National Study Of Youth Research Articles

Parental alcohol problems and socioeconomic differences in emotional symptoms among young people

Introduction Children of parents with alcohol problems have been found to be at increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes. The aim was to test if there is a social gradient in emotional symptoms among young people with parental alcohol problems. We hypothesized that the shared burden of parental alcohol problems and low socioeconomic position would be associated with higher odds of frequent emotional symptoms. Methods Data came from Danish National Youth Study 2014, a web-based national survey, merged with register-data on family socioeconomic position. Participants consisted of 68,623 high school and vocational school students. Multilevel logistic regression models (nesting participants within 131 schools) were used to assess the association between perceived parental alcohol problems and frequent emotional symptom and effect-modification by financial strains in the family, family equivalent income or parental educational level. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, education, immigration status, and cohabitation with parents. Results A higher proportion of young people from low socioeconomic position reported parental alcohol problems and young people with parental alcohol problems had higher odds of frequent emotional symptoms (OR = 1.50 95% CI: 1.41–1.60]), as compared to those without parental alcohol problems. Odds ratios for emotional symptoms were similar in strata of financial strains in the family; young people with parental alcohol problems and no financial strains in the family had an OR of 1.37 (95%CI: 1.26–1.49) and 1.33 (95% CI: 1.20–1.49) in those with financial strains in the family (P for interaction = 0.358). Same pattern was seen for parental educational level and family equivalent income. Conclusion Parental alcohol problems and low socioeconomic position were associated with higher odds of frequent emotional symptoms, but no sign of effect-modification by socioeconomic position was found.

Socioeconomic position and alcohol related harm in Danish teenagers

Introduction Social inequalities in adverse consequences of alcohol consumption, i.e. alcohol-related disease and death, have consistently been found in adult populations with people from lower socioeconomic position experiencing harm more frequently, also when level of alcohol consumption is taken into account. This phenomenon is known as the alcohol harm paradox. Among adolescents, alcohol use is the leading global risk factor for years of life lost due to premature mortality or disability. In Europe, 13% of adolescents aged 15–16 years have been intoxicated within a 30-day period. Therefore, it is relevant to explore if alcohol consumption pattern translates into an alcohol harm paradox already in adolescence. In this age group, alcohol causes acute harms such as violence, accidents, problems with parents or friends, unprotected sexual intercourse and illicit drug use. We aim at testing the hypothesis that in Danish teenagers, lower socioeconomic position is associated with higher odds of experiencing alcohol related harm, also after taking level of alcohol consumption into account. Methods Data from the Danish National Youth Study 2014 including a total of 70,566 high school students from 119 high schools were included. Socioeconomic position was measured as parents’ educational level, family income, parents’ occupational status and financial strain. The former three were obtained by linkage to Danish national registers with high validity whereas financial strain was self-reported. Alcohol related harm was measured as having been in a fight, been involved in an accident, had problems with family or friends, had sex that was regretted afterwards, and done drugs that was regretted afterwards. A combined measure was constructed defined as having experienced any of the individual harms more than once. Analyses were adjusted by age, sex, perceived ethnicity, school type and frequency of binge drinking. Results Higher frequency of binge drinking was associated with higher odds of alcohol related harm in all socioeconomic groups. Lower socioeconomic position measured by parents’ educational level, family income, parents’ occupational status, and financial strain was associated with higher odds of having experienced alcohol related harm more than once as compared to higher socioeconomic position. For example, students having parents with elementary school as the highest education had the highest odds of experiencing alcohol related harm more than once (OR = 1.26, 95%CI: 1.12;1.42) compared to students with parents with long education. Lower socioeconomic position was associated with higher odds of being in a fight, having problems with family or friends, having sex and regretting afterwards, or doing drugs and regretting afterwards. All associations were similar between boys and girls. There was no statistical significant interaction between frequency of binge drinking and socioeconomic position ( P = 0.2). Conclusions A dose-response relationship was observed between frequency of binge drinking and odds of alcohol related harm, and this was consistently observed in all social strata. However, odds of alcohol related harm were generally higher among students whose parents had low socioeconomic position as compared to those with high socioeconomic position.

