Relation of peer effects and school climate to substance use among Asian American adolescents

School Connectedness and Adolescent E-cigarette Susceptibility in an Urban Sample of Middle and High School Students

Adolescent school connectedness generally protects from risk behaviors such as tobacco use; however, its relationship to e-cigarette use is unclear. This study examines the relationship between adolescent school connectedness and e-cigarette susceptibility in a diverse longitudinal sample. This secondary analysis of a school-based intervention surveyed 608 middle (66%) and high school (34%) students from 10 schools at 3 time points over 1 year. At baseline, respondents had a mean age of 14 years, 54% were female, and 71% were BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Logistic regression models examined unadjusted and adjusted associations between school connectedness (both baseline and concurrent) and e-cigarette susceptibility over time. E-cigarettes represented the most prevalent form of current nicotine-containing product use in spring 2019 (2.3%), and most respondents reported no e-cigarette susceptibility (69%). E-cigarette susceptibility remained relatively stable during the study. Higher baseline school connectedness levels were associated with lower odds of e-cigarette susceptibility over time. Similarly, higher concurrent school connectedness scores were associated with lower odds of e-cigarette susceptibility over time: spring 2019 (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.32, 0.47), fall 2019 (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.34, 0.72), and spring 2020 (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.47, 0.87). Findings were similar for middle and high school students and did not differ significantly after adjusting for other covariates. Adolescents' school connectedness appears to protect from e-cigarette susceptibility over time, underscoring the importance of promoting positive school experiences to reduce adolescent risk e-cigarette use.

Childhood social capital and drug use disorder in adulthood: A retrospective study on antecedent determinants of the type of drug use

Based on a sample of Danish adults who were enroled in treatment for drug use disorders as a prerequisite for qualifying for receiving unemployment benefits, we analyse the relationship between low social capital in childhood (LSCC) and the type of drug use in adulthood. The type of drug use is measured by distinguishing between those who were treated for using hard drugs (e.g., heroin and cocaine) and those who were treated for using soft drugs (cannabis). Extracting data from the initial treatment registration report, social capital is operationalised into seven different LSCC categories, and the total number of LSCC (the LSCC score) is recorded. Based on logistic regressions, the LSCC score shows a strong graded dose-response relationship with hard drug use. With each additional LSCC, the probability of being treated for hard drug use increases with 9%. Parental child abuse is the most important single predictor of being treated for hard drug use. Having been parentally abused as a child raises the probability by 32%. The results hold after controlling for age, initiation age, and number of years of drug use, all of which show a significant reversed U-shaped relationship with hard drug use.

Examination of the "model minority" stereotype through ethnicity and sexual orientation heterogeneity among Asian American youth

INTRODUCTION

The "model minority" stereotype disguises heterogeneity among Asian American youth, many of whom are harmed by policies and attitudes that assume this population to be uniformly high achieving and "problem free." The current study uses an intersectional lens to disaggregate this population by ethnicity and sexual orientation subgroups to demonstrate differences in academic performance and substance use behavior among Asian American youth. This study also investigates the extent to which racial/ethnicity and sexual orientation-based bullying may explain such links.

METHODS

Participants included 65,091 Asian American youth (46.41% Southeast Asian; 37.01% East Asian; 16.58% South Asian) in grades 6-12, who were part of the California Healthy Kids Survey (2015-2017). Participants were 49.4% female and about a third each were in grades 6-8, grades 9-10, and grades 11-12. School-based surveys were administered. Youth reported on substance use, grades, and bias-based bullying experiences in the past 12 months.

RESULTS

Generalized linear mixed-effects model results showed that outcomes varied widely across youth ethnicity and sexual orientation subgroups. Inclusion of racial/ethnic and sexual orientation bullying in these models attenuated the direct effects between ethnic and sexual identities and academic performance and substance use outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Implications of this work suggest that research and policy should not treat Asian American students as uniformly high-performing and low-risk, because the experiences of those who deviate from these assumptions will be left undetected. Interventions targeting bias-based bullying may be able to reduce disparities in academic and substance use outcomes among Asian American youth.

Social determinants of smoking among school adolescents in Beijing, China

INTRODUCTION

Understanding the social determinants that influence adolescent smoking behavior has a meaningful impact on adolescent health. Few studies have simultaneously analyzed the impact of teacher smoking and peer smoking on adolescent smoking. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the impact of teacher smoking, peer smoking, and other social factors, on adolescent smoking.

METHODS

The participants were drawn from schools in Beijing, China, in 2011, 2013, and 2015, using a multi-stage random group sampling method. The number of schools selected for each year was 160. The study participants were 57240 adolescents aged 8-19 years. The generalized linear model with a binomial distribution and logarithmic link function was used to estimate the influence of social determinants on adolescent smoking behavior.

