Period Of Development Research Articles

Possibilities of competitive displacement of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) by Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Tephritidae: Diptera) in guava Psidium guajava ecosystem in Sudan

Oriental fruit fly (OFF) Bactrocera dorsalis and peach fruit fly (PFF) Bactrocera zonata are the most notorious pests that invaded Sudan in 2005 and 2012, respectively, causing severe losses and hindering horticultural production and exports. Prior to 2012, OFF was the most abundant fly in guava orchards in Gezira State. Monitoring fruit flies to determine species composition, seasonality, and possibilities of competitive displacement was conducted in two guava (Psidium guajava) orchards in Gezira State; Fadasi and Gezirat Elfil, using food bait attractant and rearing flies from infested fruits..Longevity and survival percentages of developmental stages of the two species were also determined. Monitoring fly populations using Torula yeast and rearing of fruit flies from guava fruits revealed that OFF and PFF were the most prevalent species in guava ecosystem at both sites. At the Fadasi site, PFF was the predominant species representing (99.3%) of the guild of the trapped flies with an infestation level of 99.6%) flies/kg of guava fruits. At G. Elfil, OFF comprised 80.8% of the trapped flies with infestation level ca 53.6% while 19.2% of trapped flies were B. zonata with 46.4% infestation level. The high percentage of trapped OFF at G. Elfil might be attributed to multi-cropping system in the area. Developmental stages of PFF were shorter than that of OFF by 9.2 days, while its survival percentage was higher than that of OFF for all developmental stages. Competitive displacement of OFF by PFF in guava orchards at Fadasi site may have occurred as a result of the mono-cropping system, short developmental period, and high survival percentage of developmental stages of PFF on guava compared to that of OFF.

Comparison of sublethal effects of 3 acaricides on life table parameters of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks (Acari: Tarsonemidae).

To assess the effects of sublethal concentrations of 3 acaricides-Bifenazate, Etoxazole, and Azocyclotin-on the development and reproduction of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks. Our results indicated that the LC20 values of Bifenazate, Etoxazole, and Azocyclotin against T. urticae are 3.196, 25.249, and 32.387mg/L, and against P. latus to be 18.058, 4.641, and 13.755mg/L, respectively. Sublethal concentrations of these acaricides significantly impacted the development time, lifespan, and fecundity of both mite species. Among the acaricides, Azocyclotin significantly extended the immature developmental period of T. urticae and P. latus. All acaricides reduced the lifespan and fecundity of both species, with Etoxazole having the most substantial impact on the daily fecundity and reproductive of T. urticae. The intrinsic rates of natural increase (rm) for T. urticae exposed to Bifenazate, Etoxazole, and Azocyclotin were 0.17, -0.04, and 0.20, respectively. For P. latus, the rm values were 0.27, 0.23, and 0.25, respectively. These results suggest that under the exposure of sublethal acaricides, P. latus gained a competitive advantage in population competition. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the differential impacts of acaricides on various mite species to develop effective pest management strategies.

Description of Complementary Feeding Practice to Underweight Children Under Two Years Old in The Working Area of Puskesmas Kanor, Bojonegoro District

Children under two years of age, are in a very important developmental period often referred to as the Golden Age. Child classified as Underweight based on anthropometry, measurements if their body weight for Age (BB/U) is between -3 SD <-2 SD. According to data from the Bojonegoro District Health Service. This study aims to describe complementary feeding practice to underweight children aged 6-24 months with in the working area of the kanor community health center. Research used an interview method with a questionnare for data collectin, A total of 41 children were selected through random sampling. The result showed that the age at first complementary feeding was correct in 68.4% of cases however, frequency 75.6%, amount 63.4%, texture 75.6%, variation 53, 6%, responsiveness 58.5% and hygiene 58.5%. While most children had a story of exclusive breastfeeding, aspect such as children had a history of exclusive breasfeeding aspect such as frequency, quantity, texture, variety, and responsivenness of complementary feeding were incorrect even though cleanliness was satisfactory. Educational interventions are needed to improve knowledge and practices related to proper complementary feeding for children.

