Grade repetition is practiced worldwide and varies considerably across the globe. Globally, around 32.2 million students repeated a grade at the primary education level in 2010. Although a large body ...of research has documented grade repetition's academic and non-academic effects, the limited evidence on associations between grade repetition and school bullying is inconsistent and ambiguous. This study aimed to investigate the global association of grade repetition with bullying victimization in a large-scale school-based cross-sectional study.
We used the latest global data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018. PISA 2018 was conducted between March and August 2018 in 80 countries and economies among students aged 15-16 years attending secondary education. The students reported their experiences of repeating a grade at any time point before the survey and of being bullied in the past 12 months. The outcome measures were 6 types of bullying victimization. We accounted for the complex survey design and used multivariate logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of grade repetition with bullying victimization after adjusting for potential confounders (sex; age group; migrant status; school type; economic, social, and cultural status; and parental emotional support). This study included 465,146 students (234,218 girls and 230,928 boys) with complete data on grade repetition and bullying victimization in 74 countries and economies. The lifetime prevalence of grade repetition was 12.26%, and 30.32% of students experienced bullying at least a few times a month during the past 12 months. Grade repetition was statistically significantly associated with each type of bullying victimization. The OR (95% CI) of overall bullying victimization for grade repeaters compared with their promoted peers was 1.42 (95% CI 1.32-1.52, p < 0.001). The sex-specific analysis produced similar results in both boys and girls. Furthermore, girls who repeated a grade had higher risks of being made fun of, being threatened, having possessions taken away, and being pushed around than boys. The major limitation is that this study only included students attending schools and therefore may be subject to possible selection bias. In addition, the cross-sectional design hinders us from establishing causality between grade repetition and bullying victimization.
In this study, we observed that, globally, both boys and girls who repeat a grade are at increased risk of being bullied compared with promoted peers, but girls may experience higher risks than boys of specific types of bullying associated with repeating a grade. These findings provide evidence for the association of grade repetition with bullying victimization. Sex differences in risk of experiencing some types of bullying suggest that tailored interventions for girls who repeat a grade may be warranted.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract Purpose Gender is an important factor in understanding premarital sexual attitudes and behaviors. Many studies indicate that males are more likely to initiate sexual intercourse and have ...more permissive perceptions about sex than females. Yet few studies have explored possible reasons for these gender differences. With samples of unmarried adolescents in three Asian cities influenced by Confucian cultures, this article investigates the relationship between underlying gender norms and these differences in adolescents' premarital sexual permissiveness (PSP). Methods In a collaborative survey conducted in 2006–2007 in urban and rural areas of Hanoi, Shanghai, and Taipei, 16,554 unmarried participants aged 15–24 years were recruited in the three-City Asian Study of Adolescents and Youth, with 6,204, 6,023, and 4,327 respondents from each city, respectively. All the adolescents were administered face-to-face interviews, coupled with computer-assisted self-interview for sensitive questions. Scales on gender-role attitudes and on PSP for both male and female respondents were developed and applied to our analysis of the data. Multilinear regression was used to analyze the relationship between gender-role attitudes and sexual permissiveness. Results Male respondents in each city held more permissive attitudes toward premarital sex than did females, with both boys and girls expressing greater permissiveness to male premarital sexual behaviors. Boys also expressed more traditional attitudes to gender roles (condoning greater inequality) than did girls in each city. Adolescents' gender-role attitudes and permissiveness to premarital sex varied considerably across the three cities, with the Vietnamese the most traditional, the Taiwanese the least traditional, and the adolescents in Shanghai in the middle. A negative association between traditional gender roles and PSP was only found among girls in Shanghai and Taipei. In Shanghai, female respondents who held more traditional gender-role attitudes were more likely to exercise a double standard with respect to male as opposed to female premarital sex (odds ratio OR = 1.18). This relationship also applied to attitudes of both girls and boys in Taipei ( OR = 1.20 and OR = 1.22, respectively). Conclusions Although with variation across sites, gender differences in PSP and attitudes to gender roles among adolescents were very significant in each of the three Asian cities influenced by Confucian-based values. Traditional gender norms may still be deeply rooted in the three cities, especially among females; while it is important to advocate gender equity in adolescent reproductive health programs, the pathway of traditional gender norms in influencing adolescent reproductive health outcomes must be understood, as must differences and similarities across regions.
There is growing scientific evidence supports a link between increased childhood adiposity and early onset of puberty in girls worldwide in recent decades. However, the data from Chinese girls remain ...ambiguous. The aims of this study were to estimate the puberty milestones and examine attainment of puberty associated with obesity and central obesity in Chinese Han schoolgirls.
