Method considerations for school psychology from longitudinal research on gifted students

This article draws from longitudinal research on gifted students to provide method considerations for school psychology research. First, we provide some background of gifted and talented education in the United States. Then, drawing from multiple longitudinal samples of gifted students, in particular the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth (SMPY), we illustrate the role of replications, including constructive replications. In the middle two sections, we highlight methodological design features focused first on predictors, and then on outcomes, considering types, magnitude, and breadth. Finally, we provide additional considerations and future directions, including expanding the outcome domain, overcoming the limitations of past gifted and talented research studies, and suggesting possibilities for future research. Our article may help improve school psychology research as well as assist school psychology researchers interested in conducting their own longitudinal studies using gifted samples.

Positive school climate and strong school identification as protective factors of adolescent mental health and learning engagement: A longitudinal investigation before and during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant disruptions for children and youth around the world, especially given school closures and shifts in teaching modes (on-line and hybrid). However, the impact of these disruptions remains unclear given data limitations such as a reliance on cross-sectional and/or short-interval surveys as well as a lack of broad indicators of key outcomes of interest. The current research employs a quasi-experimental design by using an Australian four-year longitudinal survey with student responses from Grade 7 to 10 (aged 12-15 years old) (N = 8,735 from 20 schools) in one education jurisdiction. Responses are available pre-pandemic (2018 and 2019) and during the pandemic (2020 and 2021). Importantly the survey included measures of well-being, mental health and learning engagement as well as potential known school-environment factors that could buffer against adversity: school climate and school identification. The findings were generally in line with key hypotheses; 1) during COVID-19 students' learning engagement and well-being significantly declined and 2) students with more positive school climate or stronger school identification pre-COVID-19 fared better through the disruption of the pandemic. However, these same students suffered from a steeper decline in well-being and engagement which may be explained through the impact of losing meaningful social or group connections. This decline was evident after controlling for gender, academic grade (as a proxy of age), parental education, and socioeconomic status. It is concluded that investing in the social environment of schools is important in crisis preparedness and can facilitate better crisis response among youth.

Re-Consenting Pediatric Research Participants as Legal Adulthood Approaches: Lessons from the SPARK Autism Study

To explore issues surrounding re-consenting youth in longitudinal studies as they reach legal adulthood interviews were conducted with 46 parents plus 13 autistic teens enrolled in the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) study. Qualitative analysis focused on family sensitivities regarding guardianship decisions, transition concerns, and the re-consenting process. Questions regarding guardianship were difficult for parents unsure of a teen's future status. Mothers were key facilitators of re-consenting for soon-to-be-independent teens. As legal adulthood approached, parents were willing to assist teens with re-consenting but needed support, asking for multiple contacts, transition resources, and explanatory materials from the research team. Most teens were not cognizant of SPARK but willing to continue participation once made aware.

Retirement transition and smoking and drinking behaviors in older Chinese adults: Analysis from the CHARLS study

Introduction

Smoking and drinking are important public problems and a substantial part of work culture in mainland China. However, little is known about the effect of retirement on these behaviors. Thus, this study examined the relationships between retirement transition, smoking and excessive drinking among older Chinese adults.

Methods

Repeated longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of Chinese adults were collected in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2018. Respondents completed a structured questionnaire regarding work status and health behaviors. Modified mixed-effects Poisson regression models were used to explore the associations, with additional analyses stratified by gender.

Results

Of the 10,378 participants included, 62.6% and 20.1% of men reported current smoking and excessive drinking at study entry; compared to 4.4% and 1.5% of women, respectively. There was no significant association between retirement and smoking. We found a dose-response relationship between time in retirement and excessive drinking in the adjusted model where those who retired >= 2 years ago had a 30% lower risk of excessive drinking (risk ratio (RR) = 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.56-0.86), and those who retired < 2 years ago had a 16% lower risk of excessive drinking (RR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.73-0.97), compared with those who remained working. This pattern remained when analyzed separately for men and women, although not all results reached statistical significance.

Discussion

Chinese older adults are more likely to reduce drinking following retirement. Such evidence supports the positive framing of retirement in public discourse and the need for workplace interventions to address excessive drinking in China.

Factors associated with adherence to provider referrals for lung cancer screening with low dose computed tomography before and during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer has been the leading cause of American deaths from cancer. Although Medicare started covering lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in 2015, the uptake of LDCT-LCS remains low. This study examines the changes in adherence to provider referrals for LDCT-LCS and the factors at patient, provider, and health system levels that influence the completion rate of LDCT-LCS orders before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Our study examined electronic health record data (December 2013 - December 2020) from a large, community-based clinical healthcare delivery system in California. We plotted monthly trends in the frequency of LDCT-LCS orders and completion rate and compared the annual LDCT-LCS completion rate between LCS-eligible, LCS-ineligible, and unknown eligibility groups. We then explored multilevel factors associated with the completion of LDCT-LCS orders using hierarchical generalized linear models.

RESULTS

There was an increase in LDCT-LCS orders (N = 12,469) from 2013 to 2019, followed by a sharp decline in March 2020 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thereafter, LDCT-LCS orders slowly increased again in June 2020. The completion rate of LDCT-LCS increased from 0% in December 2013 to approximately 70% in 2018-2019 but declined to 50-60% in 2020 during the pandemic. Ineligible patients had lower completion rates of LDCT-LCS. Patients who were new to the healthcare system, Black, received the LDCT-LCS order in the first few years after Medicare coverage (2016 or 2017), during the pandemic, had major comorbidities, and smoked less than 30 pack-years were less likely to complete an order. Patients were more likely to complete LDCT-LCS orders if they were younger, received the LDCT-LCS order from a physician (vs. nonphysician provider), from family medicine or other specialties (vs. internal medicine), or saw a provider with more experience in LDCT-LCS.

CONCLUSIONS

The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic largely decreased the volume of LDCT-LCS orders, but rates have since been slowing recovering. Future interventions to improve lung cancer screening should consider doing more targeted outreach to new patients and Black patients as well as providing additional education to nonphysician practitioners and those providers with lower rates of LDCT-LCS referral orders.

The role of career adaptability resources in dual career pathways: A person-oriented longitudinal study across elite sports upper secondary school

OBJECTIVES

Obtaining education is an important milestone in athletes' preparation for their professional career after sport. Literature indicates that combining school and sport is not an easy task for many aspiring youth athletes. It has been proposed that career adaptability, which refers to psychosocial resources enabling individuals to solve complex occupational transitions, present and anticipated vocational development tasks, and career related challenges could be a relevant concept for applied work with student-athletes. In this study, we examined whether there are distinct developmental profiles of career adaptability among adolescent athletes across the upper secondary school years. We also investigated the associations between career adaptability and sport withdrawal and academic achievement.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 391 Finnish-speaking student-athletes completed the questionnaire on career adaptability (Career Adapt-Abilities Scale - Dual Career Form; Ryba & Aunola, 2015; Ryba et al., 2017) at the beginning and end of upper secondary school. The participants' background information about their sport participation and grade point average were collected upon completion of each grade of upper secondary school. The data were analysed using cluster analysis, cross-tabulation, and one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Four distinct adaptability profiles were identified: higher adaptability, lower adaptability, increasing adaptability, and decreasing adaptability. Higher and lower adaptability profiles showed stable levels of adaptability across time, whereas the adaptability level either increased or decreased in the other two profiles. Student-athletes with a lower career adaptability profile were overrepresented among those who withdrew from competitive sports, and they reported lower grade point averages than those with higher scores of career adaptability.

CONCLUSIONS

High scores of career adaptability were associated with high grades, whereas low scores of career adaptability were associated with low grades and a probability to withdraw from competitive sport. Therefore, it is recommended that career adaptability be considered as important self-regulation resources for sustaining dual career pathways over time.

