ABSTRACT
ABSTRACTObjective: Despite the widespread availability of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the US, rates of vaccination among Hispanic adolescents lag behind those of other recommended vaccines. Understanding what happens during the HPV vaccination visit should provide important insight into communication between health care providers and Hispanic mothers and identifies areas where communication can be improved. As such, this qualitative study explored Hispanic mothers' experiences during their adolescent child's HPV vaccination visit.Design: Fifty-one participants completed individual interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using a conventional content analysis approach to identify emergent categories or themes.Results: We identified three features of the HPV vaccination visit including: the primary reason for the visit, the type of counseling the mother received about the vaccine and the type of HPV vaccine recommendation received. Most mothers reported that their child was vaccinated against HPV at a routine well-child visit. Some mothers reported that they received in-depth counseling about the vaccine, while others received brief or no counseling from the provider. Mothers also reported receiving either a strong recommendation to vaccinate, a recommendation to vaccinate that emphasized her choice, or no recommendation to vaccinate.Conclusion: Most Hispanic mothers report that they received counseling and a recommendation from their adolescent child's health care provider before vaccinating. However, most of the mothers first heard about the HPV vaccine at the vaccination visit. Mothers who had previously heard about the vaccine outside of the clinic, reported making an appointment specifically for their child to be vaccinated against HPV. Together, these findings indicate a need to raise awareness of the vaccine and to promote HPV vaccination more strongly in this population. Education efforts should target mothers in community settings, in addition to clinic settings in order to increase awareness and vaccination in this population.
Subject(s)
Papillomavirus Infections , Papillomavirus Vaccines , Adolescent , Ambulatory Care , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Mothers/psychology , Papillomavirus Infections/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Background/Purpose: Emerging adulthood is an important time where substance use often peaks. Neighborhood Latinx ethnic density could be protective against negative health behaviors. Most studies on neighborhood ethnic density have focused on census-level aggregate measures, however perception of the neighborhood ethnic density could differ from objectively measured neighborhood density. This study investigated the effects of neighborhood ethnic density, both perceived ethnic and objectively measured ethnic density, on hazardous alcohol use among Latinx emerging adults in Maricopa County Arizona and Miami-Dade County Florida by gender. Methods: 200 Latinx emerging adults residing in Arizona and Florida completed a cross-sectional survey. Inclusion criteria were being age 18-25, self-identify as Latinx, and currently living in Maricopa County or Miami-Dade County. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and moderation analyses. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between perceived and objective ethnic density (Kappa = 0.353, p < 0.001). When ethnic density was measured objectively, alcohol use severity was statistically significantly lower for individuals living in highly ethnically dense neighborhoods (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.92). However, this association was only found for women in moderation analyses. There was no statistically significant association between perceived ethnic density and alcohol use severity. Conclusion: The present study found a statistically significant decrease in alcohol use severity among Latinx emerging adults who live in highly ethnically dense neighborhoods after adjusting for covariates. Future research should investigate the potential mechanisms in which these neighborhoods protect against alcohol use severity among Latinx emerging adults.
Subject(s)
Ethnicity , Residence Characteristics , Adolescent , Adult , Arizona , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Florida , Humans , Young AdultABSTRACT
Socio-cultural factors, such as familismo, social support, machismo, and multigroup ethnic identity, are strongly associated with Latina/o immigrants' alcohol misuse and depressive symptoms. However, research has rarely explored whether unobserved groups of Latina/o immigrants with similar socio-cultural factors exist. Latent Profile analysis can illuminate which subgroups to target, or which socio-cultural factors need to be supported, to have an impact on the prevention and treatment of alcohol use and/or depression in the Latina/o immigrant population. Cross sectional data from on ongoing longitudinal investigation was utilized (N= 518 Latina/o adults living in Miami-Dade County, Florida and have immigrated to the US within one year prior to assessment). Latent Profile Analyses (LPA) were conducted utilizing validated measures of familismo, social support, neighborhood collective efficacy, ethnic identity, machismo, caballerismo, and marianismo. The LPA revealed three, significantly different profiles: (1) low socio-cultural protection (n=155, 29.98%), (2) high socio-cultural protection (n=21, 4.06%), and (3) high socio-, low-cultural protection (n=341, 65.96%). Profile membership was associated significantly with immigrant documentation status, education level, and past family history of substance use. Results indicate that Latina/o immigrants in the low socio-cultural protection group had significantly higher alcohol use compared to high socio-, low cultural protection group. No significant differences were found for depressive symptoms. We discuss implications of our findings and encourage researchers to continue to unpack the complexities associated with socio-cultural factors and Latina/o mental and behavioral health. Specifically, research should focus on socio-cultural factors can provide protection from negative health outcomes and increase resiliency among this population.
