Parental Perceptions Research Articles

Quantifying Parental Perceptions of Their Experiences With Their Young Children's Use of Power Mobility Devices.

To quantify and explore parental perceptions of their experiences with their child's use of the Explorer Mini (EM) and a modified ride-on car (mROC) in young children with cerebral palsy. Data were gathered throughout a multisite, randomized, counterbalanced AB crossover 16-week clinical trial, wherein all participants used device A (EM) and device B (mROC) for 8-weeks each. Semistructured parent interviews were conducted at baseline (T0), post-intervention period 1 (T1), and post-intervention period 2 (T2). The Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program was used to objectively analyze the transcribed interviews. Twenty-four child-parent dyads participated in the study. Parental perceptions were related to children's gross motor abilities, cognitive development scores, and device use order (EM-mROC or mROC-EM). Parents were positive about a potential means of helping their children. While most preferred the EM, opinions were contingent on the PM device, device use order, and child-centered factors.

Impact of gender-biased parental perceptions on under-immunization in Eastern Sudan: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDespite global efforts, inequities in vaccine uptake remain, influenced by socioeconomic, geographic, cultural, and gender-related factors. In Eastern Sudan, gender disparities are acknowledged, particularly in livelihoods, but their impact on vaccination uptake is unclear. This study aimed to assess the effect of gender-biased parental perceptions on under-immunization among children in Kassala, Eastern Sudan.MethodsThis study was a community-based cross-sectional in rural and urban districts of Kassala locality in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan in November 2022. Data were collected from parents using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire. The Chi-square or Fisher's exact test was conducted to assess the factors associated with under-immunization among children.ResultsData were collected from 400 parents. Our data reveal that most children were fully vaccinated with the three doses of the pentavalent vaccine (83%), while 14% were partially vaccinated. Findings showed that about one in five parents perceived male vaccination as more important than female vaccination. This parental perception of gender-based importance in vaccination was significantly associated with under-immunization among children (p-value = 0.049). Additionally, males in our study are fully vaccinated 5% more often than females. Socio-economic factors, including mothers’ education and households’ income level, were also significantly associated with the vaccination status of the children.ConclusionThis study shed light on the effect of gender norms and related determinants on equitable access to vaccinations for boys and girls alike. More research is needed to gain a better understanding of the gender norms related to vaccination and their long-term impact on immunization demand and resilience in this region.

Parents' color-conscious racial socialization and adolescents' racial attitudes: the moderating role of parental psychological control

IntroductionThe present two-wave longitudinal study examined the relation between White U.S. parents' color-conscious racial socialization for African Americans and adolescents' racial attitudes, and explored how parental psychological control might moderate this relation.MethodParticipants included 412 White U.S. adolescents (42% girls; Mage = 15.63 years, SD = 1.24) and their primary caregivers (52% mothers). They completed online questionnaires, with parents reporting on their color-conscious racial socialization at Time 1, and adolescents providing measures of their perception of parents' psychological control at Time 1, color-blind attitudes, and racial prejudice at both time points, ~16 months apart.ResultsOur findings revealed that parents' color-conscious racial socialization for African Americans was negatively associated with adolescents' negative racial attitudes. Additionally, parental psychological control moderated this relation: the negative association was evident only when parents exhibited low or average levels of psychological control.DiscussionThis study highlights the crucial role parents play in shaping their adolescents' racial attitudes and underscores the necessity of an autonomy-supportive environment to enhance the success of parents' color-conscious socialization practices. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing effective interventions to reduce racial biases and foster inclusive attitudes among adolescents.

