Patterns of adolescent involvement in problem behaviors: relationship to self-efficacy, social competence, and life events

Using a sample of 556 adolescents from a suburban community, patterns of various adolescent problem behaviors (e.g., delinquent behavior, smoking, use of alcohol or drugs) and their links to self-efficacy, social competence, and life events were examined. Cluster analysis was conducted to identify four subgroups of adolescents who showed distinct patterns of problem behaviors. These clusters were compared on the measures of self-efficacy, social competence, and life events. Overall results suggest there are meaningful links between adolescents' problem behavior patterns and self-efficacy, the amount and quality of participation in various after school activities, and life events. For example, a subgroup of adolescents who showed uniformly low prevalence of all problem behaviors reported more positive academic self-efficacy, more active participation in sports and nonsports activities, more positive life events, and fewer negative events than adolescents who were involved in multiple problem behaviors. Implications for prevention and future research on adolescent problem behaviors are discussed.     

Personal religious practice, risky behavior, and implementation intentions among adolescents.

The benefits of religiousness for promoting well-being and avoiding risky behaviors has long been noted, especially for adolescents, but a precise understanding of the mechanism underlying this effect on risky behaviors has not yet been developed. We hypothesized that religious practices help religious adolescents form implementation intentions (IIs) when pursuing decisions and goals to avoid risky behaviors. We predicted that participants with higher rates of private religious practice would generate greater numbers and higher quality IIs to avoid risky behaviors relative to other participants. In this preliminary exploration, 50 college students completed assessments of private religious practices, risk–benefit evaluations about risky scenarios, and the number and quality of IIs they could generate to avoid risk in those scenarios. Results supported our predictions: After controlling for age and gender, participants who engaged more frequently in private religious practice were able to generate both more and higher quality IIs about avoiding risky scenarios. This provides initial support for the hypothesis that religiousness may protect against risky behaviors by enhancing the abilities of religious adolescents to form IIs to avoid risky behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Metamotivational dominance and use of tobacco and alcohol among adolescents

This study investigated differences in metamotivational dominance among adolescents who engaged in different amounts of substance use, specifically, whether students who labeled themselves as 'heavy' alcohol consumers or cigarette smokers would be more Paratelic and Negativism Dominant than those who labeled themselves 'nondrinkers' or 'nonsmokers'. 93 secondary school students (Years 9 and 10) participated in the study (68 boys, 25 girls). One-way analyses of variance indicated self-labeled heavy drinkers scored significantly more Paratelic Dominant than nondrinkers, while heavy smokers scored significantly more Paratelic and Negativism Dominant than nonsmokers. Paratelic Dominant adolescents who reported engaging in heavy smoking may have done so because smoking is defined by society as a risky behaviour and so provides arousal. Education and preventive programs that focus on health hazards of smoking may, in fact, increase the likelihood of this behaviour by both individuals who score Paratelic and Negativism Dominant.     

Applying a Behavioral Economic Framework to Understanding Adolescent Smoking.

Adolescents' choice to smoke may depend on substitute reinforcers for smoking, complementary activities to smoking, and individual differences in reinforcer value. The influence of these variables on smoking was determined among 983 adolescents. Substitutes were school involvement, academic performance, physical activity, and sports team participation: complements were peer smoking and substance use; delay discounting assessed individual differences in reinforcer value. Latent growth modeling indicated that substitute reinforcers reduced the odds of smoking progression almost two-fold, complementary reinforcers increased the odds by 1.14. and delay discounting indirectly influenced the odds of smoking progression through complementary reinforcers. Adolescents who smoke may have fewer reinforcers that protect against smoking and more reinforcers that promote smoking. Discounting of future rewards affects smoking through reinforcer type. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationships Between Perceived Stress and Health Behaviors in a Sample of Working Adults.

The study examined associations between perceived stress and fat intake, exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking behaviors. Data were from surveys of 12,110 individuals in 26 worksites participating in the SUCCESS project (D. J. Hennrikus, R. W. Jeffery, & H. A. Lando, 1995), a study of smoking cessation interventions. Linear regression analyses examined cross-sectional associations between stress level and health behaviors. Analyses were stratified by gender and controlled for demographics. High stress for both men and women was associated with a higher fat diet, less frequent exercise, cigarette smoking, recent increases in smoking, less self-efficacy to quit smoking, and less self-efficacy to not smoke when stressed. Stress was not associated with alcohol intake. Findings suggest that the association between stress and disease may be moderated in part by unhealthy behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of self-esteem in safer sexual practices

Self-esteem appears in the literature as a variable that influences the practice of risky sexual behaviors. It is often assumed that higher levels of self-esteem are associated with safer sexual behaviors, especially those that prevent the spread of HIV. The research literature was reviewed to examine the relationship between self-esteem and the practice of safer sexual behaviors. Research indicates that higher levels of self-esteem are found in adolescents who practice risky sexual behaviors and have more sexual partners. Research and clinical implications are discussed.     