ABSTRACT
Acculturation consists of multiple domains (i.e., cultural practices, identifications, and values). However, less is known about how acculturation processes influence each other across multiple domains of acculturation. This study was designed to investigate transition patterns of acculturative processes within and across domains in a sample of 302 recent-immigrant Hispanic adolescents, Mage (SD) = 14.51 years (0.88) at baseline; male = 53%). Adolescents were assessed six times over a 3-year period. Latent profile analyses identified two profiles (high [or increasing] vs. low) for each domain at each timepoint. We found largely stable transition patterns in each domain over six timepoints. Importantly, sequential associations among profiles in acculturation domains were also detected. Implication for acculturation theory and research are discussed.
Subject(s)
Acculturation , Adolescent Development , Emigrants and Immigrants , Hispanic or Latino , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , MaleABSTRACT
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series completion among adolescent Hispanic males (35%) is lower than the Healthy People 2020 80% goal. This directed qualitative content analysis identified mothers' beliefs about their sons completing the series. We found that mothers (N = 19) (1) express positive feelings; (2) believe the vaccine has positive effects; (3) identify the father and doctors as supporters and friends as nonsupporters; (4) list health insurance, transportation, and clinic reminders as facilitators; and (5) mention affordability as a barrier to vaccine completion. Results provide guidance for interventions. Increasing HPV vaccination among boys will decrease the overall incidence of HPV in this population.
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice/ethnology , Papillomavirus Infections/therapy , Papillomavirus Vaccines/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Child , Female , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Male , Mothers , Papillomavirus Vaccines/pharmacology , Patient Acceptance of Health CareABSTRACT
AIMS: This study examines the moderating role of parental neighborhood perceptions on the relationship between neighborhood structural disadvantage and adolescent depressive symptoms. METHODS: Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) consisting of 12,105 adolescents and their parents were used. RESULTS: Mixed effects multilevel modeling revealed that parental-perceived neighborhood disorder was associated with higher levels of adolescent depressive symptoms (ß = .27, p ≤ .001). The interaction between neighborhood concentrated poverty and parental-perceived neighborhood disorder was also significant (ß = -.14, p ≤ .01). Low and high levels of parental-perceived neighborhood disorder were associated with lower (ß = -.41, p < .05) and higher (ß = .46, p ≤ .01) levels of adolescent depressive symptoms, respectively, with increasing concentrated poverty. Parental-perceived collective efficacy was not associated with adolescent depressive symptoms nor was it a moderator. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the neighborhood's social environment may mitigate adolescent depressive symptoms. Implications for structural interventions are discussed.
Subject(s)
Depression/psychology , Parents/psychology , Residence Characteristics , Social Environment , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Multilevel Analysis , Poverty/psychology , Psychology, Adolescent , Social Control, Informal , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Latina women are disproportionately affected by HIV in the US, and account for 30% of all HIV infections in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The main risk for Latina women is heterosexual contact. Little is known about the relational and cultural factors that may impact women's HIV risk perception. This study aims to describe Latina women's perception of their HIV risk within a relational, cultural, and linguistic context. DESIGN: Eight focus groups of Latina women (n = 28), four English speaking groups and four Spanish speaking groups, were conducted between December 2013 and May 2014. Women were recruited from a diversion program for criminal justice clients and by word of mouth. Eligibility criteria included the following: self-identify as Hispanic/Latino, 18-49 years of age, and self-identify as heterosexual. A two-level open coding analytic approach was conducted to identify themes across groups. RESULTS: Most participants were foreign-born (61%) and represented the following countries: Cuba (47%), Honduras (17.5%), Mexico (12%), as well as Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Venezuela (15%). Participant ages ranged between 18 and 49, with a mean age of 32 years. Relationship factors were important in perceiving HIV risk including male infidelity, women's trust in their male partners, relationship type, and getting caught up in the heat of the moment. For women in the English speaking groups, drug use and trading sex for drugs were also reasons cited for putting them at risk for HIV. English speaking women also reported that women should take more responsibility regarding condom use. CONCLUSION: Findings emphasize the importance of taking relational and cultural context into account when developing HIV prevention programs for Latina women. Interventions targeting English speaking Latina women should focus on women being more proactive in their sexual health; interventions focused on Spanish speaking women might target their prevention messages to either men or couples.