Adolescent Loneliness and Negative Affect during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Extraversion and Neuroticism

The COVID-19 pandemic had varied but significant effects on the lives of adolescents. This study aimed to examine the effects of extraversion and neuroticism on changes in loneliness and negative affect among adolescents during the pandemic. Longitudinal data were collected in three waves from 673 German adolescents and young adults (M_age = 16.8 years, SD_age = 0.91; female = 59%), affected by local lockdowns. The data collection was one time before (T1) and two times during the pandemic (T2, T3). Change score models were used to assess the relationship between loneliness and negative affect with consideration of extraversion and neuroticism. Results showed that pre-pandemic loneliness was predictive of changes in negative affect during the pandemic, with higher loneliness predicting increases in negative affect. Negative affect did not predict later loneliness. Extraverts showed an increase in negative affect over time, particularly between pre-pandemic measurement and the first phase of the pandemic. Higher neuroticism appeared to have increased vulnerability for negative affect during the pandemic, as a rise in negative affect were found among these adolescents throughout the course of the pandemic. In conclusion, the study highlights the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of adolescents and suggests that managing the pandemic during this specific developmental period is a challenge.

Predictors of participant retention in a community-based HIV prevention cohort: perspectives from the HPTN 071 (PopART) study

INTRODUCTION

In 2021, there were 38.4 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally, of which 20.6 million (54%) were living in Eastern and Southern Africa. Longitudinal studies, inclusive of community randomized trials (CRTs), provide critical evidence to guide a broad range of health care interventions including HIV prevention. In this study, we have used an individual-level cohort study design to evaluate the association between sex and other baseline characteristics and participant retention in the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial in Zambia and South Africa.

METHODS

HPTN 071 (PopART) was a community randomized trial (CRT) conducted from 2013 to 2018, in 21 communities. The primary outcome was measured in a randomly selected population cohort (PC), followed up over 3 to 4 years at annual rounds. PC retention was defined as completion of an annual follow-up questionnaire. Baseline characteristics were described by study arm and Poisson regression analyses used to measure the association between baseline factors and retention. In addition, we present a description of researcher-documented reasons for study withdrawal by PC participants.

RESULTS

Of the 38,474 participants enrolled during the first round of the trial (PC0), most were women (27,139, 71%) and 73% completed at least one follow-up visit. Retention was lower in men (adj RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.91) and higher among older participants (adj RR: 1.23; 95% CI 1.20, 1.26) when comparing ages 35-44 to 18-24 years. Retention was higher among individuals with high socioeconomic status (SES) (adj RR 1.16; 95% CI 1.14, 1.19) and medium SES (adj RR 1.12; 95% CI 1.09, 1.14) compared to low SES. The most common reasons for study withdrawal were study refusal (23%) and relocation outside the CRT catchment area (66%).

CONCLUSION

Despite challenges, satisfactory retention outcomes were achieved in PopART with limited variability across study arms. In keeping with other studies, younger age, male sex, and lower SES were associated with lower levels of retention. Relocation outside of catchment area was the most common reason for non-retention in this CRT.

The mediating role of self-regulation on the link between child maltreatment and later substance use among Latinx youth

BACKGROUND

Children who experience maltreatment are at heightened risk for substance use initiation and mental health disorders later in life. Few studies have assessed the relationship between child maltreatment and substance use among Latinx youth.

OBJECTIVE

The current study assessed the potential mediating effect of three aspects of self-regulation (emotional, behavioral, and cognitive) on the association between child maltreatment and substance use and examined whether effects varied depending on maltreatment type and severity.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

This study involved a random sample of 504 Latinx youth (52 % girls, 48 % boys) between the ages of 10-12 at the start of the study.

METHODS

Study hypotheses were tested through structural equation modeling and bootstrapped random errors using the R programming language.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that higher levels of child maltreatment predicted higher levels of later substance use, as mediated by emotional and behavioral dysregulation (β = 0.09, p < 0.01), but not cognitive regulation. When separating maltreatment by subtype, we found the mediating effect was present for abuse (β = 0.09, p < 0.01), but not neglect.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings contribute to our understanding of potential causal mechanisms for the association between child maltreatment and substance use for Latinx youth.

A one-size-fits-all approach to data-sharing will not suffice in lifecourse research: a grounded theory study of data-sharing from the perspective of participants in a 50-year-old lifecourse study about health and development

BACKGROUND

Data-sharing is increasingly encouraged or required by funders and journals. Data-sharing is more complicated for lifecourse studies that rely upon ongoing participation, but little is known about perspectives on data-sharing among participants of such studies. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore perspectives on data-sharing of participants in a birth cohort study.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study when aged between 45 and 48 years. Interviews were led by the Director of the Dunedin Study and involved questions about different scenarios for data-sharing. The sample consisted of nine Dunedin Study members who are Māori (the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa/New Zealand) and 16 who are non-Māori.

RESULTS

Principles of grounded theory were applied to develop a model of participant perspectives on data-sharing. The model consists of three factors that inform a core premise that a one-size-fits-all approach to data-sharing will not suffice in lifecourse research. Participants suggested that data-sharing decisions should depend on the cohort and might need to be declined if any one Dunedin Study member was opposed (factor 1). Participants also expressed a proven sense of trust in the researchers and raised concerns about loss of control once data have been shared (factor 2). Participants described a sense of balancing opportunities for public good against inappropriate uses of data, highlighting variability in perceived sensitivity of data, and thus a need to take this into account if sharing data (factor 3).

CONCLUSIONS

Communal considerations within cohorts, loss of control over shared data, and concerns about inappropriate uses of shared data need to be addressed through detailed informed consent before data-sharing occurs for lifecourse studies, particularly where this has not been established from the start of the study. Data-sharing may have implications for the retention of participants in these studies and thus may impact on the value of long-term sources of knowledge about health and development. Researchers, ethics committees, journal editors, research funders, and government policymakers need to consider participants' views when balancing the proposed benefits of data-sharing against the potential risks and concerns of participants in lifecourse research.

Maternal history of maltreatment and offspring's emotional and behavioral problems in adolescence: Do family factors contribute to the intergenerational risk transmission?

BACKGROUND

A history of childhood maltreatment often has a negative and long-lasting impact across different domains in life. A childhood maltreatment experience in parents may even affect the next generation. So far, the effects of family factors have been considered in the intergenerational transmission of adversity across the childhood years, but whether the effects remain until adolescence is less clear.

OBJECTIVE

Using data from a large population-based study in the Netherlands, including both mother and child reports, we examined whether maternal childhood maltreatment history is associated with increased mental health problems in offspring and the role of family functioning and harsh parenting as a potential pathway.

PARTICIPANTS

4912 adolescents (aged 13 years) and their mothers were recruited in the Generation R study.

METHODS

Mothers reported childhood maltreatment experiences using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and adolescents reported on their mental health using the Youth Self Report (YSR). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the association of maternal childhood maltreatment on mental health problems in offspring and family functioning and harsh parenting as mechanisms to explain this association.

RESULTS

Adolescents of mothers with a history of maltreatment had greater internalizing (β = 0.07, p < .01) and externalizing problems (β = 0.08, p < .01). Moreover, we found an indirect effect via family functioning over time and harsh parenting at ages 3 and 8 years which mediated this association.

CONCLUSION

We concluded an intergenerational effect of maternal childhood maltreatment on adolescents internalizing and externalizing problems. The findings might enable earlier intervention within the family context to mitigate the consequences of maternal childhood maltreatment.

How much maternal sensitivity is adaptive: Fear temperament, high-intensity fear, and preschooler's behavioral problems

BACKGROUND

The current study focused on the role of temperament and parenting in contributing to high-intensity fear during toddlerhood and its impact on behavioral problems in the preschool age.

METHODS

A sample of 1292 low-income rural families were recruited, where infant fear temperament at 6 months old and toddler's fear expressions at 15 months old were observed and assessed. Maternal sensitivity was also observed and assessed at both time points. Mothers rated their children's behavioral problems at 36 months old.

RESULTS

A path model revealed quadratic effects of maternal sensitivity on the development of high-intensity fear at 15 months, in that a moderate level of maternal sensitivity was linked with higher high-intensity fear for children with extra high temperamental fear, while high and low levels of maternal sensitivity were linked with higher high-intensity fear for those with extra low temperamental fear. A quadratic effect was also found, where high maternal sensitivity channeled toddlers with low normal fear towards internalizing behaviors at 36 months. Finally, a quadratic effect suggested that high maternal sensitivity increased the risks for externalizing behaviors at 36 months for toddlers with high versus low levels of high-intensity fear.

LIMITATIONS

The low-income, rural community sample limited study generalizability.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings speak to the complexity of person-environment interactions in the development of fear and associated behavioral problems, with implications for future research and intervention efforts.