Preventing unintentional injuries in children: the parents’ beliefs matters (CHILD Vigilance)

Abstract The CHILD Vigilance project is a European study supported by the Injury Prevention & Safety Promotion Section of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA INJ) and aims at assessing parenting knowledge and attitudes that are relevant to supervision and risk taking in children. For children the majority of these injuries occur in or around the home when their safety is the responsibility of a parent or other caregiver. The study aims contribute to the epidemiological knowledge of injuries through the study of the perceptions of parents and caregivers of children and adolescents. A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was developed under the CHILD Vigilance project, developed at European level within the scope of the Injury Prevention & Safety Promotion Section of the European Public Health Association. The information was collected by survey, from parents’ associations and schools in the EU countries represented in the EUPHA INJ Section. A total of 916 valid responses were obtained, involving 1229 children (51,4% male; mean age 7,8 years). Falls were perceived as the most common type of unintentional injuries in pre-schoolers and school-age children (47,8% in Greece; 63,5% in Portugal; 74,8% in Lithuania). However it was found differences in these countries as to the most common type of injury in adolescents, pointing out road traffic crashes (41.2% in Greece vs 39.5% in Portugal) and poisonings in Lithuania (38,1%). Some differences were also observed between these countries as to the most common causes of death. In Greece and Lithuania diseases were reported the main cause in the pre-schoolers (62,5%; 35,1%) and in primary education (55,1%; 29,7%), being injuries pointed as the most frequent cause only in the oldest. The study emphasizes the need to invest in the identification of appropriate determinants of child unintentional injuries and harmonised injury outcomes across global initiatives. Key messages • The lack of data regarding to parents’ knowledge on injury prevention involving children highlight the need to conduct this type of studies. • The need for adequate epidemiological data on the burden of child injuries and validated tools to accurately measure injuries.

Mission FEEL! A novel emotion understanding intervention for preschoolers: A proof-of-concept study

Emotion understanding is an important competency that children begin to develop during the first years of life and serves as an essential building block for lifelong learning. Emotion understanding is linked to developmental outcomes including academic, cognitive, and social-emotional skills. Not surprisingly, efficacious interventions to promote children's social emotional skills have been developed. Scale-up of these interventions is challenging because they are time and resource intensive. Brief, fully automated interventions are promising alternatives to overcome implementation barriers. Mission FEEL! is a two-session, fully automated intervention grounded in cognitive-behavioral theory aimed at promoting emotion understanding among preschoolers. This proof-of-concept study examined the acceptability and feasibility of Mission FEEL!. We recruited 52 preschool children and their parents/guardians across Florida. Participants completed four virtual study visits: a baseline emotion understanding assessment, two intervention sessions, and a one-month follow-up emotion understanding assessment. We established a priori benchmarks to determine feasibility, acceptability, and clinical meaningfulness. The results indicated that Mission FEEL! is both feasible and acceptable. All outcomes, except two that were in the acceptable range, met the benchmarks for good or excellent. The clinical meaningfulness of the intervention was supported by parental perceptions of the program's influence on emotion-related parent-child interactions, perceived value of the program in children's daily lives, and observed difference in emotion understanding scores between baseline and follow-up. The ease of scale-up, low cost, and potential practical implications also contributed to the clinical meaningfulness. Findings from this proof-of-concept study suggest that Mission FEEL! merits advancing to the next phase of intervention development testing.

Parent and adolescent perceptions of parent–child developmental relationships: The role of family routines

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined family routines in relation to the strength of parent–child developmental relationships and discordant perceptions among parents and their adolescent children.BackgroundPositive parent–child relationships and regular engagement in family routines are known to create a positive environment in which adolescents can thrive. Yet both parents and their children hold unique perspectives on family structure and functioning. Agreement between parent and child reports tend to be low and often become increasingly discrepant during adolescence. Engaging in consistent and predictable family routines may not only strengthen parent–child relationships but also result in more concordant perceptions of the quality of their shared relationship.MethodUsing data from 633 matched parents and their children, we examined the association between engagement in family routines and the strength of parent–adolescent relationships including discrepant reports using a latent congruence model.ResultsFamily routines were positively associated with stronger parent–adolescent relationships and less discrepant reports of this critical relationship.ConclusionEngagement in family routines plays an important role in parent–adolescent developmental relationships.ImplicationsFindings have important implications for practices and research focused on improving adolescent outcomes through family structures and parent–child relationships.

