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Adolescent Males (adolescent + male)
Selected AbstractsChanges in Formal Sex Education: 1995,2002PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, Issue 4 2006Laura Duberstein Lindberg CONTEXT: Although comprehensive sex education is broadly supported by health professionals, funding for abstinence-only education has increased. METHODS: Using data from the 1995 National Survey of Adolescent Males, the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) and the 2002 NSFG, changes in male and female adolescents'reports of the sex education they have received from formal sources were examined. Life-table methods were used to measure the timing of instruction, and t tests were used for changes over time. RESULTS: From 1995 to 2002, reports of formal instruction about birth control methods declined among both genders (males, from 81% to 66%; females, from 87% to 70%). This, combined with increases in reports of abstinence education among males (from 74% to 83%), resulted in a lower proportion of teenagers'overall receiving formal instruction about both abstinence and birth control methods (males, 65% to 59%; females, 84% to 65%), and a higher proportion of teenagers'receiving instruction only about abstinence (males, 9% to 24%; females, 8% to 21%). Teenagers in 2002 had received abstinence education about two years earlier (median age, 11.4 for males, 11.8 for females) than they had received birth control instruction (median age, 13.5 for both males and females). Among sexually experienced adolescents, 62% of females and 54% of males had received instruction about birth control methods prior to first sex. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial retreat from formal instruction about birth control methods has left increasing proportions of adolescents receiving only abstinence education. Efforts are needed to expand teenagers'access to medically accurate and comprehensive reproductive health information. [source] Language attitudes and sociolinguistic behaviour: Exploring attitude-behaviour relations in languageJOURNAL OF SOCIOLINGUISTICS, Issue 2 2000Hans J. Ladegaard This paper is concerned with the relationship between attitude and behaviour in language. Adolescent male and female subjects were recorded and index-scores of their linguistic behaviour compared to their assessment of ingroup members in a verbal-guise attitude experiment, and to their attitudes concerning language usage in a questionnaire. It was hypothesised that male subjects' language would be closer to the vernacular, and that they would also express more positive attitudes towards ingroup members than would female subjects. However, no significant correlation between attitude and behaviour was found in the quantitative analysis, but results from the attitude-questionnaire support our hypothesis: male subjects have more vernacular features in their language and also express more genuinely positive attitudes towards the local vernaculars than do female subjects. Finally, methodological and theoretical implications of these results are discussed, emphasising the importance of using eclectic approaches in future research on attitude-behaviour relations in language. [source] Smoking-based selection and influence in gender-segregated friendship networks: a social network analysis of adolescent smokingADDICTION, Issue 7 2010Liesbeth Mercken ABSTRACT Aims The main goal of this study was to examine differences between adolescent male and female friendship networks regarding smoking-based selection and influence processes using newly developed social network analysis methods that allow the current state of continuously changing friendship networks to act as a dynamic constraint for changes in smoking behaviour, while allowing current smoking behaviour to be simultaneously a dynamic constraint for changes in friendship networks. Design Longitudinal design with four measurements. Setting Nine junior high schools in Finland. Participants A total of 1163 adolescents (mean age = 13.6 years) who participated in the control group of the ESFA (European Smoking prevention Framework Approach) study, including 605 males and 558 females. Measurements Smoking behaviour of adolescents, parents, siblings and friendship ties. Findings Smoking-based selection of friends was found in male as well as female networks. However, support for influence among friends was found only in female networks. Furthermore, females and males were both influenced by parental smoking behaviour. Conclusions In Finnish adolescents, both male and female smokers tend to select other smokers as friends but it appears that only females are influenced to smoke by their peer group. This suggests that prevention campaigns targeting resisting peer pressure may be more effective in adolescent girls than boys. [source] Osteoid osteoma of the tibial tubercle , an unusual cause of anterior knee painINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 10 2004A. Lakdawala Summary This case report describes an atypical cause of anterior knee pain in an adolescent male. The osteoid osteoma was located in the tibial apophysis. [source] Case study of a one-sided attack by multiple troop members on a nontroop adolescent male and the death of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, Issue 4 2009Masaki Shimada Abstract An adolescent wild male Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata), following Kinkazan A troop, was attacked