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Adolescents, Volume 1, Issue 2 (June 2021) – 11 articles

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13 pages, 1173 KiB  
Article
Promoting Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Behaviors among French Adolescent Girls from Low-Incomes Communities
by Virginie Nicaise, Guillaume Martinent, Bethania Rauseo and Emma Guillet-Descas
Adolescents 2021, 1(2), 212-224; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/adolescents1020017 - 16 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2175
Abstract
(1) Background: Despite health benefits of engaging in regular physical activity (PA), adolescents fail to achieve the recommended PA practice (especially among girls with low socio-economic position). Researchers have been prompted to adopt models of social cognition to help identify the role of [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Despite health benefits of engaging in regular physical activity (PA), adolescents fail to achieve the recommended PA practice (especially among girls with low socio-economic position). Researchers have been prompted to adopt models of social cognition to help identify the role of psychological factors in influencing PA and sedentary behaviors. Thus, this study examined the effects of an intervention promoting PA, reducing sedentary activity among adolescent girls from low-incomes communities, and explored the relationships between core constructs of salient theoretical frameworks (self-determination theory, theory of planned behavior, implicit and explicit attitude towards PA, and sedentary behaviors); (2) Methods: An intervention was delivered to 28 adolescent girls. They reported their scores on a variety of core psychological constructs grounded within the aforementioned theoretical frameworks as well as on several outcomes, such as objective PA (pedometers) and perceived mental and physical health. These scores were gathered both before and after the 8-weeks program; (3) Results: Results revealed changes on external regulation and implicit attitudes toward sedentary behaviors from before to after the program. However, objective PA behavior did not change; (4) Conclusions: Future studies are encouraged to further explore mechanisms of behavior change derived from integrated and socio-ecological theories. Full article
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13 pages, 626 KiB  
Article
Determinants of Fruits and Vegetables Consumption among In-School Adolescents in Ghana
by Abdul-Aziz Seidu, Richard Gyan Aboagye, James Boadu Frimpong, Hawa Iddrisu, Ebenezer Agbaglo, Eugene Budu, John Elvis Hagan, Jr. and Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
Adolescents 2021, 1(2), 199-211; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/adolescents1020016 - 08 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4814
Abstract
Background: Fruit and vegetable consumption is an important source of nutrients for healthy growth and development, as well as a protective factor against chronic non-communicable diseases. Paucity of data exists on adolescents’ fruit and vegetable consumption in Ghana. This study, therefore, sought to [...] Read more.
Background: Fruit and vegetable consumption is an important source of nutrients for healthy growth and development, as well as a protective factor against chronic non-communicable diseases. Paucity of data exists on adolescents’ fruit and vegetable consumption in Ghana. This study, therefore, sought to determine the prevalence and correlates of fruit and vegetable consumption among in-school adolescents in Ghana. Methods: Data for this study were extracted from the 2012 Global School-Based Health Survey. A cross-sectional analysis on 2786 in-school adolescents from junior and senior high schools was conducted. Descriptive analyses using frequencies and percentages were used to present the results on the prevalence of fruit and vegetable consumption. Multivariable binomial regression analysis was performed to determine the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and explanatory variables. The results of the regression analyses were presented using adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with their respective confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of adequate fruits, adequate vegetables, and adequate fruit and vegetable consumption were 35.7%, 26.8%, and 27.8%, respectively. In-school male adolescents had lower odds of adequate fruit and vegetable consumption compared to female adolescents (aOR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.51–0.82). Adolescents in senior high schools (aOR = 0.36, 95%CI = 0.22–0.61) were less likely to consume adequate fruits and vegetables compared to those in junior high schools. The odds of adequate fruit and vegetable consumption were higher among adolescents who consumed soft drinks (aOR = 3.29, 95%CI = 2.42–4.46), fast foods (aOR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.13–1.77), and those who had sedentary behavior (aOR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.07–1.77). Conclusions: The findings revealed that fruit and vegetable consumption among Ghanaian adolescents is relatively low. Sex of adolescents, grade, soft drink intake, fast food consumption, and sedentary behavior were factors associated with adequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Health promotion interventions to scale up fruit and vegetable consumption should pay attention to the factors identified in this study. Full article
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13 pages, 242 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Interpersonal Violence among In-School Adolescents in Ghana: Analysis of the Global School-Based Health Survey Data
by Richard Gyan Aboagye, Abdul-Aziz Seidu, Francis Arthur-Holmes, James Boadu Frimpong, John Elvis Hagan, Jr., Hubert Amu and Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
Adolescents 2021, 1(2), 186-198; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/adolescents1020015 - 14 May 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3058
Abstract
Interpersonal violence is a critical public health concern that is linked with many negative consequences, including mortality. It is the second most predominant cause of death among male adolescents aged 15–19. This study used a nationally representative data from the recent Ghana Global [...] Read more.