Subject(s)
Cultural Characteristics , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Hispanic or Latino/psychology , Love , Trust , Adult , Condoms/statistics & numerical data , Emigrants and Immigrants/statistics & numerical data , Female , Florida , Focus Groups , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Risk-Taking , Sexual PartnersABSTRACT
HPV vaccine series completion rates among adolescent Hispanic females and males (~39 and 21 %, respectively) are far below the Healthy People 80 % coverage goal. Completion of the 3-dose vaccine series is critical to reducing the incidence of HPV-associated cancers. This formative study applies social marketing theory to assess the needs and preferences of Hispanic mothers in order to guide the development of interventions to increase HPV vaccine completion. We conducted 51 in-depth interviews with Hispanic mothers of adolescents to identify the key concepts of social marketing theory (i.e., the four P's: product, price, place and promotion). Results suggest that a desire complete the vaccine series, vaccine reminders and preventing illnesses and protecting their children against illnesses and HPV all influence vaccination (product). The majority of Completed mothers did not experience barriers that prevented vaccine series completion and Initiated mothers perceived a lack of health insurance and the cost of the vaccine as potential barriers. Informational barriers were prevalent across both market segments (price). Clinics are important locations for deciding to complete the vaccine series (place). They are the preferred sources to obtain information about the HPV vaccine thus making them ideal locations to deliver intervention messages, followed by television, the child's school and brochures (promotion). Increasing HPV vaccine coverage among Hispanic adolescents will reduce the rates of HPV-associated cancers and the cervical cancer health disparity among Hispanic women. This research can inform the development of an intervention to increase HPV vaccine series completion in this population.
Subject(s)
Hispanic or Latino/psychology , Papillomavirus Vaccines/therapeutic use , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/ethnology , Social Marketing , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Drug Costs , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Mothers/psychology , Papillomavirus Vaccines/economics , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
We examined cross-sectional associations of health literacy (HL) with smoking and other established health indicators among 1,467 African American adults. Data emanated from a longitudinal cohort study designed to investigate cancer risk factors among church-going African American adults. We conducted linear and logistic regression analyses to assess associations between HL and health indicators. HL was assessed using an established single-item screening question. Outcomes included indicators of poor physical health (cigarette smoking, self-rated general and physical health) and mental health (self-rated mental health, depressive symptoms, perceived stress). Nearly 19% of participants had low HL. Low HL was significantly associated with current smoking, poorer self-rated general and physical health, and higher perceived stress (ps < .05) even after we controlled for demographic variables (i.e., age, gender, relationship status) and indicators of socioeconomic status (i.e., education, income, insurance status). Low HL appears to be an independent risk factor for smoking and other indicators of poor physical and mental health in a large sample of African American adults. Future directions and clinical implications are discussed.
Subject(s)
Black or African American/statistics & numerical data , Health Literacy/statistics & numerical data , Health Status Indicators , Smoking/ethnology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Research in smoking is hindered by a lack of validated measures available in languages other than English. Availability of measures in languages other than English is vital to the inclusion of diverse groups in smoking research. To help address this gap, this study attempted to validate a Spanish-language version of the brief Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (Brief WISDM). METHODS: Data from 3 independent, diverse samples of Spanish-speaking Latino smokers seeking cessation counseling were utilized. Confirmatory factor analyses of 3 known structures of the Brief WISDM were examined for fit within each sample. A separate analysis was also conducted with the 3 samples combined. A post-hoc exploratory factor analyses with the combined sample was also conducted. RESULTS: Across 12 confirmatory factor analyses, none of the 3 structures demonstrated good fit in any of the samples independently or in the combined sample. Across the 3 samples, high intercorrelations (>.90) were found among the Loss of Control, Craving, Tolerance, and Cue Exposure scales, suggesting great redundancy among these scales. An exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) further supported these high intercorrelations. Some subscales remained intact in the EFA but accounted for little variance. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study was unable to replicate the structure of a Spanish-language Brief WISDM in 3 independent samples of smokers. Possible explanations include inadequate translation of the measure and/or true and meaningful differences in the construct of dependence among Spanish-speaking Latino smokers. Both possibilities merit further research.