The cross-sectional school-based study examined 2996 Han schoolgirls aged 9 to 19 years from 6 provinces in China. Trained clinicians assessed the girls for height, weight, waist circumference, Tanner stages of breast and pubic hair development, and menarcheal status. We classified girls as normal weight, overweight, or obese based on BMI, and as normal weight or central obese based on the waist-height ratio, then estimated and compared median age at a given Tanner stage or greater by weight class using Probit models.
The median age at menarche was 12.36 years. The median ages at breast stages(B) 2 through 5 were 10.03, 11.38, 13.39, and 15.79 years, respectively, and at pubic hair stages(PH) 2 through 5 were 11.62, 12.70, 14.38, and 16.92 years, respectively. Girls from urban areas experienced menarche, B3 and B4 stages, and PH3 through PH5 stages earlier. Girls with central obesity and overweight/obesity reached puberty earlier at almost every Tanner stage of breast and pubic hair than normal girls. Girls with obesity developed PH2 and PH3 earlier than their overweight peers. However, we did not find any significant differences between girls with overweight and obesity at all stages of breast development.
Childhood obesity, including both overweight/obesity and central obesity, is associated with earlier attainment of puberty in Chinese Han schoolgirls.
Abstract
Background
Gender nonconformity (GNC) (i.e., gender expression that differs from gender role expectations for feminine or masculine appearance and behavior) is an under-researched area of ...adolescent sleep health. The COVID-19 lockdown offers an opportunity to understand how the effect of GNC on adolescent health outcomes changes between school closure and reopening.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China, in 2020. The sample size for analysis was 3,265. The age-specific insufficient sleep was estimated according to National Sleep Foundation's sleep duration recommendations. The self-perceived and self-rated GNC were measured by the two items “On the same scale that goes from 100% as a girl to 100% as a boy, where do you think others see you?” and “On a scale that goes from feeling 100% like a girl to feeling 100% like a boy, where do you see yourself?”, and birth sex. In addition, we calculated sex-stratified adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of insufficient sleep for students with high and moderate GNC compared to students with low GNC. Finally, we measured the AORs with self-perceived and self-rated GNC during COVID-19 school closure and reopening.
Results
Among 3,265 students in grade 6–12 in the analytic sample, 1,567(48.0%) were assigned female at birth (AFAB), 3,188 (97.6%) Han, and 1,921(58.8%) in grade 6–9. Among AFAB students, high self-perceived GNC was significantly associated with insufficient sleep (AOR,1.65; 95%CI,1.30–2.09) during school closure. Insufficient sleep was associated with high self-rated GNC (AOR,1.73; 95%CI,1.23–2.44) and moderate self-rated GNC (AOR,1.69; 95%CI,1.29–2.22) during school closure. After school reopening, neither self-perceived nor self-rated GNC was associated with insufficient sleep among AFAB students. Among assigned male at birth (AMAB) students, none of the two kinds of GNC was associated with insufficient sleep in the two periods during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions
This study suggests GNC is only associated with insufficient sleep among AFAB students during school closure. Furthermore, the association is nonsignificant among AMAB students. These findings indicate that GNC-related stigma within the family could be a risk factor for insufficient sleep among AFAB adolescents.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected almost 1.6 billion students or more than 90% of learners globally. However, the effect of school closures during COVID-19 ...pandemic on adolescent sleep duration remains unclear.
Methods
We undertook a cross-sectional electronic survey in six junior and senior high schools in Shanghai, China from late June to early July 2020. We evaluated the changes of sleep duration on weekdays by comparing sleep duration hours and insufficient sleep (< 9 h for children aged 6–13 years or < 8 h for teenagers aged 14–17 years) in COVID-19 school closures and after school reopening. We also investigated possible sex differences in the changes of sleep duration.
Results
A total of 3265 students completed the survey, the mean age was 14.56 ± 1.99 years, 1567 (47.99%) were girls and 1344 (41.17%) were in grades 10–12. The overall sleep duration decreased from 8.88 h in school closures to 7.77 h after school reopening, and the change (difference: − 1.11 h; 95%CI: − 1.16, − 1.07;
P
< 0.001) was statistically significant. The prevalence of insufficient sleep increased sharply from 21.10 to 63.98%, and the change (ratio:3.03; 95%CI:2.84, 3.23;
P
< 0.001) was statistically significant. Besides, the changes were greater in girls than in boys.
Conclusion
Results of this study revealed that sleep duration was longer and percentage of sufficient sleep was higher during COVID-19 school closures in adolescent students.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Youth with disabilities have the same right to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) as their peers without disabilities. However, their needs and rights are often ignored. Little is known about the ...knowledge, needs and access barriers related to SRH information among youth with different types of disabilities in China.