Vitamin C improved anxiety and depression like behavior induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress in adolescent rats by influencing on oxidative stress balance, neurotransmitter systems, and inflammatory response

ABSTRACT Objectives: Stress is an adaptive response to different events in daily life that could strain physically, emotionally, or psychologically. Adolescence is an important developmental period due to physical, psychological, and social maturation. The aim of our study is to state whether chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) during adolescence in male rats can cause anxiety and depression in adulthood and whether vitamin C (Vit C) can prevent this problem or not. Methods: For this purpose, we performed behavioral tests, including open field test, elevated plus maze, and forced swimming test. In addition, we investigated the metabolism of serotonin, the level of inflammation, oxidative stress and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain cortex tissue of animals. Results: Results indicated that CUMS exacerbates mood-related behaviors by affecting the brain oxidative stress balance, inflammatory response, and serotonin metabolism. Moreover, we found that CUMS-Vit C co-treatment could significantly reverse CUMS-induced complications by restoration of the mentioned biochemical parameters. Discussion: Taken together, we would like to suggest the use of Vit C supplementation as a safe, inexpensive, and effective strategy for the management of CUMS.

Participation in the Missouri Parents as Teachers Parent Education Program and third grade math and English language arts proficiency

The Missouri Parents as Teachers (PAT) Parent Education Program is a voluntary and universal home visiting program available to all Missouri families who are expecting a child or who have a child ages birth to kindergarten entry. Families participating in the Missouri PAT Parent Education Program receive a variety of family support services, including family personal visits with trained parent educators to develop parent practices and child school readiness. Research indicates that home visiting components of parent education programs support child academic outcomes. However, studies have not extensively examined how variation in participation, including the developmental period of exposure—the child's age upon entry and duration of participation—and number and frequency of home/family visits, is associated with child outcomes. In this study, we used linear probability regression to examine associations between variation in participation in the Missouri PAT Parent Education Program and child third grade proficiency in math and English language arts (ELA) (n = 9777), while controlling for relevant child, parent, family, and school-level factors. We also tested the potential moderating role of family low-income status at enrollment into the program. We found that the number of family personal visits was positively associated with third-grade math and ELA proficiency, whereas no significant findings emerged for developmental period of program exposure. Our findings indicate that increased exposure to the Missouri PAT Parent Education Program was positively associated with third-grade academic achievement for all children, including those from low-income families.

Exploring reciprocal links between early adolescent coping and internalizing symptoms.

The rising prevalence of depression and anxiety among adolescents is a public health concern. Early adolescence is a key developmental period to reduce risks for internalizing symptoms through primary prevention programs, yet additional research is needed on modifiable factors, such as coping skills, to target to mitigate risk factors. Therefore, we investigated the reciprocal link between coping style and internalizing symptoms among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of early adolescents (n = 1273) from 12 middle schools over 1 year. We leveraged a longitudinal data set of a cluster, randomized trial of a preventive intervention from 12 middle schools in a large public-school district in the United States to test our hypotheses using multilevel modeling. The sample was 49% female and racially/ethnically diverse (39% Hispanic/Latinx, 23% Black/African American, 12% Asian or Pacific Islander, 11% other, 9% White, and 5% multiracial). Participants (ages 12-14) completed a baseline questionnaire in 7th grade (Spring 2018) and a 1-year follow-up questionnaire in 8th grade (Spring 2019). Depressive and anxious symptoms affected levels of active and avoidant coping skill use over the 1-year period of the study, indicating that symptoms can be an impetus for maladaptive coping. We also identified bidirectional links between active coping and depression in addition to avoidant coping and anxiety. Our findings have implications for augmenting coping psychoeducation within prevention programs to reduce internalizing symptoms among early adolescents and for future longitudinal and qualitative research exploring how coping skills reduce risks for internalizing symptoms throughout adolescence and into early adulthood.

