Sleep Problems Among Black Youth Exposed to Police Violence on Digital Media.

Findings from a recent survey of a community-based sample of Black youth ages 12 through 21 in Baltimore City, Maryland (n = 345) reveal that viewing fatal police violence videos is associated with significant increases in the odds of youth sleep disturbances, and about 30% of this association is attributable to emotional distress after viewing the videos.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trajectories of Firearm Exposure in Childhood.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the longitudinal relationship between exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in early life and trajectories of firearm exposure from early to middle childhood (ages 5-9 years old). STUDY DESIGN: Data from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LOGSCAN) study were used. The LONGSCAN study was a prospective study in the United States and contained data from 1354 children from age 4 to age 18 years old. Exposure to ACEs was measured through the wave 1 interview (age 5 years old) and trajectories of firearm exposure were created using data from waves 1 (age 5 years old) and two (age 9 years old). RESULTS: Two trajectories of firearm exposure in childhood were identified: a low exposure group and a group with persistently-high firearm exposure from ages 5 to 9 years old. ACEs were associated with membership in the high exposure group and children with four or more ACEs had over twice the odds of membership in the high exposure group compared with children with zero ACEs. CONCLUSION: ACEs exposure in early childhood is associated with persistently-high exposure to firearms from early to middle childhood. This finding highlights the need for pediatricians to consider screening for both ACEs and firearm exposure in routine examinations, as well as the need for future research to identify and evaluate interventions intended to address exposure to adversity and firearms.

National Burden of Injury and Deaths From Shootings by Police in the United States, 2015‒2020.

Objectives. To describe all-outcome injurious shootings by police and compare characteristics of fatal versus nonfatal injurious shootings nationally. Methods. From July 2021 to April 2023, we manually reviewed publicly available records on all 2015-2020 injurious shootings by US police, identified from Gun Violence Archive. We estimated injury frequency, case fatality rates, and relative odds of death by incident and victim characteristics. Results. A total of 1769 people were injured annually in shootings by police, 55% fatally. When a shooting injury occurred, odds of fatality were 46% higher following dispatched responses than police-initiated responses. Injuries associated with physically threatening or threat-making behaviors, behavioral health needs, and well-being checks were most frequently fatal. Relative to White victims, Black victims were overrepresented but had 35% lower odds of fatal injury when shot. Conclusions. This first multiyear, nationwide analysis of injurious shootings by US police suggests that injury disparities are underestimated by fatal shootings alone. Nonpolicing responses to social needs may prevent future injuries. Public Health Implications. We call for enhanced reporting systems, comprehensive evaluation of emerging reforms, and targeted investment in social services for equitable injury prevention. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(4):387-397. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307560).

Cumulative Police Exposures, Police Violence Stress, and Depressive Symptoms: A Focus on Black LGBQ Youth in Baltimore City, Maryland.

The present study investigates associations between cumulative police exposures, police violence stress, and depressive symptoms among Black youth, and whether LGBQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer) identities moderate these associations. Data come from the Survey of Police-Adolescent Contact Experiences (SPACE), a cross-sectional survey of a community-based sample of Black youth ages 12-21 in Baltimore City, Maryland (n = 345), administered from August 2022 to July 2023. We used multivariable ordinary least squares regression to estimate direct associations and product-term analysis to test for effect modification by sexual identities. We also calculate covariate-adjusted predicted depressive symptoms scores by cumulative police exposures and police violence stress across sexual identities. Findings indicate that LGBQ youth collectively reported higher levels of police violence stress than heterosexual youth. Still, LGBQ youth varied in their cumulative police exposures, which were significantly higher among bisexual and queer youth than lesbian or gay youth. Associations between cumulative police exposures, police violence stress, and depressive symptoms were significantly moderated by LGBQ identity, with the largest associations emerging for bisexual and queer youth. Police exposures and police violence stress also compounded to worsen depressive symptoms among the subsample of LGBQ youth. Collectively, our findings suggest that LGBQ youth-especially bisexual and queer youth-may be particularly vulnerable to the mental health harms of cumulative police exposures and police violence stress. Intersectional, public health approaches that combine prevention and treatment strategies are needed to mitigate LGBQ mental health inequities stemming from cumulative police exposures and police violence stress.

