The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance among developmental age students: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted educational systems worldwide, raising concerns about its impact on academic performance, particularly among developmental age students. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the academic performance in this population was performed according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Embase were searched on December 2023 to identify relevant studies. Both fixed and random effect models were performed. The Effect size was reported as Cohen's d with a 95% Confidence Interval. Studies' quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO. Results: A total of 30 studies met the inclusion criteria, but only 13 could be combined in the meta-analysis. Based on a sample size of 4,893,499 students, pooled Cohen's d was -0.07 [(95% CI = -0.10; -0.03); p-value <0.001]. Subgroup analyses by subject suggested that performance in math was affected the most, Cohen's d= -0.14 [(-0.18; -0.10); p-value <0.001]. Conclusion: The findings revealed a significant negative association between the COVID-19 pandemic and academic performance among developmental age students. Interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic on educational outcomes in this population are needed.

Evaluating self-esteem modifications after a Life Skills-Based Education intervention.

BACKGROUND: A satisfactory level of self-esteem has been recognized as crucial factor contributing to healthy lifestyle, especially among children and adolescents. We performed an analysis of the impact of Life-Skills Based Education (LSBE) in a cohort of pupils in a Primary School of Sondrio (Northern Italy) and we made a comparison with a control group in a Primary school of the same province where no intervention was performed. METHODS: Changes in levels of self-esteem were assessed through Italian version of the Multidimensional Self-concept Test of Bruce Bracken - T.M.A. For research purpose we used four of the six scales of the Italian version of the Multidimensional Self-esteem Test - T.M.A. RESULTS: The questionnaire was handed out to a total of 318 pupils: 132 students had received a LSBE intervention and 186 had not received any intervention. Median and interquartile range are in the normal range, both for the intervention and control groups. The four subscales showed an improving trend from the beginning (T1) to the end (T2) of the school year, both for the intervention and control groups. Regarding the intervention group, we found statistically significant changes in the subscales of quality of interpersonal relationships (P=0.003) and emotional competencies (P=0.02); regarding the control group, we found statistically significant changes in all the subscales analyzed. Considering the variable "sex", we found a statistically significant improvement only for male students and for the subscale "quality of interpersonal relationships" (P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The population trend observed suggests an improvement in competencies and levels of self-esteem in the cohort subjected to a LSBE intervention. Data analysis revealed significant differences in the subscales of quality of interpersonal relationships and emotional competencies, suggesting that LSBE interventions have an higher impact on males than on females. A longer follow-up could be useful in order to provide more reliable and significant data about LSBE programs' real efficacy.

Prevalence of child sexual abuse: a comparison among 4 Italian epidemiological studies.

Although many epidemiological studies defining child sexual abuse prevalence rates in many countries of the world are now available, Italy presents a lack of data regarding this specific issue. Only recently some attempts to define the epidemiology of this public health problem have been tried. Between 2003 and 2010, the Department of Public Health at University of Milan was in charge of one of the more important study of this kind in Italy, involving almost 3000 students aged 18 attending secondary schools in the City of Milan who filled out an anonymous questionnaire aiming at detecting their previous experiences of sexual victimization during childhood and adolescence. After this first edition, the study was replicated among students attending secondary schools in the city of Varese, in the area of Piedmont and in Basilicata (area of Lauria), using the same investigational model and questionnaire. This paper presents the main data collected through four different epidemiological studies using the same methodology and survey tool. Considering at least one of the five different forms of child sexual abuse surveyed (being exposed to pornography, being touched on private parts, being forced to masturbate an older person, being forced to perform oral sex, or being penetrated), the prevalence rate among our samples ranges between a minimum of 12.5% (Varese) and a maximum of 34.1% (Lauria). In Lauria the research reveals a higher prevalence rate of child sexual abuse, especially among the male population, for all typologies of abuse but being touched in their private parts. In all other geographical areas and for all typologies of abuse, there is always a higher prevalence among girls, with the only exception of abuse such as being exposed to pornographic materials.

Online extreme challenges putting children at risk: what we know to date.

INTRODUCTION: Extreme online challenges consist in taking part in challenges proposed on web and sharing the results in videos posted on social media. The use of social networks is widespread among the very young, giving easy access to potentially dangerous content with consequences on health. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The aim of this literature review was to describe the most common challenges involving children and adolescents over the last 20 years. We focused on participants features (such as age, sex and psychological background) and health implications. The review included research articles and reviews published between 2000 and 2021. We used Pubmed, Scopus and Web of science as search engines. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Many types of online challenges emerged from the analysis of the literature. The most common challenges are those that lead to self-harm, which involve acts at risk of choking and challenges that potentially lead to suicide and ingestion of substances. The extreme challenge phenomenon is a public health issue that affects a vulnerable population, as it is young and susceptible to peer pressure influence. Participants often showed problematic personality traits, making them more likely to get involved in these behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary for parents, teachers and health workers to be aware of the spread of the online challenges, to improve prevention interventions in the age groups involved.

Consumption of sexually explicit internet material and its effects on minors' health: latest evidence from the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays adolescents and children are more and more exposed to sexually explicit internet material (SEIM), but most parents and healthcare professionals neglect this issue. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of online pornography on minors' health with a specific focus on the effects produced on their behavioural, psychophysical and social development. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search was performed on PubMed and ScienceDirect in March 2018 with the query "(pornography OR sexually explicit internet material) AND (adolescent OR child OR young) AND (impact OR behaviour OR health)." Results published between 2013 and 2018 were analysed and compared with previous evidence. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: According to selected studies (N.=19), an association between consumption of online pornography and several behavioral, psychophysical and social outcomes - earlier sexual debut, engaging with multiple and/or occasional partners, emulating risky sexual behaviors, assimilating distorted gender roles, dysfunctional body perception, aggressiveness, anxious or depressive symptoms, compulsive pornography use - is confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of online pornography on minors' health appears to be relevant. The issue can no longer be neglected and must be targeted by global and multidisciplinary interventions. Empowering parents, teachers and healthcare professionals by means of educational programs targeting this issue will allow them to assist minors in developing critical thinking skills about pornography, decreasing its use and obtaining an affective and sex education that is more suitable for their developmental needs.

