Bullying and suicide in high school students: Findings from the 2015 California youth risk behavior survey

ABSTRACT

School bullying and cyberbullying have been linked to suicidal behaviors through depression and alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drug use. However, how these associations may differ across racial/ethnic groups remains relatively unknown. Using data from the 2015 California Youth Risk Behavior Survey, this study aims to examine two questions in different racial/ethnic subgroups: (1) Does bullying affect suicide? and (2) Does bullying have an indirect effect on suicide through depression and use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs? The sample consisted of 1,765 Californian youth attending grades 9–12. Logistic regression analyses indicate that being bullied is associated with increased odds of suicide across all racial/ethnic groups; depression mediates the effect of bullying on suicide for all racial/ethnic groups; alcohol use mediates the effect only for Hispanic youth; other drug use mediates the effect only for White youth; marijuana and tobacco use have no mediating role. These findings suggest that bullying may lead to suicide through different risk behaviors for youths of different racial/ethnic groups. Professionals who work with bullied youths need to treat depression more effectively to prevent suicide in service planning and provision. They also need to be aware of the racial/ethnic differences in the risk behaviors intercorrelated with bullying and suicide and provide appropriate treatment to the youth of specific race/ethnicity.     

Briefly Noted

Internalizing and externalizing problems predicted onset of any tobacco use in youth; however, findings differed for internalizing and externalizing problems across tobacco products, researchers found in analyzing the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study of 12‐ to 24‐year‐old never‐users. Self‐reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms were assessed at wave 1 (45,971 subjects), and past‐12‐month use of tobacco products was assessed at wave 2 (38,443 subjects). The researchers found that high‐severity internalizing symptoms at wave 1 increased the risk by 1.5 times of using tobacco by wave 2, and that high‐severity externalizing problems increased the risk of tobacco use by 1.3 times at wave 2. Low‐ and moderate‐severity problems did not predict tobacco onset. The study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Food and Drug Administration. Several authors declared conflicts of interest — one as an expert witness in a lawsuit against the tobacco industry. The article, “Mental Health Problems and Onset of Tobacco Use Among 12‐ to 24‐Year‐Olds in the PATH Study,” was published in the December 2018 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.     

Economic Resources and Woman Abuse

Abstract

Secondary data analyses of the 1999 National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) were conducted to examine relationships between economic resources and woman abuse among subsamples of African American, Hispanic and White women. Logistic analyses indicated that associations vary, not only along racial and ethnic lines, but also by type of woman abuse. None of the economic resources were associated with woman abuse for the Hispanic women. Employment status and education attainment were the strongest predictors of abuse among the African American and White women. Adding marital status and age into the models had significant impact on the previous associations.     

Cognitive behavioral interventions for depression among Hispanic people: promising meta-analytic evidence for deep cultural adaptations

ABSTRACT

Depressive disorders are common among Hispanic people. Evidence-informed guidelines indicate cognitive behavioral interventions (CBI), but they were developed primarily with non-Hispanic White people. Narrative studies of clients and workers along systematic review evidence suggested that well-defines cultural adaptations of CBIs would likely improve outcomes among Hispanics people with diverse mental health problems. We advanced the meta-analytic hypothesis that CBIs incorporating so-called “deep structure” cultural adaptations will be more effective than otherwise similar, but more superficially, “surface structure” or non-adapted interventions with depressed Hispanic people. This meta-analysis synthesized evidence from nine typically randomized trials in the United States with one subsample from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Most clients were young women, living in poverty and suffering a reactive depressive episode. We found statistical and practical support for our hypothesis. In most practice contexts, CBI success rates were between 15% and 30% better than those typically observed with other usual practices. Moreover, these effects were maintained at 6- to 12-month follow-up. Given the size and growth of the Hispanic American population, their prevalent experience of depression, and the size of the intervention effects, these synthesized findings seem of potentially great human, clinical, and policy significance.     

Briefly Noted

Vaping and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) were equally effective at decreasing craving and withdrawal symptoms for smokers discharged from smoke‐free residential treatment for substance use disorder, a pilot study has found. The study, a randomized controlled trial to be published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco in Australia, also found that retention was greater for the vaping group (96% at 12 weeks) than the NRT group (68%). For the study, 100 patients received telephone Quitline support and a 12‐week supply of either NRT or a vaping device. At 12 weeks, 14% of the vaping group and 18% of the NRT group report not smoking at all in the last seven days. The researchers concluded that their criteria for retention might have been too strict, and that “some leeway and looking at eventual success over the period people continue to engage with the aids would give a better picture of their long‐term potential.” There is a big movement to legalize vaping in Australia. A key point, however, is that patients readily engaged with smoking cessation after treatment when given the chance. “QuitNic: A pilot randomised controlled trial comparing nicotine vaping products with nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation following residential detoxification” by Billie Bonevski and colleagues is available open access, go to https://academic.oup.com/ntr/advance‐article/doi/10.1093/ntr/ntaa143/5889985 .     

Understanding Urban Adolescent Mothers' Visions of the Future in Terms of Possible Selves

ABSTRACT

As part of a larger study of factors influencing the educational and occupational achievement of adolescent mothers, this study explored the phenomenology of pregnant and parenting teens' aspirations and expectations using the construct, “possible selves.” Focus group discussions, autobiographical projects, and self-report surveys revealed that African American pregnant and parenting youth develop self-representations related to future achievement in the context of interactions with neighborhoods, health care systems, and adult support figures. Results related to teens' “ideal selves,” “feared selves,” and “who they might become” are presented.     

Tobacco use among foster youth: Evidence of health disparities

Youth aging out of foster care face a challenging road to independence. Following exposure to myriad risk factors such as abuse, neglect, parental substance use, and severe housing mobility, supportive services decrease upon exit from care, often increasing risk for substance use, homelessness, and unemployment. Although tobacco use is also highly prevalent, little attention has been paid to screening, assessment, and treatment of tobacco use in this vulnerable group. The current study (N = 116) reports on tobacco use prevalence, consequences, and co-occurrence with other substances in a sample of youth (ages 18 to 19) exiting the foster care system. In the face of an overall decrease in tobacco use among general population adolescents and young adults, results suggest disproportionate levels of lifetime, recent, and daily use among foster youth. Prevalence of recent tobacco use (46%) is nearly triple national rates, while daily smoking (32%) is almost four times that of general population young adults. Tobacco users were more likely than non-users to drink (70% vs. 40%) and to smoke marijuana (72% vs. 25%). We strongly encourage researchers and practitioners to increase attention to this tobacco-related health disparity.     

Reflections of an Emerging Male-to-Female Transgendered Consciousness

Abstract

Professionals involved in social work practice with or designing approaches for working with male-to-female (MTF) transgend-ered youth must listen to the individual voices of these youth for the valuable information they can share with us. This paper provides the reader with the gift of a first-person account of one person's experiences as a “plainclothes transgender” person -a term he has coined to define his experiences. The paper concludes with implications for practice with both “plainclothes” and “fixed/prepared” male-to-female trans-gendered youth.     

Prevalence and reasons for Juul use among college students

Abstract

Objective: Examine Juul use patterns, sociodemographic and personal factors associated with Juul use, and reasons for Juul initiation and current use, among college students. Participants: Convenience sample of 371 undergraduates at a large university in the southeast; recruited April 2018. Methods: Cross-sectional design using an online survey. Logistic regression identified the personal risk factors for current use. Results: Over 80% of participants recognized Juul; 36% reported ever use and 21% past 30-day use. Significant risk factors for current Juul use were: male, White/non-Hispanic, lower undergraduate, and current cigarette smoker. Current Juul users chose ease of use and lack of a bad smell as reasons for use. Ever Juul users most commonly endorsed curiosity and use by friends as reasons for trying Juul. Conclusions: Given the propensity for nicotine addiction among youth and young adults, rates of Juul use are alarming and warrant immediate intervention.     

Can Organized Youth Activities Protect Against Internalizing Problems Among Adolescents Living in Violent Homes?

Using longitudinal data from a subsample of Hispanic, African American, and White youth enrolled in the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (N = 1,419), we examined the effects of both parental involvement in domestic violence and youth participation in organized out‐of‐school‐time activities on internalizing symptoms during adolescence. We also examined the extent to which participation in organized activities protected youth against the internalizing consequences of domestic violence. We found that intensive participation in either afterschool programs or extracurricular activities was inversely associated with youth internalizing problems. Moreover, we found that intensive participation in afterschool programs weakened the association between parents' domestic violence and youths' internalizing problems.     

Cultural Diversity and Help-Seeking Behavior

Summary

Four hundred ninety-four parents were surveyed to determine their attitudes about parenting, help-seeking behavior, and obstacles to accessing help with parenting. Comparisons were made with regard to race/elhnicity, gender, and education to determine what attitudinal similarities and differences exist. Most parents identified family members and friends, as well as print and video materials as important sources of help. Parents were less likely to use social service agencies, teachers, doctors and clergy. The likelihood of attending parenting classes was strongly associated with gender and education. High school graduates were more likely than non-graduates to use parenting classes and mothers were more likely than fathers to use parenting classes. African American parents were less likely than other groups to use print and video materials and African American and Hispanic/Latino parents were less likely to seek help from friends.     

College Students' Exposure to Tobacco Marketing in Nightclubs and Bars

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether a college student's exposure to tobacco marketing in nightclubs and bars was affected by the presence of a smoke-free law. Participants: A random sample (N = 478) of students participated in the survey (no smoke-free law, n = 240; smoke-free law, n = 238). The analysis was limited to students who reported being in nightclubs and bars (n = 171). Methods: A nonexperimental, cross-sectional, 2-group design was used. Results: Students in the smoke-free law city were more likely to be approached by tobacco marketers (34.7% versus 20.2%, p = .02), offered free gifts (41.7% versus 24.2%, p = .02), and take free gifts for themselves (34.7% versus 19.2%, p = .02). They were more likely to be exposed to direct marketing strategies (1.83 versus 1.12, p = .02). There was no difference on indirect tobacco marketing by site. Conclusions: Tobacco marketing is pervasive in nightclubs and bars. Smoke-free laws may protect against exposure to secondhand smoke but not the “pro” smoking messages students encounter.     

Introduction: Globalisation and identity

Abstract

This paper examines the identities of early leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) at a time when British influences still prevailed in South Africa. African attitudes to the “British World” reveal complex identities that also reflected political and cultural variations according to race, class and region. Relations between ANC leaders and the African “elite” and between the elite and subaltern strata were not straightforward. A careful reading of the discourses in and around Congress points to contradictory attitudes to things British and to ambiguous identities that lingered and contributed to the mix of social and national ideas and identities that influence contemporary South Africa.     

Preliminary Results of a Longitudinal Study of Collegiate Alcohol Abuse

Abstract

Objective: Hookah smoking is a popular form of tobacco use on university campuses. This study documented use, attitudes, and knowledge of hookah smoking among college students. Participants: The sample included 943 university students recruited between February 2009 and January 2010. Respondents (M age = 20.02) included 376 males, 533 females, and 34 who did not report sex. Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire was completed by respondents. Results: In this sample, 42.9% of college students had tried hookah, and 40% of those individuals had used it in the past 30 days. Students perceived fewer negative consequences of hookah smoking compared with cigarette smoking. Age, sex, racial background, marijuana/cigarette use, and perceptions of side effects were significantly associated with hookah use. Conclusions: University students are misinformed regarding the health consequences of hookah smoking. Programs aimed at education, prevention, and intervention for hookah use are needed to address this growing public health concern.     

Depression,anxiety, and tobacco use: Overlapping impediments to sleep in a national sample of college students

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To examine how tobacco use and depression/anxiety disorders are related to disturbed sleep in college students. Participants: 85,138 undergraduate respondents (66.3% female, 74.5% white, non-Hispanic, ages 18–25) from the Spring 2011 American College Health Association–National College Health Assessment II database. Methods: Multivariate analyses of tobacco use (none, intermediate, daily) and mental health (diagnosed and/or symptomatic depression or anxiety) were used to predict sleep disturbance. Results: Daily tobacco use was associated with more sleep problems than binge drinking, illegal drug use, obesity, gender, and working >20 hours/week. Students with depression or anxiety reported more sleep disturbances than individuals without either disorder, and tobacco use in this population was associated with the most sleep problems. Conclusions: Tobacco use and depression/anxiety disorders are both independently associated with more sleep problems in college students. Students with depression and/or anxiety are more likely to be daily tobacco users, which likely exacerbates their sleep problems.     

Stages of Change Among Ethnically Diverse College Students

Abstract

The authors applied the stage-of-change construct in the transtheoretical model to examine the distribution of Asian (n = 869), African American (n = 373), White (n = 1322), and Hispanic (n = 535) American undergraduate students across the 5 stages of change for exercise. Stage of change varied as a function of ethnicity. Higher percentages of minorities were in the precontemplation and contemplation stages. The likelihood of being in these stages was from 43% to 82% greater for minorities than for White students. Also examined were the congruency between stage of change and self-reported levels of physical activity. Half of the sedentary students and 15.6% of the active students were misclassified by the stage-of-change procedure. Misclassification rates were higher for minority women (27.8%) than for White women (17.8%) and for Asian students (24.6%) compared with all others (20.6%). The results of this study have implications for the design of physical activity interventions based on stage of change.     