Formalizing symbolic boundaries

Formal efforts to advance culture as an analytic concept can benefit from attending to the human disposition to categorize. I demonstrate this with regard to the concept of symbolic boundaries, which I conceptualize as dual classifications that describe what kinds of behavior or opinions are appropriate for different kinds of people and put forward a corresponding (mathematical) formalization. Drawing on insights from cognitive science about categorization, I develop an understanding of “boundary breaching,” that is, what happens when these dual classifications are violated. This allows me to derive a model of network influence that accounts for how people evaluate behavior in others based on cultural classifications. I demonstrate how this model can be implemented empirically using data from the National Study of Youth and Religion. By drawing on our cognitive disposition to categorize, symbolic boundaries mediate structural effects of social influence.

Trends in smoking and smokeless tobacco use among Danish Adolescents, 1997-2014.

INTRODUCTIONHigh rates of smoking among adolescents remain a public health concern. This study investigates smoking behavior and use of smokeless tobacco among Danish high-school students and assesses how smoking and use of smokeless tobacco cluster in schools and school classes. We estimate the trend in cigarette smoking from 1997 to 2014.METHODSWe used data on 70 243 students, from 3 214 school classes in 119 high schools, who participated in the Danish National Youth Study from 2014. We had information on 87% of all Danish high schools and 85% of eligible students. We also used data from 1997 on 26 644 high-school students from a similar data set to assess the chronological trend in smoking. We calculated prevalences and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) to estimate between-school and between-school class clustering in smoking and use of smokeless tobacco.RESULTSIn all, 14% of boys and 11% of girls were daily smokers. A large fraction of the variation in smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco was attributable to the school and school-class level (ICC of 0.19, 0.12, 0.16 and 0.27, for daily smoking, waterpipe smoking, use of electronic cigarettes and snuff/chewing tobacco, respectively). Daily smoking decreased from 15% in 1997 to 12% in 2014, while more students were occasional smokers in 2014 than in 1997 (30% vs 18%).CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of smoking was high among Danish high-school students and had changed little since 1997. The school and class environment accounted for a large part of the variation in smoking behavior.

“Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice”: religion and life satisfaction among emerging adults in the United States

ABSTRACTAlthough previous research suggests that religion contributes to greater life satisfaction, there is still disagreement about what aspects of religion predict greater life satisfaction. Despite a growing body of theory and research on emerging adulthood as a life stage that is distinct from adolescence and young adulthood, there has also been limited research on the relationship between religion and life satisfaction among emerging adults. Based on the third wave of the National Study of Youth and Religion, our results suggest that two measures of private religiosity, private devotion and religious efficacy, are significantly related to greater life satisfaction among emerging adults. In contrast, other dimensions of private and public religiosity, such as participation in organised religion, religious salience, otherworldly beliefs, and number of religious friends, are not related to greater life satisfaction. Finally, among emerging adults, being spiritual but not religious is not significantly related to life satisfaction.

What God has Joined Together: Family Formation and Religion among Young Adults

This study considers how family transitions influence future religiosity among young adults and demonstrates that both marriage and parenthood can serve to reinforce religious commitment among those who are religiously engaged. Drawing on data from the National Study of Youth and Religion, we look at religious change between Wave 3 (18–24 years old) and Wave 4 (23–28 years old) and how this varies across six family statuses: Married with Children, Married without Children, Cohabiting with Children, Cohabiting without Children, Single with Children and Single without Children. We find greater future religious engagement among married individuals compared to those who are single or cohabiting, regardless of the presence of children. Among single and cohabiting parents, however, the presence of children is associated with greater religious salience, though not with attendance at religious services. The findings demonstrate a continued link between the institutions of family and religion at a time when ties to both institutions are loosening.