Subject(s)
Hispanic or Latino , Motivation , Smoking/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adult , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Humans , Language , Male , Middle Aged , Smoking/ethnology , Smoking Cessation/psychologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We examined associations between health literacy and predictors of smoking cessation among 402 low-socioeconomic status (SES), racially/ethnically diverse smokers. METHODS: Data were collected as part of a larger study evaluating smoking health risk messages. We conducted multiple linear regression analyses to examine relations between health literacy and predictors of smoking cessation (i.e., nicotine dependence, smoking outcome expectancies, smoking risk perceptions and knowledge, self-efficacy, intentions to quit or reduce smoking). RESULTS: Lower health literacy was associated with higher nicotine dependence, more positive and less negative smoking outcome expectancies, less knowledge about smoking health risks, and lower risk perceptions. Associations remained significant (P < .05) after controlling for demographics and SES-related factors. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide the first evidence that low health literacy may serve as a critical and independent risk factor for poor cessation outcomes among low-socioeconomic status, racially/ethnically diverse smokers. Research is needed to investigate potential mechanisms underlying this relationship.
Subject(s)
Health Literacy , Smoking Cessation/statistics & numerical data , Social Class , Adolescent , Adult , Black or African American , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Self Efficacy , Sex Factors , Smoking Cessation/ethnology , Tobacco Use Disorder/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Studies have found that offline and online racism are linked to mental health issues including depressive and anxiety symptoms among racially minoritized emerging adults. To cope with these symptoms, racially minoritized emerging adults may resort to substance use. Thus, we examined the relationship between offline and online racism and recent smoking behaviors (past 30 days), and whether depressive and anxiety symptoms (DAS) mediate this relationship. We hypothesized that offline and online racism would be associated with a greater probability of recent smoking through depressive/anxiety symptoms. With data from 338 participants (Mage = 23.28, SD = 2.38), we conducted a path analysis of offline racism (Everyday Discrimination Scale) and online racism (Perceived Online Racism Scale) predicting recent smoking (recent cigarette smoking, recent marijuana use, recent vaping) via depressive (Patient Health Questionnaire-9)/anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) symptoms. Offline racism was directly associated with recent cigarette smoking while online racism was directly associated with recent vaping. No significant indirect associations were observed with cigarette smoking and vaping. Both online and offline racism were indirectly associated with recent marijuana use via depressive/anxiety symptoms. Our findings suggest that there are nuanced differences between the impact that online and offline racism experiences may have on the DAS, and smoking behaviors of racially minoritized emerging adults. Implications for research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Subject(s)
Cigarette Smoking , Marijuana Smoking , Marijuana Use , Racism , Substance-Related Disorders , Tobacco Products , Vaping , Humans , Adult , Young Adult , Anxiety , Anxiety DisordersABSTRACT
In the present study, we examined a bidimensional model of acculturation (which includes both heritage and U.S. practices, values, and identifications) in relation to hazardous alcohol use, illicit drug use, unsafe sexual behavior, and impaired driving. A sample of 3,251 first- and second-generation immigrant students from 30 U.S. colleges and universities completed measures of behavioral acculturation; cultural values (individualism, collectivism, and self-construal); ethnic and U.S. identity; and patterns of alcohol and drug use, engagement in potentially unsafe sexual activities, and driving while (or riding with a driver who was) intoxicated. Results indicate that heritage practices and collectivist values were generally protective against health risk behaviors, with collectivist values most strongly and consistently protective. Nonetheless, heritage identifications were positively associated with sexual risk taking for Hispanics. U.S. practices, values, and identifications were not consistently related to risk behavior participation. Results are discussed in terms of bidimensional approaches to acculturation, the immigrant paradox, and implications for counseling practice.