one-sidedly by multiple members of the troop. The victim was identified as PI, and was estimated to be seven±one year old. The aggressive interaction was recorded by video camera until the end. Although at least 16 troop members approached PI more than once, only three males (one adult, two adolescents) of A troop attacked him. PI kept crouching throughout the attack, then escaped to the shore and dived into the sea. The interaction continued for more than one hour. PI was found dead a few hours after the end of interaction. The damage caused by the assailants was not the direct cause of PI's death; it was due to hypothermia caused by drifting in the sea. PI's life history was reconstructed from past records. PI was a normal adolescent male who migrated from an all-male group around B1 troop and started ranging around A troop. The aggressive interaction is believed to be a typical example of conflict between troop males and a nontroop male. The interaction period was very long compared with previous reports on such conflicts among Japanese macaques. PI kept crouching in open areas, exposing himself as a potential competitor for the resources of the troop, and did not show any submissive or reconciliatory behavior toward the troop males. This may be why the troop males did not stop the attack. Aggr. Behav. 35:334,341, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A case of localized adrenergic urticaria mimicking an allergic reaction to a sweat chloride testPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 9 2009Y. Klebanova MD Abstract Adrenergic urticaria (AU) is a rare type of physical urticaria triggered by stress. It is frequently confused with IgE-mediated urticaria or other physical urticarias. This report describes a case of localized adrenergic urticaria triggered by a sweat chloride test in an adolescent male with multiple atopic disorders. A pruritic papular rash at the site of a sweat chloride test prompted an evaluation for allergic and physical urticarias using multiple skin test methods. A positive intradermal skin test to noradrenaline, which reproduced the rash observed during the sweat test, lead to the diagnosis of adrenergic urticaria. This is the first case report describing an immediate adrenergic urticarial reaction to sweat chloride testing in a patient with other atopic disorders. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:935,938. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Early adolescent primary ciliary dyskinesia associated with broncholithiasisPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 7 2008Koray Hekimoglu MD Abstract Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), is a rare congenital disease group, and contained Kartageners syndrome. This syndrome is characterized with situs viscerum inversus, sinusitis and bronchiectasis. In some elderly patients, broncholithiasis may be associated with PCD. The coexistence of early adolescence PCD and broncolithiasis has not been reported yet. We report here a case of a 14-year-old early adolescent male who had typically presented as PCD-based Kartageners syndrome and developed broncholithiasis which diagnosed with computed tomography. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:714,716. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and psychopathy in adolescent male and female detaineesBEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW, Issue 4 2009Kathrin Sevecke M.D. Although ADHD and CD are apparent risk factors for adult psychopathy, there are three distinct perspectives regarding their relationships to psychopathy: (1) ADHD may contribute uniquely to the development of psychopathy or (2) its contribution may reflect its high comorbidity with CD. Alternatively, (3) the comorbid presence of ADHD and CD may confer unique risk for the development of psychopathy. Although prior adult studies have yielded conflicting findings, no prior studies of adolescents address this issue. We examined these three hypotheses and the possibility of sex differences using cross-sectional analyses in 90 male and 123 female incarcerated adolescents. Among males the influence of ADHD was largely attributable to the overlap between ADHD and CD, whereas among females ADHD contributed independently to psychopathy scores and to scores on several dimensions of psychopathy. In addition, among females, the ADHD,×,CD interaction was significant for the total score and the antisocial component of psychopathy and in a direction opposite to that predicted by the comorbid subtype hypothesis. These findings indicate that there may be sex-specific pathways to elevations in psychopathic traits and suggest that the comorbid subtype hypothesis is probably not correct for either boys or girls. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Cognitive performance of male adolescents is lower than controls across psychiatric disorders: a population-based studyACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2004M. Weiser Objective:, Psychiatric patients, as well as humans or experimental animals with brain lesions, often concurrently manifest behavioral deviations and subtle cognitive impairments. This study tested the hypothesis that as a group, adolescents suffering from psychiatric disorders score worse on cognitive tests compared with controls. Method:, As part of the assessment for eligibility to serve in the military, the entire, unselected population of 16,17-year old male Israelis undergo cognitive testing and screening for psychopathology by the Draft Board. We retrieved the cognitive test scores of 19 075 adolescents who were assigned any psychiatric diagnosis, and compared them with the scores of 243 507 adolescents without psychiatric diagnoses. Results:, Mean test scores of cases were significantly poorer then controls for all diagnostic groups, except for eating disorders. Effect sizes ranged from 0.3 to 1.6. Conclusion:, As group, adolescent males with psychiatric disorders manifest at least subtle impairments in cognitive functioning. [source] At-risk mental state (ARMS) detection in a community service center for early attention to psychosis in BarcelonaEARLY INTERVENTION IN PSYCHIATRY, Issue 3 2010Yanet Quijada Abstract Aim: To describe the strategy and some results in at-risk mental state (ARMS) patient detection as well as some of the ARMS clinical and socio-demographical characteristics. The subjects were selected among the patients visited by an Early Care Equipment for patients at high risk of psychoses, in Barcelona (Spain) during its first year in operation. Methods: Descriptive study of the community,team relations, selection criteria and intervention procedure. Description of patient's socio-demographic and symptomatic characteristics according to the different instruments used in detection and diagnoses, taking account of four principal origins of referrals: mental health services, primary care services, education services and social services. Results: Twenty of 55 referred people fulfilled the at-risk mental state criteria, showing an incidence of 2.4 cases per 10 000 inhabitants. They were mainly adolescent males referred from health, education and social services. Overall, negative symptoms were predominant symptoms and the more frequent specific symptoms were decrease of motivation and poor work and school performance, decreased ability to maintain or initiate social relationships, depressed mood and withdrawal. Conclusions: It is possible to detect and to provide early treatment to patients with prodromal symptoms if the whole matrix of the community , including the social services , contributes to the process. The utilization of a screening instrument and a two-phase strategy , the second carried out by the specialized team , seems to be an appropriate approach for early psychosis and ARMS detection. [source] The role of biodevelopmental and psychological factors in disordered eating among adolescent males and femalesEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 4 2003M. P. McCabe Abstract The present study examined the role of biodevelopmental and psychological factors in the development of disordered eating in early adolescent males and females. Three hundred and six girls (mean age,=,13.66 years; SD,=,1.12 years) and 297 boys (mean age,=,13.89 years; SD,=,1.13 years) from grades 7,10 completed a questionnaire which assessed disordered eating, biodevelopmental (body mass index (BMI), age and puberty) and psychological factors (self-esteem, depression, anxiety, ineffectiveness, perfectionism). Not surprisingly, girls were more likely than boys to engage in extreme weight loss behaviours. There were no significant differences between boys and girls on measures of binge eating or bulimic tendencies. Self-esteem, depression and anxiety were found to be significant predictors of disordered eating among girls, while anxiety, ineffectiveness, self-esteem and perfectionism were significant predictors among boys. The findings from this study demonstrate the importance of psychological variables in predicting extreme weight loss behaviours among both adolescent males and females. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] Sex differences in school achievement: what are the roles of personality and achievement motivation?EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 3 2008Ricarda Steinmayr Abstract It is consistently reported that despite equal cognitive ability, girls outperform boys in school. In several methodological steps, the present study examined sex differences in school achievement and some of the most important personality and motivational constructs in a sample of 204 females and 138 adolescent males (mean age M,=,16.94 years; SD,=,0.71). Grades in Math and German as well as grade point average (GPA) served as achievement criteria. Intelligence, the Big Five of personality and motivational variables (achievement motives, goal orientation, task values and ability self-concepts) served as predictors. After controlling for intelligence, girls' grades were significantly better than boys'. Mean sex differences were found for most variables. There were no gender-specific associations between predictors and grades. Agreeableness, work avoidance, ability self-concepts and values ascribed to German mediated the association between sex and grades in German. Controlling for ability self-concepts and values ascribed to Math enhanced the association between sex and math grades. We concluded that personality and motivation play important roles in explaining sex differences in school attainment. Results are discussed against the background of practical and methodological implications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Angiofibroma of the larynx: Report of a case with clinical and pathologic literature review,HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 8 2002Matthew H. Steele MD Abstract Background Angiofibromas are uncommon vascular tumors with a strong predilection