“You and me”: Parental perceptions on asymmetry in twins' development and their dominance relationship dynamics

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigated the role of nontypical development in the relative dominance in twins' relationships throughout childhood.BackgroundDominance dynamics, affecting siblings' well‐being, are different in twins than in singletons for whom age and development often dictate sibling hierarchy. These dynamics in twins, who share similar ages and developmental contexts, remain underexplored and demand further understanding.MethodA longitudinal study surveyed 1,547 mothers and 536 fathers of 322 monozygotic (sharing nearly 100% genes) and 1,199 dizygotic (sharing 50% genetic variance) twin pairs, aged 3 to 8–9. Both parents reported on the twins' relationships. Mothers reported whether either twin had a developmental condition.ResultsNo dominance difference was found in similar developmental conditions dyads, whether both twins had typical or nontypical development. However, in dyads where twins differed in the developmental condition, nontypically developing twins were less dominant than their typically developing cotwins. This dominance imbalance persisted throughout childhood, even if initial developmental issues were resolved.ConclusionFrom parents' perspectives, nontypical development does not, in itself, prevent children from demonstrating dominance behaviors in twinship, but it is more likely that the asymmetry in developmental conditions is associated with the relationship between the twins.Implications and RecommendationsAccording to parents' perceptions, twins with nontypical development might experience imbalances in their relationship throughout childhood when their co‐twin is a typically developing child. However, demonstrating dominance might be possible for them in other contexts. Understanding these dominance dynamics is vital for caregivers, informing tailored parenting strategies and interventions to support the well‐being of children.

Perception, attitude, and opinion of parents of cleft lip and palate patients treated with nasoalveolar molding (NAM): A cross-sectional questionnaire study.

The main goal of the nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is to mitigate the initial severity of the cleft, facilitating the subsequent surgical procedures. Nevertheless, the use of the appliance entails high stress levels for families. The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions, attitudes, and opinions of parents whose cleft-affected children underwent treatment using the NAM technique. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted on a cohort of relatives of infants born with cleft lip and palate who were treated with the NAM appliance. The parents completed a 59-item questionnaire that had been previously validated. The initial cohort consisted of 104 families. The level of satisfaction was high, and there was a direct correlation with early diagnosis. Satisfaction levels varied depending on the cleft type, with a decrease in cases of bilateral presentation. Satisfaction was influenced by the newborns' adaptation and the absence of complications. Parents who exhibited lower levels of satisfaction contemplated terminating the treatment. Parents expressed high satisfaction with NAM treatment, due to effective management and understanding. Bilateral clefts and delayed diagnosis can significantly impact satisfaction. These results emphasize the importance of personalized approaches to address challenges in NAM treatment, particularly in instances of bilateral clefts and delayed diagnoses.

Perceptions of preschoolers and parents on forest pollution

IntroductionAn examination of preschool children’s perceptions and attitudes towards the environment and forests has recently been conducted. However, little research has focused on preschool children’s and their parents’ perceptions of clean and dirty forests. Investigating these perceptions is essential to increase children’s interest in and sensitivity to the environment, thereby fostering their development as responsible individuals who protect the natural world.MethodsThis study aimed to address this knowledge gap by examining the perceptions of clean and dirty forests held by 40 5–6-year-old students and 40 parents, randomly selected from two preschools: one attended by children from high socioeconomic families and the other by children from low socioeconomic families, in a Mediterranean coastal city in southwestern Turkey. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information and perceptions of clean and dirty forests. Additionally, drawing sheets were distributed to the students to illustrate their concepts of clean and dirty forests.ResultsThe results indicated that individuals with higher educational levels had more complex and conscious perceptions of clean forests. Children considered abstract concepts, such as supernatural forces and fossil fuels, while parents focused on awareness and conservation status. Conversely, parents and children with lower levels of education tended to concentrate on more concrete and everyday factors, such as litter and natural disasters. Individuals with higher socioeconomic status generally associated forest cleanliness with conscious behaviors and conservation, whereas those with lower socioeconomic status linked it more with polluting factors.DiscussionThis investigation provides valuable insights into the management and control of local forests by incorporating the perspectives of children and their parents, promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices.

