French Adolescents Research Articles

What's morphology got to do with it: Oral reading fluency in adolescents with dyslexia.

Individuals with dyslexia often present phonological difficulties, ultimately impacting their reading and writing. Nevertheless, an individual with dyslexia may circumvent these difficulties through a reliance on linguistic units with more consistent spellings, such as morphemes. The increased use of morphological information by individuals with dyslexia has been argued to be a form of compensation. However, the contribution of morphological skills to reading fluency is still unclear. In this study, French adolescents with and without dyslexia were assessed on their morphological awareness and processing skills, along with reading fluency. Morphological awareness was assessed with a suffixation decision task, while a primed lexical decision task was used to assess morphological processing. Primes shared four possible relationships with the targets: morphological, semantic, orthographic, or unrelated. Group differences were not found for morphological awareness. In contrast, the group of adolescents with dyslexia showed a greater benefit of morphological priming. A continuous approach where reading fluency is seen as a broad spectrum was then used for future analyses. Benefits from morphological and orthographic priming were found to be inversely related to reading fluency. Morphological processing was found to be relatively high for individuals with low reading fluency proficiency, which suggests its use as a compensatory strategy in this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Can School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) improve adolescents' perceptions of school climate?

As school climate plays a key role in adolescents' academic and socio-emotional outcomes, interventions that can enhance this climate are of major interest. In considering research on practices linked to a positive school climate, School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) is a promising approach. To date, most SWPBIS studies have been conducted in English-speaking countries and have been based primarily on adults' perceptions or reports (e.g., suspension rates, office discipline referrals). There is a dearth of research on the effectiveness of SWPBIS among adolescents in different cultural contexts. Moreover, little is known about its propensity to influence adolescents' perceptions of school climate dimensions. The present study examined the effects of SWPBIS on different dimensions of school climate as perceived by French adolescents enrolled in Grades 6–9. An experimental effectiveness study was conducted among 84 grades from 21 middle schools. Multilevel analyses were conducted on data from a sample of 6765 adolescents (Mage = 12.3 years, SD = 1.23; 51% girls) from 40 control and 44 intervention grades, controlling for grade-level school climate dimensions at baseline. The results suggest that SWPBIS had a positive effect on educational, safety, and teacher-student school climate dimensions. No effects were found on belonging, fairness, and between-students school climate dimensions. The findings suggest that SWPBIS had a positive effect on adolescents' perceptions of three school climate dimensions regardless of their initial perception levels. These results may provide future directions for school teams, researchers, and policymakers interested in ways to improve school climate.

Bariatric procedures including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in French adolescents

IntroductionIn France, approximately 100 obese adolescents undergo a bariatric procedure every year. To date, only data from laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) have been published. Our objective was to report the outcomes of a series of French obese adolescents who underwent a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). MethodsWe included all obese adolescents aged 13–19 years who underwent RYGB in our department from 2008 with at least 2 years of follow-up after surgery. We analyzed the course of the anthropometric data, comorbidities, and subsequent adverse events. ResultsStarting in September 2008, out of 93 obese adolescents who requested bariatric surgery, 39 (35%) underwent a bariatric procedure. From these adolescents, 2-year follow-up data were available for 26 patients who had a RYGB. At the time of surgery, the mean patient age was 17.4 years (standard deviation [SD]=1.4) and the body mass index (BMI) was 52.0 kg/m² (SD=7.8). One patient was lost to follow-up. At 2 years after surgery, the mean BMI was 35.7 kg/m² (SD=9.4) with a mean decrease in BMI of 31.9% (SD=11.6). Comorbidities improved for most of the patients: high blood pressure (2/2) and pseudotumor cerebri (1/1) were cured after surgery, and dyslipidemia improved globally. The complications observed were anemia, abdominal pain requiring celioscopy (n = 2), and oxalic nephrolithiasis. ConclusionOnly one third of the obese adolescents requesting bariatric surgery were operated on. Our series including exclusively obese adolescents who underwent an RYGB presents the results of this technique on weight loss and comorbidities; mechanical and nutritional complications remain uncommon. These results are similar to those obtained in studies of adult patients.

Impact of e-cigarette experimentation and use on smoking behavior among adolescents aged 15-16 years in the Loire department, France.