Subject(s)
Acculturation , Attitude to Health/ethnology , Emigrants and Immigrants/psychology , Ethnicity/psychology , Risk-Taking , Students/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Alcohol Drinking/ethnology , Alcohol Drinking/psychology , Alcoholic Intoxication/ethnology , Alcoholic Intoxication/psychology , Automobile Driving/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Models, Psychological , Social Identification , Social Values , Substance-Related Disorders/ethnology , Substance-Related Disorders/psychology , United States , Unsafe Sex/ethnology , Unsafe Sex/psychology , White People/psychology , Young AdultABSTRACT
We examined whether alcohol use may be linked to stress associated with online racism as a risky coping behavior among racial minority adults, and potential gender differences across women and men. We tested parallel stress pathways in which we hypothesized that exposure to online racism would be indirectly related to alcohol use severity via general psychological distress and social media-related stress. With data from 395 racial/ethnic minority adults (M age = 34.12; 57% women; 40% Black/African American, 23% Asian/Asian American, 20% Hispanic/Latinx American), we conducted a multi-group path analysis of online racism (Perceived Online Racism Scale) predicting alcohol use severity (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) mediated by social media-related stress and psychological distress (Kessler-6) across women and men. Psychological distress was a significant partial mediator for women and men, but social media-related stress was a significant partial mediator only for women. In line with cyberbullying literature noting a greater risk of online victimization for women, racial minority women may be experiencing social media-related stress in addition to general psychological distress associated with online racism that places them at greater risk of alcohol-related coping. Our findings suggest that online racism may be a contemporary digital burden that may drive detrimental health behaviors such as alcohol use and present initial evidence to advance future prevention research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Subject(s)
Alcoholism , Psychological Distress , Racism , Adult , Ethnicity , Female , Humans , Male , Mediation Analysis , Minority Groups , Stress, PsychologicalABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: There are a wide variety of methods for using combustible cannabis which may impact an individual's pattern of use as well as their response to cannabis use disorder (CUD) treatment. Previous research has noted racial/ethnic differences in cannabis users' preferred method of use. METHOD: The current study examined data from a randomized placebo-controlled trial of a pharmacological intervention for adults with CUD. Latent profile analysis classified participants (N = 302) based on their primary method of combustible cannabis use. RESULTS: A four profile solution emerged which identified participants who demonstrated 1) Primarily Joint (n = 50), 2) Primarily Blunt (n = 106), 3) Mixed MoU (n = 30), and 4) Primarily Pipe (i.e., pipe or bong; n = 116) use. Profiles were compared on socio-demographic characteristics and racial differences were found among the four latent profiles as well as differences in their level of use. Cannabis users with a preference for joints were more likely to be White as compared to other racial groups. In contrast, a greater proportion of participants with a preference for blunts were African American. The Primarily Joint profile was found to have the highest cannabis relapse rate at 1-month follow-up (94%) which was significantly greater than the Mixed MoU (74%, x2 = 5.06, p < .05) and Primarily Pipe (78%, x2 = 9.24, p < .01) profiles. Interestingly, there was no difference in 1-Month Follow-up cannabis relapse rates between the Primarily Joint and Blunt profiles (87%, x2 = 9.24, p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that treatment-seeking individuals who primarily use joints or blunts may face unique challenges that may impact cannabis abstinence. Along with other cannabis-related characteristics, an individual's preferred method of use may represent an important factor to consider in the treatment of CUD.
Subject(s)
Cannabis , Marijuana Abuse , Substance-Related Disorders , Adult , Humans , Marijuana Abuse/psychology , Marijuana Abuse/therapy , Racial Groups , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Diversion programs are considered alternatives to the arrest and incarceration of non-violent drug offenders, including those found in possession of smaller amounts of cannabis in states with prohibitive laws. Despite the progressive nature of such programs, the inability to complete diversion program requirements can often result in greater involvement with the criminal justice system than traditional case adjudication. Few studies have evaluated racial group differences in cannabis diversion program completion. METHODS: The current study examined a sample of 8323 adult participants in Harris County, Texas' Marijuana Misdemeanor Diversion Program (MMDP) between March 2017 and July 2019. Gender, age, and race/ethnicity were examined as predictors of program completion and time to completion using Chi square, Kruskal Wallis tests, and Cox proportional hazard regression models. RESULTS: Both males and African Americans were over-represented (80 % and 50 %, respectively) among participants of Harris County's MMDP. African American (HR = 0.782, 95 % CI [.735-.832], p < .001) and Latino American MMDP participants (HR = .822, 95 % CI [.720-.937], p = .003) had significantly lower odds of MMDP completion and a longer interval to program completion as compared to non-Latino White participants. CONCLUSIONS: The current study identified racial/ethnic and gender disparities in a large county's cannabis diversion program. These findings may be related to law enforcement disparities which disproportionately target males and people of color. Findings may serve to inform the continued reform of the criminal justice system, particularly laws relating to cannabis.
