Dual alcohol and cannabis use in male and female adolescents: Relationships with family variables

Family dynamics influence adolescents' use of alcohol and other substances, such as cannabis. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between family variables and alcohol use, dual use of alcohol and cannabis, and non-use in adolescents according to sex. A cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample comprised 879 adolescents (56.4 % boys; M(SD)age = 14.25 (1.88) years). Multinomial regression analysis showed that for boys, the presence of family conflict increased the likelihood of being an alcohol (OR = 1.19) and dual (OR = 1.23) user rather than a non-user. For girls, communication reduced the probability of being an alcohol user (OR = 0.88), and the presence of consequences for breaking rules reduced the probability of being a dual user rather than a non-user (OR = 0.83) or an alcohol user (OR = 0.84). These findings highlight the importance of family prevention of adolescents' substance use, bearing in mind the participants' sex.

Implications for quality education in secondary education

This paper presents an exploratory study to identify the parental achievement goals of families in Spain and to detect peculiarities, in terms of their socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics. A total of 1590 families, represented by one of the two parents, participated by means of convenience sampling. The data were collected through a questionnaire developed ad hoc, validated by using a Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Data processing included descriptive analyses and comparisons between groups, looking for possible significant differences. The results indicate that the task mastery-oriented goal prevails in this research sample, but also that more than half of the participants guide their children towards task success. Therefore, a broad group of subjects simultaneously conveys two different types of goals with divergent orientations, a fact that could lead to a conflict of values for adolescents. Regarding the relationship with the socio-demographic and socio-economic variables of the families, their greatest influence is in the case of the goal oriented towards failure, being lower in the goal aimed at success and decreasing significantly in the goal oriented towards mastery of the task. The results of this study suggest the necessity to offer, within the framework of universal parenting programmes, specific projects which help parents to clarify the values inherent in their parental achievement goals from the perspective of positive parenting. In addition, teachers should be trained in this aspect so that, in exercising their tutorial role, they can encourage all families to attain the goals of parental achievement associated with the quality of education.

Parent-Reported Contribution of Family Variables to the Quality of Life in Children with Down Syndrome: Report from an International Study

PURPOSE

The intent of this study was to determine parents' views of the contribution of family variables to the quality of life (QoL) of children with Down Syndrome (DS). Based on prior research, we hypothesized that parents would report that family variables reflecting positive aspects of family functioning contributed to better QoL; and family variables reflecting the negative aspects of family functioning contributed to poorer QoL.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out. Invitation letters were sent to DS support groups. Upon agreement, the parents of the children were sent a link to an online survey that included a consent form, demographic questionnaire, and child and family measures.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated the contribution of family demands to children's interpersonal relations. Family appraisals concerning the child and the family's ability predicted the children's physical and material well-being, personal development, self-determination, social inclusion, interpersonal relations, and rights. Family problem-solving served as a prominent predictor for children's physical and emotional well-being, personal development, interpersonal relations, and rights. Also, family resources predicted various aspects of children's QoL including physical, emotional, and material well-being, self-determination, social inclusion, interpersonal relations, and rights.

CONCLUSION

Results confirmed the significant relationship between family and children's QoL variables. Family appraisal and family problem-solving were especially identified as significant predictors of children's QoL that can be targeted for family interventions, since the family variables are modifiable aspects of family life.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Nurses can use current findings to develop interventions to enhance QoL of children with DS and families.

Proximate Family Biosocial Variables Associated with Severe Malaria Disease among Under-Five Children in Resource-Poor Setting of a Rural Hospital in Eastern Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Malaria threatens the life of under-five in rural Nigerian families. Although, factors that influence malaria in under-five are manifold. However, family biosocial factors may contribute to the variability of the clinical picture.

AIM

To determine proximate family biosocial variable associated with severe malaria among under-five children in a resource-poor setting of a rural hospital in Eastern Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study carried out on the families of under-five managed for malaria. Data extracted included family biosocial variables and diagnosis. An under-five child was defined to have malaria if the mother gave complaints of fever, vomiting, and other symptoms suggestive of malaria, had body temperature exceeding 37.5°C with the asexual forms of Plasmodium falciparum detected on the peripheral blood film. Severe malaria is the malaria that presents with life-threatening features like severe anemia and cerebral malaria.

RESULTS

The prevalence of severe malaria was 31.8% The family biosocial variables significantly associated with severe malaria were maternal low level of education (P = 0.031), family size >4 (P = 0.044), low social class of the family (P = 0.025), nonliving together of parents (P = 0.011), and poor access to health facilities (P = 0.038). The most significant predictor of severe malaria was nonliving together of parents (P = 0.000, odds ratio = 3.08, confidence interval = 1.64-5.10).

CONCLUSION

This study has demonstrated that some family biosocial variables are associated with severe malaria. These families should constitute at risk families that could be targeted for malaria interventional programs.