Asian Youth Research Articles

TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDER, BODY PAIN, AND OTOLOGIC AND PSYCHOLOGIC SYMPTOMS: THEIR INTERRELATIONSHIPS IN ASIAN YOUTHS.

To establish the interrelationships between temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), pain, and otologic and psychologic comorbidities in Asian youths. Youths from a local polytechnic, aged 17 to 24 years old, were enrolled and an electronic survey encompassing demographic variables-the DC/TMD TMD pain screener (TPS), Short- form Fonseca Anamnestic Index (SFAI), modified Maciel's Otologic/Pain Symptom Inventory, and Patient Health Questionnaire-4-was administered. Par.cipants were subsequently categorized into groups: no TMD pain (NP), with TMD pain (WP), no TMDs (NT), and with any TMDs (WT). Data were evaluated with chi-square test, nonparametric, and logistic regression analyses (α = .05). Among the 198 participants (mean age 18.8 ± 1.7 years), 11.1% had painful TMDs and 18.2% experienced TMD pain or dysfunction. Significant differences in total-otologic symptoms (total-OS), vertigo, and dizziness plus otalgia, tinnitus, and hearing loss scores were observed between the WP-NP and WT-NT groups correspondingly. While total-comorbid pain (total-CP) and psychologic distress (total-PD) scores varied substanally between the WT-NT group, only a significant difference in total-PD scores was discerned between the WP-NP group. Total-OS scores were moderately correlated to TPS/SFAI, total-CP, and total-PD scores, and psychologic distress was a risk factor for painful TMDs. Otologic and pain comorbidities were prevalent among Asian youths with TMDs and appear to be interrelated. The complex interaction of TMDs with pain, otologic, and psychologic comorbidities must be considered when caring for youths with multiple somatic complaints.

Children’s perceptions of race and ethnicity in media: a 25-year update to children now

ABSTRACT In 1998, Children Now surveyed 1,200 U.S. 10- to 17-year-olds about TV racial depictions, finding white children reported the most visibility. As a 25-year update, we surveyed 834 U.S. 10- to 17-year-olds: Asian/Asian American (n = 177), Black (n = 206), Hispanic (n = 150), Indigenous/Native American (n = 86), and white (n = 215). More youth now say it’s important to see their race in media, but fewer report seeing their group, with Hispanic and Asian youth reporting the lowest frequencies. Overall, youth perceived disparities: 93% said there were ‘enough’ white characters; fewer said there were enough Black (54%), Hispanic (43%), Asian (32%), and Indigenous (19%) characters. Perceptions of qualities varied, with Indigenous characters scoring lowest in positive qualities and Black and Hispanic characters highest in negative qualities. Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian/Asian American youth perceived fewer positive ingroup representations than white and Black youth. Implications for media message design and the theory of invisibility are discussed.

Parental Involvement to Promote the Social-Emotional Well-Being of Asian Immigrant Youth: A Cultural Mismatch of Teachers and Parents’ Perspectives

This conceptual paper applies the theory adaptation approach to integrate the literature concerning barriers experienced by Asian immigrant families in parental involvement, with a specific focus on comparative analysis of perspectives from Asian immigrant families and their teachers in the United States. The mismatch in the perceptions of parental involvement held by teachers and Asian immigrant parents supports the refinement and applications of the cultural mismatch theory of inequality. The theory provides a comprehensive understanding of how the misalignment between the prevailing school culture and the cultural background of practices of Asian immigrant families contribute to the barriers of parental involvement experienced by Asian immigrant families. The paper outlines implications for reducing the barriers in the communication and collaboration between schools and Asian immigrant families, improving parental involvement in schools, and promoting the social and emotional well-being of Asian immigrant youth. Impact Statement The conceptual paper is one of the first applications of the cultural mismatch theory of inequality in conceptualizing the barriers of parental involvement faced by Asian immigrant youth’s parents and teachers. It provides research and practical implications for school psychologists and other educators on improving their practices to address parental engagement barriers to promote social-emotional well-being of youth in communities of immigrants and other marginalized groups.

Social Media Exposure towards Asian Youth Smoking Behaviour: A Scoping Review

Social Media Exposure towards Asian Youth Smoking Behaviour: A Scoping Review

City-Level Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes and Youth Body Mass Index Percentile

Levying excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) distributors, which are subsequently passed on to consumers, is a policy implemented to reduce the high prevalence of cardiometabolic disease and generate public health funding. Taxes are associated with lower SSB purchases and consumption, but it is unknown whether they are associated with weight-related outcomes in youth. To determine the association of SSB excise taxes with youth body mass index (BMI) trajectories. This cohort study was conducted from 2009 to 2020, including 6 years before tax implementation and 4 to 6 years after tax implementation. The California cities of Albany, Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco, which implemented SSB excise taxes, were compared against 40 demographically matched control cities in California. Participants included Kaiser Permanente members aged 2 to 19 years at cohort entry (baseline) with continuous residence in selected cities with at least 1 pretax and 1 posttax BMI recorded in their electronic health record. Data analysis was performed from January 2021 to May 2023. Implementation of SSB excise taxes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention age-specific and sex-specific BMI percentiles and percentage of youth with overweight or obesity before tax implementation through 4 to 6 years after implementation were compared with control cities. Statistical analysis was conducted using the difference-in-differences (DID) method. A sensitivity analysis used the synthetic control method. A total of 44 771 youth (mean [SD] age at baseline, 6.4 [4.2] years; 22 337 female [49.9%]) resided in the cities with SSB taxes; 345 428 youth (mean [SD] age, 6.9 [4.2] years; 171 0168 female [49.5%]) resided in control cities. There was a -1.64-percentage point (95% CI, -3.10 to -0.17 percentage points) overall difference in the mean change of BMI percentile between exposure and control cities after SSB tax implementation. There was no significant overall difference in the percentage of youth with overweight or obesity or youth with obesity compared with control cities. All DID estimates were significant for youth residing in exposure cities in terms of BMI percentile (age 2-5 years in 2017, -2.06 percentage points [95% CI, -4.04 to -0.09 percentage points]; age 6-11 years in 2017, -2.79 percentage points [95% CI, -4.29 to -1.30 percentage points]), percentages of youth with overweight or obesity (age 2-5 years, -5.46 percentage points [95% CI, -8.47 to -2.44 percentage points]; age 6-11 years, -4.23 percentage points [95% CI, -6.90 to -1.57 percentage points]), and percentages of youth with obesity (age 2-5 years; -1.87 percentage points [95% CI, -3.36 to -0.38 percentage points]; age 6-11 years, -1.85 percentage points [95% CI, -3.46 to -0.24 percentage points]). Compared with control cities, changes in mean BMI percentiles were significant for male (-1.98 percentage points; 95% CI, -3.48 to -0.48 percentage points), Asian (-1.63 percentage points; 95% CI, -3.10 to -0.16 percentage points), and White (-2.58 percentage points; 95% CI, -4.11 to -1.10 percentage points) youth. Compared with control cities, White youth in exposure cities had improvements in the percentage with overweight or obesity (-3.73 percentage points; 95% CI, -6.11 to -1.35 percentage points) and the percentage with obesity (-2.78 percentage points; 95% CI, -4.18 to -1.37 percentage points). In this cohort study, SSB excise taxes were associated with lower BMI percentile among youth. Policymakers should consider implementing SSB excise taxes to prevent or reduce youth overweight and obesity and, ultimately, chronic disease, particularly among children younger than 12 years.

Perspectives of South Asian Youth in the United States about Gender Norms and Healthcare Decision Making

Abstract The aim of this study was to explore the voices of South Asian youth in the United States about gender norms and healthcare decision making. Ten focus group discussions were held with 36 students of South Asian origin at a university on the West Coast of the United States. Thematic analysis was performed on the focus group data. Three main themes emerged from the data: (1) intersectionality of gender with other factors that affect healthcare decision making, (2) impact of gender on health, and (3) coping strategies. Participants reported preferential treatment for boys versus girls, vesting decision-making control among males, worse health among females, and coping strategies. A few responses indicated that power differentials in some families were shifting to a more egalitarian balance between males and females. Aspects such as age, employment, and language barriers intersected with gender to create a complex web of influence on healthcare decision making. The study has implications for social workers to offer culturally responsive support to South Asian youth in the United States, paying attention to the intersectionalities when working with them. Further research is needed to explore the influence of gender on healthcare decision-making processes of South Asian youth in the United States.

Understanding the factors related to how East and Southeast Asian immigrant youth and families access mental health and substance use services: A scoping review.

The objective of the review is to identify factors related to how East and Southeast Asian immigrant youth aged 12-24 and their families access mental health and substance use (MHSU) services. To address how East and Southeast Asian youth and their families access mental health and substance use services, a scoping review was conducted to identify studies in these databases: PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), PsychINFO, CINAHL, and Sociology Collection. Qualitative content analysis was used to deductively identify themes and was guided by Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, the process-person-context-time (PPCT) model, and the five dimensions of care accessibility (approachability, acceptability, availability and accommodation, appropriateness, affordability). Seventy-three studies met the inclusion criteria. The dimensions of healthcare accessibility shaped the following themes: 1) Acceptability; 2) Appropriateness; 3) Approachability; 4) Availability and Accommodation. Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory and the PPCT model informed the development of the following themes: 1) Immediate Environment/Proximal Processes (Familial Factors, Relationships with Peers; 2) Context (School-Based Services/Community Resources, Discrimination, Prevention, Virtual Care); 3) Person (Engagement in Services/Treatment/Research, Self-management); 4) Time (Immigration Status). The study suggests that there is a growing body of research (21 studies) focused on identifying acceptability factors, including Asian cultural values and the model minority stereotype impacting how East and Southeast Asian immigrant youth access MHSU services. This review also highlighted familial factors (16 studies), including family conflict, lack of MHSU literacy, reliance on family as support, and family-based interventions, as factors affecting how East and Southeast Asian immigrant youth access MHSU care. However, the study also highlighted a dearth of research examining how East and Southeast Asian youth with diverse identities access MHSU services. This review emphasizes the factors related to the access to MHSU services by East and Southeast Asian immigrant youth and families while providing insights that will improve cultural safety.

An Examination of Ecological Factors Predicting Depressed Mood Among Adolescents

From a developmental perspective, the increase in depressive symptoms among adolescents over the past decade is of great concern due to the risk of long-term mental health problems extending into adulthood. Informed by the Multicultural Social Justice Framework, we examined multi-level, ecological risk and protective factors of depressive symptoms among adolescents. Data were leveraged from the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey ( N = 9,717) to examine adolescent reported depressive symptoms, individual risk-taking, family factors, school engagement and involvement, community disorganization and safety, and district level factors. We stratified by race to examine differential associations between risk and protective factors and depressive symptoms among Asian, Black, and Latinx youth. Results indicate that individual and family risk and family protection were associated with depressive symptoms. School and community factors were directly related and interacted with individual and family factors, particularly among Black and Latinx youth. Findings imply the need to examine both proximal and systemic factors.

Prediabetes Prevalence by Adverse Social Determinants of Health in Adolescents

Several clinical practice guidelines advise race- and ethnicity-based screening for youth-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) due to a higher prevalence among American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Black, and Hispanic youths compared with White youths. However, rather than a biological risk, this disparity likely reflects the inequitable distribution of adverse social determinants of health (SDOH), a product of interpersonal and structural racism. To evaluate prediabetes prevalence by presence or absence of adverse SDOH in adolescents eligible for T2D screening based on weight status. This cross-sectional study and analysis used data from the 2011 to 2018 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data were analyzed from June 1, 2023, to April 5, 2024. Participants included youths aged 12 to 18 years with body mass index (BMI) at or above the 85th percentile without known diabetes. The main outcome consisted of an elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level greater than or equal to 5.7% (prediabetes or undiagnosed presumed T2D). Independent variables included race, ethnicity, and adverse SDOH (food insecurity, nonprivate health insurance, and household income <130% of federal poverty level). Survey-weighted logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders of age, sex, and BMI z score and to determine adjusted marginal prediabetes prevalence by race, ethnicity, and adverse SDOH. The sample included 1563 individuals representing 10 178 400 US youths aged 12 to 18 years (mean age, 15.5 [95% CI, 15.3-15.6] years; 50.5% [95% CI, 47.1%-53.9%] female; Asian, 3.0% [95% CI, 2.2%-3.9%]; Black, 14.9% [95% CI, 11.6%-19.1%]; Mexican American, 18.8% [95% CI, 15.4%-22.9%]; Other Hispanic, 8.1% [95% CI, 6.5%-10.1%]; White, 49.1% [95% CI, 43.2%-55.0%]; and >1 or other race, 6.1% [95% CI, 4.6%-8.0%]). Food insecurity (4.1% [95% CI, 0.7%-7.5%]), public insurance (5.3% [95% CI, 1.6%-9.1%]), and low income (5.7% [95% CI, 3.0%-8.3%]) were each independently associated with higher prediabetes prevalence after adjustment for race, ethnicity, and BMI z score. While Asian, Black, and Hispanic youths had higher prediabetes prevalence overall, increasing number of adverse SDOH was associated with higher prevalence among White youths (8.3% [95% CI, 4.9%-11.8%] for 3 vs 0.6% [95% CI, -0.7% to 2.0%] for 0 adverse SDOH). Adverse SDOH were associated with higher prediabetes prevalence, across and within racial and ethnic categories. Consideration of adverse SDOH may offer a more actionable alternative to race- and ethnicity-based screening to evaluate T2D risk in youth.

Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying Victimization Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to use meta-analysis to assess the rates of bullying victimization in the United States (US) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a systematic search of academic databases and a previous meta-analysis database, we collected studies published between 1995 and 2023. Included studies used US-based data and reported on bullying involvement rates among children/adolescents across at least two data points (years), where 1 year had to be from 2020 to 2023. Data were extracted by type of bullying, gender, race, grade level, as well as numerous study-level features. Analyses included random effects meta-analyses, meta-regressions, and moderator analysis. Findings across the 79 studies and 19,033 effect sizes indicate that reported rates of traditional bullying victimization were significantly lower during the COVID pandemic years of 2020 to 2022 compared to the pre-pandemic years (23% vs 19%). This pattern was reflected across gender, grade, and most racial/ethnic groups examined. Overall, rates of cyberbullying victimization remained similar pre-pandemic vs during COVID (16% vs 17%). However, for boys, American Indian/Alaska Native youth, Asian, multi-racial, and White youth rates of cyberbullying victimization were significantly higher during COVID compared to the pre-pandemic period, while rates were significantly lower for transgender/non-binary youth during COVID (39% vs 25%). In addition, we conducted a moderator analysis and used meta-analysis to calculate pooled rates by year. Findings inform the current state of bullying involvement in the US and have implications for school-based bullying prevention practices and policies.

Exploring the Multidimensional Characteristics of Selected and Non-Selected White British and British South Asian Youth Cricketers: An Exploratory Machine Learning Approach

Selection into a County Age Group (CAG; under 10–18) programme is the first step for young aspiring cricketers on their journey to achieving professional status. Recognising that the British South Asian (BSA) community represents 30% of those who play recreational cricket compared to less than 5% of those who are selected to play at the professional level in England and Wales, it is important to better understand the characteristics of selected and non-selected players based on ethnicity to identify potential sociocultural differences during selection. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the multidimensional factors that differentiated between selected and non-selected adolescent male cricketers as well as between White British (WB) and BSA selected players into a CAG programme. A total of 82 male participants aged between 14 and 17 years were included (mean = 15.3 ± 1.1 years: selected n = 33 and non-selected n = 49: WB n = 34, BSA n = 44, Other n = 4). In total, 104 characteristics were measured over nine tests, which were subsequently placed into five overarching factors: (a) physiological and anthropometrical, (b) perceptual–cognitive expertise, (c) psychological, (d) participation history, and (e) socio-cultural influences. A Bayesian binomial regression was performed in rSTAN using a weak normal prior to highlight differentiators in selection as well as differences between WB and BSA selected players. The results highlighted that athleticism, wellbeing and cohesion, the number of older brothers, and being born in birth quarters two and three were positively correlated with player selection into a CAG. Conversely, increases in psychological scores, a greater number of younger brothers and older sisters, as well as antisocial behaviour resulted in a reduced chance of player selection. Finally, several developmental factors (i.e., athleticism, wellbeing and cohesion, psychological distress, and levels of anti-social behaviour) differed based on ethnicity. These exploratory findings serve as a useful opening to highlight there are important differences to consider based on selection and ethnicity in CAG cricket.

Pubertal Timing Across Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Subgroups

Earlier puberty is associated with adverse health outcomes, such as mental health issues in adolescence and cardiometabolic diseases in adulthood. Despite rapid growth of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations in the US, limited research exists on their pubertal timing, potentially masking health disparities. To examine pubertal timing among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander children and adolescents by disaggregating ethnic subgroups. This retrospective cohort study included Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander youths aged 5 to 18 years assessed for pubertal development at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, a large, integrated health care delivery system. Follow-up occurred from March 2005, through December 31, 2019. Data were analyzed in October 2023. Race and ethnicity, categorized into 11 ethnic subgroups: Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Other South Asian, Other Southeast Asian, Vietnamese, multiethnic, and multiracial. Pubertal timing was determined using physician-assessed sexual maturity ratings (SMRs). Outcomes included the median age at transition from SMR 1 (prepubertal) to SMR 2 or higher (pubertal) for onset of genital development (gonadarche) in boys, breast development (thelarche) in girls, and pubic hair development (pubarche) in both boys and girls. In this cohort of 107 325 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander children and adolescents (54.61% boys; 12.96% Asian Indian, 22.24% Chinese, 26.46% Filipino, 1.80% Japanese, 1.66% Korean, 1.96% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.86% Other South Asian, 3.26% Other Southeast Asian, 5.99% Vietnamese, 0.74% multiethnic, and 22.05% multiracial), the overall median ages for girls' pubarche and thelarche were 10.98 years (95% CI, 10.96-11.01 years) and 10.13 years (95% CI, 10.11-10.15 years), respectively. For boys' pubarche and gonadarche, median ages were 12.08 years (95% CI, 12.06-12.10 years) and 11.54 years (95% CI, 11.52-11.56 years), respectively. Differences between subgroups with earliest and latest median age at onset were 14 months for girls' pubarche, 8 months for thelarche, 8 months for boys' pubarche, and 4 months for gonadarche. In general, Asian Indian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and Other South Asian subgroups had the earliest ages at onset across pubertal markers, while East Asian youths exhibited the latest onset. Restricting to those with healthy body mass index did not substantially change the findings. In this cohort study of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander children and adolescents, pubertal timing varied considerably across ethnic subgroups. Further investigation is warranted to assess whether these differences contribute to observed health disparities in adulthood, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

‘My multiple cultural backgrounds are pulling me in all directions with my identity’: Asian and Latino Canadian youth experiences of cultural identity

ABSTRACT Identity, diversity, and inclusion are constantly being reshaped in the face of global migration and resettlement. New research is needed that examines youth identities. In this article, we analyse Asian and Latino youth’s understandings and experiences of how their cultural identity has been influenced by exclusion, inequitable access and racism on the part of their host society. We report on a qualitative study; focus groups (2) and individual interviews were conducted with 15 youth participants. Analysis process included code-driven guided by grounded theory. Youth narratives resisted oversimplified representations by inserting their gendered, minority, and youth identity within mainstream multicultural narratives to make visible immigrant youth experiences. Interwoven in youth’s narratives were experiences of racial discrimination, gender inequality, and indeterminate belonging. Cultural identity is a complex and changing concept. We analyse how youth living in multicultural view their need to negotiate their identities to adapt to their challenging multicultural context where they live.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Among US Youth

Mortality rates in US youth have increased in recent years. An understanding of the role of racial and ethnic disparities in these increases is lacking. To compare all-cause and cause-specific mortality trends and rates among youth with Hispanic ethnicity and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, Black, and White race. This cross-sectional study conducted temporal analysis (1999-2020) and comparison of aggregate mortality rates (2016-2020) for youth aged 1 to 19 years using US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database. Data were analyzed from June 30, 2023, to January 17, 2024. Pooled, all-cause, and cause-specific mortality rates per 100 000 youth (hereinafter, per 100 000) for leading underlying causes of death were compared. Injuries were classified by mechanism and intent. Between 1999 and 2020, there were 491 680 deaths among US youth, including 8894 (1.8%) American Indian or Alaska Native, 14 507 (3.0%) Asian or Pacific Islander, 110 154 (22.4%) Black, 89 251 (18.2%) Hispanic, and 267 452 (54.4%) White youth. Between 2016 and 2020, pooled all-cause mortality rates were 48.79 per 100 000 (95% CI, 46.58-51.00) in American Indian or Alaska Native youth, 15.25 per 100 000 (95% CI, 14.75-15.76) in Asian or Pacific Islander youth, 42.33 per 100 000 (95% CI, 41.81-42.86) in Black youth, 21.48 per 100 000 (95% CI, 21.19-21.77) in Hispanic youth, and 24.07 per 100 000 (95% CI, 23.86-24.28) in White youth. All-cause mortality ratios compared with White youth were 2.03 (95% CI, 1.93-2.12) among American Indian or Alaska Native youth, 0.63 (95% CI, 0.61-0.66) among Asian or Pacific Islander youth, 1.76 (95% CI, 1.73-1.79) among Black youth, and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.88-0.91) among Hispanic youth. From 2016 to 2020, the homicide rate in Black youth was 12.81 (95% CI, 12.52-13.10) per 100 000, which was 10.20 (95% CI, 9.75-10.66) times that of White youth. The suicide rate for American Indian or Alaska Native youth was 11.37 (95% CI, 10.30-12.43) per 100 000, which was 2.60 (95% CI, 2.35-2.86) times that of White youth. The firearm mortality rate for Black youth was 12.88 (95% CI, 12.59-13.17) per 100 000, which was 4.14 (95% CI, 4.00-4.28) times that of White youth. American Indian or Alaska Native youth had a firearm mortality rate of 6.67 (95% CI, 5.85-7.49) per 100 000, which was 2.14 (95% CI, 1.88- 2.43) times that of White youth. Black youth had an asthma mortality rate of 1.10 (95% CI, 1.01-1.18) per 100 000, which was 7.80 (95% CI, 6.78-8.99) times that of White youth. In this study, racial and ethnic disparities were observed for almost all leading causes of injury and disease that were associated with recent increases in youth mortality rates. Addressing the increasing disparities affecting American Indian or Alaska Native and Black youth will require efforts to prevent homicide and suicide, especially those events involving firearms.

The impact of acculturation and psychological wellbeing on South Asian immigrant adolescents and youth: a scoping review

Among the global immigrant population, one of the fastest growing populations is the South Asian community. South Asian youth have experienced difficulties acculturating to the host culture. These difficulties have caused issues relating to identity and conflicts with family members relating to dating, marriage, and education. This scoping review will aim to summarize the literature available on acculturation and psychological well-being. The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and Askey & O’Malley’s approach to data extraction. During the initial search, 220 full-text articles were retrieved from the APA PsycInfo, Web of Science, Medline, and Scopus databases. Ten articles were included in the final review. The following four themes were formulated: acculturation style, family conflict, coping style, and discrimination. We highlight that policies supporting collaboration between mental health practitioners, educators, researchers, and South Asian communities are critical for creating intervention programs that help South Asian families.

Gendered outcomes of parental migration on Thai youth’s transitions to adulthood: a longitudinal perspective

ABSTRACT The scale of migration has increased exponentially in recent decades in much of Southeast Asia. Emerging longitudinal evidence suggests lasting impacts of parental migration on their children’s education and well-being. However, little is known about how parental migration during childhood shapes youth's transition to adulthood. This study thus used two waves of survey data collected in 2008–2010 and 2019 from households (N = 872) in Thailand to assess 1) the long-term impacts of parental migration on young adults’ labour activities, marriage, and childbearing, and 2) how these impacts vary based on which parent(s) migrated and whether they are international or internal migrants. We found that maternal/biparental migration, compared with paternal migration, more significantly affected young people’s labour activities and age at marriage. Moreover, these effects appear to be more pronounced for males than females. Additionally, parental migration’s impacts on youths’ transitional outcomes vary by internal or international migration of their parents. These results highlight the gender-specific and context-dependent nature of the long-term implications of parental migration. This study thus provides new empirical evidence to advance the understanding of the diverse patterns of transitions among Asian youth in the context of parental migration.

27 Racial-Ethnic Differences in Antipsychotic Initiation Among Youth with Diagnosed ADHD, Depression, or Conduct Disorder

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: This study examined racial-ethnic differences in antipsychotic initiation within psychiatric diagnostic groups. This is a follow-up to our prior work, which reported that, overall, youth from minority backgrounds had 30-65% lower odds of initiating antipsychotics compared to White youth. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This study used 2009-2021 data from Optum’s® Clinformatics® Data Mart, a database containing longitudinal patient information from nationwide commercial insurance claims. We created three separate samples of antipsychotic users and matched non-user controls between the ages of 6-17 years old. These groups contained individuals with clinically diagnosed ADHD, conduct disorder, and depressive disorder, respectively. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds of antipsychotic initiation based on race-ethnicity within each diagnostic group. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: There were no racial-ethnic differences in the odds of antipsychotic initiation among youth diagnosed with ADHD. Among youth with depression diagnoses, Asian youth had 19% lower odds of initiating antipsychotics and Hispanic youth had 11% lower odds compared with White youth. Similar results were observed for conduct disorders, with Asian and Black youth having approximately 10% lower odds of initiating antipsychotic treatment and Hispanic youth having 18% lower odds relative to White youth. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Previously observed lower rates of antipsychotic initiation among racial-ethnic minority groups may be at least partially due to factors leading to disparities in diagnosis. Further research is needed to evaluate factors that may lead to differential antipsychotic use, as the disparities may occur upstream of receiving clinical diagnoses.