Sex Work and Educational Mobility: Results from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health.

The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between sex work involvement and education mobility among a national sample of US young adults. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; N = 7732) were analyzed to explore the prospective association between lifetime sex work involvement measured in young adulthood (Wave III; ages 18-26) and educational mobility measured in adulthood (Wave V; ages 33-43). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for relevant demographic and control variables. Results indicated that young adults who reported ever having been paid for sex by the ages of 18-26 had twofold greater risk (95% confidence interval 1.26-3.18) of having downward educational mobility compared to a stable level of education, or the same education, relative to their parents in adulthood. Given that education, by means of regular social connectedness to social supports, may be the most salient resiliency factor protecting adolescents from potential risks associated with sex work involvement (e.g., stigma, isolation from services), the findings from this study support the promotion of inclusive engagement from school settings to foster educational attainment and prevent poorer health and psychosocial outcomes that research to date has associated with sex work involvement.

Adverse childhood experiences and unhealthy dietary behaviours in adulthood.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) occurring before the age of 18 years and patterns of fast-food consumption and sugary beverage consumption in adulthood. The study also examines how perceived stress and socio-economic status (SES) (college educational attainment and income) in adulthood mediate this relationship. DESIGN: Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adulthood Health (N 8599), multinomial logistic regression analyses were carried out to assess the association between ACE and unhealthy dietary behaviours in adulthood. Karlson-Holm-Breen mediation analysis is used to determine the mediating effects of SES and perceived stress. SETTING: Persons living in the USA in 2016-2018. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (n 8599) aged 33-44 years. RESULTS: The findings show an association between four or more ACE and high fast-food (relative risk ratio (RRR) = 1·436, 95 % CI = 1·040, 1·983) and high sugary beverage consumption (RRR = 1·435, 95 % CI = 1·002, 2·055). The association between ACE and high fast-food consumption is partially mediated by college educational attainment, and the association between ACE and high sugary beverage consumption is partially mediated by perceived stress and college educational attainment. CONCLUSIONS: ACE can have long-term consequences for unhealthy dietary behaviours in adulthood, and this relationship is partially due to a lower likelihood of higher perceived stress and college educational attainment among ACE-exposed persons. Future research is needed to understand further the influence of ACE on dietary patterns over the life course.

Police Contact, Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, and Suicidal Ideation: Findings From a National Sample of Canadian Adolescents and Young Adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research is to investigate associations between police contact, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and suicidal ideation (SI) among a national sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults (ages 16-30). METHODS: Data used in this study were obtained from the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors (N = 940), a national survey of Canadians ages 16-30. RESULTS: Police contact was associated with higher odds of NSSI (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.37, 2.86). Those who reported police contact with intrusion (OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.49, 3.38) and police contact with harassment (OR = 3.98, 95% CI = 2.30, 6.88) had higher odds of NSSI relative to respondents with no contact. Finally, any police contact was associated with higher odds of SI (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.04, 2.34) and respondents experiencing police stops with harassment had higher odds of SI compared to those who had never been stopped (OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.45, 4.24). CONCLUSIONS: Distressing police contact heightens the risk of NSSI and SI among young people. Rigorous evaluation of trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate strategies for identifying and intervening on NSSI and SI following adverse police encounters should be prioritized.

Associations between receiving non-consensual image and video sexts and average sleep duration among adolescents and young adults.

Background Sexting is the sending and receiving of nude or partially nude images or videos. Despite it being a part of contemporary relationships, it can have adverse effects. This is particularly the case when receiving non-consensual sexts. To date, there remains a gap in the literature on whether receiving non-consensual sexts is associated with poor sleep. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the association between receiving non-consensual sexts and average sleep duration. Methods Data from Wave 2 (2022) of the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviours (N =906) were analysed. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between receiving non-consensual sexts (both image and video) in the past 12months and average sleep duration (≤5h, 6h, 7h, 8h, and ≥9h) in the past 2weeks. Analyses were stratified by gender. Results Girls and women who received non-consensual image and video sexts, compared to those who did not, were more likely to report ≤5h of average sleep in the past 2weeks, relative to 8h of average sleep. There were no significant findings among boys and men. Conclusion Findings underscore that receiving non-consensual image and video sexts may negatively impact sleep among girls and women, which may be contextualised by trauma responses experienced because of gender-based sexual violence. Healthcare and mental health professionals should be made aware of this association to provide effective care to girls and women.

