Family Environment and Community Context for Longitudinal Cigarette Smoking Trajectories Among Chinese Young People.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death, and China accounts for about 30% of worldwide smokers and 40% of global tobacco consumption. This study examines socioeconomic and community disparities in smoking among young Chinese people from 2010 to 2016. Data were from 953 people aged 16 to 25 in four waves of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Two-level logistic regressions were fitted to account for both inter-individual and intra-individual differences over time. Weight-adjusted multilevel regression results showed a decrease in cigarette smoking among rural young people (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = [0.52, 0.98]) from 2010 to 2016. Higher family income was related to higher odds of cigarette smoking among young people (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = [1.10, 2.80]). Cigarette smoking among young people in families with higher incomes increased over time. Policies and interventions targeting the young should consider the socioeconomic disparities and multilevel context.

Funções neuropsicológicas de escolares na reabertura das escolas brasileiras na pandemia da Covid-19 / The neuropsychological functions of schoolchildren after the reopening of brazilian schools during the Covid-19 pandemic

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar as funções neuropsicológicas de estudantes de uma escola pública do Distrito Federal (Brasil), matriculadas 1º e 2º ano de Ensino Fundamental na reabertura das escolas públicas na pandemia da COVID-19 e a influência dos fatores familiares e contextuais sobre o desempenho dessas habilidades. Métodos Participaram 117 estudantes, bem como seus responsáveis. As crianças foram avaliadas presencialmente por meio do Instrumento de Avaliação Neuropsicológica Breve Infantil (NEUPSILIN-Inf). Os pais/responsáveis responderam remotamente ao Inventário de Recursos do Ambiente Familiar e as questões para classificação socioeconômica e de escolaridade materna. Resultado Os dados apontam alta prevalência de crianças em fase de alfabetização que apresentam alerta ou déficit das funções de orientação, memória, linguagem, habilidades visuoespaciais, habilidades aritméticas e fluência verbal. Ainda, as atividades previsíveis que sinalizam algum grau de estabilidade na vida familiar são preditoras do desempenho das crianças na habilidade de orientação e os recursos que promovem processos proximais refletem significativamente no desempenho em linguagem. Os resultados sugerem que crianças inseridas em família com estimativas da renda domiciliar abaixo de um salário mínimo apresentam piores desempenhos do controle inibitório. Conclusão Foram apresentados e discutidos os impactos das alterações das habilidades neuropsicológicas para o aprendizado das crianças, destacando a necessidade de intervenções imediatas e direcionadas para essas funções. Foram considerados os fatores contextuais que apresentaram influência sobre o desempenho das habilidades neuropsicológicas.

ABSTRACT Purpose The objective of this study was analyzed the neuropsychological functions of students from a public school in Brazil, enrolled in the 1st and 2nd year of Elementary School at the time of the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and to access the influence of family and contextual information on the performance of these skills. Methods 117 students participated in the study, as well as their parents or guardians. The children were evaluated in person using the Brief Child Neuropsychological Assessment Instrument (NEUPSILIN-Inf). The parents/guardians answered remotely the Inventory of Resources of the Family Environment and questions about socioeconomic classification and maternal education. Results The data showed a high prevalence of children who had problems or deficits in the functions of orientation, memory, language, visuospatial skills, arithmetic skills and verbal fluency. Furthermore, predictable activities that signal some degree of stability in family life are predictors of children's performance in orientation skills and resources that promote proximal processes significantly reflect on language performance. The results suggest that children included in families with a household income below one Brazilian minimum monthly salary presented poorer inhibitory control performances. Conclusion The impact of changes in neuropsychological skills in children's learning were presented and discussed, highlighting the need for immediate and targeted intervention of these functions. Contextual factors that influenced the performance of neuropsychological skills were also considered.

El bullying: una mirada desde los niños y las niñas / Bullying: A scope from boys and girls / Bullying: Um olhar de meninos e meninas

(analítico) Se presentan los resultados sobre cómo se comprende y se asume el bullying, en tanto problema escolar y social, desde la perspectiva infantil. Para ello, se realizó una investigación cualitativa, hermenéutico-comprensiva, con grupos focales mediados por títeres o videos, producción gráfica y narración de historias. Los participantes fueron 626 estudiantes de 5 a 7 años. La comprensión transitó por elementos congruentes con la teoría, como exclusión, acoso verbal, afectación de pertenencias y una nueva tipología: falta de solidaridad. En cuanto a las experiencias, precisan las burlas, el acoso físico y el hurto, asociadas al contexto familiar o a ninguna, estas últimas por la confluencia del espacio escolar y la familia en un mismo lugar en tiempos de educación remota. En cuanto a la solución, está apela a figuras de autoridad, familiares, asumir actitudes reconciliadoras o al juego.