RESULTS

The results show that both teacher smoking and peer smoking were significantly associated with adolescent smoking. Compared to adolescents whose teachers did not smoke, the prevalence ratio (PR) was 1.28 for adolescents with one teacher who smoked and 1.34 for adolescents with two or more teachers who smoked (95% CI: 1.16-1.41/1.23-1.46, p<0.001/0.001, respectively). Compared to adolescents whose peers did not smoke, the prevalence ratio (PR) was 3.73 for adolescents with one peer who smoked and 8.52 for adolescents with two or more peers who smoked (95% CI: 3.20-4.35/7.48-9.69, p<0.001/0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Teacher smoking and peer smoking are significant social determinants of adolescent smoking. Prevention programs should concurrently target peer groups, school settings, and individual students.

Somali, Latino, and Hmong Youth Perceptions of School Connectedness

Purpose:

School connectedness positively influences adolescent health outcomes and is a key social determinant of health, yet, contributors to school connectedness for youth from immigrant communities remain poorly defined.

Methods:

This community-based participatory research study uses thematic analysis to identify contributors to Somali, Latino, and Hmong (SLH) adolescents' school connectedness. We conducted nine focus groups with 71 SLH male and female adolescents, the majority aged 13–18 years, in a United States Midwestern metropolitan area.

Results:

SLH students described contributors to their school connectedness that fit within three broad themes: (1) SLH students desire to be known and supported by their teachers as individuals, (2) specific teacher instructional approaches reinforce or undermine SLH student–school connections, and (3) transparency and fairness in school disciplinary practices are especially important for promoting Latino student–school connectedness.

Conclusion:

SLH youth perspectives offer ways for educators to foster increased school connectedness to improve academic and health outcomes among increasingly diverse student populations.

Positive Impacts of a Sport Intervention on Male Students of Color and School Climate

A positive school climate is strongly associated with enhanced student outcomes. With the disengagement of Black and Latinx youth living in poverty being at an all-time high, participation in sport-based youth development (SBYD) programs may enhance school climate, while capitalizing on existing interests. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a SBYD intervention on male students of color and school climate. Method: Using a mixed-methods quasi-experimental design, 32 male students of color (11 Black, 13 Latinx, 8 two or more races) participated in an SBYD intervention, twice a week for a total of 20 weeks (Ages 10-14, M = 11.46). School climate data were gathered at the beginning and the end of the school year. Student, teacher, and administrator focus groups and interviews were also conducted at the end of the year. Results: A statistically significant interaction was found between students who participated in the intervention and those who did not participate in the intervention, on school climate measures F(1,74) = 15.00, p < .01, partial η² = .17. Overall school climate scores were statistically significantly greater in the intervention group (F(1,74) = 19.22, p < .01, partial η² = .20) at the end of the year. Focus group data also revealed themes of improved school connectedness, peer support, the acquisition of social/civic skills, and school engagement. Conclusions: A SBYD intervention may be a viable strategy to engage disconnected students and increase school climate perceptions, particularly among male students of color living in poverty.

Immigrants, refugees and cannabis use

Immigration typically occurs from low- to high-income countries and regions. Unfortunately, these wealthier areas also have higher rates of cannabis use (e.g. European Union and the US). This systematic review aimed to summarize available studies on cannabis use among immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. In addition, evidence on the association between immigration and cannabis use was reviewed. The rates of cannabis use were lower among immigrants than natives. The risk and protective factors to cannabis use were quite similar to those of the native populations. The population at greatest risk for cannabis use were refugees, males, singles, non-religious, those with lower educational level, living in urban areas, with friends that use cannabis and/or other drugs. Cannabis use tend to increase over generations, and acculturation seems to play a pivotal role. First generation migrants report equal or lower consumption of cannabis when compared with the majority population with a subsequent increase in following generations, with a clear association with acculturation factors. A higher cannabis use was found among migrants with lower cultural congruity as well as a higher level of culture assimilation. This use seems to be unrelated to alcohol or illicit drugs consumption, but possibly associated with tobacco smoking.

Prevalence and factors associated with substance use among Chinese immigrants in Spain: A mixed-design study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs and its associated factors among Chinese immigrants living in Spain.

DESIGN AND MEASURES

A mixed-method design, using surveys and semi-structured interviews.

SAMPLE

A total of 133 Chinese immigrants and stakeholders were assessed in the quantitative study and 7 stakeholders were interviewed in the qualitative study.

RESULTS

The use of tobacco and alcohol was higher than the use of illicit drugs in Chinese immigrants. The prevalence of daily smokers was greater in men than in women (37.3% vs. 2.5%, p < .001). Men consumed more alcohol (76% vs. 50.6%, p = .004) and more frequently (21.6% daily vs. 2.4%, p = .024) than women. The use of illicit drugs was low and Cannabis was the most illicit drug consumed (4%). Qualitative data revealed that due to a great workload, the workers tended to avoid behaviors of illicit drug consumption, but not of alcohol and tobacco, in which the consumption is associated with business meetings and leisure.

CONCLUSION

This study found that Chinese immigrants in Spain consume more alcohol and tobacco than illicit drugs and that men have a high consumption compared to women. These findings reveal important cultural differences that should be addressed by public health managers in order to develop strategies that consider the characteristics of this population.

School-level factors associated with obesity: A systematic review of longitudinal studies

Although school has been an important intervention venue for obesity prevention, the role of school-level factors in obesity development or prevention has not been well-documented. This study aimed to systematically examine the current evidence on school-level factors associated with obesity outcomes in longitudinal studies. The literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, CINHAL, and PsycINFO. Peer-reviewed articles using longitudinal study designs and published in English from 1991 to 2018 were eligible. Twelve articles met eligibility criteria for final systematic review. Nine studies reported significant long-term associations between school-level factors and obesity outcomes. Higher parental education, longer minutes of recess, meeting recommended recess and physical education time, higher socio-economic status, suburban compared with rural area, higher parental involvement in school, and healthful school food environment were significantly associated with lower rates of obesity or obesity trajectory. However, due to the small number of studies and heterogeneity of measures and variables used in their analytic models, the overall level of evidence from this review suggests the importance of further, systematic study. Empirically rigorous research is needed to identify additional aspects of the school context and environment that may contribute to the risk of obesity throughout the life course.

The dark side of social capital: A systematic review of the negative health effects of social capital

There is a growing literature demonstrating the health benefits of social capital (defined as the resources accessed through social connections). However, social capital is also acknowledged to be a "double-edged" phenomenon, whose effects on health are not always positive. We sought to systematically review studies that have found a negative (i.e. harmful) association between social capital and health outcomes. Our objective was to classify the different types of negative effects, following a framework originally proposed by Portes (1998). We conducted a literature search in Pubmed, Embase and PsychInfo. We identified 3530 manuscripts. After detailed review, we included 44 articles in our systematic review. There are at least two negative consequences of social capital besides the classification proposed by Portes: behavioral contagion and cross-level interactions between social cohesion and individual characteristics. When leveraging the concept of social capital for health promotion interventions, researchers need to take account of these potential "downsides" for health outcomes.

Social Capital and Adolescent Substance Use: The Role of Family, School, and Neighborhood Contexts

This study assesses the link between social capital factors of norm-setting social arenas including family, school, and neighborhood and adolescent substance use measured by cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use among a sample of adolescents in California. The key messages of this study are that socialization processes at different life domains, in varying degrees, are associated with adolescent substance use behavior. Compared with school and neighborhood contexts, family is the most influential setting that should be primarily targeted for youth substance use prevention. Among different aspects of within-family social resources, parental monitoring seems to be the most protective of adolescent substance use. Study implications on family-based interventions are discussed.

Binge drinking: Health impact, prevalence, correlates and interventions

OBJECTIVE

Binge drinking (also called heavy episodic drinking, risky single-occasion drinking etc.) is a major public health problem. This paper provides an overview of recently published evidence concerning the definition and measurement, prevalence rates, health impact, demographic and psychosocial correlates of, and interventions for, binge drinking.

DESIGN

Narrative review.

RESULTS

Mostly occurring among young people at weekends, binge drinking increases the risk of both acute (e.g. injuries) and long-term negative consequences (e.g. alcohol disorders). Binge drinkers tend to be extrovert, impulsive and sensation-seeking. Stress, anxiety, traumatic events and depression are also related to binge drinking. Both alcohol-related behaviour of parents and general parenting (e.g. parenting styles, monitoring) are also important. Other major risk factors for binge drinking are frequently spending time with friends who drink, and the drinking norms observed in the wider social environment (e.g. school, community, culture). Emergency departments, birthday parties, fraternities and the workplace serve as settings for interventions; these are increasingly delivered via digital and mobile technology. There is evidence of small-sized effects across approaches (brief interventions, personalised normative feedback, protective behavioural strategies etc.) and populations.

CONCLUSION

A more consistent terminology, investigating multi-level influences and identifying the most effective intervention components are challenges for future research.

Individual and contextual factors associated with tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use among Chilean adolescents: A multilevel study

We studied the association between individual and contextual variables and the use of tobacco, alcohol, or cannabis in the last 30 days preceding the study, considering the hierarchical nature of students nested in schools. We used the 7th Chilean National School Survey of Substance Use (2007) covering 45,273 students (aged 12-21 years old) along with information from 1465 schools provided by the Chilean Ministry of Education. Multilevel univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were performed. We found a significant intra-class correlation within schools for all substances in the study. Common (e.g., availability of pocket money, more time spent with friends, poor parental monitoring, poor school bonding, bullying others, and lower risk perception of substance use) and unique predictors (e.g., school achievement on national tests) were identified. These findings may help in planning and conducting preventive interventions to reduce substance use.