Evaluation of a smartphone-based methodology that integrates long-term tracking of mobility, place experiences, heart rate variability, and subjective well-being

This study presents MyGävle, a smartphone application that merge long-term tracking of mobility data, heart rate variability and subjective and objective well-being records. Developed to address the challenges faced in researching healthy and sustainable lifestyles, this app serves as a pioneering implementation of Real-life Long-term Methodology (ReaLM). After eight months' use by 257 participants from Gävle (Sweden), we evaluate the completeness, accuracy, validity, and consistency of all data collected. MyGävle produced remarkable results as a ReaLM method. On average, it precisely tracked participants daily locations for approximately 8 h and accurately collected heart-rate variability values throughout the day (12 h) and night (6 h). Participants reported 5115 subjective place experiences (ranging from 160 to 120 per week) and seasonal participation, although declining, is accurate. Our findings indicate that the amount of data collected through smartphone sensors, fitness wristbands and in-app questionnaires is consistent enough to be leveraged for integrated assessments of habits, environmental exposure, and subjective and physiological well-being. Yet, considerable variation exists across individuals; thus diagnostic analysis must precede use of these datasets in any particular research endeavors. By doing so we can maximise the potential of ReaLM research to delve into real life conditions conducive to healthy living habits while also considering broader sustainability goals.

Longitudinal Linkages Between Parent-Child Discrepancies in Reports on Parental Autonomy Support and Informants' Depressive Symptoms

Although parent-child discrepancies in reports of parenting are known to be associated with child depressive symptoms, the direction of causality is unknown. To address this knowledge gap, this study contributes to existing literature by examining longitudinal within-family linkages between parent-child discrepancies in their reports on autonomy support and depressive symptoms of children, while also assessing these linkages with parents' depressive symptoms. In addition, this study explored whether these linkages differ for father- versus mother-child discrepancies. Longitudinal data (six annual waves) of 497 adolescents (56.9% boys, M_age at T₁ = 13.03, SD = 0.46), their mothers (N = 495), and their fathers (N = 446) of the Dutch study Research on Adolescent Development and Relationships (RADAR) were used. Counter to expectations, the results of a Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model provided no evidence for within-family cross-lagged effects. Instead, stable differences between families explained linkages; in families where children reported on average higher levels of depressive symptoms, children also reported lower levels of autonomy support relative to their parents. There were no associations between parent-child discrepancies and parents' depressive symptoms. Thus, the findings suggest that depressive symptoms are neither a consequence, nor a predictor of parent-child discrepancies in adolescence. The hypotheses and analytical plan of this study were preregistered in a project on the Open Science Framework.

An Illustrative Review of Substance Use-Specific Insights From the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health

PURPOSE

The purpose of this illustrative, thematic review was to demonstrate the utility of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) for substance use research and to describe substance use-specific insights gained from Add Health research over the past 2 decades.

METHODS

We searched multiple electronic databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science) and selected an illustrative sample of 40 articles that used Add Health data and longitudinally examined a measure of alcohol, marijuana, or illicit drug use or prescription drug misuse as the exposure or outcome in association with diverse domains of additional factors assessed (social, emotional, behavioral, contextual, biological, and genetic).

RESULTS

Included articles identified several key associations between substance use behaviors and additional factors from a wide range of domains. For example, results from several studies indicated that experiences of sexual violence, adolescent dating violence, and intimate partner violence are associated with an increased likelihood of later prescription opioid misuse, heavy drinking, and marijuana use, with some differences by biological gender and race/ethnicity. Results from other studies showed that bidirectional associations between substance use and mental health differ by specific type of substance and mental health condition.

DISCUSSION

Existing research using Add Health data has provided valuable insights regarding substance use by leveraging the study's longitudinal design, the prospective nature of data collection, the breadth and depth of substance use questions assessed from adolescence to adulthood, the size and diversity of the cohort, and the wide range of additional factors measured over time.

Correlates of tobacco product initiation among youth and young adults between waves 1-4 of the population assessment of tobacco and Health (PATH) study (2013-2018)

INTRODUCTION

While risk factors for cigarette smoking among youth and young adults are well-documented, less is known about the correlates of initiation of other tobacco products. This study aims to provide estimates and correlates of initiation among U.S. youth and young adults.

METHODS

Data on youth aged 12-17 (n = 10,072) and young adults aged 18-24 (N = 5,727) who provided information on cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), cigars, pipe, hookah and smokeless tobacco use in Wave 1 (W1: 2013-2014)-Wave 4 (W4: 2016-2018) of the nationally-representative PATH Study were used to calculate ever use initiation and correlates of initiation by W4.

RESULTS

Nearly 6 million youth and 2.5 million young adults used tobacco for the first time between W1-W4. Approximately one quarter of youth and young adult ENDS never users initiated ENDS between W1-W4 of the PATH Study. Among youth, use of other tobacco products, ever substance use, and high externalizing problems were associated with initiation of most products. Among young adults, use of other tobacco products and ever substance use were associated with initiation of most products. In both youth and young adults, Hispanics were more likely to initiate hookah use than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. While male sex was a risk factor for most tobacco product initiation across both age groups, it was not associated with hookah initiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Cigarette and non-cigarette products shared many correlates of initiation, although there are noteworthy demographic differences. Findings can help tailor product specific interventions to reach populations at risk during preliminary stages of use.

Transitions between tobacco products: Correlates of changes in cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use among exclusive adult smokers and dual users in Mexico

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Smoking transitions differ for dual users and exclusive smokers.

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Close social network members who use tobacco products influence transitions.

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Dual users with friends using e-cigarettes were less likely to become an exclusive smoker or to quit.

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Exclusive smokers with friends using e-cigarettes, were more likely to take-up e-cigarette use.

This study examined transitions in tobacco products use among Mexican smokers and dual users. Data were analyzed from exclusive smokers (n = 2,946) and dual users (n = 1,643) recruited from an online consumer research panel and surveyed every-four months from November 2018 to April 2021. For exclusive smokers, estimated transitions were (time “t + 1” four months after prior survey): a) remain as exclusive smokers; b) dual use; c) exclusive e-cigarette use or quit both products. Among dual users, transitions analyzed were: a) remain as dual user; b) exclusive smoker; c) exclusive e-cigarette user or quit both products. Multinomial models regressed transitions at “t + 1” on time “t” for control variables. Most exclusive smokers (81%) remained as such, 12.6% transitioned to dual use, 2.3% to exclusive e-cigarette use, and 4% quitted both products. Exclusive smokers were more likely to transition to dual use if they recently attempted to quit (AOR = 1.45) or had partners/family or friends who used e-cigarettes (AOR = 2.47 & 2.56 respectively). Most dual users (74.8%) remained as dual users, 20.4% transitioned to exclusive smoking, 1.6% transitioned to exclusive e-cigarette use, and 3.2% quitted both products. Dual users were more likely to transition to exclusive smoking if they had lower educational attainment, recently attempted to quit e-cigarettes (AOR = 1.70). Having friends who use e-cigarettes (AOR = 0.29) and higher smoking dependence (AOR = 0.55) were associated with a lower likelihood of quitting. Recent quit attempts and e-cigarette use among close social network members may explain the short-term transitions, though longer follow-up is needed to assess sustained smoking cessation.

Household crowding during the COVID-19 lockdown fosters anti-democracy even after 17 months: A 5-wave latent growth curve study

In an earlier cross-sectional study, Roccato et al. (2021) showed that household crowding during the COVID-19 lockdown was positively related to support for anti-democratic political systems. However, little is known about the persistence of these effect over time. In this study, we examined its duration in a longitudinal study structured in five waves, the first in May-June 2019 (before the COVID-19 outbreak, N = 1504) and the others during the pandemic, in April 2020 (during the lockdown, N = 1199), October 2020 (N = 1156), April 2021 (N = 1148), and October 2021 (N = 1151). The increase in support for anti-democratic systems associated with household overcrowding in the initial phase of the lockdown (Wave 2) did not change over the subsequent 17 months. Moreover, the effect was stronger among those who had high (compared with low) trust in democratic political institutions before the pandemic. Strengths, limitations, and potential developments of the study are discussed.

