Intervention Efforts Research Articles

Alcohol use and intimate partner violence victimization among young adults with a history of perpetration: An ecological momentary assessment study.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern among young adults and has shown a consistent association with alcohol use. However, previous research has used cross-sectional and daily diary designs that may fail to pinpoint the effects of alcohol use within several hours of IPV occurring. The present study used novel ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods to investigate the bidirectional effect of alcohol use and IPV victimization among young adults with a history of IPV perpetration. One hundred and sixty-eight young adults (age 18-25 years) in a dating relationship who reported IPV perpetration in the past year completed 28 days of randomly prompted EMA surveys (four surveys daily). The effect of alcohol use on IPV victimization and the effect of IPV victimization on alcohol use were examined. The results indicated that alcohol use co-occurs with psychological and physical IPV victimization. Further, alcohol use significantly increased the odds of physical (OR = 4.94; 95% CI = 2.24-10.87) and sexual (OR = 4.66; 95% CI = 1.64-13.22) IPV victimization, but not psychological IPV victimization, in the subsequent EMA survey. Finally, IPV victimization did not significantly increase the odds of reporting alcohol use in the subsequent EMA survey. Using alcohol is proximally related to IPV victimization among those with a history of IPV perpetration. Intervention efforts would benefit from adapting EMA methods to provide resources the moment they are needed.

Is Temperament Associated with Academic School Readiness in Children Born Very Preterm?

ABSTRACT Research Findings: Temperament, which can be assessed as early as 3 months, is associated with school readiness and later academic achievement in children born full term. Although children born preterm demonstrate a dysregulated temperament and are at significant risk for lower school readiness, we found no studies investigating whether early temperament is associated with school readiness in this at-risk population. Investigating whether temperament is a precursor of academic risk in preterm children can facilitate early identification and possible intervention efforts. We explored the association of negative affect, surgency, and regulation/effortful control temperament ratings collected at 3-months and 3-years corrected ages with school readiness at 3-years corrected age in children born very preterm. Participants included 297 children born very preterm (53.9% male). After controlling for key covariates, Positive Affectivity/Surgency ratings at 3-months were significantly associated with the Bracken Basic Concept Scale – School Readiness composite score, and Effortful Control ratings at 3-years were associated with Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-3) Functional Pre-Academics ratings. Practice or Policy: These findings may enhance the ability to identify premature children at risk for difficulties at school entry early.

Protective factors against suicide attempt and violence against women in Azerbaijan: Reports from women with lived experience and mental health providers

Little is known regarding the protective factors against suicide and violence against women in Muslim majority countries. The authors of this study aim to address this gap. Women with lived experience of suicide and violence (N = 51), and mental health providers in Azerbaijan participated in either in-depth qualitative interviews or focus groups. We used a mixed-methods design in this study. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were conducted. Conventional content analysis was used for qualitative data. Psychological support, psychoeducation, providing women with financial opportunities and changing cultural values regarding gender norms were identified as the strongest protective factors against suicide and violence against women. Our findings point to culturally relevant protective factors that can inform prevention and intervention efforts to mitigate risk of suicide and violence against women in Azerbaijan and Muslim majority countries with shared values and cultural norms.