Interpersonal violence is a critical public health concern that is linked with many negative consequences, including mortality. It is the second most predominant cause of death among male adolescents aged 15–19. This study used a nationally representative data from the recent Ghana Global School-based Health Survey to examine the prevalence and factors associated with interpersonal violence among Ghanaian in-school adolescents. A total of 2214 in-school adolescents were included in the final analysis. Multivariable binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors assciated with interpersonal violence. The results of the regression analysis were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence level (CI) in all the analyses. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The overall prevalence of interpersonal violence was 55.7%, of which the prevalences of physical fighting and attack were 38.2% and 41.5%, respectively. In-school adolescents who had an injury were more likely to experience interpersonal violence (aOR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.71–3.06) compared with those who did not have an injury. The odds of interpersonal violence were higher among in-school adolescents who were bullied (aOR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.84–3.34) compared with those who were not bullied. In addition, in-school adolescents who attempted suicide (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.22–2.47), consumed alcohol at the time of the survey (aOR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.15–3.06), and were truant (aOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.29–1.99) had higher odds of experiencing interpersonal violence. These factors provide education directors and school heads/teachers with the relevant information to guide them in designing specific interventions to prevent interpersonal violence, particularly physical fights and attacks in the school settings. School authorities should organize parent–teacher meetings or programs to help parents improve their relationships with in-school adolescents to prevent or minimize their risky behaviors, including physical fights. Full article
11 pages, 526 KiB  
Article
Health and Welfare Outcomes for Adolescents Following Release from Prison in Queensland, Australia: A Prospective Cohort Study
by Rohan Borschmann, Dominique de Andrade and Stuart A. Kinner
Adolescents 2021, 1(2), 175-185; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/adolescents1020014 - 12 May 2021
Viewed by 2876
Abstract
Background: The transition from prison to the community can be a difficult process and may present different challenges for adolescents (aged < 25 years) compared with their older peers. Methods: Using data from a prospective cohort study in Australia, we compared the health [...] Read more.
Background: The transition from prison to the community can be a difficult process and may present different challenges for adolescents (aged < 25 years) compared with their older peers. Methods: Using data from a prospective cohort study in Australia, we compared the health and welfare outcomes of adolescents (aged < 25 years) and adults (aged ≥ 25 years) at 1, 3, and 6 months after release from prison. Results: After one month, adolescents were less likely to be unemployed (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.31; 95% CI 0.15–0.63), report low levels of social support (aOR 0.41; 95% CI 0.21–0.80), or report high psychological distress (aOR 0.50; 95% CI 0.25–0.99). After three months, adults were more likely to have visited a general practitioner (aOR 2.05; 95% CI 1.04–4.07) and adolescents remained less likely to be unemployed (aOR 0.37; 95% CI 0.19–0.74). After six months, adolescents were three times more likely to have used amphetamine-type stimulants (aOR 3.42; 95% CI 1.29–9.09). Conclusions: Adolescents experience different challenges than their older peers when transitioning from prison to the community. Age-specific, integrated support is needed for adolescents during this critical period, including strategies to promote early primary care contact, capitalise on social support networks, and discourage risky substance use. Full article
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16 pages, 1178 KiB  
Article
Factors Associated with Parent–Adolescent Attachment Relationship Quality: A Longitudinal Study
by Danyka Therriault, Jean-Pascal Lemelin, Jean Toupin and Michèle Déry
Adolescents 2021, 1(2), 159-174; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/adolescents1020013 - 10 May 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3698
Abstract
Background: Attachment to parents during adolescence has been identified as an important indicator of psychosocial adaptation. However, the relative importance of the adolescents’ behavior problems and the larger relational context likely to influence the quality of these relationships remains relatively underexplored. The [...] Read more.