We describe the vaping and smoking habits of French adolescents aged 15-16 years in the Loire department with a view to assess the impact of e-cigarette experimentation and use on their smoking behavior. This quantitative, cross-sectional, single-center and observational study conducted from January to July 2019 targeted 6622 students aged 15-16 years attending public high school in the Loire department, France. A total of 4937 (74.6%) adolescents were included. Of these, 73.2% were non-vapers and 72.2% non-smokers; 66.0% of adolescents were non-vapers and non-smokers. Slightly less than half of adolescents had experimented with e-cigarettes (44.6%), more than half of whom (26.8%) continued to use vaping products, with 6.02% vaping daily. Likewise, a little less than half of adolescents had experimented with smoked tobacco (42.4%), more than half of whom (27.8%) continued to use smoking products, with 10.3% smoking daily. Vapers and smokers (20.6%) tended to begin with the use of smoked tobacco and to progress to the dual use of vaping and smoked tobacco products. Vaping had a positive effect, as 71.8% of vapers who smoked tobacco before initiating vaping stopped or reduced smoking following their progression to this double use. More than half of tobacco users are daily users while this daily use affects only 1/3 boys and 1/6 girls for vape. Finally, nearly 80.7% of adolescents who had never smoked before vaping did not smoke at the time of the study. Our data suggest that vaping has a rather marginal impact on smoking initiation among French adolescents aged 15-16 years in the Loire department. They therefore neither confirm nor completely disprove the gateway effect theory, relating to use of tobacco subsequent to vaping.

Co-development of a school-based and primary care-based multicomponent intervention to improve HPV vaccine coverage amongst French adolescents (the PrevHPV Study).

Despite various efforts to improve human papillomavirus(HPV) vaccine coverage in France, it has always been lower than in most other high-income countries. The health authorities launched in 2018 the national PrevHPV research programme to (1) co-develop with stakeholders and (2) evaluate the impact of a multicomponent complex intervention aimed at improving HPV vaccine coverage amongst French adolescents. To describe the development process of the PrevHPV intervention using the GUIDance for rEporting of intervention Development framework as a guide. To develop the intervention, we used findings from (1) published evidence on effective strategies to improve vaccination uptake and on theoretical frameworks of health behaviour change; (2) primary data on target populations' knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, preferences, behavioursand practices as well as the facilitators and barriers to HPV vaccination collected as part of the PrevHPV Programmeand (3) the advice of working groups involving stakeholders in a participatory approach. We paid attention to developing an intervention that would maximise reach, adoption, implementationand maintenance in real-world contexts. We co-developed three components: (1) adolescents' and parents' education and motivation using eHealth tools (web conferences, videos, and a serious video game) and participatory learning at school; (2) general practitioners' e-learning training on HPV using motivational interviewing techniques and provision of a decision aid tooland (3) easier access to vaccination through vaccination days organised on participating middle schools' premises to propose free of charge initiation of the HPV vaccination. We co-developed a multicomponent intervention that addresses a range of barriers and enablers of HPV vaccination. The next step is to build on the results of its evaluation to refine it before scaling it up if proven efficient. If so, it will add to the small number of multicomponent interventions aimed at improving HPV vaccination worldwide. The public (adolescents, their parents, school staffand health professionals) participated in the needs assessment using a mixed methods approach. The public was also involved in the components' development process to generate ideas about potential activities/tools, critically revise the successive versions of the toolsand provide advice about the intervention practicalities, feasibilityand maintenance.

Regional French evolution of tobacco and e-cigarette experimentation and use among adolescents aged 15–16 years: A cross-sectional observational study conducted in the Loire department from 2018 to 2020

BackgroundWe assessed/compared the evolution of tobacco and e-cigarette experimentation and use among French adolescents of the Loire department aged 15–16 years. MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional/observational study conducted in 2018–2020 among 7,950 Year 11 pupils attending 27 public secondary schools of the Loire department, France. ResultsFrom 2018 to 2020, 66.18% of adolescents were “non-vapers and non-smokers”, 19.76% were “vapers and smokers”, 7.90% were “non-vapers and smokers” and 6.15% were “vapers and non-smokers”. E-cigarette experimentation was more prevalent than tobacco experimentation (44.92% vs 41.67%), and daily vaping was less prevalent than daily smoking (5.40% vs 10.24%). More boys than girls were daily vapers or daily smokers. A decrease was observed in tobacco experimentation (from 41.22% in 2018 to 39.73% in 2020) and e-cigarette experimentation (from 50.28% in 2018 to 41.25% in 2020). Current vaping remained stable, with an increase in daily vaping. French adolescent vapers frequently use e-liquids with little or no nicotine or with fruit or sweet flavours. ConclusionsAdolescents used e-cigarettes mainly for experimental and/or recreational purposes, with no intention of progression to daily smoking. Although the design of this study is not longitudinal and caution must be exercised, from our cross-sectional observational study data, it appears that the proportion of “non-vapers and non-smokers” tended to increase. “Smokers” tended to progress to the dual use of vaping and smoked tobacco, with the likely intention to reduce or quit smoking.

