Adolescent Self-reports Research Articles

Do sibling and friend relationships share the same temperamental origins? A twin study.

Friendship and sibling relationships differ in that there is an element of choice in friendships, whilst the latter represent a fixed and given relationship. The present study set out to investigate the temperamental correlates of friendships and sibling relationships, as well as to examine their genetic and environmental components. Two hundred and twelve same-sex twin-pairs (102 MZ and 110 DZ; 104 male pairs and 108 female pairs) aged between 12 and 15, together with their parents, comprised the sample. The twins themselves reported on both negative and positive aspects of the two relationships, and all family members provided reports of the twins' temperament (mothers, fathers, and adolescent self-reports). Analyses revealed that negative aspects of both the sibling relationship and friendship were related to emotionality, while the positive aspects of these relationships were associated with sociability and activity. Genetic influences and the shared environment accounted for variance seen in the sibling relationship. In addition, nonshared environment accounted for a moderate amount of the sibling relationship variability and explained most of the variance for the friendship components. Finally, bivariate analyses of the covariance between temperament and close relationships highlighted the importance of nonshared environmental influences during adolescence. Three themes emerged. First, congruent temperamental expressions were seen across these two relationships' contexts. Second, friendship and the sibling relationship have distinct etiological profiles, indicating the child-specific character of adolescent friendships versus the reciprocal nature of the sibling relationship. Finally, the common influences to temperament and relationship quality provided evidence for the validity of adolescents' unique, nonshared experiences.

Examen des caractéristiques cliniques, familiales et personnelles associées à l’itinérance cachée d’adolescent(e)s en difficulté

Our research pertains to juveniles coming under the responsibility of the Centres jeunesse du Quebec (delinquency and youth protection regional services). Some of these teenagers fled their family and made use of their social network to cope with residential instability. These youths were then in a situation of "hidden homelessness", sleeping neither in the streets nor at shelters. Two objectives are pursued: 1) a comparison of youth's and parent's evaluations of significant dimensions of their family life, and 2) an identification of the adolescents' characteristics (clinical, familial and individual) related to their "hidden homelessness". Using bivariate analysis, a group of adolescents who had experienced homelessness was paired (on sex, age and urban or rural areas of origin) to a sample of non-homeless youths. The analysis uses both adolescents and parent/caretaker reports on measures of family characteristics and adolescent self-reports on measures of clinical and personal characteristics. Our results show 1) that, in general, adolescents report a higher level of parental maltreatment and more problems related to the family dynamics and their relationship with their parents than their parents do; 2) that hidden homelessness of distressed youths is generally associated with the same familial risk factors as the ones identified by the studies concerning street youths; 3) in contrast to some other comparative studies, the homeless adolescents in our study did not differ from the non-homeless youths as to the importance of the depressive diagnostic and the use of hard drugs.

A secure base in adolescence: markers of attachment security in the mother-adolescent relationship.

This study sought to identify ways in which adolescent attachment security, as assessed via the Adult Attachment Interview, is manifest in qualities of the secure base provided by the mother-adolescent relationship. Assessments included data coded from mother-adolescent interactions, test-based data, and adolescent self-reports obtained from an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of moderately at-risk 9th and 10th graders. This study found several robust markers of adolescent attachment security in the mother-adolescent relationship. Each of these markers was found to contribute unique variance to explaining adolescent security, and in combination, they accounted for as much as 40% of the raw variance in adolescent security. These findings suggest that security is closely connected to the workings of the mother-adolescent relationship via a secure-base phenomenon, in which the teen can explore independence in thought and speech from the secure base of a maternal relationship characterized by maternal attunement to the adolescent and maternal supportiveness.

Psychosocial and behavioral functioning among pediatric brain tumor survivors.