Adapting a two-stage water load test to measure gastric sensitivity over time

Van Dyck et al. [8] developed a two-stage protocol to estimate interoceptive (gastric) sensitivity independently of stomach volume. They provided no foreknowledge of the second stage (reaching stomach fullness), following the initial stage (drinking until satiated), therefore preventing longitudinal research. The current study provided foreknowledge. Despite this, within-subject variation over time was found, with increases for satiation (p < 0.050) and% satiation (p < 0.000), and decreases regarding fullness (p < 0.000). Some participants expressed trepidation at baseline, hence foreknowledge may have encouraged avoidance of premature fullness. Future longitudinal studies should consider using one baseline to acclimatise, followed by a true baseline.

Psychological distress associated with the second COVID-19 wave: Prospective evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

In late 2020 a second wave of COVID-19 infections occurred in many countries and resulted in a national lockdown in the UK including stay at home orders and school closures. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of psychological distress before and during the second COVID-19 wave in the UK.

METHODS

This study drew on data from 10,657 participants from the nationally representative probability-based UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS). The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) assessment measure was used to detect the proportion of UK adults experiencing clinically significant psychological distress. Changes in distress levels associated with the second pandemic wave were examined between September 2020 and January 2021 using logistic regression and linear fixed-effects regression models.

RESULTS

Longitudinal analyses showed that the prevalence of clinically significant distress rose by 5.8% (95% CI: 4.4-7.2) from 21.3% in September 2020 to 27.1% in January 2021, compared with a 2019 pre-pandemic estimate of 21% in this cohort. Fixed effects analyses confirmed that the second COVID-19 wave was associated with a significant within-person increase in distress (d = 0.15, p < .001). Increases were particularly pronounced among those with school-age children in the home.

LIMITATIONS

A non-specific measure of mental health symptoms was utilized and it was not possible to separate the potential impact of the pandemic from other changes occurring in tandem within the study period.

CONCLUSION

Clinically significant distress rose during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and reached levels similar to those observed in the immediate aftermath of the first pandemic wave.

Sexual Concurrency Among Adolescent Women With Multiple Partners: A Daily Diary Study

PURPOSE

Sexual partnerships that overlap in some period of time (i.e., concurrent) are a key factor in sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission. Research examining concurrency among adolescents typically uses person-level, cross-sectional, and/or retrospective data, obscuring factors that manifest on any given occasion of concurrency. We used sexual diaries to examine: (1) daily prevalence of vaginal sex concurrency when two partners are reported by adolescent women; and (2) individual, relational, and behavioral attributes that impact the likelihood of sex with neither partner, with one partner or the other, or with both partners on any given day.

METHODS

Daily diaries were drawn from a large longitudinal cohort study examining sexual relationships, behaviors, and STIs among adolescent women. Participants contributed 280,844 partner-associated diary entries, of which (27.9%; n = 78,356) indicated multiple partners. All two-partner diary entries were retained for analysis (N = 323; Mage = 17.55; 90% African American). Random intercept mixed-effects multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the impact of predictor variables on odds of having sex with one or the other, both, or neither partner.

RESULTS

Most two-partner days (93.5%) involved no sex with either partner. Few reports (.2%) indicated same-day sexual concurrency. Older age, greater partner support, and higher sexual interest increased the likelihood of sex with both partners on the same day.

CONCLUSIONS

Individual, relational, and behavioral factors predict concurrency in ways that challenge assumptions that secondary partnerships constitute negligible relationships. Programs targeting partner concurrency in adolescents may find success tailoring messaging around these findings.

Longitudinal latent class analysis of tobacco use and correlates among young adults over a 10-year period

INTRODUCTION

We assessed patterns and correlates, including demographic characteristics, psychological factors, and social role transitions, of young adults' tobacco use over time.

METHODS

In the fall of 2010, we recruited a cohort of 3146 students from 11 colleges in North Carolina and Virginia. Participants completed baseline and at least two survey waves between 2010 and 2019.

RESULTS

The sample was 49.8% female, 15.7% non-white, and 6.6% Hispanic. Longitudinal latent class analysis revealed a five-class model with distinct patterns and correlates of tobacco use. Limited Use (52.6% of sample) had minimal use. College-Limited Combustible Tobacco Users (18.6%) had moderate probability of cigarette, cigar, and waterpipe smoking, which decreased to no use post-college. Intermittent Sustained Polytobacco Users (10.9%) had low probability of use that continued post-college. College Polytobacco with Continued Cigarette and E-Cigarette Users (14.5%) had high probability of use of cigarette smoking and increasing probability of e-cigarette, both of which continued post-college. Sustained Polytobacco Users (5.7%) had moderate probability of use of tobacco products across all waves.

CONCLUSIONS

Patterns of tobacco use varied considerably. In most classes, tobacco use was highest during freshman year and in three classes, use continued post-college. Prevention activities should focus on first-year students and target those at risk for post-college tobacco use.

A practical guide for researchers and reviewers using the ABCD Study and other large longitudinal datasets

As the largest longitudinal study of adolescent brain development and behavior to date, the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study® has provided immense opportunities for researchers across disciplines since its first data release in 2018. The size and scope of the study also present a number of hurdles, which range from becoming familiar with the study design and data structure to employing rigorous and reproducible analyses. The current paper is intended as a guide for researchers and reviewers working with ABCD data, highlighting the features of the data (and the strengths and limitations therein) as well as relevant analytical and methodological considerations. Additionally, we explore justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts as they pertain to the ABCD Study and other large-scale datasets. In doing so, we hope to increase both accessibility of the ABCD Study and transparency within the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience.

A longitudinal study investigating positive body image, eating disorder symptoms, and other related factors among a community sample of men in the UK

Emerging research suggests that positive body image-an overall love and respect for one's body- may be a protective factor for eating disorder (ED) symptoms. This study aimed to explore the relationships between positive body image, ED symptoms, and related factors among men across time. A community sample of 440 British men completed questionnaires at Time 1 and Time 2 (1 year later). Linear models showed that, unexpectedly, positive body image at Time 1 did not predict change in ED symptoms at Time 2, and ED symptoms at Time 1 did not predict change in positive body image at Time 2. However, positive body image at Time 1 did predict increased appearance satisfaction and decreased appearance-ideal internalisation at Time 2. Increased positive body image at Time 2 was only predicted by appearance satisfaction at Time 1. Although no evidence for a longitudinal relationship between positive body image and ED symptoms was found, positive body image did predict change in established risk factors for disordered eating among men. Future research on positive body image and eating behaviour among men could be improved by including assessments of muscularity-oriented and adaptive eating behaviours.

Longitudinal Study of Depression on Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Financial Capacity

OBJECTIVES

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) among other cognitive deficits also includes impairments in financial capacity, but so far the role of depression in time has not been examined. We aimed to examine the hypothesis that individuals with aMCI and comorbid worsening depression levels would demonstrate greater deficits in financial capacity atone year in relation to multiple-domain aMCI patients with stable levels of depression, aMCI patients without depression and healthy individuals.

METHODS

Ninety-six Greek women and 24 men aged 54 and older (multiple-domain aMCI with, stable and increased levels of depression at one year, aMCI without depressive symptoms, and cognitively intact elders with and without depression) were examined with the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the Legal Capacity for Property Law Transactions Assessment Scale (LCPLTAS).

RESULTS

Bootstrapped ANCOVA was implemented. Multiple-domain aMCI patients' performance regarding financial capacity is severely impaired when depression co-exists, resembling the performance of patients with mild Alzheimer's disease, and it declines further when depression deteriorates.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings contribute to the limited evidence in financial capacity assessment when depression co-exists showing that higher depressive symptom scores are associated with reduced financial capacity scores and deterioration of depressive symptomatology worsens not only general cognitive outcome, but financial capacity in particular.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Proactive care for individuals with depression is needed as this condition severely influences financial capacity in aMCI.

[Patient-reported outcomes and quality of care in specialized palliative home care: a nationwide, prospective longitudinal cohort trial]

INTRODUCTION

Since 2007, patients receiving palliative care have been entitled to specialised outpatient palliative care (SAPV). Until now, the quality of care of the SAPV was only regionally focussed or in relation to individual SAPV teams. A nationwide analysis of outcome quality is still awaited. The organisation and design of structures and processes vary greatly from region to region, which complicates a comparative assessment of implementation. One way to measure the quality of the heterogeneous structures and processes is to collect patient-reported outcomes. Here, it is possible to use symptom burden, quality of care and patient satisfaction with SAPV care, since patients' quality of life is a central focus of SAPV care. This article is part of the research project SAVOIR, which is funded by the G-BA Innovation Fund.

