Emerging research suggests insufficient sleep can heighten the risk of poor mental health among adolescents. We examined the relationship between sleep, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts and ...behaviors among Florida high school students.
Data were from the 2021 Florida High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a statewide representative sample of students in grades 9 to 12. We estimated prevalence of 1 indicator of depressive symptoms - feeling sad or hopeless for 2 or more weeks - and 2 indicators of suicidality - having considered attempting suicide and making a suicide plan - by insufficient sleep status (<8 h of sleep on an average school night). Multivariate logistic regressions were used to calculate odds ratios measuring the association between insufficient sleep, poor mental health, and suicidality.
Compared with students reporting sufficient sleep, those with insufficient sleep were more likely to feel sad or hopeless (42.7% vs 28.1%), have considered suicide (19.1% vs 12.5%), or have made a suicide plan (14.8% vs 9.6%). In adjusted multivariate models, compared with students with sufficient sleep, students with insufficient sleep had higher odds of feeling sad or hopeless (adjusted odds ratio AOR = 1.83; 95% CI 1.54-2.17), and having made a plan about how they would attempt suicide (AOR = 1.32; 95% CI, 1.00-1.74), but did not have significantly higher odds of having seriously considered suicide.
Increased attention to sleep as a modifiable risk factor for mental health among adolescents is particularly important because of the many less modifiable factors that contribute to mental health difficulties in this population. Adolescent mental health programs should consider sleep an important factor in suicide prevention.
Abstract
Background and Objectives
Grandparent–adult grandchild relationships may not be captured in existing grandparenting typologies, which focus on early stages of these relationships. Our study ...develops a typology for later stages, estimates the prevalence of grandparents in each category, and examines associations between category membership and grandparent and grandchild characteristics.
Research Design and Methods
Using a sample of 289 grandparents from the latest wave of the Longitudinal Study of Generations (2005), we employed latent class analysis to examine underlying categories of grandparent–adult grandchild relationships, based on four dimensions—frequency of contact, relationship quality, grandparents’ receipt of support, and geographic distance.
Results
Three latent classes emerged: Geographically Distant/Low Contact (45%), Geographically Close/High Contact (42%), and Geographically Close/Low Contact (13%). While geographic distance and frequency of contact were dimensions distinguishing grandparent–adult grandchild relationships, receipt of support and relationship quality were not. Most grandparents reported close relationships but infrequent support.
Discussion and Implications
By identifying categories of grandparent–adult grandchild relationships and factors influencing membership in them, our study may aid in efforts to strengthen those characterized by weak bonds—namely, those with grandparents who are older, frailer, and poorer.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance can be enhanced by collecting population-level data on individual prevention measures. We described the use of a state-based, population-level ...surveillance system on COVID-19 prevention and information-seeking behaviors in Florida during the first month of survey administration.
Beginning in April 2020, respondents of the Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were asked a series of 8 questions about sources of COVID-19 information and prevention behaviors. We analyzed the prevalence of information-seeking and prevention behaviors among respondents who answered at least 1 of the 8 questions (N = 1,004) overall, by demographic characteristics, and by the presence of chronic conditions.
Most respondents reported engaging in prevention behaviors, including handwashing (98.2%), reducing or avoiding travel (96.6%), avoiding crowds and public events (96.5%), and keeping household members at home (87.5%); however, the prevalence of prevention behaviors varied significantly by age, sex, and education. The most frequently reported source of COVID-19 information was the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website (40.8%) followed by the Florida Department of Health's website (32.9%). We found significant differences in information sources across all demographic and chronic condition subgroups. A larger proportion of respondents with chronic conditions (vs without chronic conditions) reported consulting their personal doctor for COVID-19 information.
Understanding the uptake and characteristics associated with individual prevention and information-seeking behaviors at the population level facilitates COVID-19 response efforts. The rapid implementation of COVID-19-related questions in the Florida BRFSS provides a useful model for other population-based surveillance systems.
Studies of intensive mothering suggest that fulfilling societal expectations of the “good mother” diminishes maternal psychological well-being; however, studies tend to focus on young mothers. We ...examine the association between intensive mothering and psychological well-being using a sample of mothers in midlife (n = 1,388) drawn from the 2004-2006 National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States. Intensive mothering is measured as provision of high levels of emotional support to children, high degree of thought and effort put into these relationships, and reduction of paid work to provide more care. Psychological well-being is measured as depressive symptoms, self-rated mental health, and positive and negative affect. Ordinary least squares regression results are mixed: While providing high levels of emotional support predicts more depressive symptoms, worse self-rated mental health, and higher negative affect, higher investments of thought and effort predict better mental health.