for the nasopharynx of adolescent males. Although they are slow growing and histologically benign, they have the potential to cause significant morbidity with laryngeal involvement. Methods We describe the clinical characteristics, histopathologic findings, differential diagnosis, preoperative evaluation, and management of a case of laryngeal angiofibroma. Results The patient was initially seen with a 2½-year history of progressive dyspnea and dysphagia. Preoperative evaluation suggested a vascular mass involving the left supraglottic larynx. A partial laryngopharyngectomy was performed without complication. The patient is alive and disease free 3 years postoperatively. Final histopathologic diagnosis is consistent with angiofibroma. Conclusions Laryngeal angiofibroma is an extremely rare entity. Adequate preoperative imaging is necessary to confirm the vascularity of this lesion, because ill-planned biopsy may lead to significant blood loss. The role of preoperative embolization of other laryngeal vascular lesions has been well documented and may be useful in the management of laryngeal angiofibroma. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 805,809, 2002 [source] Fronto-striatal dysfunction and potential compensatory mechanisms in male adolescents with fragile X syndromeHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 6 2007Fumiko Hoeft Abstract Response inhibition is an important facet of executive function. Fragile X syndrome (FraX), with a known genetic etiology (fragile X mental retardation-1 (FMR1) mutation) and deficits in response inhibition, may be an ideal condition for elucidating interactions among gene-brain-behavior relationships. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have shown evidence of aberrant neural activity when individuals with FraX perform executive function tasks, though the specific nature of this altered activity or possible compensatory processes has yet to be elucidated. To address this question, we examined brain activation patterns using fMRI during a go/nogo task in adolescent males with FraX and in controls. The critical comparison was made between FraX individuals and age, gender, and intelligent quotient (IQ)-matched developmentally delayed controls; in addition to a control group of age and gender-matched typically developing individuals. The FraX group showed reduced activation in the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and right caudate head, and increased contralateral (left) VLPFC activation compared with both control groups. Individuals with FraX, but not controls, showed a significant positive correlation between task performance and activation in the left VLPFC. This potential compensatory activation was predicted by the interaction between FMR1 protein (FMRP) levels and right striatal dysfunction. These results suggest that right fronto-striatal dysfunction is likely an identifiable neuro-phenotypic feature of FraX and that activation of the left VLPFC during successful response inhibition may reflect compensatory processes. We further show that these putative compensatory processes can be predicted by a complex interaction between genetic risk and neural function. Hum Brain Mapp, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Unilateral sacroiliitis associated with systemic isotretinoin treatmentINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Mauro Barbareschi MD Background, Acne fulminans is the most severe form of inflammatory acne characterized by the acute onset of inflammatory nodules and plaques, most commonly on the chest and the back. The lesions undergo rapid suppuration, leaving ragged hemorrhagic ulcers. Typically, it affects adolescent males with a history of mild to moderate acne. The affected patients often have constitutional symptoms such as fever, malaise, arthralgias, and myalgias. Leukocytosis is commonly associated. Sacroiliitis is reported in 21% of acne fulminans patients in association with arthritis and in a few cases it is reported during isotretinoin treatment, suggesting the drug triggering. Conclusion, We report a case of a young male patient in whom the induction of acne fulminans by systemic isotretinoin was associated with unilateral sacroiliitis. [source] Bone microstructure at the distal tibia provides a strength advantage to males in late puberty: An HR-pQCT studyJOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 6 2010Melonie Burrows Abstract Bone is a complex structure with many levels of organization. Advanced imaging tools such as high-resolution (HR) peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) provide the opportunity to investigate how components of bone microstructure differ between the sexes and across developmental periods. The aim of this study was to quantify the age- and sex-related differences in bone microstructure and bone strength in adolescent males and females. We used HR-pQCT (XtremeCT, Scanco Medical, Geneva, Switzerland) to assess total bone area (ToA), total bone density (ToD), trabecular bone density (TrD), cortical bone density (CoD), cortical thickness (Cort.Th), trabecular bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular spacing standard deviation (Tb.Sp SD), and bone strength index (BSI, mg2/mm4) at the distal tibia in 133 females and 146 males (15 to 20 years of age). We used a general linear model to determine differences by age- and sex-group and age,×,sex interactions (p,<,0.05). Across age categories, ToD, CoD, Cort.Th, and BSI were significantly lower at 15 and 16 years compared with 17 to 18 and 19 to 20 years in males and females. There were no differences in ToA, TrD, and BV/TV across age for either sex. Between sexes, males had significantly greater ToA, TrD, Cort.Th, BV/TV, Tb.N, and BSI compared with females; CoD and Tb.Sp SD were significantly greater for females in every age category. Males' larger and denser bones confer a bone-strength advantage from a young age compared with females. These structural differences could represent bones that are less able to withstand loads in compression in females. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research [source] The French longitudinal study of growth and nutrition: data in adolescent males and femalesJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 6 2002M. Deheeger Abstract Objectives To assess nutritional intake, growth parameters, physical activity and television viewing in French adolescents. Method A longitudinal study of dietary intake and anthropometric data recorded in the same children (n = 94) from 10 to 16 years of age is presented here. Results Energy intake increased from age 10,16 years in boys, whereas it decreased in girls from the age of 14. Height and weight increased in both males and females over the same period of time. Energy intake was positively associated with age at menarche. Nutritional intake, such as fat and calcium, did not meet recommendations for French adolescents. Height was higher than reference values, but the difference was not significant for girls between 14 and 16 years. Overweight (BMI > 97th percentile of the French reference) was found to be 13,14% between age 10 and 16 years. Time watching TV/computer increased with age from 1.4 to 2.2 h day,1 from 10 to 16 years. Active children had nutritional intake closer to recommendations. Conclusion In conclusion, this study shows that during adolescence, some nutritional variations can be explained by normal individual growth processes. Low intake of calcium in girls and sedentary lifestyle are of particular concern. [source] Middle-Class African American Parents' Conceptions of Parenting in Early AdolescenceJOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 2 2001Judith Smetana Conceptions of parenting were examined in 87 middle-class African American parents (87 mothers and 51 fathers) of early adolescents (M= 13.11 years of age). Using semistructured interviews, parents were queried about two developmentally salient issues of early adolescence: parental limit-setting and adolescent independence. Parents primarily defined firm limits in terms of nonnegotiation, strongly endorsed setting firm limits regarding a range of issues, and justified the importance of limits by focusing on adolescents' socialization and psychological development. Mothers rated limiting adolescents' behavior as more important than permitting or encouraging adolescents' independence. Limits were seen as more important by mothers of younger rather than older early adolescent females, but mothers encouraged independence more for younger rather than older early adolescent males. Mothers permitted independent decisions regarding a limited range of issues such as clothes and appearance, based on psychological concerns with adolescents' developing autonomy and competence; they encouraged independence primarily by encouraging greater responsibility. The results demonstrate that there is considerable heterogeneity in African American parents' beliefs and goals about parenting in early adolescence. [source] The Relation between Puberty and Psychological Distress in Adolescent BoysJOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 1 2001Xiaojia Ge This longitudinal study examined the relation between puberty, as measured by both pubertal status and timing, and adjustment problems, as measured by externalized hostile feelings and internalized distress symptoms, among adolescent males in grades 7 through 10. The results showed that boys who were physically more developed in grade 7, compared with their less physically developed peers, manifested more externalized hostile feelings and internalized distress symptoms in grades 8 through 10. Pubertal timing was significantly related to both internalized distress and externalized hostile feelings. This relation remained statistically significant, even after controlling for grade 7 maladjustment symptoms and concurrent stressful life events. Several significant interaction effects emerged between pubertal timing and concurrent stressful life events. The significant long-term effect of the pubertal transition, independent of stressful life experiences and symptom continuity, suggests that the past undifferentiated view of the favorable influence of early maturation on males needs to be modified. [source] Intake of Maillard reaction products reduces iron bioavailability in male adolescentsMOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 12 2009Marta Mesías García Abstract The effects of diets with different Maillard reaction products (MRPs) content on biological iron utilization were compared using in vitro/in vivo assays. Diets were rich (brown diet, BD) or poor (white diet) in MRP. In vitro studies included iron solubility after in vitro digestion of diets and iron transport across Caco-2 cells. In the human assay 18 healthy adolescent males (11,14 years) participated in a 2-wk randomized two-period crossover trial. Subjects collected urine and faeces on the last 3 days of