Consumption of Health-Related Videos and Human Papillomavirus Awareness: Cross-Sectional Analyses of a US National Survey and YouTube From the Urban-Rural Context.

BACKGROUND: Nearly 70% of Americans use the internet as their first source of information for health-related questions. Contemporary data on the consumption of web-based videos containing health information among American adults by urbanity or rurality is currently unavailable, and its link with health topic awareness, particularly for human papillomavirus (HPV), is not known. OBJECTIVE: We aim to describe trends and patterns in the consumption of health-related videos on social media from an urban-rural context, examine the association between exposure to health-related videos on social media and awareness of health topics (ie, HPV and HPV vaccine), and understand public interest in HPV-related video content through search terms and engagement analytics. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the US Health Information National Trends Survey 6, a nationally representative survey that collects data from civilian, noninstitutionalized adults aged 18 years or older residing in the United States. Bivariable analyses were used to estimate the prevalence of consumption of health-related videos on social media among US adults overall and by urbanity or rurality. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the consumption of health-related videos and HPV awareness among urban and rural adults. To provide additional context on the public's interest in HPV-specific video content, we examined search volumes (quantitative) and related query searches (qualitative) for the terms "HPV" and "HPV vaccine" on YouTube. RESULTS: In 2022, 59.6% of US adults (152.3 million) consumed health-related videos on social media, an increase of nearly 100% from 2017 to 2022. Prevalence increased among adults living in both urban (from 31.4% in 2017 to 59.8% in 2022; P<.001) and rural (from 22.4% in 2017 to 58% in 2022; P<.001) regions. Within the urban and rural groups, consumption of health-related videos on social media was most prevalent among adults aged between 18 and 40 years and college graduates or higher-educated adults. Among both urban and rural groups, adults who consumed health-related videos had a significantly higher probability of being aware of HPV and the HPV vaccine compared with those who did not watch health videos on the internet. The term "HPV" was more frequently searched on YouTube compared with "HPV vaccine." Individuals were most commonly searching for videos that covered content about the HPV vaccine, HPV in males, and side effects of the HPV vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of health-related videos on social media in the United States increased dramatically between 2017 and 2022. The rise was prominent among both urban and rural adults. Watching a health-related video on social media was associated with a greater probability of being aware of HPV and the HPV vaccine. Additional research on designing and developing social media strategies is needed to increase public awareness of health topics.

Behavioral activation is associated with post-disaster mental health: Secondary longitudinal analysis from a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Interventions in post-disaster environments may be accelerated by identifying protective behavioral factors adding incremental value to models of psychopathology using longitudinal methods. One protective behavior applicable to post-disaster contexts is behavioral activation (BA). BA is defined here as a behavioral pattern involving presence of valued activity engagement. While relevant post-disaster, the incremental value of BA behaviors in predicting longitudinal post-disaster outcomes is not well understood. We hypothesized that higher baseline engagement in behaviors consistent with a BA framework would predict decreased posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, depression symptom severity, and sleep disturbance approximately 3, 6, and 12 months after hurricane survivors completed baseline measures. METHODS: The current study is a secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial of a disaster mental health digital intervention. Participants completed surveys at baseline and approximately 3, 6, and 12 months post-enrollment. Correlations and hierarchical regression analyses were calculated following data screening to predict PTSD symptom severity, depression symptom severity, and sleep disturbances. RESULTS: Controlling for alcohol use, prior trauma, displacement, and intervention condition, higher baseline BA consistently predicted less PTSD symptom severity, depression symptom severity, and sleep disturbances. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that post-disaster interventions should consider addressing BA. The study provides evidence that BA is potentially an important protective factor longitudinally predicting sleep disturbances and psychopathology after natural disasters.

Initial Health Outcomes of a Community-Based Collaboration for Children in Foster Care.

Children entering foster care have complex health needs that can persist across the lifespan. Efforts to improve access to primary care services exist; however, few have been tested. This study evaluated the Missoula Foster Child Health Program, a tri-agency, community-based collaboration in Montana, to determine its impact on health outcomes for youth in care. Demographic, health outcome, and child welfare data were collected from 485 children (50 percent male, 50 percent female, aged 0-18). At program admission, children had unmet service needs, lacking a primary care provider (30 percent), a dental provider (58 percent), and required vaccinations (33 percent). Three-quarters of children had at least one health condition, and one-third had a behavioral health concern. Overall, children in the program had significant decreases in physical and behavioral health problems from admission to discharge. Older children and those with fewer placements were more likely to have positive health changes. Data are promising, representing positive health outcomes of a community-based model for children in care.

Depression and PTSD among Houston Residents who Experienced Hurricane Harvey and COVID-19: Implications for Urban Areas Affected by Multiple Disasters.

Little is known about the combined impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other major disasters on mental health. Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast in 2017, resulting in substantial costs, significant levels of displacement, and approximately 100 deaths, and was followed in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. We randomly sampled 1167 Houstonians from 88 designated super-neighborhoods and surveyed them about their demographics, event-specific traumas and stressors, and symptoms of current depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We estimated the prevalence of depression (5.8%) and PTSD (12.6%) more than three years after Hurricane Harvey, and assessed the relative influence of event-specific stressors and traumas on current mental health. Overall, we observed evidence for two key findings that are salient for residents of urban environments in the context of multiple disasters. First, stressors were primary influences on depression, whereas both stressors and traumas influenced PTSD. Second, the influences of stressors and traumas on depression and PTSD symptoms faded with time.

Mechanism underlying a brief cognitive behavioral treatment for head and neck cancer survivors with body image distress.

PURPOSE: Body image distress (BID) among head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors is a debilitating toxicity associated with depression, anxiety, stigma, and poor quality of life. BRIGHT (Building a Renewed ImaGe after Head & neck cancer Treatment) is a brief cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that reduces BID for these patients. This study examines the mechanism underlying BRIGHT. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, HNC survivors with clinically significant BID were randomized to receive five weekly psychologist-led video tele-CBT sessions (BRIGHT) or dose-and delivery matched survivorship education (attention control [AC]). Body image coping strategies, the hypothesized mediators, were assessed using the Body Image Coping Skills Inventory (BICSI). HNC-related BID was measured with the Inventory to Measure and Assess imaGe disturbancE-Head and Neck (IMAGE-HN). Causal mediation analyses were used to estimate the mediated effects of changes in BICSI scores on changes in IMAGE-HN scores. RESULTS: Among 44 HNC survivors with BID allocated to BRIGHT (n = 20) or AC (n = 24), mediation analyses showed that BRIGHT decreased avoidant body image coping (mean change in BICSI-Avoidance scale score) from baseline to 1-month post-intervention relative to AC (p = 0.039). Decreases in BICSI-Avoidance scores from baseline to 1-month resulted in decreases in IMAGE-HN scores from baseline to 3 months (p = 0.009). The effect of BRIGHT on IMAGE-HN scores at 3 months was partially mediated by a decrease in BICSI-Avoidance scores (p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: This randomized trial provides preliminary evidence that BRIGHT reduces BID among HNC survivors by decreasing avoidant body image coping. Further research is necessary to confirm these results and enhance the development of interventions targeting relevant pathways to reduce BID among HNC survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03831100 .

Behavioral Health Screening and Follow-Up Services in Pediatric Trauma Centers Across the United States.

OBJECTIVE: Over 120,000 U.S. children are hospitalized for traumatic injury annually, a major risk factor for behavioral health problems such as acute/posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Pediatric trauma centers (PTCs) are well positioned to address the recent mandate by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma to screen and refer for behavioral health symptoms. However, most PTCs do not provide screening or intervention, or use varying approaches. The objective of this mixed-methods study was to assess PTCs' availability of behavioral health resources and identify barriers and facilitators to service implementation following pediatric traumatic injury (PTI). METHODS: Survey data were collected from 83 Level I (75%) and Level II (25%) PTC program managers and coordinators across 36 states. Semistructured, qualitative interviews with participants (N = 24) assessed the feasibility of implementing behavioral health education, screening, and treatment for PTI patients and caregivers. RESULTS: Roughly half of centers provide behavioral health screening, predominantly administered by nurses for acute stress/PTSD. Themes from qualitative interviews suggest that (1) service provision varies by behavioral health condition, resource, delivery method, and provider; (2) centers are enthusiastic about service implementation including screening, inpatient brief interventions, and follow-up assessment; but (3) require training and lack staff, time, and funding to implement services. CONCLUSIONS: Sustainable, scalable, evidence-based service models are needed to assess behavioral health symptoms after PTI. Leadership investment is needed for successful implementation. Technology-enhanced, stepped-care approaches seem feasible and acceptable to PTCs to ensure the availability of personalized care while addressing barriers to sustainability.

A preliminary examination of sexual and physical victimization 6 months after recent rape.