Journal writing is pedagogically appropriate for increasing reflexivity and conscious awareness of one's environment. The journal assignment discussed in this article promotes recognition of the ...impact of race, gender, and social class on students' everyday lives. In pre-and posttest surveys of students engaged in this assignment, students report statistically significant increases in awareness after journaling. These increases in awareness are found for students enrolled in introductory courses at two very different universities (one a private Catholic midsized university in the Midwest and the other a large state university in the Southeast). Students' qualitative responses further substantiate the effectiveness of this assignment in meeting course objectives. To facilitate use of this assignment by others, we identify a set of best practices to help ensure high-quality journals and discuss challenges and benefits of this assignment, including getting to know one's students.
Given the expanding role of today’s grandparent within the family, this dissertation seeks to explore the diverse range of grandparenting experiences outside of the commonly studied experience of the ...caregiving grandparent. Using the 2005-2006 wave of the Longitudinal Study of Generations (LSOG), this study explores underlying types of grandparenting, the social factors that predict membership in the various types, and the association between grandparenting types and subjective well-being. Unlike previous research on non-caregiving grandparents, this study pays greater attention to potential gender differences in grandparenting experiences and uses quantitative techniques to explore variation in grandparenting types. In my first set of analyses, I use latent class analysis (LCA) to develop a typology of grandparents using the following dimensions of grandparent-grandchild relationship quality: distance from grandchildren, frequency of contact, receipt of support, and emotional attachment. Results reveal three latent classes of grandparents derived from two dimensions of grandparent-grandchild relationship quality on which respondents vary -- distance from grandchildren and frequency of contact with grandchildren. The three latent classes are labeled Geographically Close/High Contact, Geographically Close/Low Contact, and Geographically Distant/Low Contact. Results from the LCA show different patterns for grandmothers and grandfathers: The Geographically Close/Low Contact class is comprised of significantly more grandfathers (70%), while the Geographically Close/High Contact class and the Geographically Distant/Low Contact class are made up of mostly grandmothers (60%; 61%). I then test if various social factors -- including age, gender, number of grandchildren, education, and household income -- predict probability of membership in the three grandparenting categories. Surprisingly, gender does not emerge as a significant predictor in the multivariate analyses. However, highlighting the importance of socioeconomic status, household income and education are significantly associated with membership in two of the grandparenting categories: Geographically Close/High Contact and Geographically Distant/Low Contact. Grandparents with higher household incomes have a lower probability of belonging to the Geographically Distant/Low Contact class (p<.05) and a higher probability of belonging to the Geographically Close/High Contact class (p<.01), while grandparents who have attended or graduated from college have a lower probability of belonging to the Geographically Distant/Low Contact class (p<.01). In the second set of analyses, I examine the association between grandparenting type and two measures of subjective well-being: depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Suggesting some evidence of variation in well-being across the different grandparenting categories, Geographically Close/High Contact grandparents report the highest levels of subjective well-being, while Geographically Close/Low Contact grandparents report the lowest levels. However, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression results surprisingly reveal no significant relationship between grandparenting category and either measure of well-being. Taken together, this study builds on previous work by developing a quantitative typology of grandparenting, investigating the social factors that predict membership in the resulting grandparenting types, and examining the association between grandparenting type and subjective well-being.
Aging, media, and culture Harrington, C. Lee; Bielby, Denise D; Bardo, Anthony R
2014., 2014, 2014-06-20
eBook
The intersections of aging, media, and culture are under-explored given trends in population aging, rapid increases in the mediation of everyday life, and the growing cultural significance of media ...consumption at the global level. This book brings together an international collection of critical scholars, both well-established and up-and-coming, from the various academic disciplines that share a common interest in the future study of aging and media. This anthology of original articles integrates aging theory and media studies through a study of core issues including the media’s influence on the construction of “old age,” the reciprocal influence of aging on media industries, age-based identities in a mediated world, issues of gender and sexuality in an aging society, and the practical implications of a more integrated approach between the two fields. The chapters explore the intersections between aging and media in the realms of advertising/marketing, television, film, music, celebrity and social media, among others.
Fact-checking and warnings of misinformation are increasingly salient and prevalent components of modern news media and political communications. While many warnings about political misinformation ...are valid and enable people to reject misleading information, the quality and validity of misinformation warnings can vary widely. Replicating and extending research from the fields of social cognition and forensic psychology, we find evidence that valid retrospective warnings of misleading news can help individuals discard erroneous information, although the corrections are weak. However, when informative news is wrongly labeled as inaccurate, these false warnings reduce the news’ credibility. Invalid misinformation warnings taint the truth, lead individuals to discard authentic information, and impede political memory. As only a few studies on the tainted truth effect exist, our research helps to illuminate the less explored dark side of misinformation warnings. Our findings suggest general warnings of misinformation should be avoided as indiscriminate use can reduce the credibility of valid news sources and lead individuals to discard useful information.
PDF