The use of online pornography among minors: epidemiological analysis of the phenomenon.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, the quick spread of Internet has brought many children and teenagers to be increasingly connected online without adult control. The use of Internet offers many opportunities, but at the same time it exposes young users to multiple risks. Among these, the consumption of sexually explicit internet material (SEIM) is one of the most relevant. The aim of the present study is to describe the epidemiology of this phenomenon regarding its prevalence and distribution among sexes and different age groups. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search was performed on PubMed and ScienceDirect using the query "(pornography OR sexually explicit internet material) AND (adolescent OR child OR young)." Only papers published between 2013 and 2018 were included in the analysis. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: According to selected studies (N.=21), the prevalence of boys approaching SEIM ranges from 56% to 100%, whereas the percentage widely varies between 7.6% and 82% for girls. The first exposure to SEIM happens in a purely accidental way in over half of cases and at a mean age of 12 years for males and 14.5 years for females. The risk of exposure is doubled for smartphone and tablet owners. CONCLUSIONS: The spread of pornography and SEIM among minors seems to be epidemic and even pandemic. We need to consider its possible effects on the psychophysical welfare of the very young, influencing their growth and development. Therefore, the impact that pornography may have on the physical, psychological, and sexual health of younger people warrants further investigation.

Online grooming: an analysis of the phenomenon.

INTRODUCTION: Since its diffusion in the 1990s, the Internet has developed into a fully integrated component of the lives of teenagers across the globe. As use of the Internet by underage youth has evolved and increased over the past decades, concerns about how technology may contribute to minors becoming victims of online sex crimes, including online grooming, have heightened. The present literature review contributes to the existing knowledge base regarding the epidemiology of the online grooming process, exploring key themes and issues arising in this area. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We conducted a review of the current literature by an initial database research of papers published since 1990. Three independent reviewers selected relevant articles, initially based on title and abstract analysis, then by full text in order to make a final determination. After the final selection, a total of 37 articles were reviewed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The articles reviewed report highly heterogenous results with regards to epidemiological data, estimating a prevalence of the online grooming phenomenon between 9% and 19%. Factors influencing minors' risk of online grooming included increasing age, gender, sexual minority orientation, diagnosis of mental disease, conflictual relationships with parents and risk-taking behaviors (e.g. chat room and social networking site use). CONCLUSIONS: Although the true prevalence of online grooming is not available, it is a significant issue among minors. Thus, it is important to educate youth on responsible internet use, starting at the earliest age and continuing during adolescence.

The online sexual offender: what we know to date.

INTRODUCTION: Online grooming is an active communicative entrapment network involving a wide range of techniques. The interactions that groomers have with minors online are complex. The purpose of the present literature review was to contribute to the existing knowledge base regarding online sex offender typologies, predatory tactics and techniques. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We conducted a review of the current literature by an initial database research of papers published since 1990. Three independent reviewers selected relevant articles, initially based on title and abstract analysis, then by full text in order to make a final determination. After the final selection, a total of 21 articles were reviewed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Overall, abundant data describing both groomer characteristics and grooming strategies are available in the literature, with authors attempting to analyze and adapt these to ever-complex models. However, the various models often feel redundant, determining a certain difficulty in understanding which would be the most suitable model to apply, making comparing data from different studies oftentimes troublesome. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion, it would be desirable to reach a consensus on fewer univocally-interpretable models that would be easier to adopt as preventive tools against online grooming, in combination with other strategies. The present study may provide parents and guardians with information useful for keeping their youth safer while online, as well as data that may assist in the development of policy recommendations and prevention strategies, overall aiming to reduce the phenomenon of online grooming.

Overweight, thinness, body self-image and eating strategies of 2,121 Italian teenagers.

This study describes the prevalence rate of overweight and thinness in a population of teens living in two different areas of Italy and explores the body self-image perception and unhealthy eating behaviours and strategies to lose weight. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 2,121 teenage students (1,084 males, 1,037 females). Results showed that teen females and males build and perceive their body images in very different ways. Most of the overall sample perceived their weight as normal, while a relevant 31.6% defined themselves as overweight and another 4.4% as heavily overweight. Analysis based on BMI (calculated through self-referred weight and height) showed that only 9.2% of our sample could be considered overweight and 1.7% obese. Most of female teen students (485 out of 1,037) were trying to lose weight, demonstrating that strategies to lose weight were undertaken also by girls perceiving themselves as normal in relation to body weight. 46.8% girls were using strategies to lose weight compared with 21.9% boys. These strategies included very problematic behaviours like self-induced vomiting (3.3% F vs 1.7% M) and dieting pills (2.8% F vs 1.5% M) undertaken along with more usual thinning strategies like dieting and exercising. Girls were more prone than boys to exercise as a way to lose weight (41% vs 31.7%). This study showed that there is a deep gap between actual weight and perceived body-image and weight. This study is one of the first of this kind in Italy and calls for primary prevention and health education programs aimed at improving teen body-image as a strategy to reduce the eating disorder epidemics spreading among young people.