Middle School Boys Research Articles

Transitions in Problematic Internet Use: A One-Year Longitudinal Study of Boys.

ObjectiveLongitudinal studies may help elucidate the factors associated with Problematic Internet Use (PIU); however, little prospective research has been conducted on the subject. The aim of the current study was to prospectively examine PIU in children/adolescents and identify the possible risk factors associated with transitions in PIU severity. Methods650 middle-school boys were surveyed at two points one year apart and assessed for PIU using the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth (KS-II) and on other psychological characteristics. ResultsWe found that 15.3% at baseline and 12.4% at one year met the criteria for at-risk/high-risk PIU (ARHRPIU). Both the persistent-ARHRPIU and emerging-ARHRPIU groups revealed greater depressive, motor impulsive, and smart-phone-addiction tendencies than the remitting-ARHRPIU group or the persistent low-risk group. In addition, we found that individuals exhibiting higher hyperkinetic attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scores were less likely to remit from ARHRPIU, and that individuals exhibiting more ADHD-related cognitive dysfunction and reporting fewer Internet-game-free days were more likely to demonstrate an emergence of ARHRPIU. ConclusionThe present findings support previous studies in that specific negative-health features are linked to transitions in ARHRPIU. Furthermore, these findings suggest that intervention is needed and may be best targeted at specific groups of youths.

Evaluating a gender transformative violence prevention program for middle school boys: A pilot study

While a large and growing evidence base exists for empirically supported treatment models for youth who have experienced trauma, we know far less about how to prevent violence exposure or re-exposure. Internationally, one innovation in promoting healthy development and reducing violence involved working with boys to help develop healthy expressions of masculinity– including attitudes about masculinity, positive emotional coping skills, and healthy relationship behaviors (e.g., helping friends, forming respectful dating interactions). The current study was a pilot evaluation of a new prevention program for boys in middle school in the United States. A quasi-experimental design was used and 292 boys in grades 6th to 8th across four schools in a predominantly White New England state took surveys at two time points, three months apart. We used propensity score matching to select a matched subsample for analyses resulting in a sample of 144 for analyses (72 in the treatment and 72 in the control group). Findings suggest that the program improved attitudes related to use of coercion and violence in relationships. All boys improved on measures of gender equality in relationships and perceptions of male power. Findings also revealed that while the program is designed for universal or primary violence prevention, many boys reported being the victim of peer bullying and harassment prior to being part of this program. The program's focus on healthy masculinity may serve both a primary and secondary prevention function for middle school boys.

The Epidemiology of Injuries in Middle School Football, 2015-2017: The Advancing Healthcare Initiatives for Underserved Students Project

Background: Although data exist on injuries in youth football leagues, there are limited recent data on injury incidence in middle school football. Updated injury incidence estimates can help drive the development of injury prevention strategies. Purpose: Describe the epidemiology of injuries in middle school football during school years 2015-2016 to 2017-2018. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Data originated from 9 public middle schools in Virginia during school years 2015-2016 to 2017-2018. Certified athletic trainers collected injury and athlete-exposure (AE) data from school-sanctioned games and practices in boys’, football. Injury counts and rates per 1000 AEs were calculated. Injury rate ratios with 95% CIs compared rates between games and practices. Results: Overall, 664 middle school boys’, football injuries were reported, leading to an overall injury rate of 20.54 per 1000 AEs (95% CI, 18.98-22.11). The time loss injury rate (inclusive of injuries with participation restriction time ≥24 hours) was 9.28 per 1000 AEs (95% CI, 8.23-10.33). The injury rate was higher in competition than practice (36.19 vs 17.97 per 1000 AEs; injury rate ratio, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.69-2.40). Most injuries were to the head/face (competition, 20.6%; practice, 15.8%) and hand/wrist (competition, 18.8%; practice, 16.4%) and were diagnosed as contusions (competition, 30.9%; practice, 25.9%) and sprains (competition, 19.4%; practice, 12.6%). Competitions also had a large proportion of concussions (10.3%). Overall, 80.0% and 66.9% of injuries were due to contact in competition and practice, respectively; of these contact-related injuries, 62.1% and 41.6% were specifically player contact. Conclusion: Injury distributions parallel those found in previous research from middle school and other sport settings. Injury rates in middle school football were higher than those reported in previous findings in high school and college. However, caution must be taken when interpreting findings in relation to other surveillance systems with varying methodologies. Still, the findings highlight the need for injury prevention strategies within middle school football, particularly as related to contact-related mechanisms.

Patterns of Social-Emotional Needs and Trajectories of Aggression and Substance Use Among Middle School Boys

Co-occurring social-emotional problems are associated with increased risk of aggression and substance use. However, few studies examine their configurational patterns. This study identifies patterns of co-occurring social skills, anxiety, learning, and conduct problems among 2,632 urban boys at entry into sixth grade, and their related aggression and substance use trajectories through eighth grade. Latent class analysis revealed four patterns at school entry: “low-all,” “poor social skills,” “positive social skills,” and “high all.” Findings point to important variation in risk. Problem behaviors increased the least through middle school for the “low-all” pattern. The “positive social skills” pattern had an average increase, while the “poor social skills” pattern had higher levels of problem behaviors in sixth and seventh grade. The “high all” showed the fastest increase in problem behaviors and the highest levels in eighth grade. Discussion focuses on implications for a multi-tiered school-based system of supports for behavioral risk management.

Boys, Bullying, and Gender Roles: How Hegemonic Masculinity Shapes Bullying Behavior

During adolescence, schools and peers are salient agents of gender socialization. Specifically, bullying is a common experience for many adolescents. While existing research has examined how bullying differs for girls and boys, very little has examined the ways that bullying serves to reinforce masculinity. This study combines quantitative and qualitative data to examine how bullying reinforces a specific lens of masculinity. By focusing on the experiences of bullying among middle school boys across the United States, we find that the context of school, peers, and bullying contributes to the social construction of masculinity for adolescents. By conducting a content analysis of data provided by victims, we find that many of the experiences of bullying are grounded in, or interpreted through, hegemonic masculinity. Four key themes that emerged from the data include the importance of heterosexuality, physical dominance and intimidation, acceptance and normalization of violence, and how gender intersects with other social locations. Findings from this study offer insight into how adolescent bullying perpetuates notions of masculine dominance and gender inequalities.

Strength Abilities: Overview of Development in Middle School Boys

The purpose of the study is to identify the peculiarities of strength preparedness of middle-school-aged boys. Materials and methods. The participants in the study were boys of sixth grade (n=36), seventh grade (n=36), eighth grade (n=33). The study used analysis and summary of scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical testing and methods of mathematical statistics for processing study results. The IBM SPSS 23 statistical analysis software was used to process the study materials. The following parameters were calculated: arithmetic mean value (X); standard deviation (s). The probability of difference in statistical indicators was estimated using the Student’s t-test. Results. The analysis of the results suggests that the sixth- and seventh-grade boys have statistically significant differences in the set of tests (p <0.05). The seventh-grade boys show the increase in strength indicators of the shoulder girdle muscles, abdominal and back muscles, leg muscles. The sixth- and eighth-grade boys show statistically significant differences in the set of tests (p<0.05). The eighth-grade boys demonstrate the increased indicators of strength and strength endurance of the shoulder girdle muscles, abdominal and back muscles, and leg muscles. There are also statistically significant differences in the test on frequency of arm movements (p<0.001) and in the “Standing long jump” (p<0.001). The seventh- and eighth-grade boys show statistically significant increase in strength indicators of the shoulder girdle muscles, the indicators of strength endurance of the abdominal and back muscles, and the indicators of strength endurance of the leg muscles. There are statistically significant differences in the test on frequency of arm movements (p<0.05) and in the “Shuttle run 4×9” (p<0.001). Conclusions. The middle-school-aged boys show a positive dynamics in the development of motor preparedness. The largest increase is observed in the indicators of strength and strength endurance of the shoulder girdle muscles, abdominal, back, and leg muscles.

Effect of yogic practice on selected biochemical variables among obese middle age school boys

Effect of yogic practice on selected biochemical variables among obese middle age school boys

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ATTITUDES OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT TOWARDS THE SCHOOL SUBJECT PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS AND KINESTHETIC INTELLIGENCE

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between the attitudes of secondary school students towards the school subject Physical Education and Sports and kinesthetic intelligence. The study was carried out in the Maragheh province of Iran, Tabriz. In 2015-2016 academic year a total of 324 students (149 girls and 175 boys) in Middle School (Tarbiyat Middle School - Nuredanesh Middle School - Sama Middle School - Sadrossaadat Middle School - Rahe Zeyneb Middle School) participated in the. In order to evaluate the attitudes of the students, the Physical Education Lesson Attitude Scale created by of Mehmet GULLU and Mehmet GUCLU was used by the students (Gullu ve Guclu, 2009). The Multiple Intelligence Observation Form in Dr. Ziya Selcuk's Multiple Intelligence Applications book and also the Form Of Identifying Multiple Intelligence Fields and Evaluation were utilized in this research. It is a 5 - Likert type and consists of 8 subsections belonging to intelligence types in Multiple Intelligences Theory. The kinesthetic intelligence form consists of 10 questions. Data were analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) statistical package program. Article visualizations:

Instrumentalna komunikacija i roditeljska kontrola u odnosu na indeks sopus adolescenata

The aim of this investigation was to see if daily togetherness of families in urban settings (DTOFUS) was in correlation with parent instrumental communication as well as with parent control over certain aspects of adolescent behaviour.The investigation was conducted on the sample of 296 pupils (boys) in second and third grades od middle school. The average age was 16,5. The investigation was conductied by means of the following: The questionnaire DTOFUS-BM. the scale for investigation of parent control and the scale for parent instrumental communication. The obtained results show that index DTOFUS is in significant correlation with instrumental communication as with parent control of adolescent behaviour.Results were discussed and on the basis of this it is concluded the index DTOFUS is a crucial variable in the investigation of socialization of the young and thus also for the parent control and instrumental communication. The latter are a part of socializing tools which parents use in the realization of their roles in the socialization process of the young.

Moral Development in Sport Education: A Case Study of a Teaching-Oriented Preservice Teacher

Purpose: The occupational socialization literature suggests that teaching-oriented teachers are more likely to deliver Sport Education (SE) in its purest form and so provide conditions in which fair play and sporting behavior can be developed. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which Derrick, a teaching-oriented preservice teacher, promoted moral and sporting behavior while teaching 38 middle school boys within two SE seasons of team handball. Method: The theoretical perspectives employed were structural development theory and social learning theory. Data were collected with eight qualitative methods and analyzed with standard interpretive techniques. Results: Many of the students gained a more sophisticated understanding of fair play and sporting behavior during the study. On numerous occasions, students were observed playing fairly and acting in a sporting manner. Derrick’s teaching orientation, his own concept of sporting behavior and fair play, his delivery of a pure version of SE, and his pedagogy had much to do with these positive outcomes. However, many of the more skilled students’ willingness to engage in sporting behavior was context specific. As gameplay became more competitive, some of these more skilled students engaged in more unsporting behaviors. Conversely, many of the less skilled students maintained a universal concept of sporting behavior and fair play when the competition became fiercer. Conclusion: The results of the study confirm that the pure form of the SE model is an excellent medium through which sporting behavior and fair play can be developed.Subscribe to TPE

Catching them Early: An Examination of Chicano/Latino Middle School Boys’ Early Career Aspirations

The authors draw from a 16-month ethnographic study to examine Latino middle school boys’ early college and career aspirations. Sources of information and support for students, as well as contextual factors that shaped students’ early career aspirations were explored. Findings indicate that early college and career exposure may allow Latino middle school males to form feasible college and career plans. While parents and older siblings served as sources of encouragement, teachers and other institutional agents played a more direct role in assisting students prepare and plan for college. The AVID program provided exposure and concrete information that allowed students to identify different colleges and admissions requirements. Findings from this study may be beneficial for school leaders who hope to engage Latino males during this critical stage of development and help improve their college participation rates.

청소년기의 신체활동에 따른 상대적 비만 위험도 - 2016 청소년건강행태온라인조사 자료를 바탕으로

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relative obesity according to physical activity and school physical activity of adolescents using the raw data based on 12th (2016) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS). As a result, the following conclusions are drawn. All BMI classification groups of middle & high school students in Korea show a tendency to practice simairl physical activities. The relative obesity according to the physical activity of middle & high school students is more likely to be normal weight and underweight than overweight and obesity when high intensity, low inetnsity and strength enhanced physical activity are practiced. The more the number of school physical activity classes and sports participation teams of middle & high school boys are, the relative obesity is more likely to be normal weight and the lower body weight than overweight and obesity. The relative obesity rate according to the physical activities for the middle & high school girls is less likely to be normal weight rather than overweight and obesity when high intensity, moderate physical activity are practiced. And the higher the number of the school physical education class hours and the sports participation teams of the middle & and high school girls are, the relative obesity is more likely to be overweight and obesity rather than low body weight or the normal body. In order to promote physical activity for adolescents, it is necessary for the school to provide a way for the school boys, especially the girls, to participate in active physical activity with interest in school physical education time and sports activity time.

Overweight, obesity, and screen-time viewing among Chinese school-aged children: National prevalence estimates from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China—The Youth Study

PurposeThis study presents the most recent estimates of prevalence of overweight, obesity, and screen-time viewing among Chinese school-aged children. Demographic differences in these estimates between sexes and resident locales were also examined. MethodsCross-sectional analyses of 116,615 Chinese school children 9 to 17 years of age who participated in the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China—The Youth Study project. Outcomes were the prevalence of children's overweight (85th ≤ body mass index (BMI) < 95th percentile) and obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile) (defined by the Working Group on Obesity in China) and not meeting screen-time viewing recommendations (“not meeting” was defined as more than 2 h per day of viewing activities after school). Analyses were conducted on the whole sample and by school grade cohorts (primary, junior middle, and junior high schools), sex, and residence locales (urban, rural). ResultsOverall, 14.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 13.8%–15.0%) of children and adolescents were overweight, 11.9% (95%CI: 11.0%–13.0%) were obese, and 36.8% (95%CI: 34.7%–38.9%) did not meet screen-time viewing recommendations. Across the 3-grade cohorts, boys were more likely to be obese than girls, and primary and junior middle school children living in urban areas were more likely to be obese than those living in rural areas. Primary and junior middle school boys were less likely to meet screen-time recommendations than girls, and junior high school children living in urban areas were less likely to meet screen-time recommendations than school children of the same grades living in rural areas. ConclusionIn 2016, the prevalence of obesity among Chinese school children was about 12%, and about 37% of them did not meet screen-time viewing recommendations. The prevalence of obesity and sedentary behavior was generally higher among boys than among girls, and it was higher for children living in urban areas than for those living in rural areas.

Factors related to Adolescents' Sexual Experience

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the current situation of Korean adolescents' sexual experience and its characteristics by school level, gender, and related factors to their sexual experience. This could be the basic evidence for the development of various sex education programs for the youth. Methods: This study used the 11th online survey data on youth health behavior (2015) and all 68,043 students who participated in the study were included for the analysis. The binominal logistic regression model was used to identify the characteristics and relevant factors of sexual intercourse experience. Analysis was performed by complex sample design using SPSS/WIN 18.0. The statistical significance was defined as p<.05 with a two-sided test. Results: The factors related to sexual experience of adolescents included grade, sadness and hopelessness, smoking, Internet addiction, and sex education in school, for middle school boys. For middle school girls, grade, residence area, sadness and hopelessness, smoking, drinking, and sex education in school were related. For high school boys, the factors were grade, living with parents, economic situation, sadness and hopelessness, smoking, drinking, and Internet addiction. For high school girls, grade, sadness and hopelessness, smoking, and drinking were found to be related factors. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that a practical program considering adolescents’ level and characteristics should be developed and applied.