"One Health" Perspective on Prevalence of ESKAPE Pathogens in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The leading cause of hospital-acquired infections worldwide includes Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. (ESKAPE) infections. These bacteria are commonly isolated from clinical settings and linked to a number of potentially fatal diseases associated with hospitals. The objective of this study was to review the prevalence of ESKAPE pathogens in Africa. We gathered and systematically reviewed the literature concerning the prevalence of ESKAPE pathogens, published in the English language from January 2014 to February 2024, from three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect). Our overall results revealed that S. aureus was the most prevalent species (79.5%), followed by A. baumannii (27.6%), K. pneumoniae (24.2%), Enterobacter spp. (20%), P. aeruginosa (9.0%), and E. faecium (5.1%). Moreover, stool samples had the highest Pooled Prevalence Estimates (PPEs) of 44.0%, followed by urine, nasal, and blood samples with 37.3%, 26.9%, and 22.9%, respectively. For the diagnostic method used to identify these ESKAPE pathogens, VITEK-MS had the highest PPE of 55.2%, followed by whole genome sequencing and PCR with 37.1% and 33.2%, respectively. The highest PPE of ESKAPE pathogens was recorded in West Africa with 77.3%, followed by Central/Middle Africa and East Africa with 43.5% and 25.1%, respectively. The overall PPE of ESKAPE pathogens from humans, animals, the environment (water, soil, and surfaces) and food sources was 35.8%, 37.3%, 47.7%, and 34.2%, respectively. Despite their prevalence in nosocomial settings, studies have shown that the ESKAPE pathogens may be isolated from a range of environmental reservoirs, including soil, dumping sites, beach sand, wastewater, food, and fish farms, among others. This wide source of ESKAPE pathogens substrates indicates the need for a multidisciplinary collaborative partnership for epidemiological studies and intervention efforts by the human, veterinary, and environmental health sectors in Africa.

Childhood Maltreatment, Revictimization, and Partner Violence Victimization Through Midlife: A Prospective Longitudinal Investigation.

Existing research suggests that prior victimizations during a person's lifetime, particularly childhood traumas and maltreatment, are risk factors for abuse and revictimization in adulthood, although longitudinal evidence is sparse. Using data from a 30-year ongoing longitudinal study of the long-term consequences of childhood maltreatment, this paper describes the extent to which childhood maltreatment predicts subsequent victimization and partner violence victimization at two time points in adulthood. Data were obtained from a prospective cohort design study in which children with court-substantiated cases of maltreatment (ages 0-11 years) and demographically matched controls were followed into adulthood and interviewed over several waves. Childhood maltreatment was assessed through juvenile and adult court records from 1967 to 1971 in a midwestern county area in the United States. Victimization experiences were assessed from 2000 to 2002 (Mage = 39.5 years) and 2009 to 2010 (Mage = 47.5) and included two types based on information from the lifetime trauma and victimization history instrument and questions about past year partner violence victimization. Individuals with histories of childhood maltreatment were more likely to report physical and sexual assaults and kidnapping and stalking victimization than controls through age 39.5. In contrast, the two groups did not differ at the later assessment at age 47.5, except maltreated individuals reported greater risk for sexual assault/abuse than controls. For intimate partner violence victimization at age 39.5, maltreated and control groups differed only in terms of victimization involving injury. Later in adulthood, more individuals with histories of childhood maltreatment reported partner physical violence victimization compared to controls. Although these longitudinal findings showed a general decline in victimization experiences over the two time points, these results demonstrate that childhood maltreatment increases risk for subsequent revictimization in middle adulthood, specifically for sexual assault/abuse and intimate partner physical violence victimization. These findings have implications for prevention and intervention efforts targeting maltreated children.

Birthing Unit Closures: Impacts and Opportunities in Iowa

Objective and ApproachIowa, US has experienced the closure of 41 birthing units in local hospitals since 2000, which is nearly 50% of previously available units. Public health concern about access to prenatal care and birthing support in this predominately rural state has raised attention to the value of using integrated administrative data to understand impacts and direct needed resources. This presentation will showcase a series of analyses using vital statistics birth records, hospital closure records, and statewide home visiting records to understand (a) closure impacts on relevant subgroups and (b) opportunities to strengthen outcomes through service improvements. Results suggest indirect relationships between hospital closure and child/mother outcomes through impacts on prenatal care. Some mothers (e.g., mothers with low maternal education, older mothers, and mothers with previous children) were more susceptible to negative impacts on prenatal care. Data about mother connections with other public service systems (e.g., Medicaid or WIC) suggested buffering effects for some women who were at risk for birthing unit closure impacts. Subsequent phases of research have used integrated administrative data to highlight hospital closure areas where women differentially experienced more positive outcomes to inform community outreach and identification of effective intervention efforts. Conclusions and ImplicationsThis research highlights the value of longitudinal administrative data utilized to address policy-relevant topics in public health. Results suggest opportunities to expand and replicate rural health practices that are working to mitigate risk in geographic areas where women face challenging access to a birthing hospital.