To describe the psychosocial and behavioral functioning, as described by patient, parent and teacher, of a cohort of adolescents who have been previously treated for a brain tumor. A cohort of 32 patients, 12-18 years old, were evaluated between 1 and 5 years post-treatment for brain tumor during the patient's regularly scheduled follow-up clinic appointment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Self-Report questionnaire and the Parent-Report of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC) were administered to the patient and to one of the patient's parents, respectively. In addition, the BASC Teacher-Report was completed by the patient's teacher. Descriptive statistics were generated; binomial distribution analyses were carried out to assess whether the proportion of individuals with impaired performance on each measure exceeded normative expectations. Comparison of the proportion of patients with elevated scores to normative expectations indicated no excess of elevated scores on any of the BASC scales of the Self-Report. However, parents endorsed items in the areas of attention problems and leadership; teachers endorsed items concerning learning problems; and both parents and teachers endorsed items indicative of somatization behaviors. Parent and teacher feedback indicate some level of psychosocial and behavioral morbidity for adolescents treated for a brain tumor; this finding contrasts with adolescent Self-Report indicating no difficulties in behavioral and psychosocial functioning. The extent to which these vulnerabilities impact quality of life and the discrepancy between reporters should be assessed in follow-up studies with a larger cohort of patients.

Sensation Seeking, Puberty, and Nicotine, Alcohol, and Marijuana Use in Adolescence

To examine the relationship among nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana use; level of sensation seeking (SS); and pubertal development. Subjects were early and middle adolescent males and females recruited from a psychiatric clinic (n = 77) and two general pediatric clinics (n = 131). SS was measured by using the Sensation Seeking Scale for Children. Pubertal development was measured with a modified Pubertal Development Scale that was completed by the adolescent and his/her parent about the adolescent. Adolescent self-reports of nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana use were also obtained using questionnaires. SS was higher in males and females who reported nicotine and alcohol use and in males who reported marijuana use. SS was positively associated with pubertal development in males and females, even when controlling for age. Furthermore, SS mediated the relationship of pubertal development and drug use in males and females. The observation that SS mediates the relationship between pubertal development and drug use in males and females may contribute to understanding changes in drug use that are seen during adolescence. In addition, SS is associated with drug use and is easily measured in a variety of clinical settings.

Measuring health-related quality of life in children with heart disease

This study tested an instrument for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children with heart disease. HRQL was measured using the New York University Children's Heart Health Survey in a sample of 0- to 20-year-old subjects with heart disease compared with a control group. Heart disease was associated with impairment on all subscales except psychological function. Adolescent self-reports did not differ significantly between the cardiac group and healthy controls in any of the subscales. This instrument may be useful in assessing the impact of various treatment strategies in this population.

Peer rejection in childhood, involvement with antisocial peers in early adolescence, and the development of externalizing behavior problems.

A longitudinal, prospective design was used to examine the roles of peer rejection in middle childhood and antisocial peer involvement in early adolescence in the development of adolescent externalizing behavior problems. Both early starter and late starter pathways were considered. Classroom sociometric interviews from ages 6 through 9 years, adolescent reports of peers' behavior at age 13 years, and parent, teacher, and adolescent self-reports of externalizing behavior problems from age 5 through 14 years were available for 400 adolescents. Results indicate that experiencing peer rejection in elementary school and greater involvement with antisocial peers in early adolescence are correlated but that these peer relationship experiences may represent two different pathways to adolescent externalizing behavior problems. Peer rejection experiences, but not involvement with antisocial peers. predict later externalizing behavior problems when controlling for stability in externalizing behavior. Externalizing problems were most common when rejection was experienced repeatedly. Early externalizing problems did not appear to moderate the relation between peer rejection and later problem behavior. Discussion highlights multiple pathways connecting externalizing behavior problems from early childhood through adolescence with peer relationship experiences in middle childhood and early adolescence.

Quality of Parent/Adolescent Attachment and Aggression in Young Adolescents

A model of the association between adolescents’ perception of the quality of parent/adolescent attachment and adolescent aggression was examined, with social cognition and self-esteem as mediators. A total of 68 sixth graders, their parents, and their language arts teachers participated. Adolescents completed measures of attachment with mother and with father, self-esteem, social cognition, and aggressive tendencies. Mothers, fathers, and teachers each completed measures of adolescent aggressive and prosocial behavior. Evidence was obtained for social cognition and self-esteem both as mediators between adolescents’ perceived quality of mother/adolescent attachment and adolescent selfreport of aggression. Controlling for mother/adolescent and father/adolescent attachment and adolescent self-esteem, adolescent higher social cognition was associated with adolescent lower self-report of aggression. Controlling mother/adolescent and father/adolescent attachment and adolescent social cognition, adolescent higher self-esteem was associated with father-reported lower adolescent aggression and father-reported higher adolescent prosocial behavior. Implications for further research are discussed.

Adolescents with cystic fibrosis: family reports of adolescent health-related quality of life and forced expiratory volume in one second.

To assess the relationship between adolescent and parent reports of adolescent health-related quality of life (HRQL) and between adolescent pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second as percent of predicted) and reporter perceptions of adolescent health. Twenty-four adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF), their mothers, and their fathers completed the Child Health Questionnaire during routine CF clinic visits at 2 urban hospitals. Patients were between the ages of 11 and 18 years (mean age: 14.2 years) and were predominantly male (75%). The best measure of forced expiratory volume in 1 second as percent of predicted for the year of the study was also collected for each adolescent. Adolescent pulmonary function was related to the perceived adolescent physical health scales. It was not, however, associated to perceptions of adolescent emotional, social, or behavioral HRQL by any of the 3 family reporters. Associations were found between adolescent pulmonary function and self-reports of general health (0.73), role/social limitations-physical (0.47), and bodily pain (0.42). Adolescent pulmonary function was related to mother reports of adolescent general health (0.73), role/social limitations-physical (0.73), bodily pain (0.55), and physical functioning (0.70). Father perceptions of adolescent health were associated to adolescent pulmonary function on general health (0.54), role/social limitations-physical (0.60), and physical functioning (0.64). Associations between adolescent and parent perceptions of adolescent HRQL were also health scale-specific. Mother and child reports of adolescent HRQL were related on adolescent behavior problems (0.71) and role/social limitations attributable to behavior (0.48), role/social limitations attributable to physical (0.62), bodily pain (0.69), physical functioning (0.69), family activities (0.45), and general health (0.66). Associations were found between father and adolescent reports on perceived adolescent behavior problems (0.66); self-esteem (0.65); and role/social limitations attributable to physical (0.49), general health (0.61), and perceived mental health (0.48). Results demonstrate the need to include multiple informants and comprehensive, multidimensional measures of HRQL, in addition to pulmonary function, when assessing health in adolescents with CF.

Validity of Adolescent and Young Adult Self-Report of Papanicolaou Smear Results

Obstet Gynecol 2000;96:625–31 The purpose of this study was to determine whether young women correctly report the results of prior Pap smears to their current health care provider. A total of 477 women ages 12 to 24 years were involved in the study. Each participant completed a self-administered survey concerning Pap smears, HPV, and risk behaviors. It was determined that 27% of the study cohort previously had an abnormal cytology report, and 14% had incorrect self-reports. Women in the study who had HPV had little or no communication with their provider about the abnormal Pap smear report. Those who did not use contraception were more likely to report their Pap smear results incorrectly than women who did use contraception. Overall, approximately 80% of participants correctly reported the results of their Pap smear to their provider.

Validity of Adolescent and Young Adult Self-Report of Papanicolaou Smear Results

The following abstracts are taken from journals of interest to our readers and are reviewed by Charles J. Dunton (CJD), Thomas M. Julian (TMJ), Daron G. Ferris (DGF), L. Stewart Massad (LSM), Kenneth L. Noller (KLN), and Leo B. Twiggs (LBT).

Use of the Conners-Wells' Adolescent Self-Report Scale: Short form with psychiatric outpatients

To provide information about the psychometric properties of the Conners-Wells' Adolescent Self-Report Scale: Short Form (CASS:S; C. K. Conners, 1997), the CASS:S was administered to 110 (46%) female and 130 (54%) male psychiatric outpatients between 13 and 17 years old. The coefficient αs for the CASS:S Conduct Problems, Cognitive Problems, Hyperactivity, and ADHD Index scales were, respectively, .73, .80, .84, and .80. An exploratory maximum-likelihood factor analysis of the 18 item ratings from the Conduct, Cognitive, and Hyperactive scales identified two positively correlated dimensions; one was composed of the six items from the Conduct scale, and the other was composed of the 12 items from the Cognitive and the Hyperactive scales. The results were discussed as supporting the clinical utility of the CASS:S.