Longitudinal effects of father‐adolescent attachment on anxiety: A multi‐informant study

AbstractResearch has demonstrated that many elements of the family context can play a significant role in the development of anxiety in adolescents. Some work suggests that parent‐adolescent attachment may serve as an antecedent of adolescent anxiety problems, but there remains a gap in research that examines both the mother‐adolescent and father‐adolescent attachment relationship and its impact on adolescent anxiety. Evidence suggests that parent‐child attachment security may provide a context for the development of emotion regulation skills; if an adolescent lacks these important regulatory capabilities in a time of stressful transitions, this may be related to increased feelings of anxiety. However, little is known about the particular effects of father‐adolescent attachment on anxiety, especially in early to mid‐adolescence. The present study addresses parental influences on the development of adolescent anxiety in a sample of 295 mothers, fathers, and adolescents studied across three years. Two dyadic growth‐curve models were specified: one for mother‐adolescent dyads and the other for father‐adolescent dyads. Results indicated that linear increases in adolescent reports of secure attachment with their fathers were predictive of linear decreases in adolescent reports of anxiety. Interestingly, there were no significant effects for the mother‐adolescent model. The results call attention to the developmental significance of attachment to fathers in buffering adolescents from emerging anxiety in this developmental period. The present study contributes to a growing body of research that highlights the importance of the father‐child relationship in adolescence.

Identifying the proximal cue(s) for pupal color variation in the bordered patch butterfly, Chlosyne lacinia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Abstract Coloration is a multifaceted trait that serves various functions, including predator defense, thermoregulation, and immune response, among others. We investigated pupal color variation in Chlosyne lacinia pupae, focusing on identifying the cue that influences variation in melanization. Through laboratory experiments, we demonstrated that pupae reared on black backgrounds exhibited significantly higher melanization compared to those on white backgrounds. Additionally, black pupae experienced longer developmental periods, suggesting a trade-off between defense and developmental time. Our findings support crypsis as a likely evolutionary driver for increased melanization in response to substrate color. We discuss potential implications for predator avoidance, immune response, and developmental costs associated with melanization. This study provides insights into the adaptive significance of pupal melanization in response to environmental cues, shedding light on the complex interplay between life history traits in butterflies.

Intestinal Tissue, Digestive Enzyme, and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in the Early Development Stage of Endangered Brachymystax tsinlingensis.

This work explores the digestive system characteristics of Brachymystax tsinlingensis during early developmental stages and aims to solve the problem of high lethality of fry during the transgression period, which is crucial for the artificial propagation and population conservation of endangered fishes. This study was carried out on intestinal tissue, digestive enzymes, and antioxidant enzyme activities in the early development stage of Brachymystax tsinlingensis. Ten random samples during endogenous nutrition (7, 10, and 11 days after hatching), mixed nutrition (13 and 19 DAH), and exogenous nutrition (31, 33, 39, 45, and 73 DAH) were collected by histological and biochemical analysis methods. The results showed that the intestine of Brachymystax tsinlingensis already has four layers initially at 7 DAH, and the intestinal gland tissue is evident at 73 DAH. The contents of total protein (TP) and the activities of lipase (LPS) and trypsin (TPS) were maximal at 39 DAH, and the activities were 3.20 ± 0.26 mg/mL, 2.52 ± 0.69 U/g, and 2717.45 ± 295.26 U/mg, respectively. Catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities both showed the lowest values at 39 DAH, which were 0.57 ± 0.11 U/mg and 3.35 ± 0.94 U/mg, respectively. The activity of amylase (AMS) and the content of malonaldehyde (MDA) increased, and the highest values were reached at 45 DAH (1.32 ± 0.41 U/mg) and 73 DAH (1.29 ± 0.43 nmoL/mg), respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH-PX activities both showed a peak value at 7 DAH (126.58 ± 20.13 U/mg and 6.47 ± 1.86 U/mg). Overall, the changes in intestinal tissue, digestive enzymes, and antioxidant enzyme activities at 39 DAH of Brachymystax tsinlingensis are inseparable from different vegetative stages during the developmental period, and these results can provide a reference for the proliferation and cultivation of Brachymystax tsinlingensis resources.

Effects and phenotypic consequences of transient thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism at different stages of zebrafish Danio rerio (Teleostei; Cyprinidae) skeleton development.

