stakeholders in a collective effort to combat the exploitation of underage girls is paramount. These measures should be accompanied by the stricter enforcement of laws and regulations to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. Full article

Therapist–client cognitive match upon key constructs such as treatment goals is purported to be an important component of culturally competent care. For adolescent clients, treatment may involve both youths and their parents, suggesting the need to consider both youth–therapist and parent–therapist perspectives. This longitudinal study examined broadband youth–therapist and parent–therapist treatment goal matching and mismatching in relationship to treatment engagement in a culturally diverse sample of 245 outpatient mental health service-using youth. Although goal matching/mismatching did not uniformly predict treatment engagement as measured by a total score, youth–therapist internalizing goal matching predicted better youth engagement, and parent–therapist externalizing goal mismatch marginally predicted worse parent engagement. When selected post hoc analyses examined relationships to four individual engagement dimensions, youth–therapist internalizing goal matches positively predicted youth Client–therapist interaction, Communication/Openness, Client’s perceived usefulness of therapy, and Collaboration with treatment, while parent–therapist externalizing goal mismatch negatively predicted parent Collaboration with treatment. Findings support the importance of cognitive match on treatment goals as well as the consideration of both parent and youth perspectives, matched and mismatched goals, internalizing and externalizing goals, and examining individual dimensions in addition to total scores of engagement. Full article

Electronic vapor products (EVPs) are non-conventional tobacco products that use a battery to heat liquid, generating an aerosol to be inhaled by the user. Despite being initially proposed as a harm reduction tool for adults looking to quit conventional tobacco cigarettes, EVP usage has grown significantly in the adolescent population over the past decade. Data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) show that currently, in the United States, 36% of adolescents have ever used an EVP, 18% currently use an EVP, and 5% use EVPs daily. Initial studies have raised concerns about the health effects on multiple organ systems (e.g., respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurodevelopmental), and little information is known about the long-term effects, as well as the impacts specific to the still-developing adolescent body. EVP usage in the adolescent population is a public health crisis. The purpose of this narrative review is to address what is known thus far and to advise areas of focus for future research and advocacy. Full article

Adolescents with psychiatric illness severe enough to be hospitalized experience many challenges that are also experienced by their caregivers and other family members. The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges experienced by these adolescents and their families from the perspective of the caregivers. A cross-sectional survey with open-ended questions and standardized measures was administered to caregivers while their children were in hospital. Caregivers (n = 24) reported significant challenges related to the psychological problems their adolescents were experiencing, and additional burdens that influenced the family context in which the adolescents were developing. Adolescents with psychiatric illness may be contributing to and developing in stressful family contexts. Implications include the need for interventions for caregivers alongside the psychiatric care provided for their children and specialized supports for their complex situation. Full article

Background: Much of the research on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has overlooked the experiences of adolescent boys. Objective: To examine the prevalence of depression, treatment trends, and associated risk factors among adolescent boys, controlling for the pandemic year. Methods: Data for boys aged 12 to 17 years (n = 4518) in the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were analyzed. Time trends and factors associated with depression were examined using a multiple regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of 12-month major depressive episodes (TMDEs) was 11.6% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the boys with TMDEs, 37.8% received treatment overall, and 19.0% received prescription medication. Higher rates of TMDEs were estimated in boys who were older (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.66, p < 0.001), lived in single-mother households (AOR: 1.47, p < 0.001), did not have authoritative parents (AOR: 1.78, p < 0.001), and had negative school experiences (AOR: 2.45, p < 0.001). Although Black boys were less likely to report depression than white boys (AOR: 0.70, p < 0.05), nonwhite boys who had depression were significantly less likely to receive treatment. Boys living in a household without a mother were also less likely to receive treatment (AOR: 0.49, p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study reveals the unique developmental, social, and psychological factors that influence depression among adolescent boys. During the pandemic, more than one out of ten adolescent boys had a major depressive episode, and four of ten of them received treatment; half of these treatments were prescription medication. Recognizing these factors may allow for more targeted and effective interventions to improve mental health outcomes for this demographic. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the anthropometric and physical fitness profiles of inter-county female Gaelic football players from under-14 to under-18 age levels. A total of 156 athletes (U14, n = 33; U16, n = 64; U18, n = 59) participated in this study. Testing was conducted in a single session for each group and included anthropometric measures of standing and sitting height, weight, estimated age of peak height velocity (PHV), and maturity offset. Physical performance tests included squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ), 0–5 m and 0–20 m sprint times, pro-agility test, medicine ball chest-pass throw, and YoYo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YoYoIR1). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate differences between the age groups. Significant differences were identified between age groups for measures of height (p < 0.001, ES = 0.127), body mass (p.002, ES = 0.076), and estimated age of PHV (p < 0.001, ES = 0.612). No significant differences were found between age groups for any of the physical fitness tests except for the YoYoIR1, where a significant difference was found between the U14 and U18 age groups (p.029, η2p = 0.048). These findings may assist coaches to better understand female athletic development, provide insight on talent identification and development programmes, and provide reference data when working with this cohort so that realistic and attainable training goals can be achieved. Full article