School and class-level variations and patterns of physical activity: a multilevel analysis of Danish high school students

BackgroundThere is limited knowledge of physical activity (PA) patterns among high school students. High schools plays an important role as context for the students, but it is uncertain to what extent schools influence student participation in PA during leisure time. The purpose of this study is to describe patterns of PA and assess variations between schools and classes in PA, in a large cohort of Danish high school students.MethodsSelf-reported cross-sectional data came from The Danish National Youth Study, comprising a total of 70,674 students attending 119 different schools and 3213 classes. Multilevel logistic regressions were applied to evaluate the association between socio-demographic variables and patterns of PA, and to assess the impact of schools and classes on PA measures.ResultsStudents whose parents have achieved a lower level of education, older students and girls of perceived ethnic minority generally participated less in several forms of PA during leisure time. Substantial variations between schools were observed in terms of participation in PA at school during leisure time and in terms of use of active transportation to and from school. The school-level accounted for 9% (intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.09 (95% CI: 0.06–0.11)) and 8% (ICC = 0.08 (95% CI: 0.07–0.11)) of the variation for participation in PA during leisure time and active transportation.ConclusionOverall, students whose parents achieved a lower level of education, older students and girls of perceived ethnic minority represent vulnerable groups in relation to participation in several forms of PA during leisure time. The ICCs indicate that schools, in particular, have the potential to influence participation in PA at school during leisure time and active transportation to and from school. Thus, high schools should encourage and facilitate activities aimed at engaging students in PA during leisure time as well as encourage active transportation.

The Danish National Youth Study 2014: Study design, population characteristics and non-response analysis.

Aims: This paper aims to give a description of the Danish National Youth Study 2014 in terms of study design, study population and questionnaire content. The differences between participants and non-participants regarding socioeconomic characteristics are also described. Methods: The Danish National Youth Study 2014 was a web-based survey with data collected through self-completion questionnaires administered in the classroom. There were two questionnaires: one for students, with >250 core questions; and one for school leaders on the school environment. Data collection took place at 119 high schools and 10 vocational schools. Results: A total of 75,853 students participated (70,674 high school students and 5179 vocational school students). In the participating schools, 85% of high school students and 69% of vocational school students took part in the survey. A total of 166 school leaders responded. Among the high school students, 61% were girls, and among vocational school students, 24% were girls. The average age was 17.9 years for high school students and 20.9 years for vocational school students. Participants were more likely than non-participants to be of Danish origin and to have parents with higher educational levels and a higher disposable income. Conclusions: The Danish National Youth Study 2014 contributes to knowledge on adolescent health behaviour, health and well-being. It is unique in its size, diversity of questionnaire content, high participation rate and possibility of linkage to various national registers through the Danish Civil Registration System. The study offers great opportunities for health planning and a wide range of future research projects.

Self-injury and suicide behavior among young people with perceived parental alcohol problems in Denmark: a school-based survey.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that young people who perceive their parents to have alcohol problems are more likely to self-injure, have suicide ideation, and to attempt suicide than young people without parental alcohol problems. We also tested whether the association between parental alcohol problems and self-injury, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt among young people differed depending on the gender of the child and the parent. Data came from the Danish National Youth Study 2014, a web-based national survey. A total of 75,853 high school and vocational school students participated. Self-injury, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts were outcomes and the main exposure variables were perceived parental alcohol problems, gender of the parent with alcohol problems, cohabitation with a parent with alcohol problems, and severity of the parents' alcohol problems. Young people with parental alcohol problems had higher odds of self-injury [boys: OR=1.59 (95% CI 1.40-1.82); girls: OR=1.84 (95% CI 1.69-1.99)], suicidal ideation [boys: OR=1.81 (95% CI 1.59-2.06); girls: OR 1.74 (95% CI 1.59-1.89)], and suicide attempt [boys: OR=2.10 (95% CI 1.63-2.71); girls: OR=2.09 (95% CI 1.80-2.42)] compared to young people without parental alcohol problems. Girls with parental alcohol problems had higher odds of self-injury than boys with parental alcohol problems, whereas no gender differences were found for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Also no differences were found depending on the gender of the parent with alcohol problems. This study shows that young people with parental alcohol problems have higher odds of self-injury, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts.

CONSERVATIVE PROTESTANTISM AND HORIZONTAL STRATIFICATION IN EDUCATION: THE CASE OF COLLEGE SELECTIVITY.