Social Media Use and Alcohol Sipping in Early Adolescents: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Social media can influence alcohol initiation behaviors such as sipping, which can lead to future adverse alcohol-related outcomes. Few studies have examined the role of problematic social media use, characterized by addiction, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, and relapse, especially in early adolescence. OBJECTIVE: To examine the prospective association between social media use and sipping alcohol in a nationwide sample of early adolescents, and the extent to which problematic social media use mediates the association. METHODS: We analyzed prospective data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (N = 7514; ages 9-10 years at baseline; 2016-2018) to estimate associations between social media time (Year 1) and alcohol sipping (Year 3) using modified Poisson regression, adjusting for confounders and testing problematic social media use (Year 2) as a mediator. RESULTS: Social media time (Year 1) was prospectively associated with 1.31 (95% confidence interval 1.20-1.43) times higher risk of new-onset sipping (Year 3). The association between social media time and new-onset alcohol sipping was partially mediated by problematic social media use at Year 2 (25.0% reduction in the association between the former two factors after adding problematic social media use, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Time spent on social media was associated with a higher risk of alcohol sipping in a diverse national sample of early adolescents, and the association was partially mediated by problematic social media use. Media literacy education and family media use plans could advise early adolescents about exposure to alcohol content on social media and warning signs for problematic use.

Depression among incarcerated persons following the death of a loved one: Does social support mitigate grief?

The death of a loved one generates adverse and potentially damaging consequences for surviving family members and friends. The challenges of bereavement can be especially severe when experienced by incarcerated persons who must cope with and grieve the death while incarcerated. Yet, limited research evaluates bereavement among incarcerated persons and whether factors such as social support buffer against health-related consequences. Using data from the LoneStar Project-a study of 802 incarcerated men in Texas-we examine depressive symptoms among currently incarcerated persons with differential exposure to a loved one's death (i.e., immediate family, friends, extended family). Importantly, a high rate of death exists among incarcerated persons' loved ones, with 41% in the sample losing someone on the outside during their final year of incarceration. However, we find that external social support from family and friends and in-prison social cohesion from peers, significantly mitigate the harms of bereavement on depressive symptoms.

The Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Bullying Victimization, and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems Among Early Adolescents: Examining Cumulative and Interactive Associations.

Both adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and bullying victimization are linked with mental health problems in adolescents. However, little is known about the overlap between the two factors and how this impacts adolescent mental health problems (i.e., internalizing and externalizing problems). The current study analyzed data from 8,085 participants (47.7% female; 44.1% racial/ethnic minority) in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, baseline (2016-2018, ages 9-10 years) to Year 2. Regression analyses were used to estimate associations between ACEs, bullying victimization and mental health problems, respectively, adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, country of birth, household income, parental education, and study site. The findings showed that both ACEs and bullying victimization were independently associated with higher internalizing and higher externalizing problems. However, no significant interaction was found between ACEs and bullying victimization. Overall, the results align with the cumulative risk model of adversity, linking cumulative ACEs and bullying victimization to internalizing and externalizing problems in early adolescents.