Evaluation of the measurement properties of the parental perceptions of children's exposure to tobacco smoke instrument translated and adapted to the Brazilian context.

Given the need to measure parents' perceptions of their children's exposure to tobacco smoke, the Parental Perceptions of Children's Exposure to Tobacco Smoke (PPE) instrument was developed and validated in Hebrew and later translated into English and Portuguese. The PPE has already been translated and adapted to the Brazilian context but a more robust sample is necessary to investigate the measurement properties. Thus, this study evaluated the measurement properties of the Brazilian version of the PPE instrument. Reliability and validity study were conducted with 161 parents with children up to 18 years of age. Perception of parental smoking status was investigated using analysis of variance. The instrument showed excellent reliability (Cronbach α = 0.92 and intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.91). The exploratory factor analysis identified 4 factors with a total accumulated variance of 71.6%. Confirmatory factor analysis validated this structure with 4 factors. It was necessary to exclude a question that presented low commonality. Analysis of variance demonstrated that nonsmoking and former smoking parents have similar scores, although they are higher than those of current smokers. Our findings provide evidence that the PPE version translated and adapted for the Brazilian context is a reliable and valid instrument. Thus, it can help us understand how parents cope with exposure to tobacco smoke.

Analyzing early childhood allergy prevention motivation of mothers of infants and its predictors using latent class analysis and structural equation modelling

BackgroundAllergic diseases are among the most common chronic diseases in childhood. Early childhood allergy prevention (ECAP) behaviors of those caring for the infant during pregnancy and the first months of life may influence the risk of allergy development over the life course. Motivation and intention to use appropriate primary ECAP measures are thus of critical importance.AimsTo characterize parental ECAP motivation, (a) valid indicators will be developed and (b) typical parental characteristics will be identified. (c) According to socio-cognitive models, the predictive value of parental risk perception, control belief and self-efficacy for parental ECAP motivation shall be determined.MethodA sample of N = 343 (expectant) mothers of infants completed a questionnaire on self-reported ECAP motivation, risk perception, control belief, and self-efficacy. The cross-sectional data were analyzed using latent class analysis and structural equation modelling including nominal regression models.ResultsFour typical maternal response profiles (motivated to a customary degree, 70%; motivated to use primary preventive measures, 17.8%; reluctant towards new prevention measures, 6.4%; highly motivated to apply preventive measures in case of an existing allergy, 5.8%) could be identified for the items on ECAP motivation. After splitting the model variables “risk perception” (allergy vs. allergy-associated general health problems) and “self-efficacy” (trust vs. insecurity) a satisfactory model-fit was achieved (CFI = .939; RMSEA = .064). Particularly, increased “risk perception-allergy” (OR = 1.655) and “self-efficacy-insecurity” (OR = 2.013) as well as lower “risk perception-general health” (OR = 0.555) and “control belief” (OR = 0.217), respectively, are associated with higher ECAP motivation.ConclusionThe use of ECAP-measures by parents to protect their newborns from allergies is important, but there are deficiencies in their implementation. Based on a social cognitive model approach, predictive characteristics could be identified, which are associated with increased motivation to implement ECAP-measures. For public health our findings provide a promising basis for conception of behavioral and environmental ECAP prevention measures and their motivated implementation by parents.

Exploring the Feasibility of Social Skills Programs for Autistic Youth Through Virtual Reality.

Many autistic individuals may desire support and services primarily in the areas of adaptive functioning and social well-being throughout their lifetime. There is a need for community-informed and person-centered social programs targeted for autistic adolescents and adults. New technology, such as virtual reality (VR), is being researched to assess the feasibility of providing therapeutic services to autistic individuals. This qualitative study aims to better understand and explore the perceptions of parents and autistic adolescents regarding social development and thoughts around social skills interventions delivered through technologies such as VR. Eight autistic adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17, and five parents participated across five focus groups. The focus group interviews were semi-structured, and qualitative data analysis was conducted through an open thematic approach and inductive coding process. Seven primary themes with sub-themes were identified throughout the focus group interview discussions: Social Skills of the participating autistic adolescents as reported by their parents and by self-report, Family Dynamics affecting social relationships within the family, Social Skills Goals both groups hoped to develop and improve, the existence and quality of In-Person vs. Online Friendships, Experience/Comfort With Technology, Openness to Virtual Environments, and Concerns for Virtual Environments. Researchers identified these themes across both parent and adolescent focus groups. This study provides guidance to the research community on investigating different innovative approaches for offering a social program that is supported by autistic individuals.