The effects and consequences of changes in thyroid hormones (THs) level are among the actively studied topics in teleost developmental and evolutionary biology. In most of the experimental models used, the altered hormonal status (either hypo- or hyperthyroidism) is a stable characteristic of the developing organism, and the observed phenotypic outcomes are the cumulative consequences of multiple TH-induced developmental changes. Meanwhile, the influence of the transient fluctuations of TH content on skeleton development has been much less studied. Here, we present experimental data on the developmental effects and phenotypic consequences of transient, pharmacologically induced thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism at different stages of ossified skeleton patterning in zebrafish. According to the results, the skeleton structures differed in TH sensitivity. Some showed a notable shift in the developmental timing and rate, while other demonstrated little or no response to changes in TH content. The developmental stages also differed in TH sensitivity. We identified a relatively short developmental period, during which changes in TH level significantly increased the developmental instability and plasticity, leading to phenotypic consequences comparable to those in fish with a persistent hypo- or hyperthyroidism. These findings allow this period to be considered as a critical developmental window.

Acute and multigenerational effects of short-chain chlorinated paraffins on the harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus japonicus

Although the measurement of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in aquatic ecosystems has increased, limited information is available on their toxic effects on aquatic animals. To evaluate the harmful effects of SCCPs, we assessed their acute impact on 24-h survival and biochemical parameters, as well as their chronic effects on growth and reproduction over three generations in the harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus japonicus. Dose-dependent increases in mortality were observed, with an LC50 value of 74.6 μg L−1 for 24 h. Acute exposure to the LC10 value for 24 h significantly reduced feeding behavior, accompanied by a notable decrease in acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activity. Simultaneously, the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species increased, along with elevated malondialdehyde contents. Glutathione level was increased by the LC10 value of SCCPs with the induction of enzymatic activities of antioxidant defense components, including glutathione S-transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. When T. japonicus was continuously exposed to 1/10 of the NOEC and NOEC values for 12 days across three generations (F0–F2), growth retardation was observed in the F2 generation, with delay in the developmental periods from nauplius to adult. Although the total number of nauplii per brood was not significantly altered across generations, a significant delay in the onset of reproduction was observed in the F2 generation. Our findings suggest that even sublethal concentrations of SCCPs can negatively affect the health of copepod populations with consistent exposure.

Markers of consciousness in infants: Towards a 'cluster-based' approach.

As recently as the 1980s, it was not uncommon for paediatric surgeons to operate on infants without anaesthesia. Today, the same omission would be considered criminal malpractice, and there is an increased concern with the possibility of consciousness in the earliest stage of human infancy. This concern reflects a more general trend that has characterised science since the early 1990s of taking consciousness seriously. While this attitude shift has opened minds towards the possibility that our earliest experiences predate our first memories, convincing demonstrations of infant consciousness remain challenging given that infants cannot report on their experiences. Furthermore, while many behavioural and neural markers of consciousness that do not rely on language have been validated in adults, no one specific marker can be confidently translated to infancy. For this reason, we have proposed the 'cluster-based' approach, in which a consensus of evidence across many markers, all pointing towards the same developmental period, could be used to argue convincingly for the presence of consciousness. CONCLUSION: We review the most promising markers for early consciousness, arguing that consciousness is likely to be in place by 5 months of age if not earlier.

Exploring the lived experience and coping strategies of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) among emerging adults

AbstractThe Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) phenomenon has become increasingly prevalent in the 21st century, fueled by the rise of social media. FoMO, characterized by the apprehension that others may be having more rewarding experiences and a desire to stay continually connected, has significant implications for mental health, particularly among emerging adults. This qualitative study aims to explore the subjective lived experiences of FoMO and the coping strategies employed by emerging adults. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, and thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. The findings revealed that participants experienced FoMO as involving feelings of exclusion, disconnection, and inadequacy upon becoming aware of experiences peers were having. However, FoMO was also perceived as an important signal of unmet needs, prompting reflection on the misalignment between one’s actual life and desired life. FoMO was amplified in contexts involving identity formation and pivotal life choices, such as social, professional (education/work/career), and dating situations. Participants described various spontaneous coping strategies, such as cognitive reappraisal and perspective-taking to reframe it constructively, emotional coping through self-soothing, and behavioral approaches like temporarily disconnecting from social media. These self-initiated coping methods suggest a potential for developing new interventions aimed at empowering emerging adults to manage the effects of FoMO on their well-being. While most research emphasizes the connection between FoMO and technology, this study advances the understanding of FoMO by highlighting its characteristics as an everyday experience in various life domains along with ways of coping during the developmental period of emerging adulthood.

Amygdala Subregion Volumes and Apportionment in Preadolescents - Associations with Age, Sex, and Body Mass Index.

The amygdala, a key limbic structure, plays a critical role in emotional, social, and appetitive behaviors that develop throughout adolescence. Composed of a heterogeneous group of nuclei, questions remain about potential differences in the maturation of its subregions during development. To characterize the associations between developmental variables and amygdala subregion volumes during preadolescence. Cross-sectional Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development SM (ABCD®) Study data was collected from 3,953 9- and 10-year-old children between September 1, 2016, and October 15, 2018. Data analysis was conducted between June 1, 2023, and July 30, 2024. Using the CIT168 Amygdala Atlas , nine amygdala subregion volumes were quantified from high-quality MRI scans. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the effects of age, sex, pubertal stage, and body mass index z-score (BMIz) on subregion volumes and their relative apportionment within the amygdala. The study population consisted of 3,953 preadolescents (mean [SD] age, 120 [7.41] months; 1,763 [44.6%] female; 57 [1.4%] Asian, 527 [13.3%] Black, 740 [18.7%] Hispanic, 2,279 [57.7%] white, and 350 [8.9%] from other racial/ethnic groups [identified by parents as American Indian/Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Guamanian, Samoan, other Pacific Islander, or other race]). Distinct associations were observed between age, sex, and BMIz and whole amygdala volume, subregion volumes, and subregion apportionment. Pubertal stage was not related to amygdala subregion volumes. Age was associated with near-global expansion of amygdala subregions during this developmental period. Female sex was linked to smaller volumes in most amygdala subregions, with larger relative apportionment in dorsal amygdala subregions and smaller apportionment in the basolateral ventral paralaminar subregion. Higher BMIz was associated with smaller volumes in large laterobasal subregions, with increased relative apportionment in smaller subregions. This cross-sectional study suggests that age, but not pubertal stage, is associated with near-global expansion of the amygdala at ages 9 and 10, while sex and BMIz are linked to distinct changes in amygdala subregions that explain observed differences in total volumes. These findings provide a foundational context for understanding how developmental variables influence amygdala structure in preadolescents, with implications for understanding future risk for brain disorders.

Intensity of Physical Activity in Young People: Focus on Emotional, Cognitive, and Healthy Lifestyle-Related Variables.

The college years represent a crucial developmental period in which unhealthy behaviors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, inadequate physical activity (PA), poor sleep quality, and unhealthy nutrition habits are often acquired, influencing the onset or exacerbation of pre-existing mental disturbances such as anxiety, depression, or difficulties in emotion regulation. Our aim was to analyze the effect of the intensity of physical activity (PA) on the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive variables in a sample of young people. We recruited 103 participants (19.85 ± 0.25) who completed several online questionnaires (IPAQ-SF, STAI-t, DERS, UPPS-P, ISP-20, and Mini-IPIP). Subsequently, face-to-face sessions were conducted to assess the cognitive variables and to collect more details about their lifestyle habits, including drug use, sleep quality, and leisure activities. Based on the IPAQ-SF results, we categorized the sample into three groups: light PA (n = 47), moderate PA (n = 29), and vigorous PA (n = 27). Vigorous PA group showed better emotional regulation, lower impulsivity, fewer prefrontal symptoms and unhealthy behaviors, better sleep quality, and more leisure activities. No significant cognitive differences were found. It seems that young people are a vulnerable group with emotional and impulsivity traits and engaging in intense PA appears to be a promising avenue for managing these symptoms. In conclusion, our study suggests that young people are a vulnerable group with emotional and impulsivity traits that may precipitate in future mental disorders. Nevertheless, engaging in PA, particularly at high intensity, appears to be a promising avenue for reducing and managing these symptoms during this critical period of life.