Reducing Adolescents' Aggressive and Hostile Behaviors

To examine the long-term effects of a brief family intervention on aggressive and hostile behaviors of adolescents in the general population. Randomized trial including 22 public schools assigned to the Iowa Strengthening Families Program or a control condition. Analyses supported sample representativeness and failed to show differential attrition effects 4 years after baseline. Seven-session intervention for parents and their sixth-grade children. The multi-informant, multimethod measures included independent observer ratings of adolescent aggressive and hostile behaviors in adolescent-parent interactions, family-member report of aggressive and hostile behaviors in those interactions, and adolescent self-report of aggressive and destructive conduct across settings. Data were collected during the 6th (preintervention and postintervention), 7th, 8th, and 10th grades. All measures showed a generally positive trend in intervention-control group differences over time. During 10th grade, significant intervention-control differences were found for adolescent self-report of aggressive and destructive conduct (P =. 01), with relative reduction rates ranging from 31.7% to 77.0%. Significant differences were shown for observer-rated aggressive and hostile behaviors in adolescent-parent interactions (P =.01); differences in family member reports of those behaviors were not significant. Supplemental analyses of both interactional behavior measures, specific to parent sex, indicated significant experimental group differences in interactions with mothers (P =.04 for both measures) but not with fathers. Brief family competency-training interventions designed for general populations can reduce aggressive and hostile behaviors in adolescents' interactions with parents and adolescent aggressive behaviors outside of the home setting. Thus, this type of intervention has important public health implications. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2000;154:1248-1257.

Validity of Adolescent and Young Adult Self-Report of Papanicolaou Smear Results

Validity of Adolescent and Young Adult Self-Report of Papanicolaou Smear Results

Validity of adolescent and young adult self-report of Papanicolaou smear results

Objective: To assess the validity of adolescent and young adult report of Papanicolaou smear results and to determine sociodemographic, cognitive, and behavioral factors associated with incorrect reporting. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 477 female subjects aged 12 to 24 years who attended an adolescent clinic and had a previous Papanicolaou smear. Subjects completed a self-administered survey assessing self-report of Papanicolaou smear results, knowledge about Papanicolaou smears and human papillomavirus (HPV), attitudes about Papanicolaou screening and follow-up, and risk behaviors. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of self-reported results were calculated using the cytology report as the standard. Variables significantly associated with incorrect reporting were entered into logistic regression models controlling for age and race to determine independent predictors for incorrect reporting. Results: Of the 477 participants, 128 (27%) had abnormal cytology reports and 66 (14%) had incorrect self-reports. Sensitivity of self-report was 0.79, specificity 0.89, positive predictive value 0.72, negative predictive value 0.92, and kappa (κ) 0.66. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the variables comprising a logistic regression model predicting incorrect reporting were an HPV knowledge source of zero (OR 2.4, CI 1.0, 5.8), low perceived communication with the provider (OR 2.1, CI 1.1, 4.0), and no contraception at last intercourse (OR 5.5, CI 2.7, 11.0). Conclusion: The validity of adolescent and young adult self-reported Papanicolaou smear result is high, except among those who lack knowledge of HPV, perceive poor communication with the provider, and use contraception inconsistently.

Longitudinal prediction of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents : Results from a national survey

Background: Although adolescent use of condoms has been increasing, incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among young people remains high. To identify adolescent behavioral risk factors for acquiring STDs, this study assessed adolescent self-reports of acquired chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis within 1 year after a baseline interview. Methods: We used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health for this study. Data were collected in the homes of survey respondents, using audio-computer-assisted self-interview (audio-CASI) technology and interviews. Participants were enrolled in grades 7–11 from 134 U.S. schools. A cohort of 4593 sexually experienced adolescents was followed for 1 year. We conducted separate analyses for both genders. Results: About 3.1% of the male adolescents and nearly 4.7% of the female adolescents reported having had at least one STD after the baseline interview. For both genders, self-reported STD infection before baseline interview was the best predictor of self-reported STD infection 1 year after baseline interview. Female adolescents were more likely to report diagnosis with an STD after baseline if they self-identified as a minority race (other than Asian) and perceived that their mother did not disapprove of their having sex. Female adolescents were less likely to report STDs if they perceived that adults care about them. No additional variables predicted STD diagnosis after baseline for male adolescents. Conclusions: We conclude that past history of STD infection is the most important indicator of subsequent STD infection among adolescents. Thus, this study suggests the benefit of specific clinical efforts designed to promote preventive behavior among adolescents newly diagnosed with an STD.

Reliability Over Time of Self-Reports Given by Adolescents and Their Parents in Substance Abuse Outcome Research

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to address three questions: (1) do parental-reports of post treatment substance use behavior reliably reflect the self-reports of adolescents; (2) do parental-reports of other treatment outcome-related behaviors reliably reflect the self-reports of adolescents; and (3) if initially reliable, do the parental-reports continue to reliably reflect the adolescents' self-reports over time? The data used are from a panel study of 119 adolescents and their parents. Each of the 119 adolescents completed primary substance abuse treatment at the same facility in the same three-year period. The adolescents and their parents were followed prospectively and interviewed separately with the same questionnaire at three, six, nine and twelve months after completing primary treatment. The questionnaire contained questions in several domains designed to assess treatment success including information on relapse. The concordance between the parental and adolescent self-reports was assessed using Cohen's Kappa (?), differences between sample proportions calculations, and paired-samples t tests. Results indicate a high degree of concordance on questions regarding substance use for the first three three-month periods (kappas ranging from .414 to .755 and non significant group mean differences), and similarly high concordance on outcome-related behaviors via non significant paired-samples t tests. This research indicates that parents can give reliable proxy information regarding their child's post treatment substance use and related behaviors if the parents are asked to report on observable behaviors. Parental-reports are most reliable in the first nine months following treatment.

Analysis of behavioral skills utilized by suicidal adolescents receiving dialectical behavior therapy

Researchers are currently applying dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), originally developed for adult chronically parasuicidal women diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), to a suicidal adolescent population diagnosed with BPD or borderline features. The four characteristic problem areas often found among these multiproblem patients are (a) confusion about self, (b) impulsivity, (c) emotional instability, and (d) interpersonal problems. DBT employs four corresponding behavioral skills modules aimed at increasing adaptive behaviors while simultaneously reducing maladaptive behaviors. The four skill modules include mindfulness skills, distress tolerance skills, emotion-regulation skills, and interpersonal effectiveness skills. The present study examines adolescent self-report of the helpfulness and overall effectiveness of these skills by using pre- and posttreatment evaluations. Consistent with prior research of DBT with adolescents, this study found significant reductions in BPD symptoms in all four problem areas. The four most highly rated skills included distress tolerance and mindfulness skills. Relationships found between the helpfulness of specific skills and improvement in particular problem areas are described. Lastly, implications for future research of DBT skill comprehension and application among adolescents are discussed.

HIV-infected adolescent and adult perceptions of tuberculosis testing, knowledge and medication adherence in the USA

HIV-infected adolescent and adult perceptions of tuberculosis (TB) infection rates and physician TB behaviour, and patient knowledge of TB transmission and treatment adherence were assessed. HIV-infected youth (N = 199) from adolescent clinical care sites in three cities and HIV-infected adults (N = 133) in New York were interviewed. Adolescent self-report was compared to medical chart review. Adolescents reported they were significantly less likely to be tested, although testing rates were high for both samples. Approximately 9% of both samples reported infection with TB; the majority of whom reported receiving medication (97%), and consistent medication adherence (93%). The overall mean knowledge score was 66%, with significant age differences: adolescents were less knowledgeable than adults, and young males tended to be less knowledgeable than young females. Age, gender and experience with TB (self-perception of TB, testing history and clinic choice) significantly predicted accuracy of knowledge about TB. Results suggest that if HIV-infected individuals - a population at very high risk and often among the least able to afford health care resources - receive the education and support they need from their community health care sources they may substantially reduce their chances of contracting and spreading TB.

Adolescent males' experience of the counselling process

This study examines 11 adolescent males' self-reports of their experiences of 23 counselling sessions to identify what they found helpful and unhelpful during key moments in the therapeutic process.The findings suggest that the experiences of the adolescent males in this study are similar in many ways to the to the reported experiences of adults in counselling. In particular, the experience of emotional support and relief appears to be highly significant for adolescent males, who give significantly lesser importance to cognitive task factors.