Background: Attachment to parents during adolescence has been identified as an important indicator of psychosocial adaptation. However, the relative importance of the adolescents’ behavior problems and the larger relational context likely to influence the quality of these relationships remains relatively underexplored. The present study aims to identify the factors associated with the quality of parent–adolescent attachment relationships and to establish their relative contributions. This study also tested, as a complementary objective, the invariance of the models according to sex. Method: 706 (46.9% girls) early adolescents participated in the study at time 1 and then again, two years later. The individual (e.g., behavior problems or temperament) and contextual (e.g., parents’ behaviors, history of abuse or environment stability) associated factors were measured at time 1, while the quality of the parent–adolescent attachment relationship was measured at time 2. Results: The results showed that a history of emotional abuse, inconsistent discipline, externalized behavior problems and the adolescent’s age were negatively associated with the global attachment security score, while internalized behavior problems and peer attachment were positively associated. These variables explained 15.7% of variance. The results also demonstrated that these variables were also associated with the specific dimensions of attachment (trust, communication, alienation). Discussion: The study demonstrates the importance of several relational variables in the development of the parent–adolescent attachment relationship. Full article
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8 pages, 222 KiB  
Article
Adolescents Who Report Being Involved in Physical Fights in Mauritius: A Cross-Sectional Study of Socio-Demographic and Behavioral Correlates
by Olumide Abiodun, Michael Lowery Wilson and Masood Ali Shaikh
Adolescents 2021, 1(2), 151-158; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/adolescents1020012 - 06 May 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2055
Abstract
Background: violence among young people, including physical fighting, is a crucial global public health concern. There is a scarcity of evidence directed at understanding the prevalence and associated factors for physical fights among adolescents in Mauritius. This study aimed to examine the prevalence [...] Read more.
Background: violence among young people, including physical fighting, is a crucial global public health concern. There is a scarcity of evidence directed at understanding the prevalence and associated factors for physical fights among adolescents in Mauritius. This study aimed to examine the prevalence physical fighting in schools and the demographic characteristics that are associated with the phenomenon. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative data from Mauritius with the aim of examining the 12-month prevalence of physical fighting and frequencies of related individual and social-level characteristics. We further measured the association between physical violence and adolescent parameters using binary logistic regression analyses. Results: the participants were predominantly females (53.49%) with a mean age of 14.91 (1.47) years. Within the preceding twelve months, 15.74% of the participants reported being involved in physical fights. Among other factors, the male gender (OR = 2.6, 95% CI (1.87, 3.62)), food deprivation (OR = 2.46, 95% CI (1.41, 4.32)), bullying victimization (OR = 2.81, 95% CI (2.12, 3.73)), and cigarette use (OR = 2.07, 95% CI (1.34, 3.19)) increased the likelihood of physical fighting. The other associated factors were loneliness (OR = 1.65, 95% CI (1.11, 2.43)), physical activity (OR = 1.52, 95% CI (1.09, 2.12)), early sexual debut (OR = 2.15, 95% CI (1.17, 3.95)), and alcohol use (OR = 1.56, 95% CI (1.11, 2.21)). Conclusions: physical violence is frequent among adolescents in Mauritius; however, a comparison with previous findings in similar sub-Saharan countries suggests a reducing trend. Advocates, policymakers, and other critical stakeholders need to consider the relevant demographic and behavioral factors in formulating strategies and designing public health interventions for the prevention and control of physical violence among adolescents. Full article
13 pages, 686 KiB  
Review
Virtual Reality-Based Alcohol Prevention in Adolescents: A Systematic Review
by Christina Prediger, Stefanie Maria Helmer, Robert Hrynyschyn and Christiane Stock
Adolescents 2021, 1(2), 138-150; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/adolescents1020011 - 28 Apr 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2802
Abstract
