Examination of Current Anxiety Problems with School Engagement and Volunteer and Paid Work among U.S. Adolescents.

This study examined the relationships between current anxiety problems and school engagement, community service or volunteer work, and paid work among U.S. adolescents. The 2018-2019 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) dataset was analyzed and included 24,609 adolescents ages 12-17 years. We conducted unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyzes. A total of 12.6% of adolescents had healthcare provider-confirmed current anxiety problems. Adolescents with current anxiety were at decreased odds of engaging in school (aOR = 0.35, 95%CI = 0.29, 0.41) and participating in community service or volunteer work (aOR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.59, 0.86) compared to adolescents without current anxiety. Adolescents with current anxiety were at increased odds of participating in paid work (OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.01, 1.38). This study reports that U.S. adolescents with anxiety were less likely to engage in school and participate in community service or volunteer work, but were more likely to participate in paid work compared to their peers without anxiety. Results should inform future interventions targeting adolescents.

Does marijuana use among African American adolescent males differ based on school factors?

Marijuana use among adolescents is a major public health problem. The purpose of this study was to examine whether past-year marijuana use among African American adolescent males differed based on age and school factors. Data from the 2015-2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were analyzed. A national sample of African American students in grades 7 through 12 (n = 5,738) completed the survey. Results indicated that 14.7% reported using marijuana in the past year. Those at highest risk for past-year marijuana use were those who were male, were 16 to 17 years old, were in 9th through 12th grade, did not like going to school, and thought that most/all students in their grade used marijuana. Prevention professionals should consider the links among school attitudes, perceived social norms, and marijuana use when developing programs and interventions. Efforts are needed that are culturally competent and culturally sensitive to help reduce marijuana use rates among African American male adolescents. Future research is needed to further examine school perceptions and marijuana use among this population.

Current anxiety problems and organized activity participation among U.S. adolescents.

The study objectives were to examine the relationships between healthcare provider-confirmed current anxiety problems and organized activity participation including sports, clubs/organizations, and other activities. We used data from the 2018-2019 National Survey of Children's Health including 24,356 adolescents 12-17 years old. Poisson and logistic regression analyses were conducted. About 13% of adolescents had current anxiety problems. Poisson regression results indicated that adolescents with anxiety problems were less likely to participate in a higher total number of organized activities compared to children without anxiety problems. Similarly, logistic regression results indicated that adolescents with anxiety problems were at reduced odds of participating in at least one organized activity compared to adolescents without anxiety problems. Specific to activity type, adolescents with anxiety problems were at reduced odds of participating in sports and clubs/organizations. Study findings should be considered when creating and implementing community health promotion and education prevention programs and interventions for adolescents.

Recent alcohol use among African American adolescents based on school experiences and individual perceptions toward school.

This study examined whether recent alcohol use among African American adolescents differed based on school experiences and perceptions toward school. A secondary analysis of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was performed to answer research questions. Results from the multivariable logistic regression models revealed that male and female students at highest risk for recent alcohol use were those who hated/did not like going to school, never/seldom felt that the schoolwork they were assigned was meaningful and important, thought that the things they learned in school would be very/somewhat unimportant, got mostly grades C, D, and F the past semester, and felt that all/most of the students in their grade smoked cigarettes, used marijuana, drank alcohol, and got drunk weekly. Recommendations for future studies are included.

Non-medical prescription opioid use among US youth: 2015-2018.

BACKGROUND: Non-medical opioid use (NMOU) is a national public health concern with no signs of abating. While much research has focused on opioid use among adults, significant gaps exist on NMOU among youth. OBJECTIVE: The present study sought to identify the prevalence and correlates to NMOU use among a national sample of US youth ages 12-17 years old over multiple years of data. METHODS: The National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a repeated, cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of youth and adults in the US, was analyzed. Aggregated NSDUH data (2015-2018) was used to analyze NMOU among 54,866 youth (28,032 males, 26,834 females). Weighted analyses were conducted to determine significant associations to past-year non-medical opioid use. RESULTS: Weighted analyses revealed that 3.36% of youth used opioids non-medically in the past year. Compared to 2015, there was a significant decrease in the odds of past-year use in 2017 and 2018. NMOU users tended to be African American, Hispanic, reported major depression in the past year, and engaged in fighting with other youth. Compared to non-users of illegal drugs, youth who used marijuana, alcohol, and cigarettes were more likely to use opioids in the past year. CONCLUSION: The present study found that opioid use is declining among youth. Findings may aid harm reduction efforts, theory-based clinical interventions, and health prevention messaging on opioid use.

The Epidemiology of Recent Alcohol Use Among a National Sample of Middle Eastern College Students.