ANÁLISE DA PERCEPÇÃO DE PAIS E RESPONSÁVEIS SOBRE A EQUOTERAPIA PARA CRIANÇAS COM AUTISMO: UMA REVISÃO DA LITERATURA DE 2013 A 2023.

Equine therapy brings numerous benefits to practitioners, improving motor, cognitive, and emotional development. Due to this range of contributions, doctors and multidisciplinary teams recommend equine therapy as an alternative therapy, especially for children with autism spectrum disorder due to its benefits. Animal-assisted therapy has been demystified over time and has become the option for caregivers and/or parents. The basis of the scientific study will be basic research with a bibliographic review of the literature. Objective: The project is based on the bias of presenting the perception of parents and/or guardians of children diagnosed with autism in relation to the care process offered by an equine therapy center. Method: It used the Integrative Literature Review (ILR) in six stages, addressing everything from problem definition to critical data analysis. Articles in Portuguese and Spanish from 2013 to 2023 were included, using the LILACS, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases with descriptors related to equine therapy and autism. Results: Indicate that equine therapy provides significant benefits, such as increased self-esteem, improvements in socialization, anxiety control and development of social skills. The research highlights the importance of the bond between practitioners and animals, as well as the fundamental role of the multidisciplinary approach in treatment. Parents in all reviewed studies reported improvements in the quality of life of practitioners. Conclusion: Equine therapy shows itself to be a promising therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, contributing significantly to the development of self-esteem, mental health, social skills, emotional control and independence. Parents' perceptions are fundamental to understanding the effectiveness of these therapies, but reveal gaps when compared to professionals' views. This highlights the need for research on the topic.

Bereaved parents’ perceptions of their cancer-ill child’s last month with or without palliative care - a nationwide study

BackgroundCancer is still the leading cause of non-accidental death in childhood, although the majority of children diagnosed in high-income countries survive their illness. In accordance with international standards, equal and early access to palliative care should be available to children and adults. Yet communication and prognostic disclosure may influence the timing of involvement in palliative care. Purpose: To investigate whether parents perceived that their child received palliative care and to what extent that contrasted parents’ perceptions of their child’s care and symptoms in the last month of life.MethodsA nationwide population-based parental questionnaire study in Sweden, one to five years after their child’s death (n=226). Descriptive statistics were used.ResultsA majority of parents (70%) reported that they were aware that their child received palliative care and they were informed about the incurable disease (57%) within 3 months before the child died. The most common diagnosis among children receiving palliative care was a brain tumor (45%) with a disease related death (90%) and the care was often received at home (44%). Based on the reports of parents who felt that their child did not receive palliative care, 45% were informed within days or hours about the child’s incurable disease, 45% of these children were diagnosed with leukemia, 60% died at the intensive care unit, and 49% died of treatment-related complications. It was most common for families who lived in urban areas (28%) to report their child received palliative care, in comparison to families living in sparsely populated areas (11%). A significant proportion of parents whose child received palliative care (96%) stated that the healthcare professionals were competent in caring for their child, for those who reported no palliative care it was slightly lower (74%). In both groups many children were affected by multiple symptoms the last month of life.ConclusionsThe study findings highlight the role of understanding parental perceptions of pediatric palliative oncology care, the role of initiating palliative care early, the need of access to national equitable PC and professional competence across the lifespan, regardless of diagnosis and place of residence.

Group-based versus individual parenting programs: A meta-analysis of effects on parents.

Parenting programs aim to motivate change in parents' behaviors, perceptions, and knowledge to promote desirable changes in children's adjustment and behavior. Parenting programs are typically delivered in a group-based or individual format, and it is unknown which format most effectively supports parents. On the one hand, group-based programs may be more effective since they provide access to peer-based support. On the other hand, individual programs may be more successful since they offer a tailored approach. Therefore, this meta-analysis investigated which delivery format is most effective in optimizing child behavior management (i.e., positive reinforcement and nonviolent discipline), parenting stress, and parental depressive symptoms. Studies were selected from the systematic review by Backhaus et al. (2023). Our sample included evaluations of 121 group-based and 41 individual programs based on social learning theory principles. Robust variance estimation indicated that parents' child behavior management and parenting stress improved in both delivery formats. In contrast, parental depressive symptoms improved only in group-based programs. Our findings suggest that whether parents benefit more from a group-based or individual program in part depends on the outcome examined. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to understand parents' goals to effectively guide them toward the most appropriate parenting program delivery format. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Factors affecting human papillomavirus vaccine acceptance among parents of Primary 4 to 6 boys and girls in Hong Kong.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) poses a substantial but underestimated healthcare burden in Hong Kong. This study investigated factors affecting parental acceptance of HPV vaccination after the introduction of an immunisation programme for primary school girls. We assessed parental perceptions and related factors concerning HPV vaccination for both boys and girls. We conducted a cross-sectional survey between December 2021 and February 2022 among parents of Primary 4 to 6 students in Hong Kong. Our self-administered online survey collected data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, awareness and knowledge of HPV vaccination, attitudes towards HPV vaccination, and acceptance of HPV vaccination. Characteristics were compared between boys' parents and girls' parents. Factors associated with vaccine acceptance were analysed by multivariate logistic regression. We observed high awareness of HPV vaccination among boys' parents and girls' parents; however, they demonstrated relatively poor knowledge of HPV and the HPV vaccine. An alarming low HPV vaccination uptake rate was also observed. Attitudes towards the HPV vaccine were similar between parent groups. A majority of parents believed that the HPV vaccine was safe and effective in preventing infection. Parents of boys showed lower HPV vaccine acceptance. Factors associated with acceptance differed between parent groups. High awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine is predictive of vaccine acceptance. Boys' parents are less likely to accept HPV vaccination and emphasis should be placed on addressing potential HPV vaccine hesitancy in this group. Public education should also aim to raise awareness of government vaccination programme, and implementation of catch-up vaccination programme to school children beyond primary school should be considered.

Identifying parentally perceived barriers for children with celiac disease to participate in elementary school meal programs

AbstractSeveral states have recently enacted laws permanently granting all public school students access to free breakfast and lunch. However, children with dietary restrictions, such as celiac disease, may encounter barriers to participation in these meal programs. We surveyed caregivers of school‐aged children with celiac disease to study barriers to universal school meals. More than half of the children with celiac disease did not participate in school meal programs due to concerns about the cafeteria's ability to prepare gluten‐free meals safely. Moreover, among those who were food insecure and gluten‐free food insecure, 50% had never consumed free school lunch and breakfast. Parental perception of nutritional quality, communication regarding gluten‐free options, and safety of school kitchens emerged as common obstacles to participation in these programs. Addressing these concerns is paramount to ensuring equitable access to nutritious meals for all students.

The effects of neighborhood perceptions on response to a technology-assisted parenting intervention for adolescent substance use: protocol of a diversity supplement to parent SMART (Substance Misuse in Adolescents in Residential Treatment)