Virtual Reality-simulations offer new opportunities for alcohol prevention in adolescents. As an innovative medium, Virtual Reality can be attractive for the target group, and avatar-based pathways allow tailoring prevention in a gender-specific manner. However, tailoring may reproduce gender stereotypes and be exclusive. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Virtual Reality-simulations offer new opportunities for alcohol prevention in adolescents. As an innovative medium, Virtual Reality can be attractive for the target group, and avatar-based pathways allow tailoring prevention in a gender-specific manner. However, tailoring may reproduce gender stereotypes and be exclusive. Therefore, this systematic review aims to summaries existing evidence regarding Virtual Reality-simulations for alcohol prevention targeting adolescents and to examine how gender is considered. A systematic search was conducted in seven databases. Two reviewers independently performed screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. Out of 224 search hits, four publications derived out of an Australian, a Danish, and a US-American project met the inclusion criteria. Research designs included qualitative (2), quantitative (1), and mixed-method approaches (1). Qualitative methods focused on development, evaluation, and participatory methods in the creation process, demonstrating adolescents’ involvement in Virtual Reality design. Adolescents appreciated the realism and the exposure to peer pressure and to negative alcohol consequences. Quantitative designs focused mainly on measuring alcohol-related outcomes (e.g., attitude and behavioral intentions towards binge drinking), and positive changes were found. In all studies, gender was assessed in the male-female dichotomy. Further gender-sensitive research is needed to develop and test the possibilities and pitfalls of tailoring Virtual Reality-simulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders)
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15 pages, 1609 KiB  
Article
Knowledge, Perspectives, and Priorities Regarding Self-Care Activities: A Population-Based Qualitative Study among Iranian Adolescents
by Marjan Mohammadzadeh, Tayebe Alizadeh, Hamidin Awang, Zahra Mohammadzadeh, Frahnaz Mirzaei and Christiane Stock
Adolescents 2021, 1(2), 123-137; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/adolescents1020010 - 07 Apr 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2603
Abstract
This qualitative study aimed to investigate knowledge, perspectives, and priorities related to self-care among Iranian adolescents. Through snowball sampling, the link to the questionnaire was shared in available social media apps. The results showed that 192 of 294 participants reported that they had [...] Read more.
This qualitative study aimed to investigate knowledge, perspectives, and priorities related to self-care among Iranian adolescents. Through snowball sampling, the link to the questionnaire was shared in available social media apps. The results showed that 192 of 294 participants reported that they had heard about “self-care”. Parents/family and school were the most frequent sources of learning about self-care among the male and female respondents, respectively. Analyzing the participants’ statements regarding their own understanding of self-care activities, three major terms—“taking care of”, “avoid”, and “respect” were identified. When being ask about what they do for their own self-care, the results showed spending time on the Internet had the highest repetition rate among boys’ responses, followed by “going to gym”, “video games”, and “listening to music”. Regarding the desired activities, both girls’ and boys’ statements indicated that among leisure activities, “traveling” was the most frequent word, followed by being with friends. The girls showed more interest in attending night clubs or spending time outside the home late at night. Insights from this study identifying preferences in self-care activities can be used to develop intervention programs for Iranian adolescents to improve their lifestyle and, consequently, their well-being based on their needs and situation. Full article
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15 pages, 317 KiB  
Review
Psychological and Forensic Challenges Regarding Youth Consumption of Pornography: A Narrative Review
by Aina M. Gassó and Anna Bruch-Granados
Adolescents 2021, 1(2), 108-122; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/adolescents1020009 - 07 Apr 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 15958
Abstract
Nowadays, technology has become part of the daily activities of a large part of the population. Many of the activities and development and socialization processes of minors and young people have been transferred to the online world, generating attention and concern from the [...] Read more.