Adolescence is a crucial phase marked by significant physical, psychological, emotional, and social changes. India has the world’s largest adolescent population. Understanding and addressing their health needs is vital for the nation’s social, political, and economic progress. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the main adolescent health policies and strategies implemented from 2006 to 2020 and analyze the outcomes for adolescent health in India. To achieve this objective, the research adopted a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses of health policies, strategies, and programs implemented since 2005. Additionally, data from the most recent three Demographic Health Surveys (DHSs) were analyzed and compared to assess changes in adolescent health indicators after implementing these policies/strategies. The findings focused on India’s major adolescent health policies, namely the Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) Strategy2005, Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) 2014, and the School Health Program 2020. All the strategies and programs aim to provide a comprehensive framework for sexual and reproductive health services, expand the scope of adolescent health programming, and address various health aspects. The analysis highlighted strengths in targeted interventions, monitoring, and promotion but weaknesses in awareness, societal barriers, and healthcare worker participation. Opportunities include female-friendly clinics and education about early pregnancy, while addressing substance abuse and training volunteers remain challenges. Family planning has improved with higher contraception usage and a decline in unmet needs. The incidence of violence decreased, and positive health behaviors increased, such as condom use. However, challenges remain, including limited access to health services, concerns about female providers, and low health insurance coverage. Nutrition indicators showed a slight increase in overweight/obesity and anemia rates. In conclusion, progress has been made, but certain adolescent health aspects still require attention. Further efforts are needed to achieve universal health coverage and improve adolescent health outcomes. Conducting targeted awareness campaigns, strengthening health worker and NGO engagement, and combating the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents are recommended. Full article

The study follows the interaction between the individual and the social context regarding the development of adolescents protected in residential houses from the child protection system in Iasi County, Romania. Starting from the evidence that in situations of providing relatively identical material and social resources, the results obtained by these children vary greatly, we examine how the meaning (understood mainly as purpose and mattering) can constitute a developmental resource. Considering theoretical models and previous research, the study aims to describe, through a qualitative approach, how these young people see themselves and the external environment (family and residential care), how they project their future (their purpose and objectives), and how these constructions and perceptions can influence their quality of life and social integration. We conducted three focus groups with 35 young people (the ages 13–21) protected in and for different periods in residential houses (period 1–20 years). The results highlighted that a specific meaning is reconfigured as compensatory when affected by a trauma or adverse external event and thus can be a resource for resilience. On the other hand, the research highlighted that the existence of goals alone is insufficient to generate action, and the unrealistic meanings given to own persons, experiences, and resources can be dangerous because it risks accentuating some social vulnerabilities of these young people. Full article

(1) Background: Texting is a prevalent communication method between late adolescents and their families that has implications for their relationships and well-being. This study used mixed-method analysis to understand what late adolescents, specifically college students, text their families about (i.e., themes), and how they feel about their family texting experiences (i.e., sentiments). (2) Methods: Our analyses used text transcripts of semi-structured individual interviews from 19 college students (aged 18–22 years, 13 female, 10 students of color), with 357 sentences/passages coded in total. (3) Results: Inductive content analysis revealed four themes: emotional support, relationship maintenance, conflict, and difficult conversations. Quantitative sentiment analysis revealed the highest level of positive sentiment attached to emotional support, and the highest level of negative sentiment attached to difficult conversations. The interviews that covered more conflict-based themes tended to have higher positive and negative sentiments. Differences between participants texting with their mothers and fathers were also revealed. (4) Conclusions: This research advances the understanding, in terms of both content and emotions, of the texting interactions with family members among late adolescents, along with providing methodological contributions, by highlighting the utility of the mixed-method analysis of interview data. Full article

