Parenting styles moderate how parent and adolescent beliefs shape each other's eating and physical activity: Dyadic evidence from a cross-sectional, U.S. National Survey

Development and psychometric analysis of the smombie scale for adolescents

PURPOSE

Adolescent pedestrian accidents are increasing because of the "smombie" phenomenon, referring to pedestrians who are distracted by their smartphones and become unaware of their surroundings. In the field of nursing, this phenomenon can negatively affect adolescents' health and well-being. We developed the "smombie scale for adolescents" and examined its psychometric properties.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We revised five items and the response scale of an existing smombie scale for adults based on cognitive interviews and content validity test, and included guiding descriptions for adolescents. Using the revised scale, we surveyed 430 adolescents from South Korea to assess construct validity through confirmatory factor analysis. To review group validity, a logistic regression was conducted using responses to the item on whether participants experienced accidents related to smartphone usage on the street or sidewalk.

RESULTS

The 15 items in the four-factor structure, which was validated using confirmatory factor analysis, demonstrated: a chi-square value (p) of 232.63 (< 0.001), root mean square error of approximation of 0.06, goodness of fit index of 0.93, and Tucker-Lewis index of 0.94. The scale's Cronbach's α was 0.85, indicating good internal consistency. Logistic regression results considering actual accident occurrence showed that Factor 1 (perceived risk) and Factor 3 (pending instant message) were significantly correlated with smombie-related accidents.

CONCLUSIONS

The smombie scale for adolescents demonstrated adequate construct and group validity, and good reliability.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Its application can yield valuable insights into the effectiveness of pediatric nurses' educational and preventative efforts related to the smombie phenomenon in adolescents.

Rationale and design of a pilot randomized controlled trial to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in preadolescent Latina girls and their mothers

Background

Hispanic/Latina girls have a low prevalence of moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) compared to their male counterparts and non-Hispanic White girls. Mothers influence their children's activity levels by creating and supporting PA opportunities, modeling PA, and reinforcing children's efforts to be physically active. The Conmigo trial will evaluate a mother-daughter intervention to promote PA and examine potential mechanisms of change including mothers' PA, parenting regarding PA, and mother-daughter communication.

Method

This randomized controlled trial examines the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a 12-week intervention promoting PA in preadolescent Latina girls in San Diego County, CA. Participants (n = 90 dyads) are randomized to the Conmigo PA intervention or to a control group that receive an abbreviated version of the intervention. The intervention was informed by Social Cognitive Theory and Family Systems Theory and emphasize family-level factors to promote PA using an actor-partner model. Mothers and daughters attend weekly 90-min sessions in English or in Spanish via Zoom video conferencing, supported by facilitator follow-ups and WhatsApp supportive chat group for mothers. Objective (accelerometer) and self-report measures at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months capture the frequency and intensity of PA and correlates and predictors of PA. We also examine the impact of the intervention on the bidirectional influence of mother-daughter PA.

Implications

The findings from the Conmigo trial will form the basis of a randomized controlled community trial and will move the field forward in identifying targets of change in preventing chronic disease risk in Hispanic/Latino communities.

Perceived Economic Uncertainty and Fertility Intentions in Couples: A Dyadic Extension of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

By adopting a dyadic extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991), this study examined whether perceived economic uncertainty affects fertility intentions. Three-hundred thirty one heterosexual couples living in Italy participated in a randomized between-group experimental study, in which we manipulated perceived economic uncertainty (low vs. high vs. control). The participants subsequently completed a questionnaire measuring their attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and fertility intentions. We employed Structural Equation Modelling in estimating the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. The model showed a good fit to the data. Women's attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were influenced by the high economic uncertain scenario, whereas among men these variables were affected only by the positive economic scenario. Attitudes and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of fertility intentions for both sexes. Significant partner effects were observed as well. These findings suggest that fertility plans should be examined by adopting a dyadic perspective, as individuals' intentions are affected not only by their own beliefs, but also by those of their partners.

Parent socialization and anti-racist ideology development in White youth: Do peer and parenting contexts matter?

The development of anti-racist ideology in adolescence and emerging adulthood is informed by parent socialization, parenting style, and cross-race friendships. This study used longitudinal, multi-reporter survey data from White youth and their parents in Maryland to examine links between parents' racial attitudes when youth were in eleventh grade in 1996 (N = 453; 52% female; Mage  = 17.12) and the youths' anti-racist ideology (acknowledgment of anti-Black discrimination and support for affirmative action) 1 year after high school in 1998. This study also examined whether these associations varied based on authoritative parenting and the number of cross-race friendships. Positive parent racial attitudes toward racially and ethnically minoritized populations predicted higher anti-racist ideology in the independent contexts of more cross-race friendships and low authoritative parenting.