Racial Disinformation, Populism and Associated Stereotypes across Three European Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Within the realm of disinformation, across all media platforms, a crucial subject of interest seems to be immigration, which produces the so-called ‘racial hoaxes’. Racial hoaxes are closely linked to the spread of populist ideologies and ethnic stereotypes, both of which are psychosocial processes that, during health crises, could acquire particular features based on cultural differences. This study analysed the main contents of 239 racial hoaxes in relation to three main features: the country of origin (i.e., France, Italy and Spain), the stereotypical contents, and the COVID-19 pandemic period. The results highlight some similarities across these three countries but also peculiarities in terms of topics and stereotypical contents that were magnified during the pandemic period. The peculiarities of emerging racial hoaxes are discussed in relation to the stereotype content model and the literature on populist discourses, providing valuable information for use in psycho-educational intervention, policymaking and social integration efforts.

Investigating Caregivers’ Advocacy Efforts in Early Intervention Using Auto-Photography and Photo-Elicitation Interviews

Although it is widely known that caregivers advocate for their school-aged children with disabilities, little is understood about how caregivers who have infants and toddlers with delays or disabilities advocate for their young children. The birth-to-three period may be the beginning of some parents’ advocacy efforts and it is possible their efforts may change over time. Given the relevance of this topic and the limited literature, the purpose of this study was to use qualitative inquiry, specifically auto-photography and photo-elicitation interviews, to explore 13 caregivers’ advocacy experiences in their children’s early years. Thematic and constant comparative analyses were used and subsequently 41 major codes within seven categories were identified. The two major findings were (a) caregivers engaged in both individual (i.e., for their children) and outreach advocacy activities (i.e., for other families and children) and (b) their experiences extended beyond interactions with professionals and included everyday interactions with their children, family members and other parents. Directions for future research and implications for practice are discussed.

Predicting the Path of Insurgency: Data-Driven Strategies to Counter Boko Haram in Nigeria

Background While Boko Haram insurgency’s dangers are well documented, existing research lacks methods for effective monitoring and prediction, of their activities. This study addresses this gap by analyzing data from Nigerian Security Tracker website (https://www.cfr.org/nigeria/nigeria-security-tracker/p29483) from year 2011 to 2023 and geolocated information on Boko Haram activity. Methods The research employs a mixed-methods approach. It uses descriptive statistics to understand attack trends and time series models (ARIMA/SARIMA) to forecast future attacks. Additionally, control charts identify periods of heightened insurgency. Results The findings confirm the Northeast region, as the epicenter of Boko Haram activities. The average monthly attack rate was 18 incidents, leading to 682 deaths over 12 years. 2014 and 2015 witnessed the peak of the insurgency. The forecasting models suggest a potential decrease in attack frequency in the coming years, with an average of nine attacks per month. This predicted decline might be linked to intervention efforts. Control charts reveal periods where attacks surpassed expected levels, highlighting critical moments for intensified counter-insurgency measures. These periods include July 2012-May 2014 and June 2014-August 2015, with a period of regained control. Conclusion This research provides valuable insights for stakeholders working to fight against Boko Haram’s insurgency. It offers forecasting capabilities and identifies critical periods, potentially informing targeted interventions and improving overall counter-insurgency strategies.

Examining trajectories of nonsuicidal self-injury across the first year of university

BackgroundNonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent among emerging adults in post-secondary school, but little is known about change and stability in NSSI during the transition to university. Moreover, there has been limited person-centered work focusing on heterogeneity in NSSI engagement among students over time. The present study aimed to investigate the development and maintenance of NSSI across the first year of university and explore predictors of potential variability in trajectories of NSSI. MethodsThe present sample consisted of 1125 first-year university students at a large post-secondary institution (Mage = 17.96, 71 % female, 28 % male, 1 % gender diverse) who participated in a larger longitudinal study. Participants completed an online survey three times over their first year of university. Latent growth curve modeling (LGCM) in Mplus was utilized to explore different NSSI group trajectories across first year university. ResultsNSSI was prevalent among first year students (35 %). LGCM revealed one developmental trajectory; NSSI engagement decreased across the first year of university. Students who engaged in NSSI had increased difficulties with emotion regulation, lower self-compassion, and lower levels of social support compared to students who did not engage in NSSI. LimitationsThe present study may be subject to recall errors and future studies should include more gender diverse samples to increase generalization of findings. ConclusionsFindings highlight the transition to university as a peak period of vulnerability for NSSI engagement and emphasize the need for proactive university intervention efforts to mitigate risk and improve student well-being.

Digital assessment of nonverbal behaviors forecasts first onset of depression.

Adolescence is marked by a sharp increase in the incidence of depression, especially in females. Identification of risk for depressive disorders (DD) in this key developmental stage can help prevention efforts, mitigating the clinical and public burden of DD. While frequently used in diagnosis, nonverbal behaviors are relatively understudied as risk markers for DD. Digital technology, such as facial recognition, may provide objective, fast, efficient, and cost-effective means of measuring nonverbal behavior. Here, we analyzed video-recorded clinical interviews of 359 never-depressed adolescents females via commercially available facial emotion recognition software. We found that average head and facial movements forecast future first onset of depression (AUC = 0.70) beyond the effects of other established self-report and physiological markers of DD risk. Overall, these findings suggest that digital assessment of nonverbal behaviors may provide a promising risk marker for DD, which could aid in early identification and intervention efforts.

United States Veterans' Utilization of Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Annual Evaluation Services

ObjectiveTo evaluate Veterans’ engagement in spinal cord injury and disorder (SCI/D) specialty annual evaluations (AEs). DesignCross-sectional retrospective cohort study. SettingSCI/D System of Care, United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). ParticipantsVeterans with SCI/Ds (N=14,662). InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresReceiving SCI/D AEs during the study period (fiscal years [FY] 2019 and 2020). ResultsA total of 14,662 Veterans with SCI/Ds were included in the sample; 32.8% (n=4811) received 2 AEs, 28.8% (n=4219) received 1 AE, and 38.4% (n=5632) received no AEs, with an average of 0.9 AEs per Veteran over the 2-year study timeframe (range, 0-2y). Black Veterans had an 8% higher number of AEs than White Veterans after adjusting for other variables (adjusted relative risk [RR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.12). Veterans who lived ≥240 minutes away from a VA SCI/D System of Care Center had 45% fewer AEs than Veterans who lived within 30 minutes (adjusted RR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.52-0.59). Veterans with more SCI/D specialty visits had 90% more AEs than those with fewer visits (adjusted RR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.78-2.03), whereas Veterans with more outpatient visits in VA primary care had 28% fewer AEs (adjusted RR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.69-0.76). Veterans with higher comorbidity scores had 9% more AEs than Veterans with lower scores (adjusted RR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.61-0.70). ConclusionsMore than half (62%) of Veterans received ≥1 SCI/D AE during FY19-20. Veterans living closer to a VA SCI/D System of Care Center/Hub had more engagement in SCI/D AEs. Veterans with SCI/Ds who used VA primary care outside of the SCI/D System of Care had fewer AEs. There were no major racial, age-based, or sex disparities in SCI/D AE usage. Our findings suggest the need for targeted intervention efforts to promote AE use among Veterans.

Predicting Cardiovascular Disease Risk Using Web-Text Sentiment Analysis and Hybrid Deep Learning Models

Background: Sentiment Analysis (SA) has emerged as a key tool within Natural Language Processing (NLP) for quantifying emotions expressed in Web Text (WT). Its application in healthcare, particularly in predicting cardiovascular diseases (CD), shows promise. Sentiments related to stress, anger, or other emotional states have been linked to increased CD risk, making Web-Text Sentiment Analysis (WT-SA) a valuable tool in public health prediction. This study compares WT-SA to demographic data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in predicting CD risks. Methods: Twitter data was analyzed using SA techniques to assess sentiments related to CD. A hybrid deep learning (DL) model combining 3D-Convolutional Neural Networks (3D-CNN) and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) was utilized alongside traditional machine learning (ML) models: Naïve Bayes (NB), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Logistic Regression (LR), and CatBoost. The WT data, spanning three years (2020-2023), was split into training (75%) and testing (25%) datasets. Model performance was evaluated using Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1 score. Results: The hybrid 3D-CNN+RNN model achieved the highest test accuracy of 0.95 on Twitter data, outperforming all other models. SVM, LR, NB, and CatBoost achieved accuracies of 0.89, 0.88, 0.75, and 0.77, respectively. When applied to the CDC dataset, the hybrid model reached an accuracy of 0.678, still outperforming the other models. Overall, the WT-SA model demonstrated superior performance compared to using demographic data alone. Conclusion: WT-SA, when combined with hybrid DL models, is a more effective method for predicting CD risk than demographic-based models. This study determined the potential of NLP and DL techniques in leveraging social media data for public health monitoring, suggesting that WT-SA could be a valuable tool for predicting CD risks and enhancing early intervention efforts.

47 Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep across lifespan in adults across European countries: Background and Design

Abstract Introduction Regular physical activity (PA) has benefits for health throughout the lifespan. In adults, PA benefits musculoskeletal, cardiometabolic health, and overall well-being (Dale et al., 2019). To promote health and well-being, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous (MV)PA or 75 min of vigorous-intensity PA (Bull et al., 2020). However, about 40 – 60% of the EU adults population is leading a predominantly sedentary lifestyle (Nikitara et al., 2021). Sedentary behavior (SB) includes activities such as watching television, playing computer games, and browsing the Internet (Wang et al., 2019). High levels of SB have been associated with decline of PA which, in turn, is associated with negative health outcomes, including obesity. Furthermore, there has been a growing focus on exploring the relationship between SB and sleep duration. This relation between SB and sleep duration is noteworthy, especially when considering that sleep duration guidelines recommend 7-9 hours of sleep for adults in the EU. In 2018, a systematic review synthesized findings from 56 studies that employed iso-temporal substitution models in PA, SB and sleep. Research has shown that changes in the time spent on these movement-related behaviors that make up a 24-h day can interact to influence health outcomes (Trembley et al., 2016). However, to -date, there are no specific recommendations on SB, and sleep is often not included. Therefore, this project will present the background, methods and design of a 24 hour movement summary of behaviors (PA, SB, sleep) for Europe. Methods Utilizing a cross-sectional design we will analyze existing data for PA, SB, and sleep from the Eurostat Organization on European adults 18 to 65+. Descriptive analysis using mean, median, and 95% Confidence Intervals, will be complemented by frequency distributions and histograms. Results The findings from this research have the potential to inform surveillance efforts, public health strategies, evidence-based guidelines, and possibly improve overall well-being. Conclusion Implications of this research may inform researchers on further questions to pursue, policy makers in resource allocation, and practitioners on where to focus intervention efforts.