METHODS

For this prospective longitudinal survey of the outcome quality of SAPV, structured data were collected at two measurement points (t₁ and t₂ [4-10 days after t₁]). A nationwide, representative sample of SAPV teams was targeted. These teams performed consecutive recruitment of patients included in SAPV. Two questionnaire instruments were used: the IPOS (Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale) at t₁ and t₂, and the QUAPS (quality control in specialized palliative home care) questionnaire at t₂. Patient-reported outcomes measured improvement in symptom burden, patient satisfaction, and quality of care from the patient perspective. In addition, an exploratory stepwise regression analysis of factors associated with satisfaction was conducted.

RESULTS

42 SAPV teams agreed to participate in the study. They recruited a total of 964 patients at measurement time t₁ (t₂: 690 patients). The analyses show that the number and intensity of symptoms from the patient perspective decreased significantly during the course of SAPV treatment, especially pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, but also psychological complaints. 74.7 % of the patients reported a high level of satisfaction with SAPV. Also, the quality of care was considered to be high by the patients. Exploratively, five factors were extracted that explain 55 % of the satisfaction with SAPV: respect for the patient's decision, quality of communication, support with practical problems, and referral to care measures as well as symptom relief between the two measurement points.

CONCLUSIONS

The SAPV patients recruited from a total of nine KV regions reported a reduced symptom burden and a high level of satisfaction with SAPV and rated the quality of care provided by SAPV as high.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems use predicts transitions in cigarette smoking among young adults

BACKGROUND

Although cigarette smoking during young adulthood is characterized by volatility, few studies examine if use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) impacts transitions in cigarette use behaviors across this developmental period. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the role of ENDS use on three transitions in cigarette smoking among young adults; initiation, desistance, and re-uptake.

METHODS

Participants were 5029 18-29-year-olds (64.2% female) enrolled in one of 24 Texas colleges at baseline and involved in an eight-wave, 4.5-year study. A multi-state, continuous time Markov model was used to assess the role of current/past 30-day and ever ENDS use on three transitions, spanning at least six months 1) never to current smoking (initiation); 2) current to non-current smoking (desistance); and 3) non-current to current smoking (re-uptake). The model also contained time-invariant socio-demographic, and time-varying intrapersonal (other tobacco use, nicotine dependence, sensation seeking, depressive symptoms) and interpersonal (peer cigarette use) covariates.

RESULTS

Both current and ever ENDS use increased the probability of transitioning from never to current cigarette use (initiation) and decreased the probability of transitioning from current to non-current use (desistance). Current, but not ever, ENDS use also increased the probability of transitioning from non-current to current use (re-uptake). Adjustment for socio-demographic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal covariates did not alter these findings.

DISCUSSION

ENDS use in young adulthood increases the risk for cigarette smoking behaviors across the continuum of uptake and progression. Prevention and cessation efforts targeting both ENDS and cigarette use during young adulthood are needed.

A longitudinal qualitative study to explore and optimize self-management in mild to end stage chronic kidney disease patients with limited health literacy: Perspectives of patients and health care professionals

OBJECTIVES

Limited health literacy (LHL) is associated with faster kidney deterioration. Health care professionals (HCPs) promote self-management to maintain kidney function, which is difficult for patients with LHL. Evidence lacks on perceived barriers and best strategies to optimize their self-management. Our study aims to explore experiences with and barriers for self-management from the perspectives of LHL patients and HCPs to identify strategies to optimize self-management.

METHODS

We performed a longitudinal qualitative study with semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions among CKD patients and LHL (n = 24) and HCPs (n = 37) from general practices and hospitals.

RESULTS

Four themes arose among patients: (1) CKD elusiveness, (2) suboptimal intake of knowledge (3) not taking a front-seat role, and (4) maintaining change. Among HCPs, three themes emerged: (1) not recognizing HL problems, (2) lacking effective strategies, and (3) health care barriers.

CONCLUSION

We suggest three routes to optimize self-management: providing earlier information, applying person-centered strategies to maintain changes, and improving competencies of HCPs.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

HCPs need to explain CKD self-management better to prevent kidney deterioration. New interventions, based on behavioral approaches, are needed to optimize self-management. HCPs need training to improve recognition and support of LHL patients.

Loneliness and psychological distress before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Relationships with social media identity bubbles

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being and mental health are a concern worldwide. This article is based on two longitudinal studies that investigated the role of social media use in loneliness and psychological distress before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study 1 utilized nationally representative 3-point longitudinal data (n = 735) collected in 2017–2020 on the Finnish population. Study 2 utilized 5-point longitudinal data (n = 840) collected in 2019–2021 representing the Finnish working population. We analyzed the data using multilevel mixed-effects regression analysis. A longitudinal analysis of Study 1 showed that perceived loneliness did not increase among the Finnish population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stronger involvement in social media identity bubbles predicted lower loneliness during the pandemic. Study 2 results showed that since the outbreak of the pandemic, psychological distress has increased among lonely individuals but not among the general working population. Involvement in social media identity bubbles predicted generally lower psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it did not buffer against higher psychological distress among lonely individuals. The findings suggest that perceived loneliness is a risk factor for prolonged negative mental health effects of the pandemic. Social media identity bubbles can offer meaningful social resources during times of social distancing but cannot protect against higher psychological distress among those who perceive themselves as often lonely.

"You still want to go lots of places": Exploring walking interviews in research with older migrants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Walking interviews have become prevalent in social sciences, however, their use in research with older people is limited. This article offers a reflexive account of our ethical and methodological choices and practices while conducting walking interviews with older migrants, and considers the potential of this method in researching migrants' aging in place.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study had a longitudinal, multi-sited (London and Yorkshire), qualitatively driven multi-method research design. In 2018-19, in-depth interviews were conducted with 45 older migrants originally from the Caribbean, Ireland and Poland; followed by walking interviews with a sub-sample of 9 participants 6-12 months later. The majority of participants were over 80 years old.

RESULTS

Our study demonstrated that walking interviews are a promising method to explore in-depth a variety of relevant issues including older migrants' mobility, health and wellbeing; navigating places through everyday activities; interactions with local neighbourhoods over time, and the meanings associated with such experiences. Through direct exposure to the physicality of places, walking interviews can elicit rich and complex data that would be difficult to collect through other methods.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Conducting walking interviews with older migrants has unique thematic potential. However, a range of ethical and practical challenges need to be considered, including a risk to revealing participants' identities and adopting an ethics-in-practice approach. The method has some limitations, especially with less mobile participants. Implications for researchers, policymakers and practitioners are suggested.

The role of electronic cigarette use for quitting or reducing combustible cigarette use in the 30s: Longitudinal changes and moderated relationships

BACKGROUND

Evidence for use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) as a potential aid in quitting or reducing combustible cigarette (c-cig) use is mixed. This study examined the extent to which e-cig initiation among smokers in their 30 s predicted quitting or reducing smoking or nicotine dependence symptoms by age 39, and whether the role of e-cigs in quitting differed by prospectively assessed moderators.

METHODS

Data were from the Seattle Social Development Project (SSDP), a panel study of 808 diverse participants with high retention. A subsample of 221 smokers at age 33 was selected for analysis. Self-reports of c-cig use and dependence were assessed longitudinally at ages 33 and 39. Sixteen potential moderators were examined, including social demographics, smoking attitudes and desire to quit, other health behaviors and status, and adolescent and early adult assessments of smoking history.

RESULTS

The use of e-cigs was consistently associated with a lower likelihood of quitting c-cigs by age 39, after accounting for frequency of prior c-cig use at age 33. This negative association persisted across all moderators examined, although it was nonsignificant among those with a definite desire to cut down. Among those who did not quit smoking, e-cig use had no association with decreases in either quantity of c-cigs used or dependence symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate that e-cigarette use was not helpful for quitting or reducing combustible cigarette use in the 30 s. Rather, across extensive tests of moderation, e-cig initiation consistently predicted less quitting during this important age period for successful cessation.

Trajectory of Maternal Postpartum Depressive Symptoms Moderates the Bidirectional Associations between Maternal Intrusive Parenting and Infant Fear

BACKGROUND

The association between maternal intrusive parenting and infant fear remains poorly understood, especially in the persistence of maternal postpartum depression. The current study investigated the moderating role of maternal postpartum depressive symptoms on the bidirectional link between maternal intrusive parenting and infant fear, among a sample of low-income, rural mothers.

METHODS

. A sample of 1,292 mothers reported their depressive symptoms at 2, 6, 15, and 24 months postpartum, whereas their intrusive parenting behavior and infant fear were observed at infants age 6, 15, and 24 months.

RESULTS

. Latent growth curve models revealed that maternal postpartum depressive symptoms increased over 2 years. From 6 months to 24 months, maternal intrusive parenting remained stable, and infant fear increased. Moderation analyses revealed that when mothers had low levels of initial depressive symptoms, a higher initial level of maternal intrusive parenting predicted a faster increase of infant fear. Additionally, when mothers' depressive symptoms showed a fast increase, a higher initial level of infant fear predicted a faster reduction in maternal intrusive parenting.

LIMITATIONS

. The low-income, rural community sample limited the generalizability of the current findings.

CONCLUSIONS

. The interplay between maternal intrusive parenting and infant fear supports a transactional model of child development in the context of maternal depression, with implications for future research and intervention efforts.

Bone resorption and dietary calcium in pregnancy-a window to future maternal bone health

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy is characterized by increased bone turnover and reversible loss of bone mineral density (BMD) to meet fetal calcium demands. The long-term effect of bone turnover and maternal diet in pregnancy on maternal bone is not well established.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine if an association exists between [1] bone resorption, [2] dietary calcium, and [3] serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in pregnancy with maternal BMD 5-year postpartum.

DESIGN

This is a prospective, longitudinal study of 107 women recruited to the ROLO low glycemic index dietary intervention trial in pregnancy and followed-up at 13, 28, and 34 weeks' gestation and 5 years' postpartum. At 13 and 28 weeks' gestation, a biomarker of bone resorption, urine cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (uNTX), was measured. At the 5-year follow-up BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Anthropometry, dietary intakes, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured in pregnancy and at 5 years. Multiple linear regression, controlling for confounders, was used for analysis.

RESULTS

Mean BMD at 5 years was 1.208 g/cm². In pregnancy, 24-34% reported dietary calcium intakes <800 mg/day. Vitamin D deficiency (< 30 nmol/L) was observed in 38-41% of women in pregnancy and in 29% of women at the 5-year follow-up. At 13 and 28 weeks' gestation, uNTX levels greater than the median were associated with 0.060 and 0.050 g/cm² lower BMD 5 years later, respectively. Dietary calcium <800 mg/day in trimester 3 was associated with 0.072 g/cm² lower BMD 5 years later. Vitamin D deficiency at 5 years, but not in pregnancy, was associated with lower BMD.

CONCLUSION

Higher bone resorption and low dietary calcium in pregnancy were associated with lower BMD 5 years later. These findings could enable the identification of women at risk of declining of BMD in later life, but further research is needed. Adequate dietary calcium should be advised in the antenatal setting to promote lifelong maternal bone health.

Creative Technology-Based Strategies for Engaging Young People with Serious Mental Health Conditions in Longitudinal Mental Health Services Research

A better understanding of the transition from child to adult community mental health services is important given the high rates of service drop-out. Conducting longitudinal research is challenging during a major service provider change. Developmentally-typical transition-to-adulthood instability can deter study engagement. This study examines the efficacy of creative technology-based strategies to recruit and engage adolescents and young adults (AYA) with serious mental health diagnoses in a qualitative study during their transition from child to adult services. Participants were recruited from one agency to complete three in-depth qualitative interviews and monthly surveys exploring mental health service experiences over 12-months. Participants received a smartphone and data plan for 6-months at initial interview, $50 at 6-month interview and $55 at 12-month interview. Four research assistants used a shared Google Voice account to text monthly online surveys and to communicate with participants. 19 participants enrolled; 74% remained enrolled across the 12-months. Smartphones and data plans were not effective in recruiting nor sustaining study engagement for most participants. Participants preferred a mix of texting and phone calls to prompt study engagement; 60% of online surveys were completed. Unanticipated participant-researcher communication outside of research scope suggests that the formation of strong relationships and additional support during this transitional time is critical for sustained study engagement. Study findings have practical implications for social work longitudinal research design and effective study implementation. Future social work research is warranted on innovative strategies to boost study and service engagement among AYA with serious co-occurring mental health and developmental instability.

Anxiety reported by US adults in 2019 and during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic: Population-based evidence from two nationally representative samples

BACKGROUND

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the mental health of the US population is unclear. This study drew on two nationally representative samples to compare the prevalence rate of anxiety in the U.S. before and during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2) screening tool was used to detect the proportion of US adults screening positive for high levels of anxiety symptoms. Anxiety symptoms was assessed in 2019 using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS; N = 30,915) and during the pandemic using biweekly surveys collected as part of the Understanding America Study (UAS; N=8,022 Obs.=121,768) between March and December 2020.

RESULTS

The proportion of participants with high levels of anxiety symptoms increased significantly from 8.1% (95% CI[7.7, 8.5]) in 2019 to 21.4% (95% CI[19.9, 22.9]) at the beginning of April, 2020. The prevalence then declined to 11.4% (95% CI[10.3, 12.5]) in May and remained 3% above 2019 levels until December 2020. This pattern of increasing anxiety between 2019 and April 2020 followed by a rapid decrease in anxiety was identified across all demographic characteristics examined.

LIMITATIONS

The NHIS and UAS samples differ in their sampling and mode of administration which may bias comparisons between samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety symptoms increased markedly during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced quickly as stay-at-home orders were lifted. These findings highlight the importance of providing mental health supports during future lockdowns and suggest that resilience in mental health may have been a key population-level response to the demands of the pandemic.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mental Health Problems: Patterns of Difficulties and Longitudinal Trajectories in a Population-Based Twin Sample

There is increasing concern regarding additional psychiatric problems that co-occur with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as reflected in recent changes to diagnostic schemes. However, there remains little research with population-based samples across childhood. We report on additional problems, as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, in a population-based sample of 135 twins with ASD, 55 non-ASD co-twins, and 144 comparison twins low in ASD traits. Frequencies, associated demographic factors, and changes in mental health difficulties from age 4 to 13 years are presented. Our data confirm the high rates of additional difficulties reported in previous studies, and suggest that the profile, associated risk factors and longitudinal course of additional difficulties in ASD may differ from those in typically-developing populations.

Psychological distress and adaptation to the COVID-19 crisis in the United States

There is growing concern that the COVID-19 crisis may have long-standing mental health effects across society particularly amongst those with pre-existing mental health conditions. In this observational population-based study, we examined how psychological distress changed following the emergence of the COVID-19 crisis in the United States and tested whether certain population subgroups were vulnerable to persistent distress during the crisis. We analyzed longitudinal nationally representative data from eight waves of the Understanding America Study (UAS) collected between March 10th and July 20th, 2020 (N = 7319 Observations = 46,145). Differences in distress trends were examined by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and household income and by the presence of a pre-existing mental health diagnosis. Psychological distress was assessed using the standardized total score on the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). On average psychological distress increased significantly by 0.27 standard deviations (95% CI [0.23,0.31], p < .001) from March 10-18 to April 1-14, 2020 as the COVID-19 crisis emerged and lockdown restrictions began in the US. Distress levels subsequently declined to mid-March levels by June 2020 (d = -0.31, 95% CI [-0.34, -0.27], p < .001). Across the sociodemographic groups examined and those with pre-existing mental health conditions we observed a sharp rise in distress followed by a recovery to baseline distress levels. This study identified substantial increases in distress in the US during the emergence of the COVID-19 crisis that largely diminished in the weeks that followed and suggests that population level resilience in mental health may be occurring in response to the pandemic.

Tobacco Magazine Advertising Impacts Longitudinal Changes in the Number of Tobacco Products Used by Young Adults

PURPOSE

The present study examined the longitudinal associations between exposure to tobacco advertisements in magazines popular among young adults and changes in the number of tobacco products used by young adults.

METHODS

Participants were 4,824 students from 24 Texas colleges participating in a longitudinal study. Tobacco advertisements in 11 magazines, collected from 2015 to 2017, were objectively assessed and young adults self-reported the frequency of reading each magazine on five biannual surveys from 2015 to 2017. The objective and self-reported measures were multiplied to create a tobacco advertisement exposure score. Growth curve models were used to determine if exposure to tobacco advertisements in magazines predicted changes in the number of tobacco products used across the 2-year period, controlling for sociodemographic factors, ever tobacco use, recall of tobacco advertisements on the internet, and personality characteristics.

RESULTS

Young adults with more exposure to tobacco advertisements reported a slower decline in the number of tobacco products they used across time.

CONCLUSIONS

Tobacco advertising in magazines contributes to the continuation of single-product and polyproduct use among young adults. Findings highlight the need for additional federal regulations limiting advertisements for all types of tobacco products in magazines, particularly those popular among young adults, the youngest legal targets of the tobacco industry.

Electronic cigarettes in standard smoking cessation treatment by tobacco counselors in Flanders: E-cigarette users show similar if not higher quit rates as those using commonly recommended smoking cessation aids

BACKGROUND

This interventional-cohort study tried to answer if people who smoke and choose an e-cigarette in the context of smoking cessation treatment by tobacco counselors in Flanders are achieving smoking abstinence and how they compare to clients who opt for commonly recommended (or no) aids (nicotine replacement therapy, smoking cessation medication).

METHODS

Participants were recruited by tobacco counselors. They followed smoking cessation treatment (in group) for 2 months. At several times during treatment and 7 months after quit date, participants were asked to fill out questionnaires and to perform eCO measurements.

RESULTS

One third of all participants (n = 244) achieved smoking abstinence 7 months after the quit date, with e-cigarette users having higher chances to be smoking abstinent at the final session compared to NRT users. Point prevalence abstinence rates across all follow-up measurements, however, as well as continuous and prolonged smoking abstinence, were similar in e-cigarette users and in clients having chosen a commonly recommended (or no) smoking cessation aid. No differences were obtained between smoking cessation aids with respect to product use and experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

People who smoke and choose e-cigarettes in the context of smoking cessation treatment by tobacco counselors show similar if not higher smoking cessation rates compared to those choosing other evidence-based (or no) smoking cessation aids.

Association between Speech Recognition in Noise and Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease

INTRODUCTION

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) are associated with sensorineural hearing loss. CVD risk factors are known to cluster and interact, thereby increasing the cumulative risk for CVD. Previously, using the database of the Netherlands Longitudinal Study on Hearing (NL-SH), an association was found between a history of smoking and an increased decline in speech recognition in noise over 10 years of follow-up. Prospectively limited data are available on the association between CVD risk factors, interactions of these risk factors, and hearing loss. In this study, data from the NL-SH were used to study the association between CVD risk factors and speech recognition in noise longitudinally.

METHODS

Baseline, 5-year, and 10-year follow-up data of the NL-SH were included. The NL-SH is a web-based prospective cohort study which started in 2006. Participants were aged 18-70 years at baseline. Speech recognition in noise was determined with an online digit-triplet speech-in-noise test. In addition, participants completed online questionnaires on demographic, lifestyle, and health-related characteristics. The association of the ability to recognize speech in noise with CVD risk factors (i.e., obesity, rheumatoid arthritis [RA], hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia) was analyzed longitudinally. We also analyzed the interaction between these risk factors (including age, sex, and history of smoking) and speech recognition in noise.

RESULTS

None of the CVD risk factors or interactions of 2 CVD risk factors was significantly associated with a decline in SRT over time. Obesity (p = 0.016), RA (p = 0.027), and hypertension (p = 0.044) were associated with overall higher (more unfavorable) SRTs. No overall interactions between CVD risk factors were found.

CONCLUSION

Obesity, RA, and hypertension were overall associated with a higher SRT, but no longitudinal associations between these or other CVD factors with SRTs were found. Also, no interactions between 2 CVD risk factors and SRTs were found. Although no longitudinal associations between CVD risk factors and decline in SRTs were found, clinicians should be alert about the concurrent association between CVD risk factors and hearing loss.

Depression reported by US adults in 2017-2018 and March and April 2020

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the associated social distancing and lockdown restrictions are expected to have substantial and enduring mental health effects. In this study, we aimed to assess depression levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

METHODS

We used the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) brief screening instrument to detect probable depression in two nationally representative surveys of US adults. Pre-pandemic levels of depression were assessed in a sample of 5,075 adults from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Depression was assessed in March (N = 6,819) and April 2020 (N = 5,428) in the Understanding America Study, a representative sample of the US population.

RESULTS

The percentage of US adults with depression increased significantly from 8.7% (95% CI[7.6%-9.8%]) in 2017-2018 to 10.6% (95% CI[9.6%-11.6%) in March 2020 and 14.4% (95% CI[13.1%-15.7%]) in April 2020. Statistically significant increases in depression levels were observed for all population subgroups examined with the exception of those aged 65+ years and Black participants. Young adults (aged 18-34) experienced a marked increase in depression of 13.4 percentage points (95% CI [9.5%-17.2%]) that was larger than any other age group. Additional analyses of depression trends in NHANES from 2007/2008-2017/2018 showed that the substantial increase in depression in April 2020 was unlikely to be due to typical year-to-year variation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that depression levels have risen substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic and reinforce recent findings indicating that young adults may be particularly vulnerable to the mental health effects of the pandemic.

Examining quality of life in an Australian cohort of people with epilepsy over six years - Understanding the role of stigma and mood

AIM

Research examining quality of life (QoL) among people living with epilepsy (PWE) consistently highlights the detrimental impact of stigma, anxiety, and depression, as well as the dynamic and changing nature of QoL over time. This paper represents the first panel study of the Australian Epilepsy Longitudinal Survey (AELS), examining factors that influence the QoL of PWE over a six-year interval, particularly focusing on experiences of stigma, depression, and anxiety.

METHODS

Ninety-two adults participated in both Wave 2 (T1; 2010) and Wave 4 (T2; 2016/17) of the AELS. Average age at T2 was 53.4 years [standard deviation (SD) = 15.3; range: 22-82; 55% female]. Over the study interval, there was a shift towards more younger participants moving out of high school and older participants moving into retirement. We explored the impact of (i) experiences of stigma, (ii) mood, and (iii) sociodemographic factors on QoL at both T1 and T2 via the use of correlation analyses. Hierarchical regression was used to determine the strongest predictors of QoL at T2.

RESULTS

Occurrence of recent seizures, stigma, anxiety, and depression measured at T1 were all significantly correlated with total QoL at both T1 and T2. Sociodemographic factors including years of education, and weekly income before tax were not significantly correlated with QoL at either T1 or T2. QoL and depression at T1 were identified as the strongest predictors of QoL at T2 (six years later).

DISCUSSION

The current study supports previous research highlighting the importance of psychological factors in understating QoL in PWE, particularly stigma, anxiety, and depression. In particular, it highlights the impact of depression on QoL over a 6-year interval, providing evident for the long-term nature of this relationship.

Grandparenthood and risk of mortality: Findings from the Health and Retirement Study

Grandparenthood constitutes a significant role for older adults and may have important health implications. Our study examines the grandparenthood-mortality nexus, controlling for an array of potentially confounding variables. Longitudinal survey data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used, comprising twelve biennial waves from 1992 to 2014 with linked data on vital status derived from the National Death Index. The sample included 27,463 participants aged ≥51 years with at least one child. Cox proportional hazard models tested the association between grandparenthood and mortality risk with adjustment for socio-demographic variables, for social variables including characteristics of and contact with children, and for health variables, including measures of general, functional and mental health. Grandparenthood overall was unassociated with mortality risk in both women and men. However, the subpopulation of younger, partnered grandmothers with a larger number of grandchildren tended to exhibit a substantial increase in mortality risk as compared to women without grandchildren.

The intergenerational impact of war on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing: lessons from the longitudinal study of war-affected youth in Sierra Leone

Background

Globally, one in four children lives in a country affected by armed conflict or disaster often accompanied by exposure to a range of adversities including violent trauma and loss. Children involved with armed groups (often referred to as "child soldiers") typically exhibit high levels of mental health needs linked to their experiences. The Longitudinal Study of War-Affected Youth (LSWAY) in Sierra Leone is a seventeen-year prospective longitudinal study of the long-term effects of children's experiences in the country's eleven-year (1991-2002) civil war on their adult mental health and functioning in addition to exploring the potential mechanisms by which intergenerational transmission of emotional and behavioral disruptions due to war trauma may operate. LSWAY illuminates how war-related and post-conflict experiences shape long-term adult functioning, family dynamics, and developmental outcomes in offspring.