Like-Grandparent Like-Grandchild: Strengthening Emotional Closeness Through Affectionate Communication and Personality Similarities

ABSTRACT Framed using affection exchange theory, this study aimed to provide a better understanding of grandparent-grandchild relationships during adolescence and emerging adulthood by testing the mediating role of affectionate communication between the grandchild’s perception of grandparent-grandchild personality trait similarities and grandchildren’s emotional closeness with their grandparents. 710 French adolescents and emerging adults completed surveys in the context of their relationship with a specific grandparent. Results indicated that adolescents perceived more similarity in their agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism with their grandparents compared to emerging adults, but no significant difference was found for received grandparental affectionate communication. Adolescents also reported greater emotional closeness with their grandparents compared to emerging adults. Mediation analyses partially supported the hypothesized role of received grandparental affection between personality traits similarities and emotional closeness. These findings highlight the role of similarity in personality traits and the importance of affectionate communication to enhance emotional closeness.

De l’expérience du sentiment religieux à la haine du féminin : conversion à l’Islam et départ pour le djihad d’adolescents non musulmans

ObjectivesMany studies have looked at the phenomena of radicalization and then departure for jihad of French adolescents. A specific question concerns the conversion to Islam followed by a radicalization and departure for jihad of non-Muslim adolescents. This article aims to show the subjective consequences of a conversion to Islam in a context where the environment is saturated by the totalitarian discourse of political Islam and then fails to allow secondary identifications with the desirable feminine. The relationship between mothers and teenagers is at the heart of this work. MethodsThe method used is that of an analysis, based on psychaoanalytical theory, of non-directive interviews with mothers concerned by the conversion to Islam in adolescence of their children and their departure for jihad in Syria and Iraq starting in the second decade of the 21st century. The specific context of the interviews (recent announcement of death or announcement of detention in the camps) required an adaptation of the research interview frame in order to create and maintain a transferential link. ResultsThe results obtained through the analysis of the interviews and of the research transference, oriented by psychoanalytic theory, made it possible to confirm the subjective importance of conversion to Islam as a major psychic event equivalent to the discovery of the feminine through the massive presence of matricidal fantasies. These fantasies take the form of the anachronistic practice of taqîya, of the departure for jihad, and remain in the links maintained after the adolescents’ departure. DiscussionThe discussion focuses on the place of fathers and siblings, which could not be explored in the context of this article, thus presenting an opening for further research. Fathers seem to occupy a specific place linked to the need to contact the authorities, the NGOs; they are often the ones to take action. Siblings are very affected by the departure of a brother or a sister, but their reactions are very diverse and merit further exploration. ConclusionAdolescence is a time when questions of the feminine and of the religious can be concordant, and can be reversed into their opposite in the hatred of the feminine. It is indeed the foundation on which all totalitarian political ideologies or religious-politico ideologies are built.

Validation of Generalized Anxiety Disorder 6 (GAD-6)—A Modified Structure of Screening for Anxiety in the Adolescent French Population

Anxiety disorders remain underdiagnosed and undertreated, especially in child and adolescent populations. This study aimed to examine the construct validity of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 (GAD-7) in a sample of French adolescents by combining the Classical Test Theory (CTT) and the Item Response Theory (IRT) and to assess the invariance of items. A total of 284 adolescents enrolled in school in the Lorraine region were randomly selected to participate in a cross-sectional study. A psychometric evaluation was performed using a combination of CTT and IRT analyses. The study of psychometric properties of GAD-7 revealed poor adequation to the sample population, and engendered the deletion of one item (#7) and the merger of two response modalities (#2 and #3). These modifications generated the new GAD-6 scale, which had a good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach α = 0.85; PSI = 0.83), acceptable goodness-of-fit indices (χ2 = 28.89, df = 9, P = 0.001; RMSEA (90% CI) = 0.088 [0.054; 0.125]; SRMR = 0.063; CFI = 0.857), and an acceptable convergent validity (r = -0.62). Only one item (#5) had a consistent Differential Item Functioning (DIF) by gender. This study evaluated the structure of the GAD-7 scale, which was essentially intended at discriminating adolescent patients with high levels of anxiety, and adapted it to a population of adolescents from the general population. The GAD-6 scale presents better psychometric properties in this general population than the original GAD-7 version.

