Social media uses amongst adolescents: motives, minority stress and eudaimonic well-being / Uso de redes sociales en adolescentes: motivación, estrés de minorías y bienestar eudaimónico

Introduction: The scientific evidence regarding the effects of online social media use on the well-being of adolescents is mixed. In gen-eral, passive uses (receiving, viewing content without interacting) and more screen time are related to lower well-being when compared with active uses (direct interactions and interpersonal exchanges). Objectives:This study ex-amines the types and motives for social media usage amongst adolescents, differentiating them by gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as its effects on eudaimonic well-being and minority stress. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1259 adolescents, aged 14 to 19 (M= 16.19; SD= 1.08), analysing the Scale of Motives for Using Social Net-working Sites, eudaimonic well-being, the Sexual Minority Adolescent Stress Inventory, screen time and profile type. Results:The results found that longer use time is related to finding partners, social connection and friendships; that gay and bisexual (GB) adolescents perceive more distal stressors online;and that females have higher levels of well-being. Discus-sion: The public profiles of GB males increase self-expression, although minority stress can be related to discrimination, rejection or exclusion. Dif-ferentiated socialization may contribute to a higher level of well-being in females, with both active and passive uses positively effecting eudaimonic well-being in adolescents.(AU)

Introduction: The scientific evidence regarding the effects of online social media use on the well-being of adolescents is mixed. In general, passive uses (receiving, viewing content without interacting) and more screen time are related to lower well-being when compared with active uses (direct interactions and interpersonal exchanges). Objectives: This study examines the types and motives for social media usage amongst adolescents, differentiating them by gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as its effects on eudaimonic well-being and minority stress. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1259 adolescents, aged 14 to 19 (M = 16.19; SD = 1.08), analysing the Scale of Motives for Using Social Networking Sites, eudaimonic well-being, the Sexual Minority Adolescent Stress Inventory, screen time and profile type. Results: The results found that longer use time is related to finding partners, social connection and friendships; that gay and bisexual (GB) adolescents perceive more distal stressors online; and that females have higher levels of well-being. Discussion: The public profiles of GB males increase self-expression, although minority stress can be related to discrimination, rejection or exclusion. Differentiated socialization may contribute to a higher level of well-being in females, with both active and passive uses positively effecting eudaimonic well-being in adolescents.(AU)

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy: To Protect Adolescents, Social Media Needs Warning Labels.

This Medical News article is an interview with US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, and JAMA Editor in Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, about his call for a warning label on social media platforms.

The changes in biethnic acceptance across daily settings and biethnic adolescents' psychological well-being during middle school transition.

INTRODUCTION: Patterns of biethnic adolescents' perceived biethnic acceptance across families, peers, and school contexts were examined during the transition from elementary to middle school in South Korea. We also examined how the transition patterns were related to their psychological outcomes during this period. METHODS: Utilizing 2-wave data (2017 and 2019) from the Panel Survey of Korean Multicultural Youth Adjustment, a latent transition analysis was conducted. Participants were biethnic adolescents who were in 5th or 6th grade at Wave 1 (N = 245; 51.02% female; Mage = 11.38). Their fathers were Korean, and mothers were immigrants from neighboring countries. Familial ethnic socialization, peer discrimination, and school multicultural climate scores were used as indicators of biethnic acceptance. Outcomes of self-esteem, depression, and biethnic affirmation were also examined. RESULTS: Latent profile and transition analyses yielded two groups (i.e., high acceptance and low acceptance) at each wave and four transition patterns (i.e., high-high, low-high, low-low, and high-low). Compared to high-high group, which was the most prevalent group, low-low and high-low groups reported lower self-esteem and ethnic affirmation, and greater depression at Wave 3. CONCLUSIONS: While for the majority of participants, their daily settings continued to be high in biethnic acceptance across the transition period, most at risk were those who perceived a decrease in biethnic acceptance in their daily settings. Results shed light on the need for support to maintain the context of high biethnic acceptance surrounding biethnic adolescents for their psychological well-being in school transitions.