Adolescent admissions to residential drug treatment: HIV risk behaviors pre- and posttreatment.

HIV risk behaviors of adolescents (N?=?938) admitted to residential therapeutic communities for drug abuse and related problems are described. Approximately 95% of the sample was sexually active. The adolescents reported that they had used drugs or alcohol about half of the time that they engaged in sexual relations and that half of their sexual activity was unprotected. Males and females differed in their self-perceptions of risk for HIV infection. Three dimensions of risky behaviors were identified by factor-analytic procedures: Risky Sex With Men, Risky Sex With Women, and Risky Drug Use Behaviors. Separate regression equations for males and females identified common and unique predictors of risky behaviors. A comparison of 1-year pretreatment with 1-year posttreatment risky behaviors for a subsample of the full cohort revealed significant positive changes (i.e., reductions) on some, but not all, measures of risky behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Processes linking adolescent well-being, marital love, and coparenting.

This study examined coparenting in a sample of 177 two-parent families with firstborn adolescents by using annual home interview data from mothers, fathers, and adolescents. With a path-analytic approach and with earlier problem behaviors controlled for, coparenting conflict predicted relative increases in adolescent risky behavior over 2 years. In addition, evidence for 2 types of mediation was found. Marital love mediated the link between adolescents' early risky behavior and coparenting 1 year later, and coparenting conflict mediated the link between marital love and adolescents' risky behavior 1 year later. Linkages did not emerge for coparenting cooperation or triangulation. Interventions that are focused on the marital and coparental relationships in families with adolescents may modify trajectories of adolescent risky behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attachment styles, emotion regulation, and adjustment in adolescence.

Attachment style differences in psychological symptomatology, self-concept, and risky or problem behaviors were examined in a community sample (N?=?1,989) of Black and White adolescents, 13 to 19 years old. Overall, secure adolescents were the best-adjusted group, though not necessarily the least likely to engage in risky behaviors. Anxious adolescents were the worst-adjusted group, reporting the poorest self-concepts and the highest levels of symptomatology and risk behaviors. In contrast, avoidant adolescents reported generally high levels of symptomatology and poor self-concepts but similar levels of risk behaviors to those found among secures. Mediation analyses suggested that the observed differences in problem behaviors were at least partially accounted for by the differential experience of distress symptoms (primarily hostility and depression) and by social competence. Finally, patterns of attachment effects were similar across age, gender, and racial groups, with some important exceptions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Beyond invulnerability: The importance of benefits in adolescents' decision to drink alcohol.

Some investigators propose that adolescents engage in risky behaviors mainly because they perceive themselves to be invulnerable to risk. However, studies have typically not included perceived benefits. In the current study, 5th, 7th, and 9th graders were surveyed about their perceptions of and experience with alcohol and tobacco. Results indicated that perceptions of the benefits were significantly related to drinking and smoking 6 months later, over and above perceptions of the risks, age of the respondent, and experience level. Further, the importance of benefits was replicated across 3 separate analyses. Experience with alcohol alone, especially positive experience, was also related to perception and behavior. These findings are discussed in terms of how to improve messages and influence adolescents' decisions regarding risk-taking behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correlates of unhealthy weight-control behaviors among adolescents: Implications for prevention programs.

This study aimed to identify correlates of unhealthy weight-control behaviors in adolescents to guide the development of programs aimed at the primary prevention of disordered eating. A model explaining unhealthy weight-control behaviors was tested among 4,746 adolescents using structural equation modeling. Models fit the data well and explained 76% of the variance in unhealthy weight-control behaviors among girls and 63% among boys. Weight-body concerns were a strong correlate of unhealthy weight-control behaviors in both girls and boys. Models also emphasized the importance of weight-specific social norms within the adolescent's proximal environment. Findings suggest the importance of addressing weight-body concerns within prevention programs and extending interventions beyond classroom settings to ensure changes in weight-related norms among peer groups and family members. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dodecylphosphocholine micelles as a membrane-like environment: new results from NMR relaxation and paramagnetic relaxation enhancement analysis