Cross-sectional association between posttraumatic stress and cognition is moderated by pulmonary functioning in world trade center responders.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology and poorer pulmonary function are highly prevalent psychiatric and medical conditions. In the present study, we tested for the individual, additive, and modifying associations of PTSD symptomatology and pulmonary function with cognitive performance. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1,401 World Trade Center (WTC) responders (mean age = 53, SD = 8 years, 92% males) participated in the study. Cogstate assessment measured cognitive performance. PTSD symptomatology was measured using the trauma-specific version of the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist (PCL-17) adapted for the WTC attacks. The 1-second forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio was used to measure pulmonary function. Linear regressions with cognitive performance as the outcome were conducted to assess individual, additive, and moderating associations of PTSD symptomatology and pulmonary function. Higher PTSD symptomatology and poorer pulmonary function were negatively associated with cognitive performance. A 10% increase on the FEV1/FVC ratio moderated the association between PTSD symptomatology and cognition, whereby its association with cognition was stronger when PTSD symptomatology was higher (est. = 0.01, 95%CI = 0.004, 0.01, p < 0.001). When stratified by responder type, these associations persisted in trained (est. = 0.01, 95%CI = 0.01, 0.02, p < 0.001), but not in non-trained (est. = 0.004, 95% C.I. = -0.01, 0.02, p = 0.39) responders. In the presence of higher PTSD, better pulmonary functioning is associated with better cognitive performance. Early intervention efforts to mitigate preventable cognitive decline in high-risk populations should be studied, especially since intervention in one modality may have an impact on others.

School Bullying, Bystander Behavior, and Mental Health among Adolescents: The Mediating Roles of Self-Efficacy and Coping Styles.

While numerous studies have revealed the impact of different bullying behaviors, such as victimization and perpetration, on the psychological development of adolescents, the exploration of the correlates of positive/negative bystander behaviors and their potential underlying mechanisms remains scarce in China. The present study aims to compare the relationships between mental health and positive versus negative bystander behavior and to clarify whether self-efficacy and coping styles mediate the relationships between mental health and bullying dynamics. The current study was conducted on 11,734 students from 18 secondary schools in Suzhou, China (Meanage = 15.00, SDage = 1.47; 53.8% boys). The information on bullying victimization, perpetration, positive/negative bystander behaviors, as well as self-efficacy, coping styles and mental health variables (including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, suicide risk), were collected. Negative bystander behavior was positively associated with mental health problems, while positive bystander behavior was negatively associated with these factors. Also, further analysis showed that coping styles and self-efficacy mediated the relationship between different bullying behaviors and mental health outcomes. The results highlighted the comparison of the correlates of positive and negative bystander behaviors, which were comparably crucial to those of victims and perpetrators for prevention and intervention efforts. Promoting adaptive coping styles and self-efficacy to buffer the deleterious psychological consequences of bullying behavior in adolescents was also important.

Gender Difference in the Onset of Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Lagged Panel Network Analysis.

Depressive symptoms are prevalent in adolescents, especially girls, underscoring the need for early detection and targeted interventions. Identifying initial symptoms and their temporal associations is vital for such interventions. This study used cross-lagged panel network (CLPN) analysis to examine the central depressive symptoms and their interconnections within a national cohort derived from the China Family Panel Study (CFPS). The participants included 2524 adolescents (45.8% girls), with depressive symptoms assessed using the Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-8) in 2016 (Mage = 12.30) and 2018 (Mage = 14.25). The CLPN model showed that "loneliness" and "not getting going (fatigue)" at T1 were the strongest predictors of subsequent depressive symptoms at T2, after controlling for demographic variables and depressive symptoms at T1. Conversely, depressed mood and anhedonia at T2 were most likely to be influenced by other symptoms at T1. Gender-stratified analyses identified "loneliness" as the initial symptom in girls and "fatigue" for boys. Additionally, girls exhibited stronger reciprocal associations among depressive symptoms than boys. The findings suggest that addressing interpersonal loneliness is crucial for adolescent girls, whereas somatic fatigue should be a focus for adolescent boys, highlighting the need for gender-specific approaches in early intervention strategies. This research provides insights into the distinct gendered networks of depressive symptomatology in adolescents, informing tailored prevention and intervention efforts.

The effect of the Russian invasion on mental, social, and behavioral health among Ukrainians living in the United States.