College selectivity is associated with numerous positive life outcomes, but research on the antecedents of college selectivity, including religion, is limited-despite a long tradition of religion and stratification research. Using survey data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N=2,093) and semi-structured interviews from the National Study of Youth and Religion (N=46), we test for and seek to explain differences in the college selectivity of students from conservative Protestant (CP) religious backgrounds compared to others. Based on prior literature and theory, we hypothesize that CPs attend less selective colleges than other young adults, and that this may especially be the case among women. Our quantitative findings suggest CPs do attend less selective colleges, and the difference is greater among those with better high school GPAs. These differences vary by gender: They are nonexistent for men once background factors are controlled, but CP women attend less selective colleges-a difference that is even larger among women with higher academic ability. Our qualitative findings suggest that these differences stem from young women's different understandings of the purposes of college (general self-betterment versus human capital investment) which relate to unique strategies for balancing work and family, enacting altruism, and achieving self-satisfaction. These findings show the continued link between religion and stratification and, more broadly, culture and stratification.

Sunbed use among 64,000 Danish students and the associations with demographic factors, health-related behaviours, and appearance-related factors.

Sunbed use is associated with an increased risk for skin cancer and is particularly dangerous for younger persons. The objective of this study was to assess how demographic factors, health-related behaviours and appearance-related factors are associated with sunbed use. Cross-sectional data from the Danish National Youth Study collected by the National Institute of Public Health during 2014 was used. A total of 64,382 students aged 15-25years were included in the present study. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to determine associations. Sunbed use during the past 12months was reported by 22% of students, with a higher proportion among females (29%) than males (12%). Factors associated with sunbed use were older age, studying at a vocational college or a higher preparatory examination school compared to upper secondary school, and lower parental education. Furthermore, being a smoker, been binge-drinking, longer duration of exercise and been dieting were also associated with sunbed use. For females, poor dietary habits were also associated with sunbed use. Feeling overweight was associated with lower odds for sunbed use for males, but with higher odds for females. Lower body satisfaction was associated with higher odds of sunbed use, except for overweight males. Students who were underweight had lower odds for sunbed use, than normal weight students. Conclusively, we found evidence of associations between demographic factors, health-related behaviours and appearance-related factors and sunbed use. Understanding these relations could help to identify high-risk groups and guide preventive strategies for sunbed use and skin cancer prevention.

Exposure to science, perspectives on science and religion, and religious commitment in young adulthood

Social scientists know very little about the consequences of exposure to scientific knowledge and holding different perspectives on science and religion for individuals' religious lives. Drawing on secularization and post-secular theories, we develop and test several hypotheses about the relationships among exposure to scientific knowledge, perspectives on religion and science, and religious commitment using panel data from the National Study of Youth and Religion. Our findings indicate that religious faith is strongest among young adults who: (1) accommodate scientific knowledge into their religious perspective, or (2) reject scientific knowledge that directly contradicts their religious beliefs about the origins of the world. Young adults are also more likely to have lower religious commitment when they view science and religion as independent institutions, lending support to secularization ideas about how social differentiation secularizes individuals. We further find that mere exposure to scientific knowledge, in terms of majoring in biology or acknowledging conflict between the teachings of religion and science, is usually not sufficient to undermine religious commitment.

Epilepsy, birth weight and academic school readiness in Canadian children: Data from the national longitudinal study of children and youth

PurposeBirth weight is an important indicator of prenatal/in-utero environment. Variations in birth weight have been reportedly associated with risks for cognitive problems. The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) dataset was explored to examine relationships between birth weight, academic school readiness and epilepsy. MethodsA population based sample of 32,900 children of the NLSCY were analyzed to examine associations between birth weight, and school readiness scores in 4–5-year-old children. Logistic and Linear regression was used to examine associations between having epilepsy and these outcomes. Gestation data was available on 19,867 children, full-term children represented 89.67% (gestation >259days), while 10.33% of children were premature (gestation <258days). There were 20 children with reported epilepsy in the sample. Effects of confounding variables (diabetes in pregnancy, smoking in pregnancy, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and gender of the infant) on birth weight and epilepsy were controlled using a separate structural equation model. ResultsLogistic regression analysis identified an association between epilepsy and lower birth weights, as well as an association between lower birth weight, having epilepsy and lower PPVT-R Scores. Model results show the relationship between low birth weight and epilepsy remains statistically significant even when controlling for the influence of afore mentioned confounding variables. ConclusionLow birth weight appears to be associated with both epilepsy and academic school readiness. The data suggest that an abnormal prenatal environment can influence both childhood onset of epilepsy and cognition. Additional studies with larger sample sizes are needed to verify this relationship in detail.