Gender and Lower Economic Status Moderate the Relation between Positive Youth Development and Mental Health.

Adolescent mental health problems account for almost half of overall health problems globally with a risk to mental health in adulthood. Since most mental health problems begin in adolescence, this developmental period should be a focus of strengths-based approach and prevention. The most researched positive youth development framework shown to be associated with youth mental health is The Five C model which distinguishes five indicators: competence, character, confidence, caring, and connection. The aim of the present study is to examine whether sociodemographic differences moderate the association of Five Cs positive youth development indicators and depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescence. The participants of the study were 3,438 students enrolled in the first year of secondary schools in Croatia who completed the Short Measure of the Five Cs, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales and reported the perception of the socioeconomic status of their family. Gender and socioeconomic status main effects were shown for seven out of ten models with depression and anxiety as criterion variables. Results show that girls with lower levels of competence, confidence, and connection and lower socioeconomic status reported the highest depression and anxiety scores. These results imply that confidence, competence, and connection could be sensitive to equality and distribution of resources for youth. Reducing youth mental health problems should include social justice perspective and more available public services for families. Supportive environments are key for positive development; therefore, promotive and preventive efforts should target factors operating on societal level as well.

Gambaran Tingkat Stres Remaja Panti Asuhan di Kota Padang Ditinjau dari Perbedaan Jenis Kelamin

Is a critical developmental period characterized by significant physical and psychological changes. Teenagers living in orphanages, in particular, experience stress due to internal and external demands. This study aims to determine the description of stress levels in teenagers living in orphanages in Padang City in terms of gender differences. The type of research used is descriptive quantitative. The sample in this study was random sampling which amount 268 people in 6 different orphanages in Padang city. The instrument used was the DASS 14 questionnaire, with a cross-sectional study research design. The results of the hypothesis test using the Mann-Whitney test indicate a significance value of 0.001. Since the p-value (0.001) is less than 0.05, it can be concluded that there is a significant difference in stress levels between male and female adolescents living in orphanages in Padang City. The study results show that the stress levels of adolescents in the orphanage tend to be low. However, the orphanage management should still anticipate factors that could increase the stress levels of these adolescents.

Massive Outbreak of Aurelia coerulea in Geoje Bay, Korea

This study was carried out to elucidate the causes of massive outbreaks of Aurelia coerulea in Geoje Bay, Korea, from November 2022 to October 2023. Adult medusae consistently spawn with planulae, and the populations of A. coerulea in Geoje Bay could be categorized into current-year and overwintering populations. The current-year population began with the emergence of ephyrae in February and grew until October, while the overwintering population comprised a mixture of surviving current-year population and additional individuals that joined during the warm season. The size of the planulae are significantly larger than the annual average during the cold season. These results appear to be the energy accumulation of planulae for polyp formation under low water temperatures. Planulae form polyps within a temperature range of 5–25 °C, suggesting the possibility of year-round polyp recruitment. In Geoje Bay, the highest appearance rate of A. coerulea was in April (8.71 ± 12.5 ind. m−3), with ephyrae experiencing higher growth rates up to the young medusa stage. However, from April, a decline in zooplankton biomass resulted in reduced growth rates in adults, indicating that jellyfish growth was primarily regulated by food availability. Additionally, submersed oyster shells in oyster farms served as the main habitat for jellyfish polyps. A. coerulea populations were also characterized by the continuous spawning of planulae throughout the year. In conclusion, this study suggests that stable polyp habitats, abundant food supply during the initial developmental period of the population, and suitable ranges of water temperature were significant factors inducing the massive outbreak of A. coerulea in Geoje Bay, Korea.