In Canada, the demands of female immigrant adolescents in terms of sexual health are largely unmet and have grown significantly in recent years. According to studies, racialized immigrant adolescents are less likely than non-immigrant adolescents to be knowledgeable about sexual and reproductive health and to use resources for sex education and related services. This difference seems to be related to socio-cultural and religious practices in Pakistani immigrant adolescents. This paper intends to explain the viewpoints of female adolescents of first- or second-generation Pakistani descent who reside in Canada with regard to their development of sexuality and psychological well-being. Moreover, this paper also describes how female adolescents perceive the necessity to support their sexuality as they go through the adolescent stage. Individual interviews and timelines were created using qualitative interpretative descriptive design. We included 21 female adolescents of first- or second-generation Pakistani ethnicity using a purposive sample. Data analysis was performed using a thematic analysis. The findings indicate that immigrant adolescent girls received conflicting messages about sexuality from their parents which impacted their psychological well-being. Additionally, survey participants noted that prejudice, exclusion from sex education classes, and a lack of sexual health information contributed to social isolation, health care avoidance, and poor mental health outcomes like melancholy and anxiety among adolescent girls. The absence of sexuality-related communication with parents and the scarcity of medical professionals who can relate to and address the needs and realities of immigrants may have an impact on the participants’ experiences. Female immigrant girls also spoke up on the need for open, honest, and stigma-free conversations as well as for the need to end the taboo around the subject of sexuality. This study used principles from both intersectionality and postmodern feminist theories to increase our understanding of the interplay between the experiences of developing sexuality and overall well-being in female immigrant adolescents of Pakistani descent. It is crucial to involve, listen to, and incorporate female adolescents’ voices when planning and implementing interventions to support healthy sexuality among immigrant adolescents. Full article

Adolescents with close relatives having severe health conditions or who have died (RSHC) are vulnerable, and this has long-term influences on their lives and health. This study investigated how adolescents with RSHC experiences reported having poor mental health and protective factors and the combined influence of these compared to their peers who had not had these experiences. A cross-sectional school-based survey among students aged 15–18 years (N = 3410) in Sörmland, Sweden, was used to analyse the association between poor mental health and experiences from having one or several RSHC experiences with physical illness, mental illness, or substance abuse/gambling disorder, as well as having relatives who have died. Logistic regression models were performed, adjusting for background factors, and protective factors against poor mental health related to school, home relations, safety in everyday life, and lifestyle were assessed. Adolescents with one RSHC experience had an OR of 1.45 (95% CI: 1.23–1.72) for poor mental health, and those with several RSHC experiences had an OR of 2.35 (95% CI: 1.94–2.84) compared to those with no RSHC experiences. The greatest OR for poor mental health was seen among adolescents with the combination of several RSHC experiences and few protective factors against poor mental health (18.83; 95% CI: 11.86–29.91). Adolescents with RSHC experiences have increased odds of poor mental health compared to adolescents without these experiences, especially those with several RSHC experiences and few protective factors. When meeting adolescents with RSHC experiences, supporting their key protective factors may play an important role in improving mental health. Full article

Adolescent eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours appear to be a growing public health concern. The aetiology of these conditions is complex, as many different factors contribute to their development. Among them, family factors such as parenting styles and comments regarding weight coming from family members are considered critical and are extensively researched. However, the impact of parental dieting has received less attention. A literature review was conducted in order to examine the relationship between parental engagement in weight-reduction dieting and their adolescent offspring’s disordered eating behaviours. The review was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar) regarding the period between January 2000 and May 2023. The initial search retrieved 339 abstracts, and 113 full reports were evaluated for eligibility. Six studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the final literature review. A number of studies indicated that adolescents whose parents were engaged in dieting in order to lose weight are more likely to showcase disordered eating behaviours. However, research regarding this relationship is very scarce. More studies on the link between parental eating and dieting habits and the risk of disordered eating in adolescents are required. Moreover, parents should be informed regarding the possible risks when they choose to follow weight-loss diets and the importance of adopting healthy eating and weight-control habits for the whole family. Full article