Positive Early Childhood Experiences and School Readiness among US Preschoolers.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the relationship between positive early childhood experiences (PECEs) and school readiness, and assess whether the PECEs-school readiness relationship was robust to and/or differed across levels of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). METHODS: We analyzed national data on children ages 3-5 from 2016 to 2020 (n = 26 871) to examine associations between key PECE domains (nurturing relationships, home learning opportunities, safe and stable environments, and family routines) with being on track for school readiness, defined using a pilot, multidimensional measure called "healthy and ready to learn". Weighted univariate, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were conducted to generate nationally representative estimates. Multivariable models adjusted for sociodemographic factors and were assessed both with and without cumulative ACE exposure. RESULTS: Two-fifths of children were healthy and ready to learn. Exposure to PECEs was associated with higher school readiness, irrespective of relative ACE exposure. Compared with those with low PECEs, children with moderate (aOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.86-2.58) and high (aOR, 4.37; 95% CI, 3.58-5.34) PECEs had greater odds for being healthy and ready to learn, net of both sociodemographic factors and ACE exposure. Significant associations were robust across demographic groups (eg, race and ethnicity), ACE levels, and ACE types (eg, parental incarceration). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing PECEs correspond with greater likelihood of possessing capacities key for school functioning, even amidst ACEs. In concert with efforts to ameliorate early life trauma, caregivers, health care providers, educators, and systems can consider boosting PECEs to foster healthy development in childhood and beyond.

Screen Time from Adolescence to Adulthood and Cardiometabolic Disease: a Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have analyzed the relationship between screen time and cardiometabolic disease risk factors among adolescents, but few have examined the longitudinal effects of screen time on cardiometabolic health into adulthood using nationally representative data. OBJECTIVE: To determine prospective associations between screen time and later cardiometabolic disease over a 24-year period using a nationally representative adolescent cohort. DESIGN: Longitudinal prospective cohort data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) collected from 1994 to 2018. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents aged 11-18 years old at baseline (1994-1995) followed for 24 years. MAIN MEASURES: Predictors: screen time (five repeated measures of self-reported television and video watching from adolescence to adulthood). OUTCOMES: Five repeated measures of body mass index (BMI); two repeated measures of waist circumference, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes collected at 15- and 24-year follow-up exams. KEY RESULTS: For the 7105 adolescents in the sample (49.7% female, 35.0% non-white), the baseline adolescent average screen time per day was 2.86 ± 0.08 hours per day, which generally declined through 24-year follow-up. Average BMI at baseline was 22.57 ± 0.13 kg/m2, which increased to 30.27 ± 0.18 kg/m2 through follow-up. By 24-year follow-up, 43.4% of participants had obesity, 8.4% had diabetes, 31.8% had hypertension, and 14.9% had hyperlipidemia. In mixed-effects generalized linear models, each additional hour of screen time per day was associated with 0.06 (95% CI 0.04-0.09) within-person increase in BMI. Each additional hour of screen time per day was associated with higher within-person odds of high waist circumference (AOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.09-1.26), obesity (AOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15), and diabetes (AOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07-1.28). Screen time was not significantly associated with hypertension or hyperlipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective cohort study, higher screen time in adolescence was associated with higher odds of select indicators of cardiometabolic disease in adulthood.

Screen time, social media use, and weight-change behaviors: Results from an international sample of adolescents.

This study aimed to investigate whether screen time and social media use are associated with weight-change behaviors among an international sample of adolescents. Cross-sectional data from the 2020 International Food Policy Study Youth Survey (ages 10-17; Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United Kingdom, United States; N = 12,031) were analyzed. Self-reported hours of use of five forms of screen time (e.g., social media use), and total screen time per weekday were assessed. Use of six contemporary social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) were also assessed. Weight-change behaviors included current attempts to gain weight, lose weight, stay the same weight, and not do anything to change weight, as well as dieting to lose weight in the past 12 months. Greater total screen time per weekday was associated with attempts to gain weight and lose weight, and dieting to lose weight. Specific social media platform use was associated with weight-change behaviors. For example, use of Twitter was most strongly associated with attempts to gain weight, lose weight, and dieting to lose weight. Findings underscore the international pervasiveness of screen time and social media use correlating with weight-change behaviors among adolescents. Global efforts are needed to ensure the appropriate use of screens and social media among adolescents.

Screen time and suicidal behaviors among U.S. children 9-11 years old: A prospective cohort study.

Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents. Emerging literature has described relationships between excessive screen time and suicidal behaviors, though findings have been mixed. The objective of this study is to determine the prospective associations between screen time and suicidal behaviors two-years later in a national (U.S.) cohort of 9-11-year-old-children. We analyzed prospective cohort data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N = 11,633). Logistic regression analyses were estimated to determine the associations between baseline self-reported screen time (exposure) and suicidal behaviors (outcome) based on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS-5) at two-year-follow-up. Participants reported an average of 4.0 h of total screen time per day at baseline. At two-year-follow-up, 1.38% of the sample reported at least one suicidal behavior. Each additional hour of total screen time was prospectively associated with 1.09 higher odds of suicidal behaviors at 2-year-follow-up (95% CI 1.03-1.14), after adjusting for covariates. For specific screen time modalities, each additional hour of texting (aOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.06-1.74), video chatting (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.03-1.65), watching videos (aOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.04-1.39), and playing video games (aOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.38) was associated with higher odds of subsequent suicidal behaviors. Higher screen time is associated with higher odds of reporting suicidal behaviors at two-year-follow-up. Future research should seek to identify how specific screen time experiences may influence suicidal behaviors.

Food insecurity and binge-eating disorder in early adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: Food insecurity is defined as lack of consistent access to adequate food for healthy living. The objective of this study was to determine the associations between food insecurity and binge-eating disorder in a national cohort of 9- to 14-year-old children. METHOD: We analyzed prospective cohort data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N = 10,035, 2016-2020). Logistic regression analyses estimated the associations between food insecurity at baseline, year 1, or year 2 (exposure) and binge eating, subclinical binge-eating disorder (Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder-Binge-Eating Disorder [OSFED-BED]), and binge-eating disorder (BED) (outcome) based on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS-5) at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: The prevalence of food insecurity in the study was 15.8%. At 2-year follow-up, 1.71% of the sample received a diagnosis of BED or OSFED-BED, while 6.62% reported binge eating. Food insecurity was associated with 1.67 higher odds of BED or OSFED-BED (95% CI 1.04-2.69) and 1.31 higher odds of binge-eating symptoms (95% CI 1.01-1.71). DISCUSSION: Food insecurity in early adolescence is associated with higher odds of developing future binge-eating and BED or OSFED-BED. Clinicians may consider assessing for binge eating in adolescents with food insecurity and provide support in accessing appropriate food resources. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Prior research has shown that food insecurity is associated with disordered eating behaviors, including binge eating in adulthood. This study explored whether food insecurity in early adolescence increases risk for developing binge-eating disorder (BED). Targeted screening for BED in adolescents experiencing FI, and vice versa, may be warranted.

Cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in US early adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the association between cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in a national sample of 10-14-year-old early adolescents. METHOD: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (Year 2, 2018-2020, N = 10,258/11,875, 49% female, 46% non-White). Data were collected using multi-stage probability sampling. Modified Poisson regression analyses examined the association between cyberbullying and self-reported eating disorder symptoms based on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS-5). RESULTS: Cyberbullying victimization was associated with worry about weight gain (prevalence ratio [PR] 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48-3.91), self-worth tied to weight (PR 2.08, 95% CI 1.33-3.26), inappropriate compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain (PR 1.95, 95% CI 1.57-2.42), binge eating (PR 1.95, 95% CI 1.59-2.39), and distress with binge eating (PR 2.64, 95% CI 1.94-3.59), in models adjusting for potential confounders. Cyberbullying perpetration was associated with worry about weight gain (PR 3.52, 95% CI 1.19-10.37), self-worth tied to weight (PR 5.59, 95% CI 2.56-12.20), binge eating (PR 2.36, 95% CI 1.44-3.87), and distress with binge eating (PR 2.84, 95% CI 1.47-5.49). DISCUSSION: Cyberbullying victimization and perpetration in early adolescence are associated with eating disorder symptoms. Clinicians may consider assessing for cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in early adolescence and provide anticipatory guidance. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Eating disorders often onset in adolescence and have among the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disorder. In addition, cyberbullying has increased in prevalence among adolescents and significantly impacts mental health. In a national study of early adolescents, we found that cyberbullying victimization and perpetration are associated with eating disorder symptoms. Screening for and providing anticipatory guidance on cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in early adolescents may be warranted.

Adverse childhood experiences and prescription opioid use during pregnancy: an analysis of the North and South Dakota PRAMS, 2019-2020.

OBJECTIVES: This study assesses the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and prescription opioid use during pregnancy. METHODS: This study uses data on 2,999 individuals from the 2019 and 2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) from North Dakota and South Dakota. The relationship between ACEs and prescription opioid use during pregnancy is examined using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of prescription opioid use increases alongside more ACE exposure. Compared to those with no ACEs, recent mothers with three or more ACEs have a 2.4 greater odds of prescription opioid use during pregnancy (aOR [adjusted odds ratio] = 2.437; 95% CI [confidence interval] = 1.319, 4.503). CONCLUSION: Exposure to three or more ACEs are associated with a higherrisk of prescription opioid use during pregnancy. Additional research is needed better understand the mechanisms that link ACEs and prescription opioid use during pregnancy, as well as how to best support those with ACEs exposure in a trauma-informed manner to reduce the risk of substance use.

Problematic social media use and alcohol expectancies in early adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol expectancies are beliefs regarding positive (e.g., tension reduction) or negative (e.g., loss of motor coordination) effects of alcohol. Based on Social Learning Theory, social media can influence alcohol expectancies in adolescents. In particular, problematic social media use - which can reflect elements of addiction, including mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, and relapse - could be linked to alcohol expectancies. We aimed to determine the associations between problematic social media use and alcohol expectancies in a national (U.S.) cohort of 10-14-year-old early adolescents. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N = 9,008) at the Year 2 assessment (2018-2020). Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between problematic social media use and alcohol expectancies (positive and negative), adjusting for race/ethnicity, sex, household income, parent education, sexual orientation, parental marital status, and study site. Furthermore, we computed marginal predicted probabilities to aid in interpreting findings. RESULTS: The sample was 48.7% female and racially and ethnically diverse (43.0% non-White), with a mean age of 12.02 ± 0.66 years old. In models adjusted for confounders including both time spent on social media and problematic social media use, time spent on social media was not associated with positive or negative alcohol expectancies, but higher problematic social media use score was associated with higher positive (B = 0.045, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.020-0.069) and negative (B = 0.072, 95% CI 0.043-0.101) alcohol expectancies scores. CONCLUSION: Problematic social media use was associated with both positive and negative alcohol expectancies in a demographically diverse national sample of early adolescents in the U.S. Given the small effect sizes of the current study, future studies should further examine these relationships prospectively, as well as the mechanisms linking problematic social media use to alcohol expectancies and alcohol consumption. Because alcohol expectancies are modifiable and linked with alcohol initiation, they could be a target for future prevention efforts.

Social epidemiology of early adolescent alcohol expectancies.

PURPOSE: To determine the sociodemographic correlates of alcohol expectancies (i.e., beliefs regarding positive or negative effects of alcohol) in a national (U.S.) cohort of early adolescents 10-14 years old. A second aim was to determine associations between alcohol sipping and alcohol expectancies. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N = 11,868; Year 2). Linear regression analyses were conducted to estimate associations between sociodemographic factors (sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, household income, parental education, parent marital status, religiosity) and positive (e.g., stress reduction) and negative (e.g., loss of motor coordination) alcohol expectancies. Additional linear regression analyses determined associations between alcohol sipping and alcohol expectancies, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Overall, 48.8% of the participants were female and 47.6% racial/ethnic minorities, with a mean age of 12.02 (SD 0.67) years. Older age among the early adolescent sample, male sex, and sexual minority identification were associated with more positive and negative alcohol expectancies. Black and Latino/Hispanic adolescents reported less positive and negative alcohol expectancies compared to White non-Latino/Hispanic adolescents. Having parents with a college education or greater and a household income of $200,000 and greater were associated with higher positive and negative alcohol expectancies. Alcohol sipping was associated with higher positive alcohol expectancies. CONCLUSIONS: Older age, White non-Latino/Hispanic race, male sex, sexual minority status, higher parental education, and higher household income were associated with higher positive and negative alcohol expectancies. Future research should examine the mechanisms linking these specific sociodemographic factors to alcohol expectancies to inform future prevention and intervention efforts.