Library Bulletin – Journal Articles – February 2010
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ADOLESCENTS
MERCKEN, Liesbeth and SNIJDERS, tom A B and others. Dynamics of adolescent friendship networks and smoking behavior: social network analyses in six European countries. Social Science and Medicine Vol 69, No 10 - November 2009: 1506-1514
Abstract: The co-evolution of adolescents' friendship networks and their smoking behavior is examined in a large sample across six European countries. Selection and influence processes are disentangled using new methods of social network analysis that enable alternative selection mechanisms to be controlled for. The sample consisted of 7704 adolescents participating in the control group of the ESFA (European Smoking prevention Framework Approach) study. The design was longitudinal with four observations. The main measurements were friendship ties, adolescents smoking behavior, parental smoking behavior, and sibling smoking behavior. Results indicated that in each country adolescents preferred selecting friends based on similar smoking behavior. Support for the influence of friends was found in only two countries. A similarity in smoking behavior between friends was explained more strongly by smoking-based selection processes than by the influence of friends in each of the six countries. Prevention programs need to address aspects that drive peer selection, and reinforce non-smoking attitudes in adolescents.
MILLER, Patrick and CHOMCYNOVA, Pavla and others. Predicting teenage beliefs concerning the harm alcohol and cannabis use may do in eight European countries. Journal of Substance Use [Formerly Journal of Substance Misuse] Vol 14, No 6 - December 2009: 364-374
Abstract: Data are from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD) in eight countries (Sweden, United Kingdom, France, Malta, Slovenia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic) in spring 2003. Two scales were constructed, measuring beliefs that alcohol and cannabis harm people. Relationships of these scales with measures of parental control, parental attitudes, respondent's own drug use, friend's drug use, and gender were assessed within each country. Both at the country and the individual level, subject's own drug use showed strong inverse relationships with risk perceptions. Parental control and parental attitudes also showed associations with risk perception but these seemed largely mediated by the parental influence on subject's own use and by choice of friends. In countries with low prevalence of drug use the extent to which the predictor variables accounted for risk perceptions was lowest. Also the predictor variables showed greater associations with cannabis risk perception than with alcohol risk perception. For cannabis the explained variance in risk of harm varied from 8.1% in Sweden to 30.4% in the Czech Republic. For alcohol harm this range was from 3.1% in Bulgaria to 15.1% in Malta.
ROYER, Heather R and KELLER, Mary L and others. Young adolescents' perceptions of romantic relationships and sexual activity. Sex Education Vol 9, No 4 - November 2009: 395-408
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to describe young adolescents' perceptions of romantic relationships, ratings of important romantic partner characteristics, and acceptability of sexual activity with romantic relationships. Fifty-seven eighth-grade participants (average age = 13.8 years) from one urban US public middle school completed an anonymous written questionnaire that contained three open-ended questions about romantic relationships, a measure of Important Characteristics in a Romantic Partner, and a measure of sexual behaviors - Approximations to Sexual Intercourse. Eighth-graders' descriptions of romantic relationships included dating and sexual activities. The most common reason for having a relationship was for personal growth and social enhancement. Personal qualities (eg. honest, kind) were rated as the most important characteristic in a romantic partner. Male participants rated physical attractiveness of a romantic partner significantly higher than did females. Sexual intercourse with a condom was perceived as an acceptable activity within an eighth-grade romantic relationship by 39% of these participants. Males were significantly more likely to approve of activities that included intimate touching than were females. However, the approval ratings for the least risky sexual activities and the most risky sexual activity did not significantly differ by gender. Significant correlations between endorsing risky activities (partners that drink/smoke) and approval of sexual activities were identified among the female participants. In conclusion, young adolescents' descriptions of romantic relationships and sexual activity may be useful in developing more meaningful sexual educational programs to promote the sexual health among this population.
SEO, Dong-Chul and JIANG, Nan. Associations between smoking and extreme dieting among adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume 38, Issue 10 - November 2009: 1364-1373
Abstract: This study examined the association between cigarette smoking and dieting behaviors and trends in that association among US adolescents in grades 9-12 between 1999 and 2007. Youth Risk Behavior Survey datasets were analyzed using the multivariable logistic regression method. The sample size of each survey year ranged from 13,554 to 15,273 with girls representing 49-51% of the sample (N = 71,854). About 62% of the entire study participants were whites and 14% were blacks. Prevalence estimates of current smoking and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed across four comparison groups formed by gender and body weight. Extreme dieting was an independent predictor of smoking. Extreme dieters showed a higher variability of smoking behavior than their peers. The magnitude of the association between smoking and extreme dieting became smaller in recent years among adolescents but remained unchanged among non-overweight girls over that same time period. When adolescent smoking behavior is examined, the intensity of dieting behavior should be considered within its association with other co-occurring unhealthy behaviors.