“To Show That There Is Hope”: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Parent Perspectives About an Online, Co-Facilitated Parenting Program for Carers of Adolescents with Disability

Adolescence is a developmental period of significant change and increasing independence, during which parents and caregivers play a critical role guiding their teen toward adulthood. Parents of adolescents with disability face heightened challenges managing their teens’ growing independence and shift to adult-based services across health, recreation, and employment. Using a mixed-methods-treatment-group-only design, this study explored the implementation and outcomes of a program designed to build parenting capacity to support their adolescent with disability. Parents enrolled in one of ten groups were invited to attend three sessions covering content tailored to adolescent development including post-school opportunities, financial support, risk-taking and decision-making, future planning, relationships, and mental health. Surveys were administered pre-program, post-program, and six months after program participation (n = 160) to measure intervention outcomes including parenting self-efficacy, self-advocacy, adolescent self-advocacy, parent confidence to support their adolescent’s growing independence, confidence to support their adolescent through sensitive developmental stages, parental hopes and aspirations, and parental empowerment. A subset of parents (n = 11) also participated in semi-structured interviews about the program’s acceptability and usefulness, and their satisfaction with the program content and delivery. All outcome variables except parent hopes and aspirations increased significantly from pre- to post-program. Parent self-efficacy, self-advocacy, and parental empowerment remained higher 6 months after program completion. Thematic analysis identified program strengths as the co-facilitation model of program delivery, practical and actionable content, the use of narratives and the facilitator’s lived experience as parents of adolescents with disability, the use of visualizations (video, pictures, diagrams), and the service provider’s trusted reputation and credibility. In conclusion, an online co-facilitated group program for parents of adolescents with disability can contribute to positive change for families by improving parent confidence, self-advocacy, and parental empowerment.

Longitudinal Changes in Epigenetic Age Acceleration Across Childhood and Adolescence

Individuals exposed to discrimination may exhibit greater epigenetic age acceleration (ie, cellular indicators of premature aging) over time, but few studies have examined longitudinal changes in epigenetic age acceleration, the heterogeneity in these changes for diverse groups of youths, and contextual explanations (ie, discrimination) for differences by ethnicity or race. To provide a descriptive illustration of changes in epigenetic age acceleration across childhood and adolescence among an ethnically and racially diverse sample of youths. This cohort study leveraged longitudinal data on a large sample of youths from low-income households in 20 large urban US cities who provided repeated assessments of saliva tissue samples at ages 9 and 15 years for DNA methylation analysis. Of 4898 youths from the Future of Families and Child Well-Being study, an ongoing study that oversampled children born to unmarried parents from 1998 to 2000, 2039 were included in the present analysis, as these youths had salivary DNA methylation data assayed and publicly available. Analyses were conducted from March 2023 to June 2024. Racialized intrusive encounters with police (eg, stop and frisk and racial slurs). Analyses were conducted to examine longitudinal changes in salivary epigenetic age acceleration over time, whether such changes varied across ethnically and racially diverse groups of youths, and whether police intrusion was associated with variation across ethnic and racial groups. Among 2039 youths (mean [SD] age at baseline, 9.27 [0.38] years; 1023 [50%] male and 1016 [50%] female; 917 [45%] Black, 430 [21%] Hispanic or Latino, 351 [17%] White, and 341 [17%] other, including multiple races and self-identified other) with salivary epigenetic clocks at 9 and 15 years of age, longitudinal results showed that White youths exhibited less accelerated epigenetic aging over time than did Black and Hispanic or Latino youths and those reporting other or multiple races or ethnicities from ages 9 to 15 years, particularly in the Hannum (B, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.36-2.18), GrimAge (B, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.68-1.97), and DunedinPACE epigenetic clocks (B, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11-0.44). Across these clocks and the PhenoAge clock, police intrusion was associated with Black youths' more accelerated epigenetic aging (Hannum: B, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03-0.23; GrimAge: B, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.03-0.18; PhenoAge: B, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.02-0.18; DunedinPACE: B, 0.01; 95% CI, 0.01-0.03). The transition from childhood to adolescence may represent a sensitive developmental period when racism can have long-term deleterious impacts on healthy human development across the life span. Future research should build on the present study and interrogate which social regularities and policies may be perpetuating discrimination against ethnically and racially minoritized adolescents.