PURPOSE: To identify specific alcohol use beliefs and behaviors among local high school students; to determine whether relationships exist between alcohol use and various sociodemographic and lifestyle behaviors; and to assist in the development and implementation of alcohol abuse prevention programs. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved the completion of a questionnaire by 1236 Grade 9-13 students (86% response rate) from 62 randomly selected classrooms in three Canadian urban schools. Data analyzed here are part of a larger lifestyle survey. RESULTS: A total of 24% of students reported never having tasted alcohol, 22% have tasted alcohol but do not currently drink, 39% are current moderate drinkers, 11% are current heavy drinkers (five or more drinks on one occasion at least once a month), and 5% did not answer. Reasons stated most often for not drinking were "bad for health" and "upbringing," while reasons stated most often for drinking were "enjoy it" and "to get in a party mood." Student drinking patterns were significantly related to gender, ethnicity, grade, and the reported drinking habits of parents and friends. Older male adolescents who describe their ethnicity as Canadian are at higher risk for heavy drinking than students who are younger or female, or identify their ethnicity as European or Asian. Current heavy drinkers are at higher risk than other students for engaging in other high-risk behaviors such as drinking and driving, being a passenger in a car when the driver is intoxicated, and daily smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Heavy alcohol use in adolescents remains an important community health concern. Older self-described Canadian and Canadian-born male adolescents are at higher risk for heavy drinking. Current and heavy drinking rises significantly between Grades 9 and 12. Students who drink heavily are more likely to drink and drive, to smoke daily, and to have friends and parents who drink alcohol.     

How healthy are the police? A survey of life-style factors

AIMS: To examine the prevalence of five life-style behaviours among New South Wales police. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 852 police were recruited from metropolitan Sydney. MEASUREMENTS: Prevalence related to age and sex of self-reported alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, inadequate exercise, perception of overweight and stress symptoms. RESULTS: A high level (89%) of participation was achieved in the survey. Almost half (48%) of males and more than two-fifths (40%) of females consumed alcohol excessively including continuous hazardous or harmful consumption and binge drinking. Excessive drinking was more prevalent among younger police. There were 8% of male and 15% of female police who reported that they did not drink alcohol. Over one-quarter (27%) of male and one-third (32%) of female respondents reported smoking. Almost half (46%) of men and women (47%) believed that they were overweight. More than one-fifth (21%) of men and less than one-quarter (24%) of women reported that they did not exercise. Finally, 12% of men and 15% of women reported feeling moderate to severe symptoms of stress. CONCLUSIONS: The police work-force offers an opportunity to screen for a large number of healthy, young and high risk individuals (particularly men) who are hard to reach in other settings and who rarely visit their general practitioner. A sizeable majority (83%) of NSW police had at least one unhealthy life-style behaviour with 19% reporting 3-5 unhealthy factors. The high prevalence of excessive alcohol consumption among police is of particular concern. More active health promotion and provision of brief interventions among police may reduce morbidity and mortality associated with unhealthy life-styles.     

Silicone gel and delayed hypersensitivity

The present study explored the relationship of scores on acculturative stress with those on depression and suicidal ideation among 26 male and 28 female Mexican-American students from a southern California high school. Subjects completed the SAFE acculturative stress scale, the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale, and the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior. Analyses suggested that acculturating Mexican-American adolescents who report high scores on acculturative stress may report elevated scores for depression and suicidal ideation. Researchers should assess suicide risk within this and other acculturating groups, and risk factors specific to acculturating groups should be considered in the development and implementation of suicide prevention programs in schools.     

The effectiveness of a tobacco prevention program with adolescents living in a tobacco-producing region

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the efficacy of a social-influences tobacco prevention program conducted with adolescents living in a high tobacco production area. METHODS: Students in 10 experimental schools completed the tobacco prevention program and a booster intervention. Control students received health education as usual. RESULTS: After 2 years of treatment, smoking rates in the treatment group (vs the control group) were lower for 30-day, 7-day, and 24-hour smoking. The intervention had more of an impact on those who were involved in raising tobacco than it did on those not involved in raising tobacco. CONCLUSIONS: Although modest, effects were achieved with minimal intervention time in a high-risk group, indicating that social-influences prevention programs may be effective in such groups.     

Hormonal events during female puberty in relation to breast cancer risk

Cigarette smoking among adolescents continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. Smoking trends from 1976-1977 to 1992-1994 were examined in the Bogalusa Heart Study, an investigation of cardiovascular disease risk factors among black and white, male and female adolescents in a semirural town in the southern United States. Age-race-sex specific chi 2 tests for trends over five survey periods were conducted. In almost every age group, black boys and girls were less likely to be current smokers or to have ever smoked or tried cigarettes, as compared with white boys and girls, respectively (P < 0.01). Within age groups, few significant trends in smoking status from 1976-1977 through 1992-1994 were observed among white boys and girls. Among black males and females, however, sharp decreases were observed among all age groups in the prevalence of having ever smoked or tried cigarettes (P = 0.0001) and among the older age groups in the prevalence of being a current smoker (P = 0.0001). Thus, substantial declines in the prevalence of smoking were observed among black children but not among white children. Further research is required to understand why these ethnic differences in smoking occurred so that public health programs may target further the smoking behaviors in children.     