Perceived parental alcohol problems and drinking patterns in youth: A cross-sectional study of 69,030 secondary education students in Denmark.

The aim of the study was to examine whether young people with parental alcohol problems have different drinking patterns than those without parental alcohol problems. Further, we examined whether the association between parental alcohol problems and young people's drinking patterns differed depending on the gender of the child and the parent, and whether more severe parental alcohol problems and cohabitation with the parent with alcohol problems was associated with earlier and heavier drinking patterns. Data came from the Danish National Youth Study 2014, a web-based national survey. 75,025 high school and vocational school students (15-25years) participated. Drinking patterns were investigated by the following outcomes: non-drinking, weekly alcohol consumption, frequent binge drinking, and early intoxication debut age. The main predictor variables were perceived parental alcohol problems, gender of the parent with alcohol problems, cohabitation with a parent with alcohol problems and severity of the parents' alcohol problems. Young people with parental alcohol problems had a higher weekly alcohol consumption (boys: 15.2 vs. 13.9 drinks per week; girls: 11.6 vs. 10.2 drinks per week), higher odds of early intoxication debut age (boys: OR=1.68 [95% CI 1.50-1.89]; girls: OR 1.95 [95% CI 1.79-2.14]), and more frequent binge drinking (boys, OR=1.16 [95% CI 1.04-1.29]; girls, OR=1.21 [95% CI 1.11-1.32]) compared to young people without parental alcohol problems. In conclusion, this study shows that young people with perceived parental alcohol problems have an earlier intoxication debut age, binge drink more frequently, and drink larger quantities per week than young people without perceived parental alcohol problems.

Faith and Facebook in a Pluralistic Age

The rapid adoption of social networking sites (SNS) has prompted educators, parents, and researchers to consider the role SNS play in social life. Few scholars, however, have examined the effects of SNS on the religious beliefs of emerging adults. Drawing from Peter Berger’s concept of “plausibility structures” and his theory of pluralism, I explore whether young adults who use SNS are more likely to condone religious pluralism and syncretism. Using panel data from the National Study of Youth and Religion, I find that emerging adults who use SNS are more likely to think it is acceptable to pick and choose their religious beliefs, and practice multiple religions independent of what their religious tradition teaches, but they are not more likely to believe all religions are true. These findings suggest that exposure to broader networks through social media leads to increased acceptance of syncretistic beliefs and practices.

Perceived parental alcohol problems, internalizing problems and impaired parent - child relationships among 71 988 young people in Denmark.

To test the hypothesis that young people with perceived parental alcohol problems have poorer parent-child relationships and more emotional symptoms, low self-esteem, loneliness and depression than young people without perceived parental alcohol problems. Cross-sectional analysis using data from the Danish National Youth Study 2014, a web-based national survey. Denmark. A total of 71.988 high school and vocational school students (aged 12-25, nested in 119 schools and 3.186 school classes) recruited throughout 2014. Outcome variables included internalizing problems such as emotional symptoms, depression, self-esteem, loneliness and aspects of the parent-child relationship. The main predictor variable was perceived parental alcohol problems, including the severity of the perceived problems and living with a parent with alcohol problems. Control variables included age, sex, education, ethnicity, parents' separation and economic problems in the family. Boys and girls with perceived parental alcohol problems had statistically significant higher odds of reporting internalizing problems (e.g. frequent emotional symptoms: odds ratio (OR)= 1.58 for boys; 1.49 for girls) and poor parent-child relationships (e.g.lack of parental interest: OR=1.92 for boys; 2.33 for girls) compared with young people without perceived parental alcohol problems. The associations were not significantly stronger for mother's alcohol problems or if the young person lived with the parent with perceived alcohol problems. Boys and girls in secondary education in Denmark who report perceived parental alcohol problems have significantly higher odds of internalizing problems and poorer parent-child relationships compared with young people without perceived parental alcohol problems.