Alcohol use among college students is a national health concern. The epidemiology of alcohol use among Middle Eastern college students remains to be investigated. This study sought to understand the epidemiology of recent alcohol use among Middle Eastern college students. We use data from the 2017 to 2018 Healthy Minds Study to identify predictors of recent alcohol use among 1,763 Middle Eastern students nationwide. Weighted univariate analyses were conducted to determine significant predictors of recent alcohol use. Nearly half (45.5%) of Middle Eastern college students reported using alcohol in the past 2 weeks (recent alcohol use). Those at highest risk for recent alcohol use were in their 4th year of schooling (p < .001), living in a fraternity or sorority house (p < .001), and reported that religion was not a big part of their life (p < .001). Students who lived with their parents were less likely to drink alcohol (p < . 001). Recent alcohol use among Middle Eastern college students is a national public health concern. Interventions are warranted to decrease this growing public health anomaly and to more effectively deal with this current public health crisis.

Correlates to Lifetime Suicide Attempts, Thoughts, and Planning Behaviors Among African American Transgender Individuals.

Transgender individuals are at increased risk for suicidal behaviors. We estimated lifetime suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts within a national sample of African American transgender individuals (n = 790). Using data from the 2015 US Transgender Survey, we found that 33.5% of these individuals had thought about attempting suicide at least once, 20.0% had planned to attempt suicide, and 38.0% had attempted suicide. Significant differences were found in regard to demographics and lifetime substance use; individuals who experienced intimate partner violence and used alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs were at the highest risk for attempting suicide. Our findings may assist health professionals in creating interventions designed to prevent suicide in this underserved and vulnerable population.

Authoritative Parenting Behaviors and Marijuana Use Based on Age Among a National Sample of Hispanic Adolescents.

Although numerous prevention efforts have been implemented, marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit substance among Hispanic adolescents nationwide. We sought to determine the influence authoritative parenting behaviors have on lifetime, past year, and past month marijuana use among Hispanic adolescents overall, and then based on age (i.e., 12-13, 14-15, and 16-17 years). We conducted a secondary analysis of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 3457). We performed a series of logistic regression analyses. Nearly one-fifth (19.5%) of Hispanic participants reported lifetime marijuana use, 14.5% reported past year use, and 7.5% reported past month use. Results indicated that Hispanic adolescents who are at significantly increased risk for reporting lifetime, past year, and past month marijuana use, were those who reported that their parents seldom or never performed the following behaviors: (1) checked if their homework was done, (2) helped them with their homework, (3) limited the amount of TV they watched, (4) told them they did a good job, and (5) told them they were proud of them. There were no relationships between adolescents' lifetime, past year, or past month marijuana use and whether their parents made their youth do chores or limited their time out on a school night. Regarding age, while results indicated that most authoritative parenting behaviors have a significant effect against marijuana use, the protective effect diminished with age, with the exception of the relationship between adolescents' past month marijuana use and whether their parents checked to see if their homework was done. Substance use prevention programs for this population should start in early adolescence and involve and educate parents on adopting authoritative parenting behaviors.

Religiosity and Adolescent Major Depressive Episodes Among 12-17-Year-Olds.

This study examined whether age plays a role in the relationship between religiosity and adolescent major depressive episodes (MDEs). The 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data was examined. Odds ratios were computed to determine if the association between religiosity and MDE differed based on age of adolescent among 12-13-year-olds, 14-15-year-olds, and 16-17-year-olds. Results indicated that 9.7% of adolescents reported having an MDE within the past year. Past-year MDE did not differ based on religious attendance for any of the three age groups. However, 12-13- and 14-15-year-olds who did not feel their religious beliefs influence how they make decisions in their life were at increased risk for a past-year MDE. For 15-16-year-olds and 16-17-year-olds, those who did not feel it was important that their friends share their religious beliefs were at increased risk for a past-year MDE. Such findings appear to indicate that certain aspects of religiosity may provide a significant protective effect against adolescent MDE. Prevention professionals and health educators should consider these findings to help bolster ongoing and future MDE prevention efforts. Recommendations for future research are provided.

Sex Differences in the Association Between School Experiences and Marijuana Use Among African American Adolescents.