Subject(s)
Criminal Law/trends , Ethnicity , Marijuana Use/ethnology , Marijuana Use/trends , Racial Groups/ethnology , Socioeconomic Factors , Urban Population/trends , Adult , Cannabis , Female , Humans , Law Enforcement/methods , Male , Marijuana Use/legislation & jurisprudence , Middle Aged , Sex Factors , Texas/ethnology , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To examine the prospective relation of caregiver problem-solving abilities and relationship satisfaction to caregiver depression 1 month following care recipient discharge from an inpatient stroke rehabilitation facility. RESEARCH DESIGN: Correlational, prospective design. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Participants included 39 women (average age = 51.47, SD = 20.59) and four men (average age = 42.50, SD = 5.57) assuming caregiver roles for persons discharged from stroke rehabilitation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The Beck Depression Inventory was the outcome measure at discharge and 1 month later. RESULTS: Caregivers experienced a significant decrease in depression scores between the discharge and 1-month assessments. Lower relationship satisfaction and dysfunctional problem-solving abilities were independently and significantly predictive of depression scores at discharge. Dysfunctional problem-solving abilities were indirectly predictive of depression 1 month later. CONCLUSIONS: Dysfunctional problem-solving abilities and low relationship satisfaction are associated with caregiver depression, but dysfunctional problem-solving abilities maintain an indirect association with depression over 1 month. Implications of these findings for developing problem-solving training programmes for caregivers post-discharge are discussed.
Subject(s)
Caregivers/psychology , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Marriage/psychology , Problem Solving/physiology , Stroke Rehabilitation , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Needs Assessment/organization & administration , Personal Satisfaction , Prospective Studies , Stroke/psychologyABSTRACT
There is a dearth of research exploring the moderating role of the social environment on neighborhood structural disadvantage and depressive symptoms, particularly among adolescents. Therefore, we examined if adolescent perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion and safety moderated the association between neighborhood structural disadvantage and adolescent depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional study used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). The study sample consisted of 12,105 adolescents enrolled in 9th-12th grades during the 1994-1995 school year across the United States (U.S.). Mixed effects multilevel modeling was used to determine if adolescent perceptions of neighborhoods moderated the relationship between neighborhood structural disadvantage and adolescent depressive symptoms. Results showed that perceived neighborhood social cohesion moderated the relationship between neighborhood structural disadvantage and adolescent depressive symptoms (pâ¯≤â¯0.001). At higher levels of perceived neighborhood social cohesion, neighborhood structural disadvantage was associated with decreased depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that improving perceived neighborhood social cohesion may decrease adolescent depressive symptoms, particularly in neighborhoods with high disadvantage. This aspect of the neighborhood social environment may serve as a target for structural and other interventions to address the growing burden of depression among adolescents.
Subject(s)
Depression/psychology , Interpersonal Relations , Poverty , Residence Characteristics , Social Environment , Adolescent , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , United StatesABSTRACT
To reduce the high incidence of cervical cancer among Latinas in the United States it is important to understand factors that predict screening behavior. The aim of this study was to test the utility of theory of planned behavior in predicting cervical cancer screening among a group of Latinas. A sample of Latinas (N = 614) completed a baseline survey about Pap test attitudes subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention to be screened for cervical cancer. At 6 months postbaseline, cervical cancer screening behavior was assessed. Structural equation modeling was used to test the theory. Model fit statistics indicated good model fit: χ(2)(48) = 54.32, p = .246; comparative fit index = .992; root mean square error of approximation = .015; weighted root mean square residual = .687. Subjective norms (p = .005) and perceived behavioral control (p < .0001) were positively associated with intention to be screened for cervical cancer, and the intention to be screened predicted actual cervical cancer screening (p < .0001). The proportion of variance (R2) in intention accounted for by the predictors was .276 and the R2 in cervical cancer screening accounted for was .130. This study provides support for the use of the theory of planned behavior in predicting cervical cancer screening among Latinas. This knowledge can be used to inform the development of a theory of planned behavior-based intervention to increase cervical cancer screening among Latinas and reduce the high incidence of cervical cancer in this group of women.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health/ethnology , Early Detection of Cancer/statistics & numerical data , Hispanic or Latino , Intention , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/ethnology , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/ethnology , Adult , Female , Health Behavior/ethnology , Humans , Incidence , Middle Aged , Psychological Theory , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Using a national data set, this study examined the factor structure and factorial invariance of the Multidimensional Acculturative Stress Inventory (MASI) across Latino and Asian Americans, gender, and nativity (U.S.- vs. foreign-born). Results showed that a 4-factor model of acculturative stress provided good fit to the data. Tests of factorial invariance provided evidence of measurement equivalence across all of the groupings tested. These findings suggest that the MASI operationalizes acculturative stress in an equivalent manner across Latino and Asian American students, gender, and nativity.