each dietary period, and fasting blood samples were obtained after periods. In vitro dietary iron availability was significantly lower with the BD than the white diet (9.52 and 12.92%, respectively), as a consequence of the lower iron solubility after the in vitro digestion, but not as a result of decreased transport of the remaining soluble iron. The BD consumption increased iron fecal excretion (,1.4-fold) and significantly decreased its bioavailability (,2.7-fold), mainly due to the effects found at digestive level. Serum biochemical parameters related to iron metabolism remained unaltered. It is concluded the presence of MRP in the diet negatively affects iron bioavailability. As iron deficiency may be related to learning impairment and to reductions of cognitive and physical functions, possible long-term effects of excessive MRP intake during adolescence warrant attention. [source] Impact of seasonal scarcity on energy balance and body composition in peasant adolescents from Calakmul, Campeche MexicoAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2007José A. Alayón Gamboa A time allocation and anthropometric study were performed on 46 male and 38 female adolescents from 16 peasant households from two different adaptive strategies in the municipio of Calakmul, Campeche Mexico to see if they could maintain energy balance during the annual scarcity season. These strategies were called: "household subsistence agricultural strategy" (HSA) and "household commercial agricultural strategy" (HCA). Each month, from June 2001 to May 2002, adolescents were measured and followed for 24 h. Their activities were recorded at 15 min intervals. Weight for age (W/A), height for age (H/A), body mass index (BMI), arm muscle area, arm fat area, total energy expenditure (TEE), activity energy expenditure (AEE), and basal metabolic rate (BMR) were estimated and the data compared between seasons using a repeated measurements analysis of variance. The results suggest that HCA offers their adolescents better buffering against seasonal scarcity, and that HSA males are better protected than females. HCA adolescents didn't show significant losses of weight, and HCA females lost body fat during the scarcity season. HSA vulnerability was observed in W/A and BMI z score reductions during the scarcity season. It also reflected itself in stunted adolescent males and adolescent females with fewer fat reserves. HSA adolescents reduced their BMR to down regulate their energy expenditure during the scarcity season without reducing TEE and physical activity levels. HSA females lost muscle mass during the scarcity season while HSA males didn't. This difference was associated with a more demanding work schedule throughout the year for females. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] All-Terrain Vehicle Safety and Use Patterns in Central Illinois YouthTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2010John W. Hafner MD Abstract Context: All-terrain vehicles' (ATVs) popularity and associated injuries among children are increasing in the United States. Currently, most known ATV use pattern data are obtained from injured youth and little documented data exist characterizing the typical ATV use patterns and safety practices among American children in general. Purpose: To describe the typical ATV safety and use patterns of rural youth. Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous mail survey was conducted of youth participants (ages 8-18) in the 4-H Club of America in four Central Illinois counties. Questions examined ATV use patterns, safety knowledge, safety equipment usage, crashes, and injuries. Findings: Of 1,850 mailed surveys, 634 were returned (34% response rate) with 280 surveys (44% of respondents) eligible for analysis. Respondents were principally adolescent males from farms or rural locations. Most drove ,1 day per week (60.2%) and used ATVs for recreation (36%) or work (22.6%) on farms and/or private property (53.4%). Most never used safety gear, including helmets (61.4%), and few (14.6%) had received safety education. Of the 67% who experienced an ATV crash, almost half (44%) were injured. Children with safety training had fewer crashes (P= .01), and those riding after dark (P= .13) or without adult supervision (P= .042) were more likely injured. Conclusions: ATV use is common in a rural 4-H population. Most child ATV users were adolescent boys, had little safety training and did not use safety equipment or helmets. ATV injury prevention efforts should focus on these areas. [source] Adolescent Suicide Risk Screening in the Emergency DepartmentACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2009Cheryl A. King PhD Abstract Objectives:, Many adolescents who die by suicide have never obtained mental health services. In response to this, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention recommends screening for elevated suicide risk in emergency departments (EDs). This cross-sectional study was designed to examine 1) the concurrent validity and utility of an adolescent suicide risk screen for use in general medical EDs and 2) the prevalence of positive screens for adolescent males and females using two different sets of screening criteria. Methods:, Participants were 298 adolescents seeking pediatric or psychiatric emergency services (50% male; 83% white, 16% black or African American, 5.4% Hispanic). The inclusion criterion was age 13 to 17 years. Exclusion criteria were severe cognitive impairment, no