Young people’s experiences of COVID-19 messaging at the start of the UK lockdown: lessons for positive engagement and information sharing

Background

To reduce COVID-19 infection rates during the initial stages of the pandemic, the UK Government mandated a strict period of restriction on freedom of movement or ‘lockdown’. For young people, closure of schools and higher education institutions and social distancing rules may have been particularly challenging, coming at a critical time in their lives for social and emotional development. This study explored young people’s experiences of the UK Government’s initial response to the pandemic and related government messaging.

Methods

This qualitative study combines data from research groups at the University of Southampton, University of Edinburgh and University College London. Thirty-six online focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 150 young people (Southampton: n = 69; FGD = 7; Edinburgh: n = 41; FGD = 5; UCL: n = 40; FGD = 24). Thematic analysis was conducted to explore how young people viewed the government’s response and messaging and to develop recommendations for how to best involve young people in addressing similar crises in the future.

Results

The abrupt onset of lockdown left young people shocked, confused and feeling ignored by government and media messaging. Despite this, they were motivated to adhere to government advice by the hope that life might soon return to normal. They felt a responsibility to help with the pandemic response, and wanted to be productive with their time, but saw few opportunities to volunteer.

Conclusions

Young people want to be listened to and feel they have a part to play in responding to a national crisis such as the COVID-19 epidemic. To reduce the likelihood of disenfranchising the next generation, Government and the media should focus on developing messaging that reflects young people’s values and concerns and to provide opportunities for young people to become involved in responses to future crises.

Associations Between Parents’ Health and Social Control Behaviors and Their Adolescent’s Self-Efficacy and Health Behaviors: Insights From the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) survey

Background

Parents can influence their children to live healthier lifestyles by modeling healthy behaviors and/or trying to persuade their children to engage in healthier activities. Adolescents and their parents tend to have similar eating and exercise patterns, but less is known about the simultaneous influence of parent’s health behavior and social control on adolescents’ self-efficacy and health behaviors, including whether their effect is moderated by parenting style.

Purpose

We examine the degree to which parents’ social control and health behaviors are associated with their adolescent’s self-efficacy and health behaviors, including whether parenting styles moderate these associations.

Method

We analyzed data from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating project.

Results

We found that parents’ own health behaviors are positively and strongly associated with their adolescent’s health behaviors across four domains: fruit/vegetable consumption, junk food consumption, physical activity, and nonacademic screen time. We found positive, moderate-to-strong associations between parents’ use of social control and their adolescents’ fruit/vegetable and junk food consumption, small negative associations with screen time, and no associations with physical activity. The effects of social control for junk food consumption and screen time, however, depended on parents’ own behavior in those domains. Parent responsiveness moderated the relation between parents’ social control and their adolescent children’s self-efficacy and health behaviors.

Conclusions

The health behaviors parents model and their social control efforts are associated with their adolescents’ beliefs and behavior. Efforts to leverage parents as sources of influence must consider the context in which influence is enacted.

Factors Affecting Adolescents' Screen Viewing Duration: A Social Cognitive Approach Based on the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health and Eating (FLASHE) Survey

The pervasiveness of prolonged screen viewing (SV) in adolescence is of significant concern given its well-documented implications with various health outcomes. Based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), this study explored how a wide range of individual, environmental, and behavioral factors correlate with adolescents' SV duration. The study used adolescents' self-reported data from the cross-sectional Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health and Eating (FLASHE) study implemented by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Findings indicated that adolescents' SV duration were different across various age and ethnic groups. It was positively associated with emotion regulation and negatively connected with self-efficacy in limiting screen time. Compared to un-authoritative parenting style, authoritative parenting had an advantage in curbing adolescents' screen use. General media susceptibility strongly correlated with SV duration. Perception of peers' behaviors (descriptive norm) and how peers would react adversely (injunctive norm) were both connected with SV duration. SV duration was negatively connected with physical activity whereas positively linked with sedentary behavior. Theoretical and practical implications were outlined, as well as limitations and directions for future research.

Intrapersonal and interpersonal pathways linking 21st birthday celebration beliefs, intentions, and drinking behavior