Parental influences on adolescents' oral health behavior: two-year follow-up of the Norwegian Longitudinal Health Behavior Study participants

This study explores the influences of parents' behavior and the parent-child relationship upon adolescents' smoking, oral hygiene performance and intake of sugared foods. In 1993 (Time 1), a representative sample of 709 16-yr-old adolescents in Hordaland County, Norway and their parents completed questionnaires at home. A postal follow-up 2 yr later (Time 2) provided 781 answers. The present analyses included 597 cohort participants who responded on both occasions, and 460 mothers and 399 fathers who replied in 1993. Influence of the parent-child relationship was assessed in terms of two scales: parental support and parental control of the youngsters. Multivariate regression analyses indicated that adolescents' oral health behaviors at Time 1, were each powerful predictors of their corresponding behaviors at Time 2. When the Time 1 parental behavior and the Time 2 parent-child relationship scales were added, mothers' oral hygiene performance and sugar intake accounted for a significant amount of the variance in the corresponding behaviors of adolescents at Time 2. Fathers' smoking and the parental control scale contributed to the prediction of adolescents' Time 2 smoking. These results extend previous ones obtained from cross-sectional studies and give further support to the importance of including the family in prevention campaigns aimed at adolescents.     

Loneliness, social isolation, and behavioral and biological health indicators in older adults.

Objective: A number of mechanisms have been proposed through which social isolation and loneliness may affect health, including health-related behavioral and biological factors. However, it is unclear to what extent isolation and loneliness are independently associated with these pathways. The objective of the present analysis was to determine the impact of social isolation and loneliness, individually as well as simultaneously, on health-related behavioral and biological factors using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Method: Data on health behaviors (smoking and physical activity) were analyzed from 8,688 participants and data on blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammatory markers were analyzed from over 5,000 of these participants who were eligible for a nurse visit and blood sampling. Loneliness was measured using the short form of the Revised UCLA scale and an index of social isolation was computed incorporating marital status; frequency of contact with friends, family, and children; and participation in social activities. Results: Fewer than 2% of participants reported being lonely all the time, while nearly 7% had the highest possible scores on social isolation. Both social isolation and loneliness were associated with a greater risk of being inactive, smoking, as well as reporting multiple health-risk behaviors. Social isolation was also positively associated with blood pressure, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen levels. Conclusions: Loneliness and social isolation may affect health independently through their effects on health behaviors. In addition, social isolation may also affect health through biological processes associated with the development of cardiovascular disease. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of intergenerational discrepancy of cultural orientation in drug use among Latina adolescents

The role of intergenerational discrepancy for cultural orientation was examined in the etiology of drug use among Latina adolescents and in the context of family support. Intergenerational discrepancy occurs when a family member of one generation differs from a family member of another generation in cultural identity factors; this is usually manifested in conflict between a first generation child and the immigrant generation parent. It was hypothesized that the Latina adolescents experiencing intergenerational discrepancy might use drugs more frequently than Latina adolescents who were not; and that family support would be an important moderator of the relationship. A sample of 295 ninth and tenth grade Latina students (approximately 80% Mexican-American) from four Los Angeles area schools were surveyed as part of a larger study. In this secondary analysis, a 2 (family support ) x 2 (discrepancy) ANOVA revealed that intergenerational discrepancy was associated with more drug use in certain cases, and that family support did not moderate this relationship. Results partially validate and extend a theoretical model presented by Szapocznik and Kurtines (1980), and indicate a need to focus on cultural variables when intervening in drug use/misuse among Latina adolescents.     

The contribution of level of cognitive complexity and pubertal timing to behavioral risk in young adolescents

PURPOSE: To determine the unique contributions of cognitive complexity and pubertal timing to participation in behavioral risk (substance use, sexual activity, school and legal problems) among young adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional with cohort replication. METHODS: Two cohorts of middle school students in grades eight and nine in a midwestern school district completed a self-report questionnaire in 1987 and 1989. Measures of behavioral and emotional risk, cognitive complexity and pubertal timing relative to peers were included. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 817 and 796 students in each cohort year. Gender, race, level of cognitive complexity and pubertal timing each contributed significantly to the variance in behavioral risk independent of chronological age (P < .0001). Boys, whites, those at lower levels of cognitive complexity and those who began pubertal maturation earlier than peers, were at significantly greater risk. Adolescents who demonstrated higher levels of cognitive complexity and those who began puberty later compared to peers participated in a smaller array of risk behaviors, independent of chronological age. IMPLICATIONS: Pediatricians should consider adolescents at lower levels of cognitive complexity (concrete thinking) and those who begin puberty earlier at greater risk for participation in health risk behaviors. Preventive health counseling tailored to the needs of this group may be most beneficial.