parent or legal guardian present to provide consent, or abnormal vital signs. Parent or guardian consent and adolescent assent were obtained for 61% of consecutively eligible adolescents. Elevated risk was defined as 1) Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior [SIQ-JR] score of ,31 or suicide attempt in the past 3 months or 2) alcohol abuse plus depression (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-3 [AUDIT-3] score of ,3, Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale-2 [RADS-2] score of ,76). The Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT) were used to ascertain concurrent validity. Results:, Sixteen percent (n = 48) of adolescents screened positive for elevated suicide risk. Within this group, 98% reported severe suicide ideation or a recent suicide attempt (46% attempt and ideation, 10% attempt only, 42% ideation only) and 27% reported alcohol abuse and depression. Nineteen percent of adolescents who screened positive presented for nonpsychiatric reasons. One-third of adolescents with positive screens were not receiving any mental health or substance use treatment. Demonstrating concurrent validity, the BHS scores of adolescents with positive screens and the POSIT scores of those with positive screens due to alcohol abuse and depression indicated substantial impairment. The addition of alcohol abuse with co-occurring depression as a positive screen criterion did not result in improved case identification. Among the subgroup screening positive due to depression plus alcohol abuse, all but one (>90%) also reported severe suicide ideation and/or a recent suicide attempt. This subgroup (approximately 17% of adolescents who screened positive) also reported significantly more impulsivity than other adolescents who screened positive. Conclusions:, The suicide risk screen showed evidence of concurrent validity. It also demonstrated utility in identifying 1) adolescents at elevated risk for suicide who presented to the ED with unrelated medical concerns and 2) a subgroup of adolescents who may be at highly elevated risk for suicide due to the combination of depression, alcohol abuse, suicidality, and impulsivity. [source] Reducing attention-maintained behavior through the use of positive punishment, differential reinforcement of low rates, and response markingBEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS, Issue 4 2009Rick Shaw A differential reinforcement of low (DRL) rates procedure was implemented as a changing criterion design with positive punishment and response marking to reduce attention-maintained behavior of screaming, profanity, and disruptive behaviors of three adolescent males. One participant was diagnosed with static encephalopathy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and severe mental retardation, the other two were diagnosed with Down syndrome, one with moderate mental retardation, and the other with severe mental retardation. Through response marking, a verbal warning was delivered immediately following the initial occurrence of a target behavior. A special token (positive punishment) was immediately delivered with a verbal cue and placed on a behavior board following the next occurrence of that behavior. Appropriate requests (hand-raising) for attention was acknowledged and reinforced with verbal praise. The DRL procedure, combined with positive punishment and response marking, was successful in decreasing the frequency of targeted behaviors amongst all participants. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The role of emotional social support in the psychological adjustment of siblings of children with cancerCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2004M. Barrera Abstract Background Siblings of children with cancer are at risk for reduced emotional support. The role of emotional social support in the psychological adjustment of siblings of paediatric cancer patients was examined, in the context of age and gender. Methods The sample consisted of two groups of siblings of children being treated for cancer: siblings referred for behaviour problems (n = 47) and a comparison group of non-referred siblings (n = 25). Forty-two were female, and 30 were male. The mean age was 10.31 years (SD = 2.71). Siblings completed measures of depression, anxiety, behaviour, and emotional social support. One parent of each sibling completed measures of sibling's behaviour and anxiety. Results Siblings who reported more social support endorsed significantly fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fewer behaviour problems, and their parents reported less anxiety and fewer behaviour problems than siblings who reported lower social support. Parents of referred siblings reported significantly more behaviour problems than parents of non-referred siblings. Referred adolescent females reported significantly higher depression scores and were perceived as more anxious than referred adolescent males and non-referred adolescent females. Non-referred younger siblings with high social support were perceived by their parents as having the fewest behaviour problems. Conclusions High level of social support appears to play a protective role in psychological adjustment of siblings of paediatric cancer patients, with age and gender as modifying factors. Although not all siblings develop behaviour or emotional problems, it is critical to identify those who do in order to intervene accordingly. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||