This study examined whether past month marijuana use among African American adolescents differed based on school experiences and individual feelings toward school. A secondary analysis of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was conducted to answer research questions. Results from the multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that female students at highest risk for recent use included those who held negative feelings toward school (OR 2.723, CI 1.683, 4.406, p < .001), felt courses were not interesting (OR 2.695, CI 1.513, 4.798, p < .01), and received mostly C's/D's/ F's in the last semester (OR 2.520, CI 1.614, 6.711,p < .001). For males, results indicated that male students at highest risk included those who held negative feelings toward school (OR 2.364, CI 1.365, 4.094, p < .01), felt things learned in school would not be important later in life (OR 3.470, CI 1.951, 6.173, p < .001), and received mostly C's/ D's/F's in the last semester (OR 2.733, CI 1.734, 4.309, p < .001). In the final model, of those who felt that most or all students in their grade used marijuana, males were 3 ½ times (OR 3.418, CI 1.741, 6.711, p < .001) and females were 8 times (OR 8.288, CI 3.526, 19.480, p < .001) more likely to have recently used marijuana. Such findings can be used by prevention specialists and health educators to develop and implement marijuana prevention programs and interventions specifically tailored to African American adolescents. Recommendations for future research are included.

Hookah Use Among College Students: Recent Use, Knowledge of Health Risks, Attitude and Reasons for Use.

Notwithstanding the efforts of health educators and other health professionals regarding tobacco and smoking cessation, research indicates that hookah smoking among college students remains a health concern. Research shows an upward trend in college students' hookah use. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe potential patterns/differences in college students' hookah use, and the relations among attitudes toward and knowledge about hookah use and use of this drug. A four-page, 20-item survey was used to collect data from participants (N = 403) and to measure participants 'recent use, knowledge of health risks, attitudes and reasons for hookah use among college students. Results indicated increased prevalence rates (53.8%) among participants of this study. Participants' recent hookah use was consistent with that of current research. Study findings supports current research, which found that college students have low negative perceptions of the health risks (addictive and detrimental properties) of hookah use. Analyses also determined that college students' attitudes toward hookah was associated with use of this drug. Regarding reasons why students may use hookah, data analysis indicated statistical significance in lifetime hookah use based on reasons for use. Study provide information for health educators creating hookah risk awareness educational programs aimed at reducing rates of hookah smoking among college students.

Effective Prevention Strategies for Increasing Health Services Utilization Among Hispanic Youth.

The study purpose is to address the underutilization of mental health services among Hispanic youth. This article provides professionals with strategies to increase health services utilization by utilizing a framework of the levels of prevention model, with an emphasis on primary prevention. The following questions were explored: (1) What are primary prevention strategies that can assist school professionals? (2) What are secondary prevention strategies and tertiary prevention strategies school professionals can employ to increase the utilization of health services? Implementing primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies may improve Hispanic youth's overall mental health, academic achievement, and quality of life.

School Violent Victimization Among Youth: Is There an Association With Perceived School Safety?

Violent victimization and school safety continues to be a major health concern in the United States. This study examines whether there is an association between school violent victimization and perceived school safety among youth. The PRIDE Questionnaire for 6th-through 12th-grade students, which assesses violent victimization and perceived school safety, was completed voluntarily by students (N = 54,938) in a large Midwestern city. Results indicated that a sizeable percentage of youth felt unsafe at school. Perceived school safety differed based on gender, grade, and race. Students experiencing violent victimization reported lower levels of school safety than their counterparts did. Such findings have important implications for school health professionals and prevention specialists interested in protecting youth from violent victimization and enhancing student safety at school.

Psychosocial determinants of marijuana use among African American youth.

This study examines the psychosocial determinants of marijuana use among youth. A total of 7,488 African American middle and high school students from 133 metropolitan private and public schools completed a survey assessing psychosocial factors associated with annual marijuana use. The PRIDE survey, a nationally recognized survey on substance use, was used to assess the frequency of marijuana use and the influence of psychosocial factors on marijuana use among African American students. Results indicated that 18.5% of African American youth used marijuana in the past year. Males were significantly more likely than females to report using marijuana. Engaging in risky behaviors, such as getting in trouble at school and with police and attending a party with alcohol and other drugs, were significantly correlated with annual marijuana use. Conversely, having multiple parent, teacher, and school protective factors reduced annual marijuana use in this population. Such findings may assist prevention specialists in developing interventions to reduce and prevent marijuana use.

Predictors of flourishing for adolescents with asthma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine well-being or flourishing of adolescents with asthma as well as factors influencing flourishing for these adolescents. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data collected for the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health was conducted. Flourishing of adolescents with and without asthma was compared. Parent coping and anger, child sex and age and child flourishing were examined for adolescents with asthma. RESULTS: Youth with asthma had lower flourishing than those without this disease. Positive parent coping was related to flourishing, while parent anger negatively influenced flourishing of adolescents with asthma. Interaction terms were significant, indicating that the aforementioned variables interacted with adolescent age and sex. CONCLUSIONS: Study results point to a complex relationship between parent- and adolescent-level factors and adolescent well-being. Further research is needed to examine relations among flourishing and health outcomes in youth with asthma.