Nowadays, technology has become part of the daily activities of a large part of the population. Many of the activities and development and socialization processes of minors and young people have been transferred to the online world, generating attention and concern from the educational, scientific, and forensic communities. One of the most worrying issues derived from this new online world is the consumption of pornography by teens. The objective of this literature review is to draw attention to the consequences and emotional disturbances derived from the consumption of pornography in young people, as well as the forensic implications of this phenomenon, among which are paraphilias, perpetration, and victimization of sexual assaults, and the development of new forms of online sexual victimization. The main findings suggest that the first contact with pornography starts at the age of 8 years old, with important behavioral and psychological consequences, such as hypersexualization, emotional disturbances, and the perpetuation of gender inequality. Furthermore, pornography consumption by youth has been linked to the exacerbation of paraphilias, an increase in sexual aggression perpetration and victimization, and, finally, it has been linked to an increase in online sexual victimization. Implications and future lines of research are discussed. Full article
13 pages, 430 KiB  
Article
Role of Living Conditions and Socioenvironmental Factors on Chronotype in Adolescents
by Prasun Haldar, Smriti Debnath, Ana Adan, Konrad S. Jankowski, Dwiptirtha Chattopadhyay, Santi Gopal Maity, Saibal Moitra, Paige Lacy and Subhabrata Moitra
Adolescents 2021, 1(2), 95-107; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/adolescents1020008 - 01 Apr 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3406
Abstract
An individual’s chronotype, defined as the preference for rest and activity at different times of the day, is linked to several physiological and psychological outcomes. Research on environmental determinants of chronotype has focussed mostly on geographic location, whereas other socioenvironmental determinants have been [...] Read more.
An individual’s chronotype, defined as the preference for rest and activity at different times of the day, is linked to several physiological and psychological outcomes. Research on environmental determinants of chronotype has focussed mostly on geographic location, whereas other socioenvironmental determinants have been neglected. We aimed to investigate the association between other previously unrecognized socioenvironmental factors and chronotypes in adolescents. We analysed data of 1916 Bengali adolescents (aged between 13–14 years, 47% girls). Chronotype was determined by the reduced morningness–eveningness questionnaire (rMEQ), and socioenvironmental factors were identified through a structured questionnaire. Associations were analysed using multinomial logistic regression models. Our findings demonstrated that living in urban areas, the presence of a smoker at home, and higher parental education were associated with a higher evening activity (eveningness), while the use of biomass cooking media (compared to liquefied petroleum gas) and assisting parents in farming were associated with higher morningness in adolescents. This is the first study to identify the association between previously unrecognized socioenvironmental factors and chronotypes delineating the interaction between environment and sleep in adolescents and might help the parents to understand the importance of a proper sleep-activity rhythm of their kids through a comprehensive understanding of their surrounding environment and other factors. Full article
25 pages, 2591 KiB  
Article
Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Cerebellum Cortex Fractional Anisotropy in Pre-Adolescents
by Shervin Assari and Shanika Boyce
Adolescents 2021, 1(2), 70-94; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/adolescents1020007 - 31 Mar 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3456
Abstract
Introduction: Cerebellum cortex fractional anisotropy is a proxy of the integrity of the cerebellum cortex. However, less is known about how it is shaped by race and socioeconomic status (SES) indicators such as parental education and household income. Purpose: In a national sample [...] Read more.
Introduction: Cerebellum cortex fractional anisotropy is a proxy of the integrity of the cerebellum cortex. However, less is known about how it is shaped by race and socioeconomic status (SES) indicators such as parental education and household income. Purpose: In a national sample of American pre-adolescents, this study had two aims: to test the effects of two SES indicators, namely parental education and household income, on cerebellum cortex fractional anisotropy, and to explore racial differences in these effects. Methods: Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, we analyzed the diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) data of 9565, 9–10-year-old pre-adolescents. The main outcomes were cerebellum cortex fractional anisotropy separately calculated for right and left hemispheres using dMRI. The independent variables were parental education and household income; both treated as categorical variables. Age, sex, ethnicity, and family marital status were the covariates. Race was the moderator. To analyze the data, we used mixed-effects regression models without and with interaction terms. We controlled for propensity score and MRI device. Results: High parental education and household income were associated with lower right and left cerebellum cortex fractional anisotropy. In the pooled sample, we found significant interactions between race and parental education and household income, suggesting that the effects of parental education and household income on the right and left cerebellum cortex fractional anisotropy are all significantly larger for White than for Black pre-adolescents. Conclusions: The effects of SES indicators, namely parental education and household income, on pre-adolescents’ cerebellum cortex microstructure and integrity are weaker in Black than in White families. This finding is in line with the Marginalization-related Diminished Returns (MDRs), defined as weaker effects of SES indicators for Blacks and other racial and minority groups than for Whites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inequality in Adolescence)
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