Bienestar emocional, percepciones y actitudes frente a la COVID-19 en adolescentes / Emotional well-being, perceptions and attitudes against COVID-19 on adolescents

Introducción: La pandemia mundial por SARS-CoV-2 ha ocasionado un gran impacto en la vida de los adolescentes afectando el bienestar infanto-juvenil, sin embargo, existe escasa evidencia del efecto que ha tenido a nivel emocional en esta población. Objetivo: Explorar los conocimientos, percepciones y actitudes de los jóvenes frente a la COVID-19 y el impacto provocado en el bienestar emocional. Material y método: Estudio observacional transversal y descriptivo, a partir de una encuesta realizada a alumnos de 16-20 años de cinco institutos del área metropolitana de Barcelona. Resultados: El estudio se efectuó sobre 291 encuestas. De los participantes, 56,7% fueron mujeres. La edad media fue de 16,8 años y la mediana de 17 años. Se detectó un mayor desconocimiento sobre la transmisión de la enfermedad. Las fuentes de información más utilizadas fueron las redes sociales. En cuanto al malestar emocional, destaca la preocupación por enfermar (64%), los problemas económicos familiares (46%), la ansiedad e irritabilidad (27%) y la apatía (26,5%). Se detectan diferencias entre géneros en cuanto a la preocupación (mujeres: 28,8%, hombres: 11,1%), tristeza (mujeres: 29,3%, hombres: 15,5%) y sensación de tener miedo (mujeres: 24,5%, hombres 11%). De los sujetos, 16,7% consultaron con un profesional de salud mental, siendo más frecuente en mujeres (23,8%, hombres: 7,4%). Conclusiones: La COVID-19 ha afectado el bienestar emocional de los adolescentes, sobre todo en la población femenina. Se detecta un mayor uso de las redes sociales para evitar el aislamiento social. Los resultados del estudio pueden ayudar a diseñar estrategias para evitar malestares futuros en el ámbito biopsicosocial.(AU)

Introduction: The worldwide pandemic of SARS-Cov2 has had a great impact on the lives of adolescents, affecting their health and well-being. There is little evidence of the emotional impact of the pandemic on adolescents. Objectiv: To explore the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of young people regarding COVID-19 and its impact on emotional well-being. Method: A cross-sectional observational and descriptive study based on a survey of students aged 16–20 from five high schools in Barcelona metropolitan area. Results: The study was carried out on 291 surveys. Females made up 56.7% of the population. The average age was 16.9 years. A greater lack of knowledge about the transmission of the disease was detected. The most frequently used sources of information were social networks. In terms of emotional distress, the most important aspects were worry about getting sick (64%), family financial problems (46%), anxiety and irritability (27%), and apathy (26.5%). Gender differences were detected in terms of worries (women: 28.8%; men: 11.1%), sadness (women: 29.3%, men: 15.5%), and feelings of fear (women: 24.5%; men: 11%). 16.7% of the participants consulted a mental health professional, with this being more common in women (women: 23.8%; men: 7.4%). Conclusions: COVID-19 has affected the emotional well-being of adolescents, especially the female population. It is necessary to implement emotional well-being strategies in early childhood to cope with possible stressful situations in daily life and avoid future mental health problems. There is a growing use of social media to combat social isolation. The results of the study hold the potential to strategies aimed at preempting forthcoming biopsychosocial distress.(AU)

El papel de la impulsividad en la orientación al suicidio de universitarios con antecedentes de conducta autolesiva / The role of impulsivity in suicidal orientation of university students with a history of self-injurious behavior

El objetivo de esta investigación fue describir el efecto de la depresión, la desesperanza y la impulsividad sobre la orientación al suicidio y el papel de la impulsividad como mediador de la orientación suicida en universitarios con antecedentes de conductas autolesivas. Participaron 1.645 jóvenes entre los 18 y 29 años, de dos ciudades colombianas. Se seleccionaron 218 jóvenes (M= 21,00; DT= 2,99) que informaron de al menos un intento de suicidio en el último año, quienes contestaron el “Inventario de orientación suicida”, la “Escala de desesperanza de Beck”, el “Inventario de depresión de Beck” y la “Escala de impulsividad de Barratt”. La depresión, la desesperanza y la impulsividad explicaron el 63% de la variación de la orientación al suicidio (R2= 0,635; IC 95% [0,555; 0,713]; p= 0,001). La impulsividad medió con depresión en aquellos casos en los que la orientación suicida era alta, cuyos efectos totales, directos e indirectos, fueron estadísticamente significativos (p< 0,001). La impulsividad desempeña un papel mediador entre la depresión y la desesperanza en la predicción de la orientación suicida.(AU)