(analytical) The paper presents the results on how bullying, as scholar and social problem, is understood and assumed from the child's perspective. Therefore, a qualitative, hermeneutic-comprehensive research was carried out and focus groups were done by means of moppets and videos, graphic production, and storytelling. The participants were 626 students from 5 to 7 years old. The understanding went through elements consistent with the theory, such as exclusion, verbal harassment, affectation of be-longings and a new typology, lack of solidarity. Regarding the experiences, they specify teasing, physical harassment, theft, associated with the family context or none, the latter due to the confluence of the school space and the family in the same place in times of remote education. As for the solution, it is appealing to authority figures, relatives, assuming reconciliatory attitudes and playing.

(analítico) O artigo apresenta os resultados sobre como o bullying, como um problema social e escolar, é compreendido e assumido na perspectiva da criança. Para isso, realizou-se uma investigação qualitativa, hermenêutica-compreensiva e grupos focais mediados por fantoches ou vídeos, produção gráfica e contação de histórias; os participantes foram 626 alunos de 5 a 7 anos. O entendimento passou por elementos condizentes com a teoria, como exclusão, assédio verbal, afetação de pertences e uma nova tipologia, falta de solidariedade. Quanto às vivências, especificam provocações, assédios físicos, furtos, associados ao contexto familiar ou nenhum, este último devido à confluência do espaço escolar e da família no mesmo local em tempos de educação a distância. Quanto à solução, é apelar a figuras de autoridade, familiares, assumindo atitudes de conciliação e brincadeiras.

The moderating effect of self-efficacy between social constraints, social isolation, family environment, and depressive symptoms among breast cancer patients in China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: For female breast cancer patients, the psychological status after surgery, especially the social and family psychological-related factors, deserves more attention. This study analyzed the influence of social constraints, social support, social isolation, family conflict, and family emotion expression on depression. At the same time, this study conducted the relationship between the variables and the mechanism of action. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study and 522 breast cancer patients finished questionnaires consisting of Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Social Constraints Scale-5 (SCS-5), Family Environment Scale (FES), and Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6). Multivariable logical regression was used to explore influencing factors. Pearson's correlation, hierarchical regression, and simple slope analysis were conducted to verify the role of self-efficacy. RESULTS: 71.6% of patients had depressive symptoms. Family contradiction (OR = 10.086), social constraints (OR = 2.522), social isolation (OR = 2.507), and high blood glucose (OR = 2.156) were risk factors of depressive symptoms. Family emotional expression (OR = 0.480), family intimacy (OR = 0.235), and self-efficacy (OR = 0.246) were protective factors against depressive symptoms. The interactive items interpretation quantity were as follows: Contradiction*Self-efficacy (ΔR2 = 2.3%, P < 0.001), Emotional expression*Self-efficacy (ΔR2 = 2.6%, P < 0.001), Intimacy*Self-efficacy (ΔR2 = 1.0%, P = 0.018), Social constraints*Self-efficacy (ΔR2 = 1.0%, P = 0.008), Social networks*Self-efficacy (ΔR2 = 1.0%, P = 0.010), Blood Glucose*Self-efficacy (ΔR2 = 0.6%, P = 0.023). The influence of independent variables on depressive symptoms was gradually decreased in the low, mean, and high groups of self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Postoperative Chinese breast cancer survivors reported higher depressive symptoms. Social, family, and physiological factors could affect depressive symptoms, in which self-factor played moderator roles.

Interaction between Geographical Areas and Family Environment of Dietary Habits, Physical Activity, Nutritional Knowledge and Obesity of Adolescents.