Predictors of Recent Marijuana Use and Past Year Marijuana Use Among a National Sample of Hispanic Youth.

BACKGROUND: Marijuana use rates remain higher among Hispanic youth compared to youth from other ethnic groups. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine if sex, age, authoritarian parenting, perceived school experiences, lifetime depression, legal involvement, and perceived social norms of marijuana use predicted recent marijuana use and past year marijuana use among Hispanic youth. METHODS: The participants of this study were a nationwide sample of Hispanic youth (n = 3,457) in the United States. A secondary data analysis of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was performed. Unadjusted odds ratios were computed via univariate logistic regression analyses and all statistically significant variables were retained and included in the final multiple logistic regression analyses. Recent marijuana use was operationally defined as use within the past 30 days, and marijuana use in the past year was defined as use within the past year. RESULTS: Results indicated that 7.5% of Hispanic youth used within the past month and 14.5% of Hispanic youth used within the past year. Results revealed that significant predictors for recent use were age, authoritarian parenting, perceived school experiences, legal involvement, and perceived social norms of youth marijuana use. Predictors for past year were age, perceived school experiences, legal involvement, and perceived social norms of youth marijuana use. CONCLUSIONS/IMPORTANCE: Findings from this study can be used to address the public health problem of marijuana use among Hispanic youth that is ultimately contributing to health disparities among this ethnic group nationwide. Recommendations for future studies are included.

School violent victimization and recent alcohol use and episodic heavy drinking among youth.

School violent victimization is a serious public health problem among youth. The current study investigated the association between youth alcohol use and school violent victimization among middle school and high school students (N=54,361). The PRIDE national survey for Grades 6-12 was administered to youth in their classrooms. Results indicated that 38.3% of students were involved in school violent victimization. School violent victimization differed significantly based on sex, race, and grade level. Logistic regression analyses indicated that school violent victimization was directly related to elevated alcohol use in the past 12 months and episodic heavy drinking among youth. Findings from this study may be beneficial to school nurses in creating bullying and substance abuse prevention programs for students. Recommendations for future research are included.

Emotionally troubled teens' help-seeking behaviors: an evaluation of surviving the Teens® suicide prevention and depression awareness program.

Many school-based suicide prevention programs do not show a positive impact on help-seeking behaviors among emotionally troubled teens despite their being at high risk for suicide. This study is a secondary analysis of the Surviving the Teens(®) program evaluation to determine its effect on help-seeking behaviors among troubled youth. Results showed significant increases in mean scores of the Behavioral Intent to Communicate with Important Others Regarding Emotional Health Issues subscale (p < .0005) from pretest to 3-month follow-up. There was a significant increase (p = .006) in mean scores of the Behavioral Intent Regarding Help-Seeking Behaviors when Suicidal subscale from pretest to posttest, but not at 3-month follow-up. Also, there was a significant increase (p = .016) in mean scores in the item "I would tell an adult if I was suicidal" from pretest to 3-month follow-up. These findings suggest that the Surviving the Teens program has a positive effect on help-seeking behaviors in troubled youth.

Anxiety among Asian international college students in the US: a systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE: The current systematic literature review explores the factors contributing to anxiety among Asian international college students in the United States. METHODS: A search of multiple electronic databases yielded seven relevant peer-reviewed articles published since 2018. RESULTS: Findings indicated that academic stressors, lack of social support, and cultural barriers significantly contributed to anxiety among Asian international students. Additionally, demographic factors such as gender, age, and English proficiency may also influence anxiety levels. DISCUSSION: Mindfulness-based interventions, peer support groups, and culturally sensitive counseling may reduce anxiety among Asian international students. Further research is needed to understand more thoroughly the complex interactions between these factors and anxiety in this population.

Sex and grade level differences in lifetime nonmedical prescription drug use among youth.

Nonmedical prescription drug (NMPD) use is a significant health issue among youth. The purpose of this study was to examine NMPD use among students in 7th through 12th grades. A total of 54,631 students participated in the study, which utilized the PRIDE Questionnaire. A total of 13.6 % of youth reported lifetime NMPD use. Hispanic youth were more likely than white or African American youth to report use of NMPDs. Engaging in high levels of pro-social behaviors and having high levels of parent and teacher/school protective factors decreased the odds of use among males, females, 7th and 8th grade students and 9th through 12th grade students. Conversely, engaging in risky behaviors and having friends who used other substances increased the odds for use. Study findings highlight the increasing problem of prescription drug use. Prevention professionals may benefit from findings that can be used to tailor educational initiatives to students.