The present research examines the disparities among Ukrainians residing in the United States, comparing Ukrainians who migrated before the February 2022 Russian invasion against those who arrived afterward. We compare these two cohorts vis-a-vis anxiety, depressive symptoms, optimism, posttraumatic stress, life satisfaction, family economic stress, cultural stress (discrimination, negative context of reception, and language stress), hazardous alcohol use, and domestic violence perpetration and victimization. The present sample included 703 Ukrainians (53.63% women) residing in the United States. We conducted a series of multivariate analyses of variance using arrival cohort (pre- vs. postinvasion) and gender (male vs. female) as independent variables. Results indicated that postinvasion participants reported greater internalizing symptoms, cultural/economic stress, and hazardous alcohol use, whereas preinvasion arrivals reported greater levels of optimism and life satisfaction. No significant interactions between cohort and gender emerged for any of the outcomes. Our findings offer valuable insights into the mental health and well-being of displaced Ukrainians within the backdrop of ongoing conflicts. These findings have significant implications for support and intervention efforts not only for Ukrainians but also for other crisis migrant groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Associations of early adversity and negative emotionality with emerging adult latent internalizing

BackgroundEarly adversity (EA) predicts later internalizing, and trait diatheses also play a role in how this risk manifests. However, research is mixed on whether these factors function independently or interactively. Furthermore, recent work questions whether three trait diatheses thought to be distinct—neuroticism, dysfunctional attitudes, and brooding rumination—may be modeled as a single latent negative emotionality factor. The present study tests if brooding rumination and dysfunctional attitudes are better modeled with neuroticism as part of negative emotionality, as opposed to separate constructs, and whether negative emotionality and EA interact to predict latent internalizing or operate independently. Methods768 emerging adults (71.1% minoritized race/ethnicity) completed self-report surveys for this study. Latent moderated structural equation models were conducted to test associations between EA, trait diatheses, and internalizing. ResultsBrooding rumination and dysfunctional attitudes were best modeled as latent factors separate from—but highly correlated with—latent neuroticism. Latent trait diatheses and EA did not significantly interact to predict internalizing symptoms; however, there were significant main effects of latent brooding rumination and neuroticism. Although EA and dysfunctional attitudes had significant associations with internalizing when examined alone, their effects were negligible once neuroticism and brooding rumination were included in models. ConclusionsOur findings suggest neuroticism most strongly confers risk for internalizing, which may help to inform preventive intervention efforts.

Associations Between Opioid and Kratom Use in the USA: Differences by Race/Ethnicity and Sexual Orientation.

Kratom is federally unregulated and is marketed as an opioid alternative despite limited evidence and known negative effects. Disparities in associations between opioid and kratom use may be partly attributed to race/ethnicity and sexual orientation given differences in marketing, use motives, and prescriber practices. Data: 2021 nationally representative National Survey on Drug Use and Health among individuals aged 18 + . We used weighted logistic regression analyses to assess race/ethnicity and sexual orientation as moderators of associations between past-year opioid (1) use (total sample, n = 44,877) and (2) misuse and use disorder (among those with past-year opioid use, n = 10,398) and the outcome of kratom use (lifetime, past year). 26.76% reported past-year opioid use, and among those, 12.20% and 7.54% reported past-year opioid misuse and use disorder, respectively; 1.72% and 0.67% had lifetime and past-year kratom use, respectively. Opioid use was positively associated with lifetime (aOR = 2.69, 95%CI = 1.98, 3.66) and past-year (aOR = 3.84, 95%CI = 2.50, 5.92) kratom use; associations among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic (vs. non-Hispanic White) participants were weaker (p < 0.01). Among participants reporting past-year opioid use, misuse and use disorder were positively associated with lifetime (aORmisuse = 2.46, 95%CI = 1.60, 3.78; aORuse disorder = 5.58, 95%CI = 2.82, 11.04) and past-year (aORmisuse = 2.40, 95%CI = 1.26, 4.59; aORuse disorder = 3.08, 95%CI = 1.48, 6.41) kratom use; among bisexual (vs. heterosexual) participants, opioid use disorder was associated with a lower probability of lifetime kratom use (p < 0.01). We observed positive associations between opioid and kratom use, with potential disparities among certain racial/ethnic and sexual orientation groups. Research should examine the mechanisms contributing to these differences to inform prevention and intervention efforts.