The aim of this research was to describe the effect of depression,hopelessness, and impulsivity on orientation to suicide and the role of impulsivityas a mediator of suicidal orientation in university students with a history of self-injury behaviors. 1645 young people between 18 and 29 years old participated,from two Colombian cities. 218 young people were selected (M= 21.00; SD= 2.99)who reported at least one suicide attempt in the last year, who answered the“Suicidal Orientation Inventory”, the “Beck Hopelessness Scale”, the “BeckDepression Inventory” and the “Barratt Impulsivity Scale”. Depression,hopelessness, and impulsivity explained 63% of the variation in suicidal orientation (R 2 = .635, IC 95% [.555, .713], p= .001). Impulsivity mediated with depression inthose cases in which suicidal orientation was high, whose total, direct and indirecteffects were statistically significant (p< .001). Impulsivity plays a mediating rolebetween depression and hopelessness in predicting suicidal orientation.K EY WORDS : depression, hopelessness, impulsivity, suicidality, college youth.(AU)

Propiedades psicométricas de la “Escala de percepción del riesgo para el uso de la tecnología” en niños y adolescentes / Psychometric properties of the “Risk perception scale for the use of technology” in children and adolescents

Los objetivos de esta investigación son: 1) crear un instrumento válido y fiable que permita evaluar la percepción del riesgo que tienen del uso de la tecnología (móvil, Internet y videojuegos) niños y adolescentes; y 2) analizar la frecuencia con la que se dan algunas conductas de riesgo en función de la percepción, el uso de la tecnología y la edad. 807 niños y adolescentes de la provincia de Córdoba (España) respondieron una batería ad hoc que recoge información sobre datos sociodemográficos; uso problemático del móvil, internet y videojuegos; y percepción de riesgo con la “Escala de percepción del riesgo del uso de la tecnología para niños y adolescentes” (EPRUT). Los resultados indican que a partir del análisis factorial, la EPRUT cuenta con tres dimensiones que hacen referencia al móvil, Internet y videojuegos. Se han observado diferencias en función de la edad y la percepción de riesgo. Evaluar la percepción del riesgo favorecerá la detección y el desarrollo de programas de prevención de uso de la tecnología en niños y adolescentes.(AU)

The aim of this work is 1) to create a valid, reliable instrument with which toevaluate the risk perception of children and adolescents regarding their use oftechnology (cell phones, Internet, and video games); and 2) to analyze thefrequency with which some risk behaviors occur in relation to perception,technology use and age. 807 children and adolescents from the province ofCordoba (Spain) answered an ad hoc questionnaire with several instruments:sociodemographic data; problematic use of cell phones, Internet, and video games;and risk perception with the Scale on Risk Perception of Technology Use forchildren and adolescents (SRPTU). The results obtained from the factor analysisreveal that the RPSTU has three dimensions, related to cell phones, Internet, andvideo games, respectively. Differences were observed in the relationship betweenage and risk perception, with older people having the highest risk perception.Assessing risk perception will favor the detection and development of preventionprograms for the use of technology in children and adolescents.(AU)

Mobile phone addiction and social anxiety among Chinese adolescents:Mediating role of interpersonal problems / Adicción al teléfono móvil y ansiedad social entre adolescentes chinos: papel mediador de los problemas interpersonales