Discussion

The LSWAY study utilizes mixed methodologies that incorporate qualitative and quantitative data to unpack risk and protective factors involved in social reintegration, psychosocial adjustment, parenting, and interpersonal relationships. To date, study findings demonstrate striking levels of persistent mental health problems among former child soldiers as adults with consequences for their families, but also risk and protective patterns that involve family- and community-level factors. This case study examines the course of LSWAY from inception through implementation and dissemination, including building on the study results to design and evaluate several intervention models.

Conclusion

The case study offers a unique perspective on challenges and field realities of health research in a fragile, post-conflict setting common in the context of humanitarian emergencies. LSWAY findings along with lessons learned from the field can inform future research as well as intervention research and implementation science to address the mental health and development of war-affected young people. With four waves of data collection and a planned fifth wave, LSWAY also provides rare insights into the intergenerational effects of humanitarian crises on children, youth, and families across generations.

Antibiotic dry cow therapy, somatic cell count, and milk production: Retrospective analysis of the associations in dairy herd recording data using multilevel growth models

Antibiotic dry cow therapy (DCT) is an important part of most mastitis control programs. Updating DCT recommendations is an ongoing topic due to the global problem of antimicrobial resistance. Finland, along with other Nordic countries, has implemented selective DCT for decades. Our study analyzed Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) information from 241 Finnish farmers who participated in a survey about their drying-off practices. The aim was to evaluate herd-level associations between milk somatic cell count (SCC), milk production, and various antimicrobial DCT approaches both cross-sectionally in 2016 and longitudinally in 2012-2016. The three DCT approaches in the study were selective, blanket, and no DCT use. An additional aim was to evaluate whether dynamic changes occurred in herd-average SCC and annual milk production over five years, and whether these potential changes differed between different DCT approaches. The method for the longitudinal analyses was growth modeling with random coefficient models. Differences in SCC and milk production between farms with different DCT approaches were minor. Regardless of the farm's DCT approach, annual milk production increased over the years, while average SCC was reasonably constant. The variability in SCC and milk production across all DCT groups was low between years, and most of the variability was between farms. Compared to other milking systems, farms with automatic milking system (AMS) had higher SCC, and in 2016 higher milk production. The results of this study suggest that it is possible to maintain low herd-average SCC and good milk production when using selective DCT and following the guidelines for prudent antimicrobial use. Average SCC and milk production varied across the herds, suggesting that advice on DCT practices should be herd-specific. The methodology of growth modeling using random coefficient models was applicable in analyzing longitudinal data, in which the time frame was relatively short and the number of herds was limited.

What hypertensive patients want to know [and from whom] about their disease: a two-year longitudinal study

Background

This study explored both the evolution of the information needs and the perceived relevance of different health information sources in patients with essential hypertension. It also investigated the relationships between information needs and the perceived relevance of information sources with socio-demographic and clinical variables.

Methods

Two hundred and two patients with essential arterial hypertension were enrolled in the study and evaluated at baseline and during three follow-ups at 6, 12 and 24 months after baseline. Patients had a mean age of 54.3 years [range 21–78; SD = 10.4], and 43% were women. Repeated measures ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc tests, and Cochran’s Q Test were performed to test differences in variables of interest over time.

Results

It was observed a significant reduction in all the domains of information needs related to disease management except for pharmacological treatment and risks and complications. At baseline, patients reported receiving health information primarily from specialists, general practitioners, relatives, and television, but the use of these sources decreased over time, even if the decrease was significant only for relatives. Multiple patterns of relationships were found between information needs and the perceived relevance of sources of information and socio-demographics and clinical variables, both at baseline and over time.

Conclusions

The findings showed a general decrease in both the desire for information and the perceived relevance of different information sources. Hypertensive patients appeared to show little interest in health communication topics as their disease progressed. Understanding patients’ information needs and the perceived relevance of different information sources is the first step in implementing tailored communication strategies that can promote patients’ self-management skills and optimal clinical outcomes.

Identifying predictors of probable posttraumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents with earthquake exposure: A longitudinal study using a machine learning approach

BACKGROUND

Evidence has identified risk factors associated with individuals with trauma exposure who develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). How to combine risk factors to predict probable PTSD in young survivors using machine learning is limited. The study aimed to integrated multiple measures at 2 weeks after the earthquake using machine learning for the prediction of probable PTSD at 3 months after earthquake.

METHODS

A total of 2099 young survivors with earthquake exposure were included. We integrated multiple domains of variables to 'train' a machine learning algorithm (XGBoost). Thirty-one combination types were implemented and evaluated. The resulting XGBoost was utilized in identifying individual participants as either probable PTSD or no PTSD.

RESULTS

Any combination type predicted young survivor probable PTSD, with prediction accuracies ranging between 66%-80% (p < 0.05). In particular, the combination of earthquake experience, everyday functioning, somatic symptoms and sleeping correctly predicted 683 out of 802 cases of probable PTSD, translating to a classical accuracy of 74.476% (85.156% sensitivity and 60.366% specificity) and an area under the curve of 0.80. The most relevant variables (e.g. age, sex, property loss and a sedentary lifestyle) revealed in the present study.

LIMITATIONS

Participants from a specific district might limit the generalizability of our results. Self-report questionnaires and non-standardized measures were used to assess symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Detection of probable PTSD according to self-reported measurement data is feasible, may improve operational efficiencies via enabling targeted intervention, before manifestation of symptoms.

Matching anonymous participants in longitudinal research on sensitive topics: Challenges and recommendations

The purpose of this study was to examine the final analytic sample of a longitudinal randomized control trial (RCT) evaluation of a sexual violence prevention program at a university after facing challenges with the implementation of a self-generated identification code. The matched and unmatched samples (e.g., all unique surveys across all time periods) included 10,135 surveys. Eighty-eight percent of these surveys were matched into the final longitudinal dataset. Findings suggest that students with certain characteristics were more likely to be matched over time (i.e., students who participated in student government, Latino/a students, and Asian students). In addition, students who did not comply with RCT protocol were less likely to be matched. Student history of victimization or perpetration of sexual violence was not associated with being matched over time. This study provides recommendations for preventing matching problems in longitudinal studies, a process for rectifying matching issues and a critique of studies that do not address issues of matching-related sample bias in their final analytic sample.

Disability incidence and functional decline among older adults with major chronic diseases

Background

More than 80% of elderly Americans have at least one chronic disease. While past studies have shown that hierarchical patterns of functional loss may differ by gender and institutional settings, little is known about whether such patterns differ in relation to chronic health condition. The aim of this study is to investigate the pattern of functional loss among older adults with major chronic illnesses, and to compare their onset and ordering of incident ADL disability with those of persons without such conditions.

Methods

We use a nationally representative sample of persons aged 80+ from the 1998–2014 Asset and Health Dynamics of the Oldest Old survey. The group with major noncommunicable diseases (including cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes) comprises 3,514,052 subjects, while the comparison group comprises 1,073,263 subjects. Self-reports of having difficulty with six distinct ADLs are used to estimate disability incidence rate. Nonparametric statistical methods are used to derive median onset ages and ADL loss sequence separately for each group.

Results

Older adults with major chronic diseases have higher rates of incident disability across all ADL items. Estimated median onset ages of ADL disabilities for the full sample range from 91.5 to 95.6. Disability occurs earlier for chronically ill persons (onset ages 91.1–95.0) than for those in the comparison group (onset ages 93.5–98.1). Among those with major chronic diseases, the ADL loss sequence ordered by median ages of disability onset is bathing, walking, dressing, toileting, transferring and eating. The activities are also distinctly separated into an early-loss cluster and a late-loss cluster. Although the loss sequence derived for the comparison group is largely similar, disability progression for those with major chronic diseases is compressed within a shorter timeframe and the timing gaps between adjacent disabilities are smaller.

Conclusions

Older Americans with major noncommunicable diseases face an earlier and steeper slope of functional decline. Chronic care delivery programs should adapt to dynamic changes in older patients’ functional status. Health interventions to help patients delay disability onset and optimize functional autonomy within emerging models of chronic care should especially target early-loss activities such as bathing, dressing, and walking.