A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 473 unmarried youth aged 15-24 with visual, hearing, physical disabilities in both urban and rural areas in China.
Out of a maximum possible score of 100, respondent's median score ranged from 30 to 50 for knowledge related to sexual physiology, STIs/HIV/AIDS and contraception. For these three categories of knowledge, respondents with hearing and physical disabilities or from rural areas scored lower than their counterparts with visual disabilities or from urban areas. The multivariate analyses showed that the residential area and education level were strong correlates of knowledge among respondents with visual and hearing disabilities. Other significant correlates were age for respondents with visual impairment and physical impairment, and single child status in the family and father's education level for respondents with hearing impairment. Sources of and barriers and preferences in accessing SRH information differed by type of disabilities, residential areas and gender. In general, school teachers were the primary and most preferred sources of SRH knowledge, followed by the Internet, peers/friends and parents. Unaware of where to get accurate information and feeling embarrassed to seek information were the two most frequently mentioned barriers in accessing SRH information.
Respondents had poor knowledge of SRH and limited access to SRH information, especially those from rural areas. Efforts should be made to promote school and family-based sexuality education tailored for youth with different types of disabilities.
ObjectiveTo examine the correlations between impulsivity and aggressive behaviours among Chinese adolescents.DesignA school-based cross-sectional study.SettingThree primary middle schools located in ...less developed communities of Shanghai.Participants1524 adolescents aged 11–16 years.MeasuresThe impulsivity was measured by Barratt Impulsivity Scale, and the aggressive behaviours were determined by self-reports. Data were collected through computer-assisted self-interview using tablets. Multivariate Firth logistic regression model was conducted to examine correlations between total, attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsivity and aggressive behaviours, respectively.ResultsTotally, 7.48% of participants reported aggressive behaviours toward others during the past 6 months. The proportion of aggressors among boys and girls was 10.60% and 4.18%, respectively. Results of the multivariate regression suggested the risk of aggressive behaviours was significantly increased among those with the highest tertile of total impulsivity (adjusted OR (aOR)boys=3.14, 95% CI: 1.48 to 6.65; aORgirls=3.74, 95% CI: 1.10 to 12.76) and motor impulsivity (aORboys=2.91, 95% CI: 1.46 to 5.82; aORgirls=3.57, 95% CI: 1.25 to 10.20.), comparing with those with the lowest tertile, for boys and girls, respectively. Besides, younger age, lower social cohesion and being bullied within 6 months were associated with a higher risk of aggressive behaviours among girls. Less family caring and being bullied within 6 months were associated with the risk among boys.ConclusionsThe present study indicates a positive association between impulsivity and aggressive behaviours, with a more salient correlation between motor impulsivity subtrait and aggressive behaviour among both boys and girls. Furthermore, adolescents’ aggressive behaviours were affected by multiple factors from individuals, family, peers and community. Comprehensive intervention strategies such as controlling the aggressor’s impulsivity, helping them better channel their anger, creating a better family, school and neighbourhood environment, and providing support and services for victims of violence are needed.
Abstract Purpose To investigate whether and how the presence of Confucian cultural norms influences the sexual behaviors of adolescents and young adults in three Asian cities experiencing different ...levels of economic development. Methods Data for this article were drawn from the international cross-sectional survey on sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and young adults aged 15–24 years in three Asian cities (Hanoi, Shanghai, and Taipei), conducted in 2006. The original sample consisted of a representative group of 17,016 adolescents; while in this study, 16,554 never-married adolescents were included in the analysis. Both face-to-face interview and computer-assisted self-interview approaches were adopted in the survey. Exposure to family concepts, self-cultivation values, gender role concepts, and sexual values were the main measures of traditional Confucian cultural influence. Sexual and intimate behaviors were the main outcome measures, and multi-Cox regression models were used to assess the association between traditional cultural concepts and values and sexual behavior after adjusting for potentially confounding factors. Data were analyzed with SAS software 9.1. Results The traditional Confucian cultural norms were not weakening evenly, with more entrenchment in Hanoi than in Shanghai and Taipei. Prevalence of sexual coitus among adolescent and young adults was lowest in Hanoi and highest in Taipei, while similar profiles of other intimate behaviors were displayed in the three cities. Associations between respondents' sexual behavior and their cultural concepts and values differed by city. In Hanoi, for all four cultural measures, respondents with more traditional views were less likely to engage in sexual activity. This was also true in Shanghai and Taipei with respect to traditional sexual values and self-cultivation values. However, there was an inverse relationship between sexual behavior and traditional family concepts and gender roles in Shanghai and Taipei; those with more traditional values were more likely to have premarital sexual intercourse, except with regard to family values among female youth in Taipei. Conclusions The findings suggest that different aspects of Confucian values eroding unevenly in different Asian cities may have distinct association with adolescent or young adults' sexual behaviors.