Measuring Religion in Different Spatial Contexts: How Surveys Involving Religion Inconsistently Determine Locations

As American spatial contexts change, particularly the suburbs with increasing racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity and shifting political patterns within a range of unique suburban types and communities, an analysis of 89 surveys involving religion in the Association of Religion Data Archives shows a lack of consensus in how to measure locations. The 529 questions addressing suburban locations differ in three major ways: a majority allows respondents to self-report their location, leading to more respondents selecting small towns; there are a variety of response categories, often with options that are not mutually exclusive; and one result of the first two issues is that surveys provide different percentages regarding how many individuals and congregations reside in the suburbs. These issues are also present in large-scale studies of American religiosity including the National Congregations Study and the National Study of Youth and Religion. Improving the measurement of spatial context could include reaching consensus over standard questions and categories to use, assigning respondents to specific geographic locations which allows matching to other data (such as the Census), and including both self-reported and assigned locations in survey results.

Moral and Cultural Awareness in Emerging Adulthood: Preparing for Multi-Faith Workplaces

The study evaluates a pilot course designed to respond to findings from the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR) and similar findings reporting changes in U.S. life course development and religious participation through an intervention based on sociological theories of morality. The purpose of the study is to investigate the impacts of a business course in a public university designed to prepare emerging adults for culturally and religiously diverse workplaces. The intended outcomes are for students to better identify their personal moral values, while also gaining cultural awareness of the moral values in six different value systems: five major world religions and secular humanism. The study response rate was 97 percent (n = 109). Pre- and post-test survey data analyze changes in the reports of students enrolled in the course (primary group) compared to students in similar courses but without an emphasis on morality (controls). Qualitative data include survey short answer questions, personal mission statements, and student essays describing course impacts. Quantitative and qualitative results indicate reported increases in identification of personal moral values and cultural awareness of other moral values, providing initial evidence that the course helps prepare emerging adults for multi-faith workplaces.

Variations in Adolescent Disclosure Among Latinas

This study examines attitudes toward adolescent disclosure among a diverse sample of Latina adolescents. Using ecological and acculturation frameworks, this qualitative, exploratory study analyzes responses from 18 Latina adolescents to open-ended, semi-structured questions from the National Study of Youth and Religion on family relationships, morality, and religion, to explore disclosure attitudes. Results suggest high disclosure to mothers, particularly by Latinas from low-income and religiously congruent families. Fathers' long work hours and singular religiosity thwart disclosure to them, and family structure, migration, and nativity influence whether adolescent Latinas disclose information to parents. Latino cultural values of respeto and marianismo did not emerge as salient themes. A common theme among participants was a desire for closer, open relationships with parents to enable disclosure of important occurrences in their lives.

Confidence interval estimation for standardized effect sizes in multilevel and latent growth modeling.

Multilevel and latent growth models are frequently used interchangeably to examine differences between groups in trajectories of outcomes from controlled clinical trials. The unstandardized coefficient for the effect from group to slope (the treatment effect) from such models can be converted to a standardized mean difference (Cohen's d) between the treatment and control groups at end of study. This article addresses the confidence interval (CI) for this effect size. Two sets of equations for estimating the CI for the treatment effect size in multilevel models were derived, and the usage of each was illustrated with data from the National Youth Study (Elliott, Huizinga, & Menard, 1989). Validity of the CIs was examined with a Monte Carlo simulation study that manipulated effect potency and sample size. The equivalence of the 2 new CI estimation methods was demonstrated, and the Monte Carlo study found that bias in the CI for the effect size was not appreciably larger than bias in the CI for the widely used unstandardized coefficient. Investigators reporting this increasingly popular effect size can estimate its CI with equations presented in this article.