There are marked differences in the regional distribution of childhood obesity in Italy. This study sought to investigate the interaction between geographical areas and family environment of dietary habits, physical activity, nutritional knowledge and obesity of adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 426 school-aged children and 298 parents residing in Central Italy (Florence, Tuscany) and Southern Italy (Corigliano, Calabria), in 2021. Survey questionnaire investigated anthropometry, eating behavior, nutritional knowledge and physical activity. BMI was determined and compared with reference percentile charts for adolescents. Multivariate regression analyses showed that: (1) an adolescent's BMI was directly influenced by their parents' BMI independently of parental nutritional knowledge and dietary or physical activity habits; (2) parents transmitted eating or physical activity habits to their children; (3) the geographic region of residence is not in itself an independent determinant of children's BMI. The clear message is that prevention of childhood obesity should consider family-based approaches. Parental obesity can be the point of convergence of the complex interactions between a parent's and child's habits and should be one of the most important factors to look for.

Family environment characteristics and sleep duration in children: Maternal mental health as a mediator.

BACKGROUND: Family environment is a key factor affecting children's health. However, little is known about whether and how the family environment affects sleep duration in children. This study investigated the effects of both physical and social characteristics of the family environment on sleep duration in children and determined whether these associations were mediated by maternal mental health. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study. A total of 19,400 children who completed 6-month, 18-month, 3-year, 5.5-year, and 8-year surveys were analyzed. The physical family environment characteristics were household crowding and housing quality. Family functioning was used as an indicator of family social environment. Multiple linear regression and path analysis were performed to test the hypotheses. RESULTS: The children living in crowded households had shorter sleep durations (ß = -0.03, p < .001). Superior housing quality and family functioning were associated with longer sleep durations (ß = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively, ps < .01). The effects of housing quality and family functioning on sleep duration were mediated by maternal mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Both physical and social characteristics of the family environment are critical to sleep duration in children. The effects of family environment characteristics on sleep duration in children are in part mediated by maternal mental health. Interventions to improve sleep during childhood by targeting the family environment may be more effective when maternal mental health is considered.

The Association Between Family Environment and Adolescent Alcohol Drinking Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study of Six Chinese Cities.

Objective: Adolescents' alcohol consumption has lifetime adverse physical and mental health effects. Family environment factors have a significant influence in shaping adolescents' beliefs and habits. We conducted the multicenter cross-sectional study aiming to investigate the association between family environment factors and adolescent drinking behavior in China. Methods: The study investigated 27,762 middle school students from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Jinan, Chengdu, and Harbin. A logistic regression model was used to explore the association between family environmental factors and adolescent drinking behavior. Participants were asked to self-report previous experiences of drinking and getting drunk to access their drinking status. Factors of family environment related to alcohol consumption included: parents' educational level, family economic status, family composition, the number of times parents drank alcohol in the past 30 days, and parents' attitudes toward their drinking behavior. The logistic regression model was used to adjust the demographic confounders, including gender, age, city, location, and smoking status, and to explore the association between family environmental factors and adolescent alcohol drinking behaviors. Results: Compared with students whose parents prohibited drinking, students who were approved drinking were more likely to drink in this year (OR = 16.544, 95%CI:15.265-17.929, P < 0.001; Full adjustment: OR = 13.111, 95% CI: 12.031-14.288, P < 0.001), drink in this month (OR = 7.791, 95% CI: 7.077-8.565, P < 0.001; Full adjustment: OR = 6.010, 95% CI: 5.439-6.641, P < 0.001). In addition, Low family economic status, not living with the mother, parents' ambivalent attitudes toward their children's drinking and parental drinking were risk factors for drinking among middle school students. Conclusion: The family environment, especially parents' attitudes, is associated with students' drinking and drunken behavior. Mobilizing the power of parents may play a positive role in the effective prevention and control of adolescent drinking.

Associations between family environment resources and mental health problems in children / Associações entre recursos do ambiente familiar e problemas de saúde mental em crianças

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between mental health and contextual factors has been increasingly investigated in the scientific literature to identify elements that may configure themselves as protective. The present study aimed to identify what resources (activities, family outings, toys, material elements, and learning) were offered in the daily lives of children with mental disorders, and from this, verify whether the offer of such resources in the family was associated with areas of greatest damage relative to mental health problems. METHODS: Thirty-three caregivers of/people responsible for children between 6 and 12 years of age with most frequent diagnoses in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder seen at a general hospital participated. We used the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ ­ parents version) and Family Environment Resources Inventory (RAF). RESULTS: From a descriptive and correlational analysis, it was revealed that the more the mental health problems were present in children, the lower the family resources offer. CONCLUSIONS: The environmental resources offer proved to be protective for child development. Such findings are relevant to aid in outlining strategies for promoting mental health among children.

OBJETIVO: As relações entre saúde mental e fatores contextuais têm sido cada vez mais investigadas na literatura científica no sentido de identificar elementos que possam se configurar como protetivos. Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar quais recursos (atividades, passeios com a família, brinquedos, elementos materiais e de aprendizagem) eram oferecidos no cotidiano das crianças que apresentam transtornos mentais e, a partir disso, verificar se há associações entre a oferta de tais recursos no ambiente familiar e as áreas de maior prejuízo em relação a problemas de saúde mental. MÉTODOS: Participaram 33 cuidadores/responsáveis de/por crianças entre 6 e 12 anos de idade com diagnósticos mais frequentes de transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade e transtorno do espectro autista acompanhadas em um hospital geral. Foram utilizados: Questionário de Capacidades e Dificuldades (SDQ ­ versão pais) e Inventário de Recursos do Ambiente Familiar (RAF). RESULTADOS: A partir de uma análise descritiva e correlacional, revelou-se que quanto mais problemas de saúde mental estão presentes nas crianças, menor é a oferta de recursos no ambiente familiar. CONCLUSÃO: A oferta de recursos ambientais mostrou-se protetiva para o desenvolvimento infantil. Tais achados são relevantes para auxiliar no delineamento de estratégias para a promoção de saúde mental destinada ao público infantil.

Pediatric Cancer Survivorship: Impact Upon Hair Cortisol Concentration and Family Functioning.

A clearer understanding of the association between a biomarker of long-term stress reactivity and family functioning among pediatric cancer survivors may guide both survivorship research and clinical practice. The current study examined the relationship between a long-term measure of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity (cortisol concentration; CORTHAIR) and parent-reported family functioning (Family Environment Scale; FES) in a cross-sectional sample of survivors (n = 26) and controls (n = 53). Child CORTHAIR was not different in survivors and controls, though treatment severity was significantly related to child survivor CORTHAIR. Child CORTHAIR and parent CORTHAIR were positively correlated. Cancer survivor parents reported greater FES Organization. Child CORTHAIR was inversely associated with FES Independence, while parent CORTHAIR was inversely correlated with FES Organization. Parent CORTHAIR and FES Independence were significant and unique predictors of child CORTHAIR. Our results provide preliminary evidence for a relationship between a stress biomarker, child CORTHAIR, and family functioning among pediatric cancer survivors and controls.

Understanding cancer caregiver burden over time: Dyadic assessments of family cohesion, conflict and communication.

OBJECTIVE: Previously we identified three distinct cancer communication concordance groups among cancer patient-caregiver dyads. This secondary analysis examined patient and caregiver reports of family functioning (cohesion and conflict) as associated with cancer communication concordance and assessed each as independent predictors of perceived caregiver burden among hematological cancer caregivers. METHODS: A case series of hematological cancer patient-caregiver dyads (n = 171) were recruited from oncology clinics in Virginia and Pennsylvania and followed for 2 years. Using the previously identified communication groups this analysis prospectively examines patient and caregiver perceptions of family cohesion and conflict and the association with burden over time. RESULTS: Caregiver burden decreased over time. Caregiver, but not patient perceptions of family cohesion decreased over time; decreased cohesion and increased conflict was associated with greater cancer communication discordance. CONCLUSIONS: This work lends further support to the use of cancer communication congruence typologies for identifying potentially vulnerable dyads. Discordant cancer communication and declining caregiver perceptions of family cohesion may represent opportunities to intervene using family focused supportive services. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Only caregiver perceptions of family functioning were associated with burden therefore identifying and supporting those caregivers with worsening communication and family function is important.