Perceived Physical Literacy Is Associated with Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Body Composition and Physical Activity Levels in Secondary School Students.

Overweight and obese adolescents are often associated with lower Physical Activity (PA) levels and low Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF). Recently, the concept of Physical Literacy (PL), has been suggested to be associated with higher levels of active behavior and better health in adolescents. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between PL, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels in French secondary school students. The level of PL was assessed in 85 French adolescents using a French version of the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (F-PPLI). Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by the "20 m adapted walk/shuttle run test". The PA level was assessed by the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System questionnaire. Weight status was measured by the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the body composition data. We find a significant association between the PL and the percentage Fat Mass (%FM) (r = -0.43; p ≤ 0.01), between the PL and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) per week (r = 0.38; p ≤ 0.01). The PL was associated (r = 0.36; p ≤ 0.01) with the percentage of Skeletal Muscle Mass (%SMM) and cardiorespiratory fitness (r = 0.40; p ≤ 0.05). Developing the PL for the most disadvantaged secondary school students in a PA program could be a suitable strategy to increase their PA level, reduce their adiposity, and promote better long-term health.

The Place of Sick Peers in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: Advantage, Disadvantage, and What Makes Barriers to the Encounter.

Purpose: The appreciation of peer support can vary from one country to another due to the cultural and relational differences. This study explores what perceptions French adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in post-treatment for cancer have of the place of sick peers during their treatment and what can make barriers to meet them. Methods: A semistructured interview has been proposed 6 months after the end of cancer treatments. A thematic analysis has been conducted to highlight the major themes and subthemes identified through the participants' discourses. Results: Twelve AYAs (mean age 23 y.o., standard deviation = 2.8; min = 19; max = 26) from two French cancer centers were interviewed. Five major themes were identified, but only two were presented in this article: the place of peers and the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic on AYA facilities. AYA peers with cancer major theme demonstrated that meeting sick peers has benefits (e.g., identification, understanding, support, feeling of normalcy) but also has disadvantages (e.g., negative emotional influence). The benefits of peer-to-peer meetings seem to outweigh the disadvantages. Nevertheless, AYAs can face social barriers to this kind of relationship (e.g., fatigue, need to focus on oneself, confrontation to cancer and negative events, feeling of unnatural meeting). Finally, patients' encounters and the normal functioning of AYA facilities have been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Even if AYA services systematically suggest a meeting with other sick peers, it is important to reiterate this proposal since the needs can evolve over time. It can also be interesting to propose places of life outside the hospital to make the encounters more comfortable and natural for AYAs. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT03964116.

The role of parents’ and friends’ support in preventing suicide attempts among French sexual minority adolescents

ObjectivesFrench sexual minority adolescents are at higher risk for suicide attempts than their heterosexual peers. However, little is known about the role of parents’ and friends’ support among French lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth. This study aimed to research the role of their support in preventing suicide attempts among LGB adolescents in France. Materials and MethodsData were drawn from a French cross-sectional study entitled “Portraits d'adolescents”. Parental support was defined by satisfactory relations between participants and their parents. Friends’ support was defined by satisfactory relations between participants and their friends. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate and identify associated factors of suicide attempts in LGB as opposed to heterosexual youth. ResultsData from a sample of 14,265 French adolescents aged 13 to 20 were analyzed. Among them, 637 (4.47%) identified as LGB. Attempted suicide was independently associated with sexual orientation (30.7% vs 10.6%; OR = 2.59 [2.11–3.18]; p < 0.0001). Both parents’ and friends’ support appeared to be protective factors in suicide attempts among heterosexuals (adjusted ORs = 0.40 [0.35–0.46] and 0.61 [0.51–0.75], respectively), whereas in the LGB group, only parental support was significant (adjusted OR = 0.42 [0.27–0.65]), independently of other variables. DiscussionPrevention efforts might be carried out by identifying within-group differences among French adolescents with different sexual orientations. The supportive role of family members should be strengthened. Positive resources and salutary support systems may effectively prevent suicide attempts. ConclusionsFrench LGB adolescents have a higher risk for suicide attempts than their heterosexual peers. Parental support was reconfirmed as a major protective factor against suicide attempts in sexual minority adolescents.

