Co-occurrence subgroups of child sexual abuse, health risk behaviors and their associations among secondary school students in China

Distinct characteristics of social anxiety among youths with childhood sexual abuse: A latent profile analysis

BACKGROUND

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is one type of childhood trauma that has long-term effects on physical and mental health, predisposing to social anxiety.

OBJECTIVE

This study attempted to investigate the characteristics of different subgroups of social anxiety among youths with CSA experiences.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

83,219 participants were recruited in a cross-sectional study from 63 colleges and universities in Jilin Province, China.

METHODS

The main variables were measured by a series of self-report questionnaires. Latent profile analysis was used to classify different subgroups of social anxiety, and multiple logistic regression was employed to investigate factors influencing transitions between different subgroups.

RESULTS

3022 (3.63 %) youths who suffered from CSA (46.8 % were male, Mage = 19.57, SD = 1.76) could be divided into four subgroups of social anxiety: low-risk social anxiety (16.4 %), medium-risk social anxiety with high public speaking anxiety (30.3 %), medium-risk social anxiety with no prominent characteristics (22.9 %), and high-risk social anxiety (30.4 %). Shy bladder and bowel and virtual life orientation increased the level of social anxiety from low to medium and high risk. Smoking and drinking were more prevalent in the low- and medium-risk subgroups than in the high-risk subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

There was heterogeneity in different subgroups of social anxiety among youths with CSA experiences. Potential targeted prevention and intervention suggestions could be beneficial in mitigating the risk of social anxiety and further preventing the aggravation of risk between subgroups.

Sex differences in the association of childhood sexual abuse severity with premarital sex among Chinese college students in Luzhou, China

PURPOSE

The adverse health consequences of premarital sex and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are both global public health problems. Based on a random sample of college students from a Chinese city, this study investigated the relationship between CSA severity and premarital sex among students, focusing on sex differences.

METHODS

A total of 2722 college students from 4 schools in Luzhou were recruited by multistage random sampling. Self-administered questionnaires were used to measure CSA experiences and premarital sex. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to analyse the relationship between CSA and premarital sex.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CSA was 9.39%, and that of mild, moderate and severe CSA was 4.04%, 2.90% and 2.46%, respectively. The premarital sex reporting rate was 22.42%. After adjusting for confounding variables, CSA was positively associated with premarital sex. Notably, a cumulative effect of CSA on premarital sex was observed among students. Further stratification analyses showed that males who experienced CSA had a higher premarital sex rate than females, and this sex difference was also observed among students with different CSA severities.

CONCLUSION

CSA and its severity were associated with premarital sex among college students. Furthermore, this association was stronger for males than females. Therefore, it is important to emphasize CSA prevention, especially for boys. These findings can promote understanding of the effects of CSA on premarital sex, and CSA prevention and intervention strategies should consider CSA severity and sex differences.

The Protective Effect of miRNA-146a Liposome Nanoparticles on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells After Coronary Intervention

The abnormal expression of miRNA-146a is related to the progression of coronary arteries. This study intends to explore the protective effect of miRNA-146a on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) after coronary intervention and the related mechanism. 10 miniature pigs were randomly assigned into control group, model group, blank group, miRNA-146a group, cilostazol group, and STAT3 signaling agonist group followed by analysis of the morphology and viability of VSMCs, expression of miRNA-146a, STAT3, NF-kB, TNF-a, IL-6, and AT-1R as well as the relationship between miR-146a and STAT3. The BNP (192.39±12.32) pg/ml and cTnI (14.20±2.12) μg/L of model group were significantly higher than those of control group (P < 0.05). miRNA-146a level was highest in miRNA-146a group and cilostazol group, while lower in other two groups with the lowest level in agonist group (P <0.05). The cell viability and AngII level of miRNA-146a group and cilostazol group were lower, and higher in the other two groups with highest level in pathway agonist group (P < 0.05). miRNA-146a group and cilostazol group showed lower expressions of STAT3, NF-kB, TNF-a, IL-6, AT-1R than the other two groups. The pathway agonist group showed significantly higher level than blank group (P <0.05). liposome nanoparticles carrying miRNA-146a inhibited the activity of STAT3 signaling, down-regulated the levels of downstream factors including TNF-a, IL-6, and TNF-a and subsequently decreased AngII and AT-1R levels, therefore playing a protective effect on VSMCs after coronary intervention.

Associations of Gender Dissatisfaction with Adolescent Mental Distress and Sexual Victimization

Gender dissatisfaction is often linked to adverse health outcomes and is an under-researched area of adolescent health. The aim of our study was to examine the associations of gender dissatisfaction with adolescent mental distress and sexual victimization. We conducted a cross-sectional study in April 2019 using a computerized self-administered questionnaire to collect data on the gender dissatisfaction, mental distress, and sexual victimization among Chinese adolescents. We used multivariate logistic models to estimate sex-stratified adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of gender dissatisfaction with mental distress and sexual victimization. Our study involved 538 female and 556 male students from grades 7 to 11. Among the female students, gender dissatisfaction was significantly associated with depression (AOR, 2.04, 95%CI, 1.17–3.58), anxiety (AOR, 2.13, 95%CI, 2.00–2.27), suicidal ideation (AOR, 2.36, 95%CI, 2.02–2.76), sexting victimization (AOR, 1.67, 95%CI, 1.11–2.51), and nonphysical sexual harassment (AOR, 1.72, 95%CI, 1.08–2.76). Among the male students, gender dissatisfaction was significantly associated with oral-–genital contact (AOR, 5.86, 95%CI, 2.74–12.54), attempted sexual assault (AOR, 9.63, 95%CI, 6.91–13.42), and completed sexual assault (AOR, 14.71, 95%CI, 1.16–187.33). Our findings suggest gender dissatisfaction is associated with adolescent mental distress and sexual victimization, underscoring the importance of implementing comprehensive sexual education with gender perspectives in China.