Violencia intrafamiliar: un riesgo para el desarrollo de la primera infancia / Domestic violence. A risk to early childhood development

Los padres y cuidadores son los adultos que apoyan a los niños y niñas para el desarrollo de los aspectos que constituyen la naturaleza humana, les proporcionan los significados y las nociones que concretan la dignidad de la persona en la familia y en los otros escenarios fuera de esta, por tanto, la exposición a la violencia intrafamiliar se constituye un riesgo para el desarrollo integral de los niños y las niñas. Objetivo: identificar tipos y formas de violencia intrafamiliar que sufren las madres y cuidadoras como un factor de riesgo en el desarrollo integral de los niños y niñas de un programa de primera infancia. Metodología: estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo transversal mediante cuestionario. Participaron 308 mujeres. Resultados: las participantes son víctimas de violencia psicológica, física, económica y sexual por parte de los miembros de sus familias de origen, política y propia. Conclusiones: es evidente el riesgo para el desarrollo integral de los niños y las niñas sobre reproducir los modelos de trato violento, dado que los actos de violencia son repetitivos en la historia familiar.

Parents and caregivers are adults who support children for the development of the aspects that constitute human nature, provide them with meanings and notions that concretize the dignity of the person in the family and in other scenarios outside it, therefore, exposure to domestic violence is a risk to the integral development of children. Objective: to identify types and forms of domestic violence suffered by mothers and caregivers as a risk factor in the integral development of children in an early childhood program. Methodology: a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study by questionnaire. 308 women participated. Results: the participants are victims of psychological, physical, economic, and sexual violence by their family members, of origin, politics, and their own. Conclusions: the risk to the integral development of children of reproducing models of violent treatment is evident, given that acts of violence are repetitive in family history

Os impactos da pandemia na saúde mental das pessoas / The impacts of the pandemic on people's mental health

O presente estudo tem como objetivo verificar como está à saúde mental da população depois do cenário pandêmico vivenciado pela mesma. A saúde mental é um elemento fundamental para saúde geral dos indivíduos, do ambiente familiar, bem como da coletividade como um todo, visto que as pessoas têm pensamentos, emoções e interagem entre si. Debater/pensar sistemicamente sobre a elevação do número de casos de pessoas com sintomas depressivos, de ansiedade durante e após o período pandêmico, através da verificação da literatura que trata dessa temática. A pandemia da COVID­19 causou grandes impactos na saúde mental das pessoas bem como em seu cotidiano. Na tentativa de conter a transmissão da doença foram tomadas medidas restritivas que transformaram o comportamento das pessoas, pois foram alterados a maneira de se portar, com a necessidade do uso de máscaras e do isolamento social reduzindo o contato entre as pessoas. Essas ações, consequentemente, tiveram reflexos na saúde mental e no crescimento de doenças como a depressão e a ansiedade, além do aumento no consumo de drogas e de suicídios. A metodologia utiliza de uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre saúde mental no cenário da pandemia e pós pandemia. Considera-se que é fundamental que os órgãos competentes, instituições de saúde e as próprias pessoas possam administrar as ações que visem reduzir o impacto na saúde mental da população causado pelo cenário pandêmico trazido pelo coronavírus. Além disso há outros fatores que colaboram para que o mundo sofra com esse adoecimento psíquico das pessoas no período da pandemia e pós-pandemia.

The present study aims to verify how the mental health of the population is doing after the pandemic scenario experienced by them. Mental health is a fundamental element for the general health of individuals, the family environment, as well as the community as a whole, since people have thoughts, emotions and interact with each other. Debate/think systemically about the increase in the number of cases of people with depressive symptoms, anxiety during and after the pandemic period, by checking the literature that deals with this theme. The COVID­19 pandemic has had a major impact on people's mental health as well as their daily lives. In an attempt to contain the transmission of the disease, restrictive measures were taken that transformed people's behavior, as the way of behaving was changed, with the need to use masks and social isolation reducing contact between people. These actions, consequently, had an impact on mental health and the growth of diseases such as depression and anxiety, in addition to an increase in drug consumption and suicide. The methodology uses a systematic review of the literature on mental health in the pandemic and post-pandemic scenario. It is considered essential that the competent bodies, health institutions and people themselves can manage actions aimed at reducing the impact on the mental health of the population caused by the pandemic scenario brought about by the coronavirus. In addition, there are other factors that contribute to the world suffering from this psychic illness of people in the pandemic and post-pandemic period.

Families' Health Behavior: Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Family Health Climate Scale.