Human Papillomaviruses in Adolescents: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Pharmacists Regarding Virus and Vaccination in France

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are responsible for one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world, and their oncogenic role has been well demonstrated in genital, anal, and oropharyngeal areas. However, a certain distrust and a lack of knowledge about this vaccine are perceptible among French adolescents and their parents. Thus, health professionals and, more particularly, pharmacists appear to be key persons to promote HPV vaccination and restore confidence in the target population. The present study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HPV vaccination among pharmacists, particularly in boys, following the 2019 recommendation to vaccinate them. The present study was designed as a cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive survey that was conducted from March to September 2021 among pharmacists in France. 215 complete questionnaires were collected. Gaps in knowledge were found, only 21.4% and 8.4% obtained a high level of knowledge related to, respectively, HPV and vaccination. Pharmacists were confident in the HPV vaccine (94.4%), found it safe and useful, and felt that the promotion of the vaccine was part of their role (94.0%). However, only a few have already advised it, which they justify due to a lack of opportunity and forgetfulness. Faced with this, training, computerized reminders, or supportive materials could be implemented to improve the advice and thus the vaccination coverage. Finally, 64.2% were in favor of a pharmacy-based vaccination program. In conclusion, pharmacists are interested in this vaccination and the role of promoter. However, they need the means to facilitate this mission: training, computer alerts, supportive materials such as flyers, and the implementation of vaccination in pharmacies.

Perspectives of French adolescents with ADHD and child and adolescent psychiatrists regarding methylphenidate use

Many studies have demonstrated the short-term efficacy and tolerability of methylphenidate treatment adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Qualitative literature on this matter focused on school outcomes, long-term side effects, family conflicts, personality changes and stigmatization. Yet, no qualitative study has crossed the perspectives of child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs) prescribing methylphenidate and adolescents with ADHD. This French qualitative study followed the five stages IPSE—Inductive Process to analyze the Structure of lived Experience-approach. Fifteen adolescents with ADHD and 11 CAPs were interviewed. Data collection by purposive sampling continued until data saturation was reached. Data analysis, based on a descriptive and structuring procedure to determine the structure of lived experience characterized by the central axes of experience, produced two axes: (1) The process of methylphenidate prescription, highlighting how this prescription was motivated from the exterior, experienced as passive by the adolescents and required commitment from the CAPs; and (2) the perceived effects of methylphenidate treatment, in three domains: at school, in relationships and in the sense of self. Findings raised both the issues of the epistemic position and social representation of the adolescents about ADHD and methylphenidate within this specific French context, and the self-awareness and perception of the adolescents with ADHD. We conclude that these two issues need to be regularly addressed by the CAPs prescribing methylphenidate to avoid epistemic injustice and prevent the harmful effects of stigmatization.

The associated factors of suicide attempt in French sexual minority adolescents

The associated factors of suicide attempt in French sexual minority adolescents

Sleep and delinquency: The context of self-control, social support, and sex differences among French adolescents

Prior research demonstrates that poor sleep is an important predictor of delinquent behavior among adolescents. Engagement in delinquency is linked to a range of negative mental and physical health outcomes over the life course, underscoring a critical need to address adolescent sleep problems to reduce delinquency. However, little scholarly attention has been paid to how the broader context of social support influences the sleep–delinquency relationship. In this study, we analyze a series of structural equation models using a sample of 447 French adolescents to examine how parental and peer support correspond to three related aspects of sleep among adolescents (quantity, quality, and the frequency of sleep disturbance) with implications for delinquency. Furthermore, we assess how sex differences moderate the relationship between social support and sleep. First, we find that all three indicators of sleep are associated with delinquency, significantly mediated by reductions in self-control. Second, both peer and parental support correspond to sleep outcomes with full sequential mediation evident for sleep quality and delinquency. Finally, we find significant differences in the relationship between social support and all sleep indicators for boys and girls. Peer support is more strongly associated with sleep among boys, whereas parental support is more strongly associated with sleep among girls. We discuss the implications of these findings for improving adolescent sleep to reduce delinquency as well as opportunities for future research.