Objetivos: Con frecuencia se ha informado que la adicción al teléfono móvil (MPA) está correlacionada con trastornos psicológicos como la depresión, el estrés y la ansiedad entre la población joven. Sin embargo, el grado en que estos factores se correlacionan con el AMP y el mecanismo potencial subyacente a esas relaciones son concluyentes. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la asociación entre el nivel de AMP y la ansiedad social entre adolescentes chinos y examinó el efecto de mediación de los problemas interpersonales entre ellos. Métodos: Una muestra de 1027 estudiantes escolares seleccionados mediante un método de muestreo aleatorio por conglomerados estratificados respondió a cuestionarios sobre el índice MPA, la escala de ansiedad por interacción social, el inventario de problemas interpersonales y variables demográficas. Se realizaron análisis de correlación de Spearman y de regresión lineal múltiple para investigar el alcance de la asociación entre la AMP y la ansiedad social, y la prueba de Sobel y el muestreo de arranque confirmaron el papel mediador de los problemas interpersonales. Resultados: De todos los estudiantes de nuestro estudio, el 5,9% tenían AMP, y la puntuación de AMP se correlacionó positivamente con la ansiedad social después de controlar las variables demográficas en el modelo ajustado. El análisis de regresión de mediación múltiple reveló que el problema interpersonal era un mediador parcial significativo entre la AMP y la ansiedad social. Conclusión: Los adolescentes del AMP fueron un subgrupo de población que necesita prestar más atención para prevenir la ansiedad social. Mejorar los problemas interpersonales podría ser un enfoque eficaz para abordar la ansiedad social inducida por el AMP en los adolescentes.(AU)

Objectives:Mobile phone addiction (MPA) has frequently report-ed to be correlated with psychological disorders such as depression, stress and anxiety among young population. However, the extent to which these factors are correlated with MPA and the potential mechanism underlying those relationships are conclusive. This study aimed to investigate the as-sociation between MPA level and social anxiety among Chinese adoles-cents, and examined the mediation effect of interpersonal problems be-tween them.Methods:A sample of 1027 school-based students selected by a stratified-cluster random sampling method responded to questionnaires re-garding MPA Index, Social Interaction Anxiousness Scale, Interpersonal Problems Inventory, and demographic variables. Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the extent of the association between MPA and social anxiety, and Sobel test and bootstrapping sampling confirmed the mediating role ofinterpersonal problems.Results:Of all students in our study, 5.9% were MPA, and MPA score was positively correlated with social anxiety after controlled for de-mographic variables in the adjusted model. Multiple mediation regression analysis revealed that the interpersonal problem was a significant partial mediator between MPA and social anxiety.Conclusion:The MPA adoles-cents were a subgroup population who need to pay more attention to pre-vent social anxiety. Improving interpersonal problems might be aneffec-tive approach to deal with MPA-induced social anxiety in adolescents.(AU)

Measurement of adolescent psychological wellbeing: A test of factor structure and measurement invariance.

Gains in holistic approaches to adult mental health have been associated with increasing interest in understanding psychological wellbeing (PWB) among adolescents. Empirical examination of measurement models for PWB in adolescence is lacking. Thus, the current study examined PWB in a longitudinal, diverse sample of 433 adolescents (non-Latinx Black: 37.6%; non-Latinx White: 25.9%; Latinx: 36.5%; Male adolescents: 50.1%). A one-factor, correlated six-factor and hierarchical models were examined across racial/ethnic (White, Black, and Hispanic) and gender (female, male) identities, after which the best fitting model was selected to undergo invariance testing. A one-factor structure was superior, and exhibited strict invariance across racial/ethnic and gender identities at each wave of the study, as well as longitudinal invariance within the entire sample.

Derailment in adolescence: Factor analytic structure and correlates.

Derailment is the sense of being "off-course" in life. But what could this mean for adolescents, who are often establishing identity and self-direction for the first time? We examined the structure and correlates of the Derailment Scale and its short form, the Derailment Scale-6 (DS-6), among middle-to-late adolescents (N = 452). Both scales exhibited unidimensionality, but the DS-6 demonstrated superior fit and correlated with cross-sectional distress markers (e.g., greater depression, lower life satisfaction, strained sense of purpose). Breaking from adult-based research, we failed to find evidence that derailment related to adolescent identity exploration and commitment. In extending assessment of derailment to adolescence, this study invites exploration of this experience during a time characterized by substantial transition and the emergence of stable self-views.