This study aims to adapting the Family Health Climate Scale (FHC Scale) into Turkish and to conduct its validity and reliability analyses. The FHC Scale consists of two subscales, the Physical Activity Scale (FHC-PA) and the Nutrition Scale (FHC-NU). The validity and reliability analyzes of the scales were done separately. The sample included 789 participants (263 students, 263 mothers, 263 fathers). The sample was randomly allocated to two groups. Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed on Sample I (132 students, 132 mothers, 132 fathers); and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) on sample II (131 students, 131 mothers, 131 fathers). As a result of the EFA it was determined that three factors FHC-PA Scale; and four factors FHC-NU Scale were included. The CFA result it was determined that scale models had good fit values. The FHC-Scale could be used as a reliable and valid measurement tool in Turkey.

Personal Profiles, Family Environment, Patterns of Smartphone Use, Nomophobia, and Smartphone Addiction across Low, Average, and High Perceived Academic Performance Levels among High School Students in the Philippines.

(1) Background: Problematic smartphone use in adolescents has become a major concern among parents and educators. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with, and the predictors of, low, average, and high perceived academic performance (PAP). (2) Methods: Descriptive and comparative analyses were employed in this cross-sectional study among 3374 Filipino high school students through an online Google forms survey. (3) Results: We found that age, grade level, father's education, time spent daily on weekends, frequency of use on weekdays, purpose of use, nomophobia (NMP), and smartphone addiction (SA) were significantly associated with low PAP, while frequency of use on weekends and type of internet access had a significant association with high PAP. Gender was a significant predictor of low, average, and high PAP. Father's education and SA were also significant predictors for both low and average PAP. (4) Conclusions: This study shows the significant association between personal profiles, family environment, patterns of smartphone use, NMP, and SA contributing to a significant impact on Filipino high school students' PAP. This suggests that proper guidelines for smartphone use should be provided at home and in school settings to raise awareness of the adverse effects of SA on students' academic performance.

Risky emotional family environment in childhood and depression-related cytokines in adulthood: The protective role of compassion.

BACKGROUND: Previously, compassion has been found to protect against depressive symptoms, while emotional adversities in childhood are suggested to increase inflammatory responses. The current study investigated (a) whether emotional family environment in childhood predicts levels of such cytokines in adulthood that are previously found to be elevated in depression (interleukin [IL]-2, IL-6, IL-1b, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interferon-gamma [IFN-γ], and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) and (b) whether these associations are modified by compassion in adulthood. METHODS: The participants (N = 1,198-1,523) came from the prospective population-based Young Finns data. Emotional family environment and parental socioeconomic factors were evaluated in 1980; participants' compassion in 2001; and participants' cytokine levels and adulthood covariates in 2007. RESULTS: Risky emotional family environment in childhood predicted higher levels of IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in adulthood. Additionally, there were significant interaction effects between compassion and emotional risk in childhood, when predicting IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α. Specifically, individuals who grew up in a risky emotional family environment had on average higher levels of IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α in adulthood when combined with low compassion. CONCLUSIONS: In individuals coming from risky emotional family environments, high compassion for others may protect against elevated levels of cytokines previously linked with depression.

Cronicidad, violencia y longitud de trayectoria criminal. Hombres detenidos por violencia doméstica / Chronicity, violence and criminal trajectory length. Men arrested for domestic violence

Resumen Los delincuentes crónicos resultan ser los responsables de la mayor parte de la actividad criminal, además de ser los más persistentes y violentos. Existe escasa evidencia longitudinal que permita conocer cómo se manifiesta la cronicidad en agresores de violencia doméstica. El objetivo de esta investigación es identificar el criterio más adecuado para diferenciar a los hombres crónicos y establecer la relación que existe entre cronicidad, violencia, versatilidad y duración de la carrera criminal en 10 505 hombres chilenos detenidos por delitos de violencia en el ámbito familiar en el 2007, con base en todas las nuevas detenciones producidas los siguientes diez años. El diseño es longitudinal pseudoprospectivo, tal como si correspondiera a un estudio longitudinal prospectivo. Los resultados muestran que tres o más delitos bastan para identificar adecuadamente carreras criminales crónicas, y que un 12.7% del total de hombres pueden considerarse graves, violentos y crónicos, al presentar una trayectoria criminal de entre ocho y diez años, ser responsables de más del 37% del total de las reincidencias, alcanzar un promedio de delitos significativamente alto y versátiles, así como una elevada prevalencia en delitos violentos.