Economic evaluation of a school-based strategy to prevent overweight and obesity in French adolescents: insights from the PRALIMAP randomised trial

ObjectivesThis study aimed to provide cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses of a school-based overweight/obesity screening and care prevention strategy among adolescents. Study designCost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses. MethodsData from 3538 adolescents who participated in a school-based randomised controlled trial in the Northeast of France were used. Costs (from a public payer's perspective) included screening for overweight and obesity and subsequent care. Effectiveness was measured as the change in body mass index (kilogram per square metre), prevalence of overweight/obesity, moderate physical activity energy expenditure, duration and frequency and total sitting time. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated, and a budget impact analysis was conducted. ResultsThe screening and care strategy resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €1634.48 per averted case of overweight/obesity and €255.43 per body mass index unit decrease. The costs for increasing moderate physical activity by 1000 metabolic equivalent of task-min/week, duration by 60 min/week and frequency 1 day/week were €165.28, €39.21 and €93.66 per adolescent, respectively. Decreasing total sitting time by 60 min/week had a cost of €8.49 per adolescent. The cost of implementing the strategy nationally was estimated to be €50.1 million with a payback period from 3.6 to 7.3 years. ConclusionsThe screening and care strategy could be an efficient way to prevent overweight and obesity among adolescents. Future studies should investigate how the current results could be achieved in schools with different settings and thus justify its relevance for overweight and obesity prevention to policy-makers.

Stress, Anxiety, and School Burnout Post COVID‐19: A Study of French Adolescents

ABSTRACTThis study examined the symptoms of exhaustion, school stress and anxious school refusal from a comparative developmental perspective in French adolescents enrolled in public and private general, technological and vocational schools. It is particularly important to consider academic stress levels, anxiety and school burnout in middle and high school students as they are linked to many mental health problems, such as depression or suicidal thoughts. In this study, four hundred and ninety‐three adolescents completed an online questionnaire consisting of the School Burnout Inventory, the Echelle Toulousaine de Stress Scolaire perçu and the School refusal evaluation was developed. The results show a very high percentage of suffering among teenagers. The young people most affected are high school students and more particularly students in 10th and 12th grade, with nearly three‐quarters of them suffering from school burnout and/or high school stress, without any distinction between the sexes or the type of schooling.

Youth materialism and consumer ethics: do Gen Z adolescents’ self-concepts (power and self-esteem) vary across cultures (China vs. France)?

ABSTRACT Youth materialism excites adolescents’ unethical consumer beliefs (UCB-dishonesty). We develop a second-stage moderated mediation model, investigate the relationships between materialism and Generation Z teenagers’ consumer ethics (UCB-dishonesty), and treat two self-concept mechanisms (power and self-esteem) as dual mediators and culture as a moderator (China vs. France). We theorize that materialism enhances power (public self) and reduces self-esteem (private self). French adolescents’ sense of power increases UCB more than their Chinese counterparts. Chinese teenagers’ self-esteem reduces UCB more than their French counterparts. We challenge the assumption that the interaction effects between consumers’ self-concepts and UCB are the same across cultures. We offer the following discoveries based on 1,005 (409 Chinese and 596 French) adolescents. First, the measurement model of consumer ethics with four subconstructs is superior to the model with one overall construct. Second, a sense of power and self-esteem mediate the relationships between youth materialism and consumer ethics, creating two positive and negative paths for power and self-esteem, respectively. Third, French adolescents display a higher magnitude and positive intensity between adolescents’ power (public self) and UCB-dishonesty than their Chinese counterparts across all four subconstructs. Chinese teenagers illustrate a lower magnitude but a higher negative intensity between self-esteem and UCB than their French counterparts across three subconstructs, with one exception: Adolescents’ self-esteem has no impact on “no harm, no foul” across cultures. Neither buyers nor sellers experience substantial financial gains or losses. Finally, cultures moderate the second-stage mediation effects. Scholars must enhance adolescents’ self-esteem and curb their power to promote honesty. We offer implications for materialism, consumer ethics, self-concepts, and culture for consumers and retailers.

Neg Negative effects of social media on adolescent behavior from self-identity to interpersonal relationships today in France

The aim of this study is to examine social media usage and its consequences among French adolescents. It will build upon a literature review of previous works. In addition, a descriptive-analytical technique (N=150) will confirm my findings. The study was realized in 2022 in the South of France to demonstrate the consequences of social media on adolescents' behavior and selflessness, especially on their mental health, interpersonal skills, and social engagement. Examining the different reasons why social media hold teenagers' attention and focusing on the negative consequences will demonstrate how technology and phones have shaped teenagers' identities. Lastly, it will show how the social interactions of teenagers and their role into adulthood are predetermined through the increased consumption of mass media.