SHAHTAHMASEBI, Said and BERRIDGE, Damon. A longitudinal analysis of teenage drinking patterns. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health Vol 21, No 3 - July/September 2009: 371-385
Abstract: This paper examines the multinomial recurrent outcome 'teenage drinking' within a statistical modeling paradigm. The proposed statistical modeling relates to a set of explanatory variables, which include subjective as well as objective measures. In order to assess the degree to which explanatory variables influence smoking, an adequate statistical model must handle the possibility that substantial variation between respondents will be due to omitted variables, mulitcollinearity and past behavior. To address these issues, longitudinal data using appropriate statistical modeling are essential. In this paper we demonstrate the application of appropriate longitudinal modeling using data from the Yorkshire (UK) Health Related Behavior Questionnaire. The results suggest there may be substantial heterogeneity due to omitted variables in the data and complex inter-relationships between observed explanatory variables. For example, social cultures of drinking and parental involvement appear to influence heavy drinking and rug use.
STERLING, Kymberle and CURRY, Susan and others. Implementation fidelity of packaged teen smoking cessation treatments delivered in community-based settings. Health Education Research Vol 24, No 6 - December 2009: 941-948
Abstract: Efficacious ‘packaged’ teen smoking cessation treatment programs, those developed by national organizations, are widely disseminated to local communities to help teens quit smoking. The implementation fidelity of these programs in community settings has not been documented. The efficacy of these programs could be lessened if they are not implemented as intended. Data from Helping Young Smokers Quit describe the frequency and types of modifications made to packaged teen cessation treatment programs for community delivery. A national sample of 591 community-based teen tobacco cessation treatment programs was profiled and 59% used a single packaged treatment program. Bivariate analyses found that 63% of program administrators reported implementing their program as planned; 37% modified their selected program. The most frequently reported modifications were made to the length and format of the program. Of those who modified their programs, >90% reported multiple program modifications (e.g. length and content). Administrators modified their programs to accommodate implementation barriers, such as time constraints and low participant enrolment, and to address the needs of participants with multiple risk behaviors that are co-morbid with tobacco use.
WENZEL, Victoria and WEICHOLD, Karina and others. The life skills program IPSY : positive influences on school bonding and prevention of substance misuse. Journal of Adolescence Vol 32, No 6 - December 2009: 1391-1401
Abstract: The present study investigated whether a life skills program (LSP) for the prevention of adolescent substance misuse can have positive influences on a school context and on school bonding. The study also explored whether effects on alcohol use are mediated by positive effects on school bonding resulting from program participation. The LSP IPSY (Information + Psychosocial Competence = Protection) was implemented over a 3-year period via specially trained teachers. Analyses were based on a German evaluation study utilizing a quasi-experimental design (intervention/control) with school-wise assignment to the respective groups. Analyses were based on four measurement points (N = 952, 10 years at pre-test). Results indicated that IPSY was well implemented, highly accepted by teachers and students, and that teachers profited regarding their teaching methods. ANCOVAS revealed positive program effects on alcohol use and school bonding. Multiple regressions indicated that positive influences on school bonding following program participation partially mediated effects on alcohol use.
ZAMBON, A and MORGAN, A and others. The contribution of club participation to adolescent health : evidence from six countries. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health Vol 64, No 1 - January 2010: 89-95
Abstract: Background: Social networks have been recognised as an important factor for enhancing the health of people and communities. Bridging social capital, characterised by numerous and varied weak ties, exemplifies a particular type of network that can help people reach their goals and improve their health. This study seeks to contribute to the evidence base on the use of positive social networks for young people’s health by exploring the importance of club participation in predicting the health and health-related behaviours of 15-year-old girls and boys across Europe and North America. Methods: Data are derived from a 2005-6 World Health Organization collaborative study, to establish the relationships between different types of club and a range of health outcomes (self-perceived health, wellbeing and symptoms) and health-related behaviours (smoking, drinking). Multi-level logistic regression was used to assess the independent effects of club participation by controlling for gender and socioeconomic position. Data were compared across six countries. Results: All the considered outcomes, both in terms of perceived health and wellbeing and health behaviours were associated with participation in formal associations. The associations are in the expected direction (participation corresponding to better health) except for some particular association types. Conclusions: Participation in formal associations seems supportive for good health and health behaviours in adolescence, and should be promoted in this age group.