In the United States, turning 21 often involves heavy drinking and high rates of alcohol-related consequences. Friends are an important source of social influence on young adult drinking, including during 21st birthdays. However, research is needed to investigate the specific pathways through which this interpersonal influence occurs. Data were drawn from a larger intervention study focused on reducing 21st birthday drinking. Using data from 166 celebrant and friend dyads (N = 332 individuals), we prospectively examined relations among each person's beliefs about 21st birthday celebrations, drinking intentions for the celebrant, and celebrants' estimated blood alcohol concentration (eBAC) on their 21st birthdays. Path analyses evaluated the impact of celebrant and friend beliefs on their own report of celebrant intentions, each other's report of celebrant intentions, and celebrant eBAC, as well as the mediating role of each individual's report of celebrant intentions. Results revealed significant indirect effects of each individual's beliefs on celebrant eBAC via their own report of celebrant 21st birthday drinking intentions. Friend beliefs also predicted celebrant eBAC via celebrant drinking intentions, beyond the effect of celebrant beliefs. Importantly, celebrant eBAC was as strongly predicted by friend 21st birthday celebration beliefs as they were by their own beliefs. Results highlight multiple pathways through which friends influence 21st birthday drinking and reveal that friend influence is not constrained to the celebration, but begins in advance of the event by shaping celebrants' drinking intentions. Findings highlight key directions for future work leveraging friends as intervention agents to reduce drinking related to this high-risk event.

Parent-Child Physical Activity Association in Families With 4-to 16-Year-Old Children

Background: The main aim of this study was to quantify the associations between parents’ and children’s physical activity by age, gender, and the day of the week on the basis of a pedometer-measured step count (SC). Methods: The sample comprised data from 4-to 16-year-old children and their parents from the Czech Republic (1102 mother-child dyads and 693 father-child dyads). The parents and their children wore the Yamax SW200 pedometer during seven days of monitoring. Results: The strongest SC association was found between mothers and daughters aged 4–7.9 years on weekdays (r_p = 0.402; p < 0.01) and at weekends (r_p = 0.577; p < 0.01). In children aged 8–16, the parent-child association is gender-specific, with the father-son relationship being dominant, especially at weekends (weekend SC: fathers-sons_{8–11.9 y} r_p = 0.416, p < 0.01; fathers-sons_{12–16 y} r_p = 0.443, p < 0.01). An increase of 1000 steps in the fathers (mothers) is associated with an increase of more than 400 (200) steps in their sons (daughters). Conclusions: This study confirms a strong parent-child SC relationship in children younger than eight years of age. In older children, the parent-child SC association is gender-specific and dominated by the father-son relationship, particularly on weekends. The SC associations that are revealed can be used for the development of physical activity programs for adolescents.

Enjoyment, self-efficacy, and physical activity within parent-adolescent dyads: Application of the actor-partner interdependence model

It is unclear the role of salient psychosocial variables, such as physical activity (PA) enjoyment and self-efficacy, has on PA within parent-adolescent dyads. The purpose of this study was to examine the interdependent relationships among enjoyment, efficacy, and self-reported PA within parent-adolescent dyads using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). The sample consisted of 1854 parent-adolescent dyads enrolled in the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) Study. A panel research organization invited panel members balanced to the US population on sex, Census division, household income and size, and race/ethnicity. Panel members were screened for eligibility and web-based surveys were administered to each selected parent-adolescent dyad. Each individual answered questions pertaining to PA enjoyment, PA self-efficacy, and reported weekly PA using validated questionnaires. Interrelationships among the observed variables were analyzed using APIM via a partially recursive path analysis. There was a significant correlation between parent and adolescent PA (r = 0.15, p < 0.001). Psychosocial variables explained more variance in adolescent PA (R² = 0.252) than parent PA (R² = 0.037) and the strongest standardized path coefficients were adolescent enjoyment (b = 0.24; 95%CI: 0.18-0.29; p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (b = 0.27; 95%CI: 0.22-0.32; p < 0.001) predicting adolescent PA. Adolescent- and parent-driven effects (0.7%-6.5%) and actor-driven effects (3.3%-5.7%) explained the majority of the systematic dyadic covariance in self-reported PA. There is a relatively strong association between adolescent enjoyment and self-efficacy with adolescent PA and the relationship between parent and adolescent self-reported PA is partially explained by parent and adolescent psychosocial variables and actor-driven effects within APIM.

Social support, loneliness, eating, and activity among parent-adolescent dyads

We examined associations of social support and loneliness with eating and activity among parent-adolescent dyads (N = 2968) using actor-partner interdependence modeling. Loneliness had several actor associations with health behaviors (adolescents: less physical activity [PA], p < .001, more sedentariness, p < .001; parents: less fruit/vegetable consumption [FVC], p = .029, more hedonic food consumption [HFC], p = .002, and sedentariness, p < .001), but only one dyadic association (adolescent loneliness with less parent FVC, p = .039). Visible support was associated with less HFC, p < .001, and sedentariness, p < .001, but less FVC, p = .008, among adolescents. Invisible support was associated with less HFC, p = .003, but also less PA, p = .028, among adolescents. Both support types were associated with less HFC among parents, p < .001, but invisible support was also associated with less FVC, p = .029, and PA, p = .012, and more sedentariness, p = .013, among parents. When examining health behavior among parents and adolescents, it may be important to consider social support (but perhaps not loneliness) at a dyadic level.