Abstract Purpose Evidence in western countries indicates that the media have associations with adolescents' and young people's sexual behavior that may be as important as family, school, and peers. ...In this new study of Asian adolescents and young adults in the three cities of Hanoi, Shanghai, and Taipei, the associations between exposure to sexual content in the media and adolescents' and young adults' sex-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors are explored in societies with traditional Confucian culture, but at different stages in the process of modernization. Methods The data are from a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted from 2006 to 2007, where a sample of 17,016 adolescents and young adults aged 15–24 years from Shanghai, Hanoi, and Taipei completed face-to-face interviews coupled with computer-assisted self-interviews for sensitive questions. For the objectives of this article, analysis was restricted to the 16,554 unmarried respondents. Exposure to sexual content in the mass media (including the Internet and traditional media), pornographic videos, and a preference for western/Asian movies/videos were the main media influence measures. Sex-related knowledge, premarital sexual permissiveness (PSP), and sex-related behaviors were the main outcome measures. The impact of each of four contexts including family, peer, school, and media on sex-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were assessed using multiple linear regression stratified by gender and city, controlling for age, urban/rural residence, education, and economic status. The change in adjusted R2 from the multiple linear regression analysis was adopted to indicate the contribution of family, peer, school, and media variables to respondents' sex-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Results The contextual factors, including family, peer, school, and media, explained 30%–50% of the variance in sex-related knowledge, 8%–22% of the variance in PSP, and 32%–41% of the variance in sex-related behaviors. Media variables explained 13%–24% of the variance in sexual knowledge, 3%–13% in PSP, and 3%–13% in sex-related behaviors, which was comparable with that of family, peer, and school variables. These associations differed by city and gender. Conclusions Access to and use of mass media and the messages they present are influential factors on sex-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of unmarried Asian adolescents and young adults, and should be considered in future research and intervention programs attempting to improve reproductive health outcomes.
Abstract
Background
Little is known on the co-occurrence and heterogeneity of child sexual abuse (CSA) or health risk behavior (HRB) prevalence nor the associations among the victims.
Objectives
To ...detect the prevalence and subgroups of adolescents reporting CSAs or HRBs, and to examine the association between the subgroups.
Methods
Participants were secondary school students in a national survey in China (
N
= 8746). Self-reported CSA and HRB experiences were collected through a computer assisted questionnaire. Prevalence and confidence intervals were calculated. Multigroup latent class analysis (LCA) was used to examine latent subgroups of CSA and HRB. Dual latent class regression analysis was used to examine the association between CSA and HRB classes.
Results
A total of 8746 students participated in our study. The prevalence of having ever experienced any of the reported seven CSA items was 12.9%. The preferred LCA model consisted of a three-class CSA latent variable, i.e. “Low CSAs”(95.7% of the total respondents), “Verbal or exhibitionism CSAs”(3.3%), and “high multiple CSAs” (1.1%); and a three-class HRB latent variable, i.e. “Low HRBs”(70.5%), “externalizing HRBs” (20.7%), and “internalizing HRBs” (8.7%). Students in the “Verbal or exhibitionism CSAs” or “high multiple CSAs” classes had higher probabilities of being in “externalizing HRBs” or “internalizing HRBs” classes. The probabilities were higher in “high multiple CSAs” class(male externalizing OR 4.05, 95%CI 1.71–9.57; internalizing OR 11.77, 95%CI 4.76–29.13; female externalizing OR 4.97, 95%CI 1.99–12.44; internalizing OR 9.87, 95%CI 3.71–26.25) than those in “Verbal or exhibitionism CSA”(male externalizing OR 2.51, 95%CI 1.50–4.20; internalizing OR 3.08, 95%CI 1.48–6.40; female externalizing OR 2.53, 95%CI 1.63–3.95; internalizing OR 6.05, 95%CI 3.73–9.80).
Conclusions
Prevalence of CSA items varies. Non-contact CSAs are the most common forms of child sexual abuse among Chinese school students. There are different latent class co-occurrence patterns of CSA items or HRB items among the respondents. CSA experiences are in association with HRB experiences and the associations between latent classes are dose-responded. Multi-victimization has more significantly negative effects. The results could help identify high-risk subgroups and promote more nuanced interventions addressing adverse experiences and risk behaviors among at-risk adolescents.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK