Early Adolescent Behavior Research Articles

Perilaku Remaja Awal yang Mengalami Sibling Rivalry dalam Keluarga di Kanagarian Koto Baru III Jorong

Aggressive behavior of early adolescents who experience sibling rivalry can grow in families with more than one child as stated by Bakwin H that sibling competition is more intense in small families (families with fewer children) compared to families with many children. . The aim is to find out the behavior of early adolescents who experience sibling rivalry in the family at Kanagarian Koto Baru III, Jorong. The research method is descriptive qualitative, key informants are 5 early adolescents who experience sibling rivalry and supporting informants 5 parents of early adolescents who experience sibling rivalry in the family. Data collection techniques through observation and interviews. Data analysis techniques with data reduction, data display, and data verification. The validity of the data used with data triangulation with source triangulation. The results of the study: 1) Verbal is a form of negative behavior in the form of words or verbally with the aim of hurting the victim (ridicule, insult, and yell). 2) Physical is a form of negative behavior in the form of physical assault aimed at injuring, harming, injuring, or damaging other people's objects (hitting, kicking, pushing, biting, and throwing), 3) Expression of anger is a form of behavior that its nature is hidden in the feelings of other people but the effect can be seen in actions that hurt other people (anger and annoyance). 4) Hostility is an invisible behavior, namely negative attitudes or feelings towards other people (jealousy and envy).

Social Connectedness and Impulsivity as Predictors of Cyberbullying Behaviors in Early Adolescence

ABSTRACT Cyberbullying is recognized as a problematic behavior that is often first identified during adolescence, a period which has increased susceptibility to developing mental health disorders. Due to the ever-growing nature of social media and technology, cyberbullying behaviors are becoming increasingly problematic for the adolescent demographic. Research has shown that impulsivity, social connectedness, and gender may influence cyberbullying behaviors. To our knowledge, the current study was the first to investigate the direct relationship between these variables and cyberbullying involvement in early adolescents. The sample consisted of participants of the same age and school grade, in order to ensure that data were comparable regarding stage of social development. The sample was 12-year-old participants in grade 7 (N = 69), recruited from the Sunshine Coast, Australia. It was hypothesized that higher impulsivity, lower social connectedness, and female gender would predict higher cyberbullying perpetration and victimization. The results did not support this hypothesis; however, a significant positive relationship between cyberbullying perpetration and victimization was revealed, as well as between impulsivity and social connectedness. Findings from this study help to inform preventative interventions to protect vulnerable individuals from serious mental health disorders, as well as support the need for further research in this area.

Association of Habitual Checking Behaviors on Social Media With Longitudinal Functional Brain Development

Social media platforms provide adolescents with unprecedented opportunities for social interactions during a critical developmental period when the brain is especially sensitive to social feedback. To explore how adolescents' frequency of checking behaviors on social media platforms is associated with longitudinal changes in functional brain development across adolescence. A 3-year longitudinal cohort study of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) among sixth- and seventh-grade students recruited from 3 public middle schools in rural North Carolina. At wave 1, participants reported the frequency at which they checked Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Neural responses to the Social Incentive Delay task when anticipating receiving social feedback, measured annually using fMRI for 3 years. Participants saw a cue that indicated whether the social feedback (adolescent faces with emotional expressions) would be a reward, punishment, or neutral; after a delay, a target appeared and students responded by pressing a button as quickly as possible; a display of social feedback depended on trial type and reaction time. Of 178 participants recruited at age 12 years, 169 participants (mean [SD] age, 12.89 [0.58] years; range, 11.93-14.52 years; 91 [53.8%] female; 38 [22.5%] Black, 60 [35.5%] Latinx, 50 [29.6%] White, 15 [8.9%] multiracial) met the inclusion criteria. Participants with habitual social media checking behaviors showed lower neural sensitivity to social anticipation at age 12 years compared with those with nonhabitual checking behaviors in the left amygdala, posterior insula (PI), and ventral striatum (VS; β, -0.22; 95% CI, -0.33 to -0.11), right amygdala (β, -0.19; 95% CI, -0.30 to -0.08), right anterior insula (AI; β, -0.23; 95% CI, -0.37 to -0.09), and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC; β, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.44 to -0.14). Among those with habitual checking behaviors, there were longitudinal increases in the left amygdala/PI/VS (β, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.18), right amygdala (β, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.16), right AI (β, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.20), and left DLPFC (β, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.25) during social anticipation, whereas among those with nonhabitual checking behaviors, longitudinal decreases were seen in the left amygdala/PI/VS (β, -0.12; 95% CI, -0.19 to -0.06), right amygdala (β, -0.10; 95% CI, -0.17 to -0.03), right AI (β, -0.13; 95% CI, -0.22 to -0.04), and left DLPFC (β, -0.10, 95% CI, -0.22 to -0.03). The results of this cohort study suggest that social media checking behaviors in early adolescence may be associated with changes in the brain's sensitivity to social rewards and punishments. Further research examining long-term associations between social media use, adolescent neural development, and psychological adjustment is needed to understand the effects of a ubiquitous influence on development for today's adolescents.

Диагностика и профилактика риска суицидального поведения обучающихся юношеского возраста в образовательной организации

Russia is one of the ten states with high suicidal activity of the population. Adolescence and early adolescence are traditionally considered as periods of manifestation of suicidal attempts and completed suicides, which determines the need to identify the psychological determinants of personality to prevent and correct the risk of suicidal behavior students. We carried out a psychological study of suicidal tendencies and predisposition to self-destructive behavior in early adolescence; formed an experimental group of students based on the screening of students with a high risk of suicidal behavior. The propensity for risky and suicidal behavior, as well as such qualities as aggressiveness, social dependence, anxiety, self-esteem at the ascertaining and control stages were studied. The revealed in the study data on suicidal tendencies and predisposition to destructive behavior in people of early adolescence complement the theoretical and empirical ideas about this phenomenon. A complex combination of a high level of aggressiveness, personal anxiety, social dependence and inadequacy of self-esteem in the structure of suicidal tendencies and a predisposition to destructive behavior in people of early adolescence has been reliably identified. The results obtained are important for the development of preventive measures, competent and reasonable construction of psycho-correctional and psychotherapeutic work with this category of students.

Associations between physical activity and mental health and behaviour in early adolescence

BackgroundWe examined associations between objectively-measured physical activity, depressive-symptoms, and emotional and behavioural difficulties in adolescents from a UK cohort. MethodData from 4755 participants (45% male) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) with physical activity assessed by accelerometry at age 11 was analysed. Indication of depressive symptoms (Short Moods and Feelings questionnaire) were obtained from parental reports at age 11 and self-reports at age 13. Behavioural and emotional problems were assessed by parents and teachers at age 11 and 13 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). ResultsAt age 11, males averaged 29 minutes (SD = 17) of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared with 18 minutes (SD = 12) among females. Higher MVPA at age 11 was associated with decreased depressive-symptoms in females at age 11 after adjusting for confounders. Among males, a positive change in MVPA between the ages of 11 and 13 was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms. Negative associations were also found between MVPA at age 11 and the emotional symptoms scale of the SDQ at age 11 and age 13 in females. Higher MVPA predicted a decreased score on the hyperactivity subscale of the SDQ at 11 and 13 for both sexes. All effect sizes were small. ConclusionsHigher MVPA was associated with reduced depressive symptoms, behavioural and emotional-difficulties in early adolescence, however the magnitude of effects was small. Efforts to support MVPA in this age group are therefore warranted.

Suicidal Behaviors in Early Adolescence: The Interaction Between School Connectedness and Mental Health.

Previous research has identified mental health symptoms such as depression and aggression as contributing factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempts in adolescence. However, much of this work has focused on older adolescents (ages > 14) resulting in a dearth of knowledge about early adolescents under 12 years. Moreover, much less is known about school connectedness as a protective factor in the relationship between mental health symptoms and suicidal behaviors. This study examined the interaction effect between school connectedness and mental health symptoms on suicidal behaviors among early adolescents aged 9-12 years. Data were drawn from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study and yielded an analytic sample (n = 2826) that was majority male (52%), Black (53%), and with an average age of 9.3 years. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Among participants, 2% experienced suicidal ideation, and 2% experienced suicide attempts. Black adolescents were more than five times more likely to experience a suicide attempt compared to their White peers (AOR = 5.37; 95% CI = 1.71-16.95; p = .004). There was a significant interaction effect between withdrawn depressed symptoms and school connectedness (AOR = .95; 95% CI = .91-98; p = .006), and between aggressive behavior and school connectedness (AOR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.01-1.03; p = .001) on suicide attempts. School connectedness did not moderate the relationship between mental health symptoms and suicidal ideation. The findings have important practical implications, which are discussed.

Smartphone Addiction of Early Adolescents During COVID-19 Pandemic

These days, smartphone seems to be inseparable from everyone’s lives, with increasing usage by adolescents in Indonesia. Besides its numerous benefits in one’s life, smartphone usage might lead to smartphone addiction. This cross-sectional study was conducted to obtain empirical evidence of smartphone addiction and smartphone usage behavior in early adolescents, aged 12-15 years old during Covid-19 pandemic. This study was conducted in November 2020, through an online platform (Google Form). Smartphone addiction was assessed by Smartphone Addiction Scale – Short Version (SAS-SV) in Bahasa Indonesia. Smartphone usage behavior was assessed using an alternate-choice format question about activities with their smartphone and the duration. There were 120 participants obtained using convenient sampling. These participants were mostly aged 14 (55%), from West Java (85.8%), female (60%), and owned a smartphone (95%). Based on the cut-offs, 56.7% of the participants had smartphone addiction (male 22.5%, female 34.2%). This finding implies that an intervention program is needed to reduce or prevent smartphone addiction for early adolescents in Indonesia. Dominant dimensions of smartphone addiction were positive anticipation, daily-life disturbance, and overuse. Duration of smartphone usage per day was mostly 3,5-6 hours per day, those who were addicted tend to spend more time with their smartphone. There was also no significant difference in gender (t(118)=-0,78; p=0,44). The limitation of this research is the limited generalizability of results due to the sampling method used. For future research, we suggest using probability sampling techniques and use duration report from smartphone application to measure it more objectively.

Sexual education intervention for the prevention of premarried sexual behavior in early adolescents

Sexual education interventions are needed as an effort to prevent premarital sexual behavior in early adolescents. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze sexual education interventions for the prevention of premarital sex in early adolescents. The research keywords were sexual education, prevention, premarital sexual behavior, and early adolescence. Data collection using an electronic database from articles that have been published through the Proquest portal, Sciencedirect, Google Scholar, and Pubmed, published from 2010 to 2020. The results of the literature review identify sexual education interventions for premarital sexual prevention in early adolescents that have been carried out in several countries through the integration of sexual education at the education level, sexual education through guidance and counseling by professional health workers, sexual education through guidance and counseling based on the cooperation of schools and parents. Sexual education has been shown to reduce the incidence of premarital sexual behavior in early adolescents.

Adolescent overeating and binge eating behavior in relation to subsequent cardiometabolic risk outcomes: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundBinge eating disorder is bidirectionally associated with obesity and with metabolic syndrome. It is less clear whether overeating and binge eating, or overeating with loss of control, also predicts metabolic risk, and if so, whether these associations are solely attributable to greater weight. The goal of this study was to examine longitudinal associations of overeating and binge eating behavior with cardiometabolic risk markers in adolescence.MethodsAdolescents (n = 619) in the Project Viva research study self-reported overeating and binge eating behavior in early adolescence (median 12.9 years, “baseline”). In late adolescence (median 17.4 years, “follow-up”), we assessed outcomes of adiposity and blood pressure, and in a subset of participants (n = 270–424), biomarkers of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, liver dysfunction, inflammation, and adipokine homeostasis. We conducted multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for socio-demographics and prenatal obesogenic exposures, and additionally for baseline body mass index (BMI) z-score.ResultsAt baseline, 58 (9%) participants reported overeating behavior, and of those, 24 (41%) had binge eating behavior (e.g., overeating accompanied by loss of control). In adjusted models, adolescents with overeating had higher adiposity at follow-up ~ 5 years later (e.g., % body fat 4.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.76, 6.31) than those not reporting overeating behavior; additional adjustment for baseline BMI z-score attenuated associations generally except for % body fat (2.95; 95% CI 1.03, 4.87). Overeating behavior was also associated with higher inflammation and greater adipokine dysfunction, remaining positively associated with interleukin-6 (IL-6) (log-transformed β = 0.42 pg/mL; 95% CI 0.12, 0.73) and negatively with adiponectin (log-transformed β = −0.28 ug/mL; 95% CI − 0.47, − 0.08) even after adjusting for baseline BMI z-score. Overeating behavior was not consistently associated with other outcomes. Adolescents reporting binge eating behavior generally had the greatest adiposity, (e.g., % body fat 5.00; 95% CI 1.74, 8.25) as compared to those without overeating.ConclusionsAdolescents reporting overeating and binge eating behavior had higher adiposity and poorer inflammatory and adipokine profiles, but no difference in other outcomes, than adolescents who did not endorse these behaviors. These associations were only partially accounted for by higher baseline BMI z-score. These differences may signal increased risk for future cardiovascular disease.

Developmental genetic effects on externalizing behavior and alcohol use: Examination across two longitudinal samples.

Externalizing behavior in early adolescence is associated with alcohol use in adolescence and early adulthood and these behaviors often emerge as part of a developmental sequence. This pattern can be the result of heterotypic continuity, in which different behaviors emerge over time based on an underlying shared etiology. In particular, there is largely a shared genetic etiology underlying externalizing and substance use behaviors. We examined whether polygenic risk for alcohol use disorder predicted (1) externalizing behavior in early adolescence and alcohol use in adolescence in the Early Steps Multisite sample and (2) externalizing behavior in adolescence and alcohol use in early adulthood in the Project Alliance 1 (PAL1) sample. We examined associations separately for African Americans and European Americans. When examining European Americans in the Early Steps sample, greater polygenic risk was associated with externalizing behavior in early adolescence. In European Americans in PAL1, we found greater polygenic risk was associated with alcohol use in early adulthood. Effects were largely absent in African Americans in both samples. Results imply that genetic predisposition for alcohol use disorder may increase risk for externalizing and alcohol use as these behaviors emerge developmentally.

Longitudinal predictors of weapon involvement in middle adolescence: Evidence from the UK Millennium Cohort Study.

This study uses longitudinal data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study (N = 13,277) to examine the childhood and early adolescence factors that predict weapon involvement in middle adolescence, which in this study is exemplified by having carried or used a weapon. It finds that childhood experiences of low family income and domestic abuse between parents predict weapon involvement at age 17 years. Other predictors include childhood externalizing problems and self-harm in early adolescence. Further early adolescent behaviors and experiences that predict weapon involvement are own substance use, peer substance use, school exclusion, and high levels of electronic gaming. These findings provide concrete areas for targeting risk factors both in childhood and the early adolescent period, with an indication that early intervention and prevention are likely to reduce the need for later action.

Interindividual variability in functional connectivity discovers differential development of cognition and transdiagnostic dimensions of psychopathology in youth

Cognitive and psychological development during adolescence is different from one another, which is rooted in individual differences in maturational changes in the adolescent brain. This study employed multi-modal MRI data and characterized interindividual variability in functional connectivity (IVFC) and its associations with cognition and psychopathology using the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (PNC) of 755 youth. We employed resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and diffusion weighted images (DWIs) to estimate brain structural and functional networks. We computed the IVFC of individuals and examined its relation with structural and functional organizations. We further employed sparse partial least squares (sparse-PLS) and meta-analysis to examine the developmental associations of the IVFC with cognition and transdiagnostic dimensions of psychopathology in early, middle, and late adolescence. Our results revealed that the IVFC spatial topography reflects the brain functional integration and structure-function decoupling. Age effects on the IVFC of association networks were mediated by the FC among the triple networks, including frontoparietal, salience, and default mode networks (DMN), while those of primary and cerebellar networks were mediated by the cerebello-cortical FC. The IVFC of the triple and cerebellar networks explained the variance of executive functions and externalizing behaviors in early adolescence and then the variance of emotion and internalizing and psychosis in middle and late adolescence. We further evaluated this finding via meta-analysis on task-based studies on cognition and psychopathology. These findings implicate the emerging importance of the IVFC of the triple and cerebellar networks in cognitive, emotional, and psychopathological development during adolescence.

The Relationship of Teachers' Personal Competencies and Parents' Permissive Patterns with Adolescent Cyberbullying Behavior

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between teacher personality competencies and permissive parenting patterns with cyberbullying behavior in early adolescents. The subjects of this study were 139 young people at the beginning of junior high school in Mojokerto. The cyberbullying behavior scale consists of 30 authentic items with = 0.958, the teacher's personal competence scale consists of 22 authentic items with = 0.890 and the permissive parenting style scale consists of 26 authentic items with = 0.901. The results showed that the teacher's personality competence and the permissive parenting of parents together had a very significant relationship with the tendency of cyberbullying behavior. The results of the analysis of this study also show that there is a negative relationship between the teacher's personality competence and the tendency of cyberbullying behavior. This means that the higher the teacher's personality competence, the lower the cyberbullying behavior of early adolescents. The correlation between permissive parenting and cyberbullying behavior shows a positive correlation. This means that the more permissive the parenting pattern, the higher the cyberbullying behavior of early adolescents.

The correlation between parental communication pattern, self-esteem, and moral disengagement with cyberbullying behavior in early adolescents: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Cyberbullying has become a new case in young millennials that can lead to being a serious problem if it is not faced properly. Many cases cannot be resolved because the victims did not tell the truth clearly to their parents and teachers. It may cause a lack of self-esteem among the students and also make the perpetrator become morally disengaged. The purpose of this study was to identify the correlation between parental communication patterns, moral disengagement, and self-esteem with cyberbullying behavior in junior high school. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 362 junior high school students in Indonesia using purposive sampling. Variables in this study were moral disengagement, self-esteem and parental communication patterns with cyberbullying behavior. The data were collected with the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, the cyberbullying behavior scale, the moral disengagement scale and the family communication pattern scale. Bivariate analysis with Chi-square was used to analyze the data. Results: This study found out that there were 223 students, 61.6% were female, and 43.6% were aged 14 years. There were 187 students (51.7%) who had mild cyberbullying behavior. The study revealed that there were significant correlations among cyberbullying behavior with moral disengagement (p = 0.005, self-esteem (p = 0.008), and parental communication pattern (p = 0.019). Conclusions: Parental communication, moral disengagement and self-esteem have a correlation with cyberbullying behavior. It was expected that the schools need to implement a training to improve social skills in junior high school students.

THE EFFECT OF SPIRITUAL EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE (SEFT) THERAPY METHODS ON CHANGES IN ADOLESCENT SMOKING BEHAVIOR

Smoking behavior in adolescents is a difficult behavior to change. In cigarettes there are addictive ingredients that make dependence on the wearer. The phenomenon obtained in Bendungan Village, there are 42 teenagers aged 15-19 years who have smoking behavior due to invitations from friends, curiosity, often seeing parents smoking and the desire of teenagers themselves. The Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT) method by tapping 2 fingers on 18 key points in the body's 12 energy pathways. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the SEFT therapy method on changes in smoking behavior in adolescents in Bendungan Village, Pabelan District, Semarang Regency.
 The research design used is a quantitative method using a pre-experimental type with a one group pretest-posttest design. The sampling technique used 30 respondents. The research instrument is a questionnaire that has been tested for validity in research (Anggraeni, 2019) with the title "Peer Peer Relationships with Smoking Behavior in Early Adolescents" the number of respondents in this assessment is 15 people with an r value of 0.518 provided that the value of r product moment > r table (0.514), then it is declared valid. The analytical method used is Paired Sample T-test.
 The results showed that smoking behavior before SEFT therapy was in the moderate category (86.7%) than after being given SEFT therapy in the good category (63.3%). The results of the analysis with the Paired Sample T-test test obtained p value = 0.000 means p value

The Effect Of The Role Of Reproduction Health Knowledge On The Sexual Behavior Of Early Adolescents

This study aims to determine the role of reproductive health knowledge with early adolescent sexual behavior in Patian Village. The sample in this study amounted to 103 people who were taken by purposive sampling technique. Methods of data collection using a sexual behavior scale and reproductive health knowledge questionnaire. Based on a simple linear regression test, a significance value of 0.033 with R = -0.207 , and the value of the equation Y = 89.679 + - 1.040X, which means knowledge of reproductive health has a negative role on sexual behavior so that every increase in knowledge of reproductive health by one point (eg 89.679 -> 90,679), then sexual behavior will decrease by -1,040. In addition, an R Square of 0.043 indicates that knowledge of reproductive health has a role contribution to sexual behavior by 4.3%. Thus it can be concluded that there is a negative role of reproductive health knowledge on sexual behavior, so the higher the knowledge of reproductive health, the lower the sexual behavior of early adolescents in Patian Village.

Father-child attachment and externalizing problem behavior in early adolescence: A moderated mediation model

Father-child attachment and externalizing problem behavior in early adolescence: A moderated mediation model

Social class and prosocial behavior in early adolescence: The moderating roles of family and school factors

ABSTRACT The association between prosocial behavior and adolescents’ social class—defined as one’s parents’ position in society assessed in terms of education, income, and occupation status—is far from conclusive and the moderators of the link have not been fully researched. Using data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (NICHD SECCYD) (N = 1,058), this study investigated the association between social class and 5th graders’ prosocial behavior, as well as the moderating roles of maternal sensitivity, positive family emotional expressiveness, teacher-student relationship, and peer support. The current research found that social class was positively associated with adolescents’ prosocial behavior, and the positive association between social class and prosocial behavior was less pronounced for adolescents with higher levels of maternal sensitivity, positive family emotional expressiveness, teacher-student relationship, and peer support than those with lower levels of maternal sensitivity, positive family emotional expressiveness, teacher-student relationship, and peer support. The present findings yield evidence on the negative influence of low social class on adolescents’ prosocial behavior, but this effect would be buffered by supportive and healthy relationships in family and school contexts.

Gestational exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and social skills and problem behaviors in adolescents: The HOME study.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent environmental pollutants used as flame retardants. Gestational PBDE exposure has been associated with a variety of behavior problems in children, but little is known about its impact into adolescence, particularly on social skills, which are important for achieving social competence, establishing identity, and forming lasting relationships. We investigated associations between gestational exposure to PBDEs and social skills and problem behaviors in early adolescence in a longitudinal pregnancy and birth cohort in Cincinnati, Ohio (recruited 2003-2006). We measured maternal serum concentrations of five PBDE congeners during gestation. At age 12, we measured social skills and problem behaviors scores for 243 adolescents using self- and caregiver-report on the Social Skills Improvement System (SSiS). We used multivariable linear regression models to estimate associations between maternal PBDE concentrations and SSiS scores, controlling for potential covariates. We report associations for the five congeners and a summary exposure variable (∑5BDE: the sum of BDE- 28, 47, 99, 100, and 153, n=197). We found sex-specific associations of ∑5BDE concentrations with adolescent-reported Problem Behaviors (∑5BDE×sex pint=0.02) and caregiver-reported Social Skills (∑5BDE×sex pint=0.02). In sex-stratified models, log10 transformed data revealed increased maternal ∑5BDE concentration among males was associated with decreased caregiver-reported Social Skills composite score (β=-10.2, 95% CI: -19.5, -1.0), increased adolescent-reported Problem Behaviors composite score (β=12.1, 95% CI: 5.4, 18.8), and increased caregiver-reported Problem Behaviors composite score (β=6.2, 95% CI: 0.7, 11.7). Further analysis on SSiS subscales revealed similar patterns in significant associations among males. There were no statistically significant associations in stratified models among females despite higher ∑5BDE exposure (Female GM=40.15 ng/g lipid, GSE=1.10; Male GM=35.30 ng/g lipid, GSE=1.09). We found gestational PBDE exposure in males was associated with poorer behavioral outcomes, extending previous findings among this cohort into early adolescence.

Relationship between Anxiety Levels and Smoking Behavior in Early Adolescents in Nias Ciranjang Junior High School

Background: Adolescence is a period in which a child experiences a transition from childhood to adulthood both physically and psychologically. In 2018 the prevalence of smokers in the population aged >10 years in Indonesia, especially West Java, was ranked first at 32.0%, while the smoking prevalence in the population aged 10-18 years was 9.1% in 2018, this number increased from 2013 which was only 7.2%. Mental health is important in determining the quality of a nation. The phenomenon when the incidence of health problems in adolescents increases, the underlying cause comes from internal and external factors, this problem is still a threat if not treated immediately.
 Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship between anxiety levels and smoking behavior in early adolescents.
 Methods: The research design used is a correlation study with a cross sectional design. The number of samples was 55 male students in grades 7 and 8 in Nias Ciranjang junior high school which were selected through purposive sampling technique. Data collection filled out the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 42 (DASS 42) questionnaire, rcount > rtable 0,514 and ralpha value = 0,952. Data analysis was carried out univariate (frequency distribution) and bivariate with chi square test.
 Result: The results showed that some respondents had moderate anxiety levels as much as 54.5%, most respondents had bad smoking behavior as much as 54.5%, and there was a relationship between anxiety levels and smoking behavior in early adolescents in Nias Ciranjang junior high school with p -value=0.001.
 Conclusion: It is hoped that nursing science and schools will continue to improve students' understanding of the dangers of smoking through counseling or other activities so that there are no more teenagers smoking.