A Comparison of Household Budget Allocation Patterns Between Hispanic Americans and Non-Hispanic White Americans

The budget allocation patterns of Hispanic versus non-Hispanic White households are examined. Annual household expenditure data from 1980 to 1992 are constructed from the interview component of the Consumer Expenditure Survey (1980–1992), the Consumer Price Index (1980–1992), and the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association (ACCRA) Cost of Living Index (1990). The sample includes 588 Hispanic and 8,444 non-Hispanic White households. A Linear Approximation of the Almost Ideal Demand System with 23 demographic variables is estimated. Findings show that holding other things equal, compared to non-Hispanic White households, Hispanic households allocate significantly more of their budget to food at home, shelter, and apparel and significantly less to food away from home, entertainment, education, health care, and tobacco.     

Truth® ads,receptivity, and motivation to use or quit tobacco among college students

Abstract

Objective: Examine receptivity and motivation to use/quit tobacco among college students after viewing Truth ads. Participants: Random sample of 10,000 college students invited to complete online survey February 2016 (8.5% response rate). Methods: Quasi-experimental. Participants (N?=?854) watched four ads and answered survey items for each ad. Results: Students rated ad receptivity and decreased motivation to use tobacco higher for the Catmageddon ad than the others. Regardless of ad, men and current cigarette smokers reported lower receptivity. Younger age was associated with lower motivation to use tobacco for all ads. Tobacco users reported greater motivation to quit with the Catmageddon ad. Conclusions: College students were receptive to the Truth ads, and many indicated lower motivation to use tobacco. Men, older college students, and current cigarette smokers were less receptive to the ads, reinforcing the need to develop tailored campaigns to reach these subgroups.     

Longitudinal predictors of cigarette use among students from 24 Texas colleges

ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine differences between current and non-current cigarette users, focusing on sociodemographic factors, non-cigarette tobacco product use, parental and friend use, and alcohol and marijuana use; and to identify predictors of cigarette use sixmonths later. Participants: Participants included young adults (n = 4,296) from 24 Texas colleges, participating in a young adult cohort study, beginning in fall 2014. Methods: Mixed effects logistic regressions were conducted accounting for school-level variability. Results: Cigarette users were older, more likely to report use of non-cigarette tobacco products and peer use of cigarettes than non-current users. Wave 1 cigarette and non-cigarette tobacco product use, marijuana use and binge drinking, and peer use all uniquely predicted cigarette use at wave 2. Conclusions: Colleges need prevention programs targeting multiple tobacco products, because non-cigarette tobacco use and other risky behaviors appear to be independent risk factors for cigarette use in young adults.     

Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection in a Female College Student Population

Abstract

“Physical Dependence on Nicotine in Gum: A Placebo Substitution Trial,” JOHN R. HUGHES, et al. To test whether ex-smokers become physically dependent on nicotine in gum, we entered eight ex-smokers who were using nicotine gum into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-substitution trial. When placebo was substituted, seven of the eight subjects were observed to have withdrawal symptoms and two relapsed to smoking or nicotine gum. This result suggests that physical dependence (i.e., withdrawal) may be a cause of behavioral dependence on nicotine gum (i.e., use of gum beyond the recommended period) and physicians should emphasize the need for gradual reduction of nicotine gum. (Journal of the American Medical Association 1986;255:3277–3279.)

“Absence of Therapeutic Benefit From Antacids or Cimetidine in Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia,” OLOF NYREN, et al. We randomly assigned 159 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia, defined as chronic or recurrent epigastric pain without concomitant symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome and with no evidence of organic disease, to treatment for three weeks with an antacid suspension one and three hours after meals, 400 mg of cimetidine twice a day, or placebo, according to a double-blind, double-dummy model. The intensity and duration of epigastric pain were recorded by the patients four times daily during a one-week period without therapy and during the three weeks of treatment. The mean reduction in pain intensity after three weeks in the placebo group was 25 percent. Neither antacid nor cimetidine treatment resulted in more than a 4 percent better effect. The reduction of pain was statistically significant (P < 0.01) in all three groups. The time course of the pain scores in the groups receiving active drugs followed closely those in the placebo group, and there were no significant differences between the groups at any stage of the treatment. We conclude that the neutralization or suppression of gastric acid is of no clinical value in patients with this syndrome. (New England Journal of Medicine 1986;314:339–43.)