Life Post-SSEAYP: Delving the Concept of “SSEAYP Sick” among Former Participating Youth from the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program

The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) has been running for 46 years. The Cabinet Office of Japan organises it. This programme aims to foster friendship and mutual understanding between Japanese and Southeast Asian youths. After the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) programme ends, all the former Participating Youths (PYs) will experience a new life adjustment, which is famously known as "SSEAYP Sick". Therefore, this study explores the implications of "SSEAYP Sick" among Former Participating Youths who participated in this program. Additionally, it is crucial to investigate how the SSEAYP programme has affected the PYs.The phenomenological approach is used in this qualitative research technique to comprehend how the PYs feel about a specific phenomenon. Twenty-two informants from ASEAN and Japan were interviewed in-depth to get the data. Thematic transcription was done after a descriptive analysis of the interview material. The study discovered that the PYs viewed this programme as a "bonus" regarding the SSEAYP Sick phenomena. This study's implications have identified three critical causes for the life post-SSEAYP among PYs: culture shock, homesickness, and the intricate process of returning adaptation. In addition, every person possesses unique experiences, thoughts, and viewpoints that have aided their development and moulded them into the people they are today. Keywords: Japan, SSEAYP sick, phenomenology, Southeast Asian, youth.

Breaking the Silence: An Epidemiological Report on Asian American and Pacific Islander Youth Mental Health and Suicide (1999-2021).

Limited studies have focused on recent trends in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth suicide. This study aimed to evaluate epidemiological trends in AAPI youth suicide and reports of depressive symptoms among Asian and Pacific Islander youth in the USA. This cross-sectional study analyzed mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) and reports of depressive symptoms from the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance System (YRBSS). Data from 1999 to 2021 were analyzed for suicide rates and methods used among AAPI youth aged 5-24 years. YRBSS data from 1991 to 2021 were analyzed for depressive symptoms reported by Asian American (AA) 9th-12th graders. From 1999 to 2021, 4747 AAPI youth died by suicide in the USA. Rates of suicide doubled from 3.6 to 7.1 per 100,000 during 1999-2021, with an increasing trend observed from 2014 onwards. The most common methods of suicide deaths in this population were suffocation, firearms and poisoning. Rates of suicide were higher among AA males than females, although more AA females reported depressive symptoms, including suicidal planning and attempts. This study shows a concerning increase in suicide rates among AAPI youth over 1999-2021. Suffocation, firearms and poisoning were the most common methods used. While more AAPI males died by suicide, AA females reported higher rates of depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies and clinical interventions for this vulnerable population. The study also emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health stigma to improve reporting and support for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) youth.

COVID-19 pandemic experiences of LGBTQIA + Asian youth in Canada

LGBTQIA + Asian youth face unique challenges due to their intersecting identities (i.e. racial discrimination from LGBTQIA + communities, and LGBTQIA+ -related stigmatization from their Asian culture). The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing intersectional challenges due to the closure of community spaces for LGBTQIA + Asian youth, spaces which served as a safe haven from home and anti-Asians sentiments. Thus far, there have been no studies examining how the COVID-19 pandemic was experienced by LGBTQIA + Asian Canadian youth. To address this, we completed eight online focus group discussions with 30 LGBTQIA + Asian youth from across Canada, alongside a brief quantitative questionnaire to explore specific components of participants’ mental health and well-being. Quantitative findings suggested many participants were experiencing negative mental health outcomes (i.e. stress, anxiety, and depression). Thematic qualitative analysis showed that, despite various negative impacts of COVID-19 restrictions and increased anti-Asian sentiments, restrictions allowed youth to further explore their own sexual orientations and gender identities. Participants also shared that the #stopAsianhate movement was empowering, however it largely excluded LGBTQIA+ Asian voices. With the unique intersectional challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study highlights the importance of maintaining inclusive supports that consider the unique intracategorical complexities experienced by LGBTQIA +Asian youth.