One in four US women will experience a completed or attempted rape in their lifetime, and more than 50% of survivors will experience two or more rapes. Rape and physical violence also co-occur. Multiple experiences of sexual and physical violence are associated with elevated mental and physical health problems. This secondary analysis examined the prevalence and correlates of experiencing sexual or physical violence within 6 months of a sexual assault medical forensic exam (SAMFE). Between May 2009 and December 2013, 233 female rape survivors aged 15 and older were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial during a SAMFE in the emergency department (ED). Demographics, rape characteristics, distress at the ED, and pre-rape history of sexual or physical victimization were assessed. New sexual and physical victimization was assessed 6 months after the SAMFE via telephone interview. Six months after the exam, 21.7% reported a new sexual or physical victimization. Predictors of revictimization during follow-up included sexual or physical victimization prior to the index rape, making less than $10,000 annually, remembering the rape well, life threat during the rape, and higher distress at the ED. In adjusted models, only pre-rape victimization and making less than $10,000 annually were associated with revictimization. Factors assessed at the ED can inform subsequent victimization risk. More research is needed to prevent revictimization among recent rape victims. Policies to provide financial support to recent rape victims and/or targeted prevention for those with pre-rape victimization at the SAMFE could reduce revictimization risk. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01430624.

Longitudinal and bidirectional associations between posttraumatic stress disorder and emotional support among disaster-affected men and women.

Research has demonstrated a negative association between social support and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This has been interpreted as a protective influence of social support against the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Research on the opposite association is more limited, but findings suggest that PTSS have a negative impact on social support. There is conflicting evidence that these effects are moderated by gender. Few studies have assessed both associations and gender moderation in a postdisaster context. We examined the longitudinal and bidirectional effects of emotional support and PTSS and whether gender moderates these effects among U.S. survivors of the 2017-2018 season. Participants (N = 1,347) were assessed at four time points over 1 year. Bidirectional effects were assessed using cross-lagged, autoregressive analyses with the combined sample (Model 1) and grouped by gender (Model 2) to assess gender moderation. The results supported small bidirectional negative effects of social support and PTSS on one another from one assessment point (e.g. Wave 1) to the subsequent point (e.g., Wave 2) for all waves, ßs = -.07-.15, p < .001-p = .040. Multigroup analyses suggested the effects were not significantly different by gender. Overall, the results suggest that social support and PTSS may mutually diminish one another. Such effects may result in a positive or negative cascade wherein high PTSS may lead to lower social support and, therefore, even higher PTSS and vice versa. These findings support the importance of including social support in interventions to promote PTSS prevention and recovery.

A Comparison of the Readiness of Youth Service Agencies to Implement a Technology-Based Toolkit to Support Treatment Delivery.

Implementation initiatives and technology-based resources aim to address barriers to Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) use by creating generalizable techniques that can be used for a variety of youth-serving agencies. However, research has not carefully examined unique differences between agency types or individual programs in readiness to use such technologies and implementation strategies. The current study explored differences between community mental health clinics and child advocacy centers on organizational cultural factors (e.g., ability to change and commitment for change) to implement a novel technology-based toolkit to support delivery of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Results indicated that TF-CBT providers from child advocacy centers reported greater commitment to change and more support to use the technology-based system than those from community mental health centers. Findings suggest that implementation initiatives should address the needs of individual agencies and service settings and adaptations should be explored to best meet the needs of these settings.

Surgery and the Smartphone: Can Technology Improve Equitable Access to Surgical Care?

Unfortunately, many patients in the United States experience disparities in access to surgical care, including geographic constraints, limited transportation and time, and financial hardships. Living in a "surgical care desert" results in a delay in care, driving up health care costs and reducing quality of care. In the age of COVID-19, patient access to health care has been further diminished by physical distancing guidelines, naturally increasing the need for innovative telehealth solutions. In this review, we focus on using smartphones for mobile health technology (mHealth) in the delivery of surgical care. This study is aimed at a general surgical audience that may be interested in exploring how mHealth can improve both access and health care quality for surgical patients and their families. We review the current uses of mHealth by surgeons for surgical site infection, new models of the perioperative surgical home, acute care surgical triage, remote patient monitoring devices, and evaluation and management of surgical consultations in the patient's home. We also review institutional and governmental barriers to the adoption of mHealth and offer some preliminary solutions that may aid the surgeon who wishes to implement this technology in their day-to-day practice.

Offspring Self-Disclosure Predicts Substance-Related Outcomes in an Emergency Department Sample of Young Adults with Traumatic Injury.

BACKGROUND: Hundreds of thousands of individuals visit the emergency department (ED) every year, with many visits occurring following alcohol misuse. Parent-child relationship factors are associated with alcohol-related outcomes. For example, offspring choice to self-disclose information about their lives to parents, rather than parents actively soliciting this information, is associated with substance use. However, it is unclear whether self-disclosure uniquely predicts alcohol-related outcomes in a young adult ED sample. METHODS: Data were collected from young adults (age 18-30 years) visiting an ED for a traumatic injury (n=79). Participants were about 24.4 years old, majority male (53.7%), and Caucasian (76%; 24% African-American). A bifactor model within a structural equation model tested unique effects of self-disclosure on age at first drink, propensity for risky drinking, and likelihood of consuming substances prior to ED visit, over and above parental solicitation and a general factor and gender. RESULTS: Those who shared more information with their caregivers reported an older age at first drink, lower propensity for risky drinking and lower propensity to consume substances prior to their ED visit. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that self-disclosure may be a unique risk factor in the initiation of alcohol use, development of problem use, and consequences following use.

Trauma Resilience and Recovery Program: Addressing Mental Health in Pediatric Trauma Centers.

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 225,000 children sustain injuries requiring hospitalization annually. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are prevalent among pediatric patients and caregivers post-injury. Most U.S. trauma centers do not address patients' mental health needs. Better models of care are needed to address emotional recovery. This article describes the engagement and recovery trajectories of pediatric patients enrolled in the Trauma Resilience and Recovery Program (TRRP), a stepped-care model to accelerate emotional recovery following hospitalization. METHODS: TRRP is designed to (a) provide in-hospital education about post-injury emotional recovery and assess child and caregiver distress; (b) track mental health symptoms via a 30-day text-messaging program; (c) complete 30-day PTSD and depression phone screens; and (d) provide evidence-based treatment via telehealth or in-person services or referrals, if needed. All 154 families approached were offered TRRP services, 96% of whom agreed to enroll in TRRP. Most patients were boys (59.8%), and average age was 9.12 years [standard deviation (SD) = 5.42]. Most injuries (45.8%) were sustained from motor vehicle accidents. RESULTS: In hospital, 68.5% of caregivers and 78.3% of children reported clinically significant distress levels. Over 60% of families enrolled in the texting service. TRRP re-engaged 40.1% of families for the 30-day screen, 35.5% of whom reported clinically significant PTSD (M = 13.90, SD = 11.42) and/or depression (M = 13.35, SD = 11.16). Most (76%) patients with clinically significant symptomology agreed to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our intervention model was feasible and increased reach to families who needed services. Efforts to improve follow-up engagement are discussed, as are initial successes in implementing this model in other pediatric trauma centers.

Prescription Opioid Misuse After a Recent Sexual Assault: A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Video Intervention.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prescription opioid (PO) misuse is increasing and is associated with overdose. Individuals who experienced a recent sexual assault are at risk for increased substance use, yet limited interventions target PO misuse after sexual assault. The current study examined the efficacy of video interventions on PO misuse after sexual assault. METHODS: Adolescent girls and women (n = 154) were recruited in the context of a sexual assault medical forensic exam in the emergency department. Effects of a prevention of post-rape stress (PPRS) video and a pleasant imagery and relaxation instruction (PIRI) video were compared with treatment as usual (TAU) during a sexual assault medical forensic exam on PO misuse. Participants reported if they had used POs for non-medical purposes since the sexual assault at 1.5 month follow-up. RESULTS: Results from a logistic regression analysis indicated that participants with a prior sexual assault were less likely to misuse prescription opioids 1.5 months after the assault in the PIRI condition compared with TAU. There were no main effects for video condition and no interactions for the PPRS condition on PO misuse. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Providing the PIRI video, or teaching other types of mindfulness or relaxation exercises, may be warranted as a secondary prevention for individuals during the sexual assault medical forensic exam for those with a prior sexual assault history. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This research provides an initial examination of the impact of mindfulness skills recently after traumatic event exposure on PO misuse. (Am J Addict 2019;28:376-381).

An approach to revising mHealth interventions for children and families: A case example in sickle cell disease.

Frameworks for developing mHealth interventions that are informed by the end-user and improve accessibility are necessary to ensure interventions meet the needs of the intended population and advance the science of health behavior change. The approach described in this paper addresses a gap in the mHealth development literature by describing a step-by-step method for evaluating and revising the mHealth interventions for health behavior change in child-parent dyads. Furthermore, this approach introduces the Website Analysis and MeasureMent Inventory framework as an initial coding structure for analyzing qualitative data to gauge appeal and enhance engagement of intervention for end-users. This method uses specific considerations for child-parent dyads and details an example in the development and refinement of a mobile application for self-management in children with sickle cell disease. This approach is translatable to populations of children with other chronic conditions and to other health behaviors.

An Online Peer Educational Campaign to Reduce Stigma and Improve Help Seeking in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Although at least 1 in 10 veterans meet criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to their military service, treatment seeking is strikingly low due to perceived stigma and other barriers. The National Center for PTSD produced AboutFace, * a web-based video gallery of veterans with PTSD who share their personal stories about PTSD and how treatment has turned their lives around. INTRODUCTION: We conducted a two-stage evaluation of AboutFace, which included (1) a usability testing phase and (2) a randomized, controlled trial phase to explore the feasibility of incorporating AboutFace into a specialized outpatient clinic for PTSD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty veterans participated in the usability testing phase in which they answered moderator posed questions regarding AboutFace, while actively exploring the website. Sixty veterans participated in the study after completing a PTSD clinic evaluation and were randomized to receive an educational booklet about PTSD treatment or AboutFace before starting treatment. Stigma and attitudes about treatment seeking were assessed at baseline and 2 weeks later. RESULTS: Veterans had positive attitudes about AboutFace and gave suggestions for improvement. Veterans in both conditions reported improved attitudes toward mental illness and treatment seeking from baseline to the 2-week follow-up. DISCUSSION: AboutFace is a promising peer-to-peer approach that can be used to challenge stigma and promote help seeking. CONCLUSIONS: This use of an online peer approach is innovative, relevant to a wide range of healthcare conditions, and has the potential to increase access to care through trusted narratives that promote hope in recovery.

Implementation and Utility of an Automated Text Messaging System to Facilitate Symptom Self-Monitoring and Identify Risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression in Trauma Center Patients.

Background and Introduction: Comprehensive monitoring and follow-up after traumatic injury is important for psychological recovery. However, scalable services to facilitate this are limited. Automated text message-based symptom self-monitoring (SSM) may be a feasible approach. This study examined its implementation and utility in identifying patients at risk for mental health difficulties after traumatic injury.Materials and Methods: Five hundred two patients admitted to a Level I trauma center between June 20, 2016 and July 31, 2017 were offered enrollment in a text message-based SSM service. Patients who enrolled received daily text message prompts over 30 days and most participated in a mental health screening 30 days postbaseline.Results: Approximately 67% of patients enrolled in the service; of these, 58% responded to the text messages, with an average response rate of 53%. Younger patients and those with elevated peritraumatic distress were more likely to enroll. Patients with higher levels of mental health stigma, who were White, or had been in a motor vehicle collision were more likely to enroll and respond to text messages once enrolled. Patients' daily ratings of distress detected clinically elevated 30-day mental health screens with high sensitivity (83%) and specificity (70%).Discussion and Conclusions: Text message-based SSM can be implemented as a clinical service in Level I trauma centers, and patient participation may increase engagement in mental health follow-up. Further, it can inform the use of risk assessments in practice, which can be used to identify patients with poor psychological recovery who require additional screening.

A Randomized Clinical Trial Examining the Effect of Video-Based Prevention of Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among Recent Sexual Assault Victims.

BACKGROUND: This study examined whether a brief video intervention (Prevention of Post-Rape Stress [PPRS]) delivered in the emergency department to recent sexual assault (SA) victims reduced alcohol and marijuana use at 3 points over the course of a 6-month follow-up compared to treatment as usual (TAU) and an active control condition (Pleasant Imagery and Relaxation Instruction [PIRI]). Prior assault history, minority status, and pre-SA substance use also were examined as moderators of intervention efficacy. METHODS: Women aged 15 and older (N = 154) who participated in a post-SA medical forensic examination were randomly assigned to watch the PPRS video (n = 54) or the PIRI video (n = 48) or receive TAU (n = 52) and completed at least 1 follow-up assessment targeted at 1.5 (T1), 3 (T2), or 6 (T3) months following the examination. RESULTS: Regression analyses revealed that, relative to TAU, PPRS was associated with less frequent alcohol use at 6 months post-SA among women reporting pre-SA binge drinking and minority women. Relative to TAU, PPRS also was associated with fewer days of marijuana use at T1 among those who did not report pre-SA marijuana use and prior SA. Findings for pre-SA marijuana use were maintained at T3; however, findings for prior SA shifted such that PPRS was associated with fewer days of marijuana use at T3 for women with a prior SA. CONCLUSIONS: PPRS may be effective at reducing substance use for some recent SA victims, including those with a prior SA history, a prior substance use history, and minority women.

Genetic and psychosocial predictors of alcohol use trajectories among disaster-exposed adolescents.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adolescent alcohol misuse is associated with numerous long-term adverse outcomes, so we examined predictors of alcohol use among disaster-exposed adolescents, a group at-risk for alcohol misuse. METHODS: The current study (n = 332) examined severity of tornado-related exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, emotional support, and a genetic risk sum score (GRSS) as predictors of alcohol use trajectories. RESULTS: Severity of exposure interacted with the GRSS to predict both intercept (12-month follow up quantity of alcohol use) and growth rate. Emotional support also interacted with adolescent PTSD symptoms to predict intercept and growth rate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with greater severity of disaster exposure and high genetic risk comprise a high risk group, on which efforts to prevent alcohol use should be focused. Additionally, emotional support is essential in buffering the effects of PTSD symptoms on alcohol use outcomes among adolescents. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Toward the aim of reducing adolescent alcohol misuse following disaster exposure, there is utility in inserting immediate supports (e.g., basic resources) into communities/families that have experienced significant disaster-related severity, particularly among adolescents at high levels of genetic risk for alcohol use/misuse. Additionally, prevention efforts aimed at improving emotional supports for adolescents with more PTSD symptoms may reduce propensity for alcohol misuse following disaster. This information can be easily incorporated into existing web-based interventions. (Am J Addict 2017;26:623-631).

Adolescent Substance Use Following a Deadly U.S. Tornado Outbreak: A Population-Based Study of 2,000 Families.

Despite conceptual links between disaster exposure and substance use, few studies have examined prevalence and risk factors for adolescent substance use and abuse in large, population-based samples affected by a recent natural disaster. We addressed this gap using a novel address-based sampling methodology to interview adolescents and parents who were affected by the 4th deadliest tornado outbreak in U.S. HISTORY: Postdisaster interviews were conducted with 2,000 adolescent-parent dyads living within a 5-mile radius of the spring 2011 U.S. tornadoes. In addition to descriptive analyses to estimate prevalence, hierarchical linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine a range of protective and risk factors for substance use and abuse. Approximately 3% reported substance abuse since the tornado. Greater number of prior traumatic events and older age emerged as consistent risk factors across tobacco and alcohol use and substance abuse since the tornado. Tornado incident characteristics, namely, greater loss of services and resources after the tornado and posttraumatic stress disorder since the tornado, were associated with greater alcohol consumption. Service loss increased risk for binge drinking, whereas, for substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder increased risk and parent presence during the tornado decreased risk. Greater family tornado exposure was associated with a greater number of cigarettes smoked in female but not male teen participants. Both trauma and non-trauma-related factors are relevant to postdisaster substance abuse among adolescents. Future research should examine the role of broader ecological systems in heightening or curtailing substance use risk for adolescents following disaster exposure.

Rural and Urban/Suburban Families' Use of a Web-Based Mental Health Intervention.

Background/Introduction: Access to mental healthcare among rural residents is a national concern because unique barriers (e.g., fewer providers, distance to services) create significant challenges for the 60 million Americans who live in these settings. There is now a large body of literature demonstrating the efficacy of a wide range of Internet-based interventions. However, little is known about the extent to which individuals in rural settings will use these approaches and find them acceptable. Research with youths and their caregivers within this scope is particularly limited and, therefore, of great importance. METHODS: We examined access and completion of a Web-based disaster mental health intervention in a population-based sample of 1,997 rural (n = 676) and urban/suburban (n = 1,321) adolescents and their caregivers who were affected by the Spring 2011 tornadoes that touched down in parts of Missouri and Alabama. RESULTS: Results indicated no differences in the rate of access or completion of Web-based modules based on geographical location. Furthermore, for those who did not access the Web-based resource, no differences were observed with respect to reasons for not accessing modules based on geographical location. DISCUSSION: These data have promising implications for the reach of Web-based resources to both rural and urban/suburban communities, as well as the willingness of adolescents and their caregivers to access and complete such resources, regardless of geographical location.