Abstract Chronical criminals turn out to be responsible of most of the criminal activity, in addition to being the most persistent and violent. There exists limited longitudinal evidence that allows knowing how chronicity manifests itself in domestic violence aggressors. The objective of this investigation is to identify the most appropriate criteria to differentiate chronic men and establish the relationship between chronicity, violence and duration of the criminal career in 10 505 Chilean men arrested for domestic violence crimes in 2007, based on all new arrests produced the next 10 years. The design is a longitudinal pseudo-prospective, as if it corresponded to a prospective longitudinal study. The results show that three or more crimes are enough to properly identify chronic criminal careers, and that 12.7% of all men can be considered as serious, violent and chronic, presenting a criminal trajectory between eight and ten years, being responsible for more than 37% of total recidivism, reach a significantly high average of crimes and high prevalence of violent crimes.

Family resources moderate the relationship between seizure control and health-related quality of life in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Achieving seizure control, however, does not improve HRQOL in all children. This study sought to evaluate whether (1) baseline caregiver and family factors are associated with child HRQOL at 1-year follow-up over and above epilepsy characteristics, treatment, and seizure outcome; and (2) baseline family factors moderate the association between seizure outcome and child HRQOL at 1-year follow-up. METHODS: This multicenter longitudinal cohort study recruited 152 children with DRE who were being evaluated for surgical candidacy. Child HRQOL was rated by caregivers using the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Additional data collected at baseline included child epilepsy characteristics, caregiver demographics, caregiver mood, and family environment. RESULTS: Seizure freedom was achieved in 68% and 28% of patients 1 year after surgery and medical treatment, respectively. Caregiver and family factors were not associated with higher child HRQOL at follow-up after accounting for epilepsy characteristics, treatment, seizure outcome, and baseline child HRQOL, F11, 131  = 1.34, P = .21, ΔR2  = .04. Family resources moderated the association between seizure outcome and child HRQOL at follow-up (b = .41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.09-0.74, P = .03); seizure freedom was strongly associated with higher HRQOL when family resources were high (b = 13.50, 95% CI = 8.35-18.54, P < .001), relative to when family resources were low (b = 5.17, 95% CI = -0.18 to 10.52, P = .06). Family relationships and demands did not moderate the relationship between seizure outcome and HRQOL. SIGNIFICANCE: Achieving seizure freedom was associated with better HRQOL in children with DRE, but this association was reduced for those children who presented with limited family resources. These results highlight the importance of assessing the family environment during presurgical evaluation and implementing early family-based intervention and supports to promote better outcomes for children in the long term.

Influence of family environment on the development of speech and language in pre-lingually deaf children after cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of family environment on the development of speech and language in pre-school children after cochlear implantation. METHODS: A total of 88 pre-lingually deaf children, aged 2-5 years, who received cochlear implantation, were included in this study. All families completed a self-report family environment questionnaire (FES). The deaf children's linguistic progress was assessed by Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months after implantation. RESULTS: The family environment was the significant factor associated with CAP and SIR at 6 months post-implantation. The children in families with higher levels of Cohesion, Intellectual-Cultural Orientation and the ability to express emotion effectively had better auditory and speech abilities, while children in families with low intimacy and high incompatibility exhibited a delay in the development of auditory speech (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The development of speech and language in pre-lingually deaf children after cochlear implantation can be influenced by family environment and parents' roles.

Ambiente familiar positivo y bienestar personal: comparación entre población urbana y rural / Positive Family Environment and Personal Well-being: Comparison Between Urban and Rural Populations

Resumen El ambiente familiar se considera uno de los contextos más importantes en la vida de las personas. El presente estudio centró su interés en el bienestar personal que este ambiente sociofísico genera en sus habitantes. El objetivo general fue identificar la relación que existe entre el ambiente familiar positivo (AFP) y el bienestar personal en individuos que viven en zona urbana y rural. La muestra estuvo conformada por 202 personas, de las cuales 68% eran de sexo femenino y 32% del masculino. Las edades oscilaron entre 18 y 76 años con una media de 34.7 (DE = 14.3). Se utilizó un instrumento para medir factores del ambiente sociofísico de las familias y el bienestar personal. Se llevó a cabo el análisis de confiabilidad, estadísticos descriptivos y comparativos, así como un modelo de ecuacio- nes estructurales. Los resultados comprueban que existen diferencias en algunas dimensiones socio- físicas del ambiente familiar entre las personas que habitan en zona urbana y aquellos que residen en área rural. Además, se probó que el factor de orden superior denominado ambiente familiar positivo se encuentra significativamente relacionado con el bienestar de los individuos.