Vastus lateralis and rectus femoris echo intensity fail to reflect knee extensor specific tension in middle-school boys

The potential dissociation between muscle strength and size has led to interest in the ability to assess muscle quality across the lifespan. Objectives: We examined the association between echo intensity and specific tension in middle-school boys. Approach: Twenty-five boys participated in this study. Sixteen (mean ± SD age = 12 ± 1 years) engaged in a 16-week after-school strength and conditioning program. Nine boys (12 ± 1 years) served as controls. The program involved two 90 min sessions per week of lower-body speed, power, and resistance training. Before and after the intervention, ultrasound imaging was used to quantify vastus lateralis and rectus femoris echo intensity. Main results: Specific tension was calculated as voluntary isometric peak torque divided by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry-derived thigh lean mass (Nm kg−1). The pretest echo intensity and specific tension data were not significantly correlated (r = 0.040, p = 0.850). Training resulted in a small mean increase in specific tension (change = 1.93 Nm kg−1; d = 0.42). The echo intensity values were not affected by training or maturation (training change = −1.13 arbitrary units (A.U.); control = 0.00 A.U.). Both variables showed no interaction and no group or time main effects. The echo intensity and specific tension change scores were not correlated for all subjects (r = −0.080, p = 0.705) or groups (training r = −0.095, p = 0.727; control r = −0.004, p = 0.992). Significance: In middle-school boys, a relationship between echo intensity and the ratio of muscle strength relative to lean mass does not exist.

Exploring weight-related teasing and depression among overweight and obese adolescents

IntroductionWeight-related stigma is pervasive and often is founded on the assumption that weight is controllable; therefore, those who are overweight and obese are thought to be weakwilled, lazy, and lacking self-control. As targets of weight stigma, over 30% of overweight and obese youth experience weight-related teasing, which is associated with depression, a serious mental health condition that puts young people at risk for myriad of other health problems. To date, little is known about the psychological mechanisms that underlie the teasing–depression relationship. ObjectiveThus, the purpose of this study was to examine self-esteem and body satisfaction as possible mediators of the association between weight-related teasing and depression among overweight and obese middle school boys and girls. MethodParticipants included 143 girls and 200 boys in grades 6 through 8 with measured BMIs 85th percentile for age and sex. Demographic information and pubertal development were collected via questionnaire. Height and weight were measured during state mandated school-based physical fitness testing. Participants also completed the Weight/Size Teasing subscale of the Physical appearance Related Teasing Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies—Depression Scale for Children, General Self-Esteem scale from the Self-Description Questionnaire II, and Body subscale of the Body Parts Satisfaction Scale-Revised (girls)/Body Parts Satisfaction Scale for Men (boys). ResultsWeight-based teasing was positively related with depression; teasing and depression were inversely associated with self-esteem and body satisfaction. Bootstrap confidence interval mediation models were tested. Self-esteem and body satisfaction mediated the relationship between teasing and depression, with gender, BMI percentile, race, and pubertal status controlled for in the models. Self-esteem accounted for 48% of the total model, body satisfaction accounted for 9% of the total model. ConclusionThe results of this study extend previous research by identifying self-esteem and body satisfaction as possible psychological constructs that help to explain the nature of the relationship between weight-related teasing and depression among overweight and obese youth. Results indicated that overweight and obese adolescents, self-esteem and body dissatisfaction may play a role in the extent to which weight-related teasing is associated with depression. Low self-esteem and body dissatisfaction may exacerbate the experience of teasing whereas positive general self-evaluations may protect against the deleterious influence of teasing on depression. Although public health efforts often focus on weight loss and behavior change as a way to enhance mental health, these results suggest that intervening on protective mechanisms may offer an alternative approach. Additional research is needed to determine if and how self-esteem and body satisfaction can be enhanced among overweight and obese youth via interventions in order to reduce the possible influence of teasing on depression.

The potential scientist's dilemma: How the Masculinization of Science Shapes Friendships and Science Job Preferences.

In the United States, girls and boys have similar science achievement, yet fewer girls aspire to science careers than boys. This paradox emerges in middle school, when peers begin to play a stronger role in shaping adolescent identities. We use complete network data from a single middle school and theories of gender, identity, and social distance to explore how friendship patterns might influence this gender and science paradox. Three patterns highlight the social dimensions of gendered science persistence: (1) boys and girls do not differ in self-perceived science potential and science career aspirations; (2) consistent with gender-based norms, both middle school boys and girls report that the majority of their female friends are not science kinds of people; and (3) youth with gender-inconsistent science aspirations are more likely to be friends with each other than youth with gender normative science aspirations. Together, this evidence suggests that friendship dynamics contribute to gendered patterns in science career aspirations.

Experiences of Dieting among Korean Middle School Boys

Purpose: Little is known about the dieting experiences of obese adolescent boys, as the majority of studies on obesity in children and adolescents have included only girls. This qualitative study was designed to explore the ways in which male middle school boys attach subjective meanings to their obese bodies, and experience dieting practices in their everyday lives. Methods: Fifteen obese boys aged 14 to 16 were interviewed via in-depth, face-to-face interviews. All interview data were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Having a large build and increased strength that prevented bullying by peers had positive meanings participants attributed to their obese bodies. However, negative meanings existed as well, including feeling heavy and having no physical endurance, having a clammy and odorous body, and being bullied and vulnerable to disease. With respect to dieting experiences, multiple positive and negative subthemes were identified. Conclusion: The findings of this study show the intersection between adolescence and everyday life challenges for obese middle school boys in the Korean culture. Further, recommendations for healthcare professionals include a gender-specific approaches when intervening and planning programs for obese adolescents.

Relationship between Recreational Resources in the School Neighborhood and Changes in Fitness in New York City Public School Students.

Physical fitness in children has many beneficial effects, including the maintenance of a healthy weight. The built environment may influence youths' physical fitness by encouraging physical activity. This paper assessed whether higher density of parks, playgrounds, and sports facilities around a school is related to improvements in fitness in middle school boys and girls. Fitness scores and other student covariates collected as part of NYC FITNESSGRAM between the 2006-2007 and 2010-2011 school years were linked with school neighborhood data on characteristics of the built environment for NYC public school students in grades 6-8. Data were analyzed in 2015. Medium, but not high, density of recreational resources in the area surrounding a school was associated with greater annual improvements in fitness for both boys and girls. This association appeared to be driven mainly by the presence of parks. Findings for sports facilities and playgrounds were inconsistent. Overall, few associations were observed between recreational resources near a school and changes in student fitness. Future studies of school influences on student fitness should consider the influence of school resources and the home neighborhood.

Measurement invariance and latent mean differences of the Chinese version physical activity self-efficacy scale across gender and education levels

BackgroundSelf-efficacy has been identified as an important determinant of youth's behavior change including physical activity (PA) participation. However, the dimensionality check of a PA self-efficacy scale has rarely been conducted in China. The current study aims to examine (1) the unidimensionality of a shortened Chinese version of PA self-efficacy scale (S-PASESC); (2) the measurement invariance of S-PASESC across gender and levels of education; (3) the latent factor mean difference between gender and levels of education; (4) the direct effects of self-efficacy on PA by different gender and education levels; and (5) the comparisons of the direct effects of self-efficacy on PA across gender and education levels. MethodsThe participants were 5th through 11th grade public school students recruited from 7 cities located in different geographic regions of China. The final data include a total of 3003 participants (49.7% boys) who have completed the scales. ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis (CFA) test supported the unidimensionality of S-PASESC. The S-PASESC is invariant across gender and 3 levels of education at both configural, full metric, and full scalar levels. Findings from latent mean comparisons showed that boys reported higher PA self-efficacy than girls. Students' perceived PA self-efficacy tend to decrease from elementary to high school. Finally, self-efficacy positively related to PA by groups of different gender and education levels and the relationship between self-efficacy and PA is stronger among middle school boys than girls. ConclusionFindings suggest S-PASESC is a valid scale for measuring Chinese students' PA self-efficacy.