BackgroundIt is well established that an adolescent’s neighborhood is associated with their likelihood of developing a substance use disorder. The availability of drugs, lack of access to resources, and exposure to violence are all associated with greater substance use among young people, leading to more pronounced health inequities. Technology assisted interventions (TAIs) have been touted to enhance the reach of substance use treatment and improve outcomes for high-need families living in underserved neighborhoods. A key question is whether neighborhood characteristics impact the effectiveness of TAIs, given these interventions are embedded within an adolescent’s natural environment. This National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded Diversity Supplement will examine the role of perceived neighborhood characteristics on response to Parent SMART, a TAI for parents of adolescents in residential substance use treatment (R37DA052918; PI: Becker). Aim 1 will use both adolescent and parent self-report of multiple neighborhood dimensions (e.g., physical environment, social disorder, satisfaction with community resources) to identify indicators predictive of treatment response. Aim 2 will then explore the indirect relationship between neighborhood context and response to Parent SMART, via engagement.MethodsParticipants include adolescent and parent dyads enrolled in an effectiveness trial evaluating Parent SMART, a TAI for parents of adolescents in residential substance youth treatment. Participants will complete self-report measures of neighborhood physical environment, social disorder, and satisfaction with community resources at baseline to predict parenting and youth substance outcomes at 6-, 12-, and 24-weeks post discharge.DiscussionTo date, few studies have explicitly tested how neighborhood affects response to TAIs for adolescent substance use. Assessing adolescent and parent perceptions of neighborhood characteristics holds potential to pinpoint key contextual factors that affect TAI response and to promote consideration of multi-level health equity determinants in substance use research. Understanding neighborhood influences can advance public health by helping tailor TAIs to address the unique needs of adolescents living in underserved communities.Trial registrationThis study extends the measurement and analysis plan of a pragmatic effectiveness trial. The pragmatic effectiveness trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05169385; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05169385

From Early Behavioral Intervention to School: A Systematic Evaluation of Parents' Perspectives on the Quality of the Autism Services During the Transition to Kindergarten.

Research emphasizes the importance of seamless transitions from Early Behavioral Intervention (EBI) to school-based services, but formal support during this critical period remains limited, leading to decreased parental satisfaction with autism services. This study aimed to systematically document parents' perception of the quality of services received during the transition from EBI to kindergarten, along with the predictors of this perception. The study adopted a prospective longitudinal design and relied on a validated evaluation framework, the Evaluation of the Trajectory in Autism for Parents (ETAP). ETAP allows to investigate five critical determinants (accessibility, continuity, validity, flexibility, empathy) of service quality, as rated by parents (N = 138 families), which were evaluated at three critical periods of the transition: end of EBI, beginning and end of first year of school. Quality ratings indicated generally positive perceptions but showed small to medium effect size decreases over time; validity had the largest decrease. Predictors of quality ratings and changes in ratings differed by phase of the transition and included child characteristics (gender, age, disabilities, challenging behavior), parent characteristics (maternal origin, fluency in the official language of the province, education level), and family characteristics (number of children). This study's comprehensive analysis of service quality determinants and possible risk and protective factors provides insights into improving support for families navigating the transition to school.Keywords: Autism, Early behavioral intervention, School transition, Parental perception, Service quality, Evaluation framework.

Social cognitive influences associated with susceptibility to nicotine and tobacco use in youth in the ABCD Study.

Chronic use of nicotine and tobacco products (NTP) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Uptake is most common among youth and young adults but knowledge about effective prevention and intervention approaches is insufficient. The goal of the present study was to examine the impact of social cognitive factors on NTP risk over time among youth in the national ABCD cohort. Participants (n=11,880, 47.8% female) were 9-10 years old at baseline, and completed multiple assessments of NTP use and related cognitions over two years. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate concurrent and prospective associations between social cognitive factors (peer and parent NTP use and perceptions of peer approval and harms from e-cigarette use) and risk for NTP use. Participant NTP use was primarily of e-cigarettes. Higher levels of parental and especially peer NTP use were significant prospective predictors of greater risk of NTP use. Lower perceived harm from and higher peer approval of e-cigarette use were significant predictors of heightened current but not future NTP risk. Findings suggest that youth perceptions of peer NTP use is a key predictor of the likelihood of use and a potential target for interventions designed to prevent or reduce e-cigarette and other NTP use in youth. findings indicate that perceived peer use is a more powerful predictor of nicotine and tobacco product (NTP) use than cognitive factors or parental use, even at early ages when youth NTP use is uncommon. This suggests a need for additional early intervention targeting perceptions of and responding to peer NTP use.