Abstract: Family environment is considered one of the essential contexts in life; one of the reasons is because people spend most of their quality time in the home. This study focused its interest in the positivity that this socio-physical con- text generates in the individual. The study aimed at identifying the relationship between the construct called a posi- tive family environment and the personal well-being of people living in urban and rural contexts. A sample of 202 people gave their answers, 68% woman, and 32% man, the age was between 18 y 76 years old with a mean of 34.7 (SD = 14.3). The instrument combined scales to measure socio-physical components in the family environment and personal well-being. Reliability, descriptive, and comparative analyses, as well as a structural equation model were performed. Results showed the existence of differences between people living in urban and rural zones on most of the socio-physical dimensions of the family environment. A higher-order factor was formed with physical and social aspects, this variable is called a positive family environment, and it is significantly related to personal well-being.

Family functioning and environmental resources offered by families of children with mental disorders / Funcionamiento familiar y recursos ambientales ofrecidos a los niños con trastornos mentales por sus familias

Abstract Introduction The presence of mental disorders in a family may cause various losses in its functioning and characteristics. Objective To determine which environmental resources are offered to children with mental disorders by their families and how they correlated with the family functioning. Method The study included a total of 33 persons responsible for children with mental disorders. The subjects responded to two questionnaires to characterize family functioning (FACES IV) and the availability of resources in the family environment (RAF). Data were analyzed in a descriptively and the Spearman correlation test was used to identify associations between variables. Results Most of the children were male and attended school, and the most frequent psychiatric diagnoses were attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Most families were considered to have good family functioning (87.9%), with only 12.1% being considered dysfunctional. Regarding environmental resources, the highest mean values were assigned to the presence of toys (6.9 ± 2.0) and to family gatherings for routine activities (6.6 ± 2.3). Family cohesion, flexibility, communication, and satisfaction (functional) were positively correlated with the offer of activities and resources and negatively correlated with unbalanced (dysfunctional) subscales. Discussion and conclusion Children's mental disorders do not appear to affect family dynamics in a significant manner. However, family functioning interferes with the types of activities and resources it offers to the child and that may have an impact on his/her development.

Resumen Introducción La presencia de un trastorno mental en una familia puede causar varias pérdidas en su funcionamiento y sus características. Objetivo Determinar qué recursos ambientales reciben de sus familias los niños con trastornos mentales y cómo se correlacionan con el funcionamiento familiar. Método El estudio contó con la participación de un total de 33 personas responsables de niños con trastornos mentales. Los sujetos respondieron a dos cuestionarios para caracterizar el funcionamiento familiar (FACES IV) y la disponibilidad de recursos en el entorno familiar (RAF). Los datos se analizaron de manera descriptiva y la prueba de correlación de Spearman se utilizó para identificar asociaciones entre variables. Resultados La mayoría de los niños eran del sexo masculino y asistían a la escuela, y los diagnósticos psiquiátricos más frecuentes fueron el trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad y el trastorno del espectro autista. Se consideró que la mayoría de las familias tenían un buen funcionamiento familiar (87.9%), y sólo el 12.1% se consideró disfuncional. Con respecto a los recursos ambientales, los valores medios más altos se asignaron a la presencia de juguetes (6.9 ± 2.0) y a las reuniones familiares para actividades de rutina (6.6 ± 2.3). La cohesión familiar, la flexibilidad, la comunicación y la satisfacción (funcional) se correlacionaron positivamente con la oferta de actividades y recursos y se correlacionaron negativamente con subescalas desequilibradas (disfuncionales). Discusión y conclusión Los trastornos mentales de los niños no parecen afectar la dinámica familiar de manera significativa. Sin embargo, el funcionamiento familiar interfiere con los tipos de actividades y recursos que ofrece al niño o niña, lo que puede tener un impacto en su desarrollo.