Range Of Health Risk Behaviors Research Articles

Association between sexual identity, health risk behaviors, and mental health outcomes among Black adolescents: Findings from a population-based study

Although research shows that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) adolescents are at greater risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, few studies have investigated the association between sexual identity and health risk behaviors among Black adolescents. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between sexual identity and a broad range of health risk behaviors and mental health outcomes among Black adolescents. Data were obtained from the 2017 and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. An analytic sample of 4,798 Black adolescents (51.2% female) was analyzed using weighted binary logistic regression. We examined the association between sexual identity and 24 outcome variables grouped into: mental health (four variables), substance use (six variables), risky driving behaviors (four variables), risky sexual behaviors (four variables), violent behaviors (three variables), and victimization (three variables). Of the 4,798 Black adolescents, 82.6% self-identified as heterosexual/straight, 3.7% gay/lesbian, 9.3% bisexual, and 4.5% questioning their sexual identity. Controlling for age and sex, Black adolescents who self-identified as LGBQ were more likely to have engaged in risky driving behaviors, risky sexual behaviors, violent behaviors, been victimized, experienced poor mental health, and engaged in substance use when compared to their counterparts who self-identified as heterosexual/straight. The findings of this study indicate that Black LGBQ adolescents were more likely to have been exposed to or engaged in high-risk behaviors. School staff, parents, and community-based providers should work to create environments that feel safe and welcoming to racially and sexually diverse students.

Bringing the laboratory into the home: A protocol for remote biobehavioral data collection in pregnant women with emotion dysregulation and their infants.

Pregnant women struggling with emotion dysregulation may be more likely to engage in a wide range of health risk behaviors. This protocol describes a study on intergenerational transmission of emotion dysregulation from the third trimester of pregnancy to 18 months postpartum. Biobehavioral markers of emotion dysregulation are typically measured in laboratory settings which was prohibited by many universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe how markers of emotion dysregulation (e.g. maternal, fetal, and infant heart rate variability) are collected remotely. We detail how data collection can be augmented to reach diverse populations who may not otherwise participate in laboratory-based research.

Personality and emotion dysregulation profiles predict differential engagement in a wide range of health-risk behaviors

Objective Health-risk behaviors have an unclear etiology and college students have elevated risk for engagement. Emotion dysregulation and several personality dimensions have been implicated in health-risk behaviors, but these constructs have rarely been studied together. Further, it is unknown if different types of health-risk behaviors have distinct etiologies. Participants 2077 college students completed a cross-sectional survey. Methods Latent profile analysis discerned classes of participants from emotion dysregulation and personality dimensions. Differential engagement in self-injury, suicidality, disordered eating, substance misuse, and unprotected sex was evaluated across classes. Results Three classes were identified, which were primarily distinguished by emotion dysregulation, urgency, and neuroticism. Health-risk behaviors generally increased across classes with increasing emotion-related constructs. Self-injury and suicidality demonstrated different patterns than other health-risk behaviors. Conclusions Results elucidate heterogeneity in health-risk behavior engagement. Focusing on emotional difficulties may be more important for reducing self-injury and suicidality than disordered eating, substance misuse, and risky sex.

Gambling with Your Health: Associations Between Gambling Problem Severity and Health Risk Behaviours, Health and Wellbeing

The current study examined the association between gambling problem severity and health risk behaviours, health and wellbeing. A cross-sectional survey (including representative population and supplementary convenience samples) was conducted with 2303 adult residents of a British Island. Gambling problem severity was assessed using the Problem Gambling Severity Index. The EQ-5D-5L, WEMWBS and AUDIT-C were used to measure general health, mental wellbeing and alcohol use, respectively. Other measures included diet, physical exercise and tobacco use. Differences between gambling severity levels for each measure were analysed using logistic regression adjusting for age, sex and income. Compared to non-problem gamblers, moderate/high severity gamblers had higher odds of a poor diet, low physical exercise and poor general health. Tobacco use was associated with both low and moderate/high severity gambling. Low severity, but not moderate/high severity gambling, was significantly associated with binge and higher risk drinking behaviours. Health risk behaviours tended to cluster, with a graded relationship between gambling problem severity and odds of reporting at least two health risk behaviours. Compared to non-problem gamblers, low severity gamblers were approximately twice as likely and moderate/high severity gamblers were three times as likely, to have low mental wellbeing. Findings suggest associations between gambling problems and a range of health risk behaviours and health issues, and crucially that such issues are not limited to gamblers with the highest severity of problems. Addressing gambling across the whole continuum of risk should be a key public health priority.

An online cross-sectional survey of the health risk behaviours among informal caregivers.

Informal caregivers may experience unique barriers to engaging in healthy lifestyles, consequently increasing their risk of chronic disease. Among a convenience sample of informal caregivers, this study aimed to: (a) assess the self-reported health risk behaviours of low fruit and vegetable consumption, low physical activity, current smoking and hazardous alcohol consumption; (b) examine the demographic, caree condition and country of residence variables associated with each health risk behaviour; and (c) report the engagement in multiple health risk behaviours. An online cross-sectional survey among caregivers in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States was conducted. Self-reported health risk behaviours were assessed and compared to key Australian healthy living guidelines. Logistic regression modelling identified participant factors associated with each health risk behaviour. Overall, 384 caregivers were included in the analysis. Hazardous alcohol consumption was the only self-reported health risk behaviour which was much higher than in the general population (60.0%). Caregiver age (P=.018) and country of residence (P=.015) were associated with hazardous alcohol consumption. A majority of caregivers reported engaging in three health risk behaviours (55.0%). Caregivers are engaging in a range of health risk behaviours; however, rates of hazardous alcohol consumption among the sample were high. Health promotion interventions targeted to address alcohol consumption should consider caregiver age and country of residence. SO WHAT?: This study highlights the health risk behaviours caregivers engage in across a number of countries, and suggests that caregivers require further support to manage alcohol consumption in particular.

Brief Underage Alcohol Use Screener Scores Predict Health Risk Behaviors.

The aim of this study was to determine if adolescents' scores on a 2-item underage alcohol use screener predict risky consequences of past-year alcohol use and other health risk behaviors in a nonclinical, school-based sample of adolescents. A predominantly minority sample of 756 middle and high school students completed in-school tablet-based surveys on past-year underage alcohol use and a range of health risk behaviors. Higher scores for self alcohol risk and peer alcohol risk were associated with higher risk of past-year riding with a drunk driver and past 90-day measures of cigarette use, marijuana use, unplanned sex, and unprotected intercourse. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Brief Alcohol Screener is a useful tool for school-based service providers, including school nurses, to identify and address the needs of adolescents at high risk of the development of alcohol use disorders, as well as a range of preventable health risk behaviors.

General risk or individual vulnerability? Individual differences in young adults' health risk behaviour after childhood trauma

The present study aims at replicating earlier findings regarding the link between childhood trauma and young adults' health risk behaviours and extends previous work by examining potential moderating effects of demographic and trait characteristics. Specifically, the current study enables to disentangle individual differences in response to trauma and separate the effect of trauma on health risk behaviours from possible confounders known to be associated with health risk behaviours. Data were used from a large British sample of young adults (N = 236,755, age 18–35) who participated in an online survey. Young adults who had experienced the sudden death of a loved one, violence, or non-sexual abuse in childhood, scored higher on a range of health risk behaviours. There was a cumulative effect; the more traumatic events an individual experienced, the more health risk behaviours they reported. Some support was found for individual differences in health risk behaviour after trauma. All moderating effects were, however, very small. The findings confirm and extend prior work on childhood trauma and young adult outcomes by providing evidence for long-term correlates, and highlight the value of big data studies to increase our understanding of the subtle individual differences in adverse outcomes after trauma.

Sleep Disturbances, Psychosocial Difficulties, and Health Risk Behavior in 16,781 Dutch Adolescents

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of adolescent sleep disturbances and their relation to psychosocial difficulties and health risk behaviors with the use of data from a province-wide health survey (n = 16,781). MethodsPsychosocial difficulties were measured with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. Additional assessments included self-reported sleep disturbances, suicidality, and health risk behaviors including current use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, physical inactivity, and compulsive use of multimedia. We used multilevel analyses to investigate the relationhips, including differences, between boys and girls, as well as the mediating role of emotional problems. ResultsJust under 20% of adolescents reported sleep disturbances in the previous month. These sleep disturbances were associated with psychosocial problems (odds ratio [OR], 6.42; P < .001), suicidality (OR, 3.90–4.14; P < .001), and all health risk behaviors (OR, 1.62–2.66; P < .001), but not with physical inactivity. We found moderation by gender for the relations between sleep and suicide attempts (OR, 0.38; P < .002) and between sleep and cannabis use (OR, 0.52; P = .002), indicating attenuated relationships in girls compared with boys. Emotional problems partially mediated the relationships between sleep disturbances and multimedia use. ConclusionsThis study reiterates the high prevalence of sleep disturbances during adolescence. These sleep disturbances were strongly related to psychosocial problems and a wide range of health risk behaviors. Although the direction of causality cannot be inferred, this study emphasizes the need for awareness of impaired sleep in adolescents. Moreover, the gender differences in associated suicide attempts and cannabis use call for further research into tailored intervention strategies.

Energy drink consumption among New Zealand adolescents: Associations with mental health, health risk behaviours and body size.

With the increase in popularity of energy drinks come multiple concerns about the associated health indicators of young people. The current study aims to describe the frequency of consumption of energy drinks in a nationally representative sample of adolescents and to explore the relationship between energy drink consumption and health risk behaviours, body size and mental health. Data were collected as part of Youth'12, a nationally representative survey of high school students in New Zealand (2012). In total, 8500 students answered a comprehensive questionnaire about their health and well-being, including multiple measures of mental well-being, and were weighed and measured for height. More than one-third (35%) of young people consumed energy drinks in the past week, and 12% consumed energy drinks four or more times in the past week. Energy drink consumption was significantly associated with greater depressive symptoms, greater emotional difficulties and lower general subjective well-being. Frequent energy drink consumption was also associated with binge drinking, smoking, engagement in unsafe sex, violent behaviours, risky motor vehicle use and disordered eating behaviours. There was no association between consumption of energy drinks and student body size. Consumption of energy drinks is associated with a range of health risk behaviours for young people. Strategies to limit consumption of energy drinks by young people are warranted.

Compensatory activation in fronto-parietal cortices among HIV-infected persons during a monetary decision-making task.

HIV infection can cause direct and indirect damage to the brain and is consistently associated with neurocognitive disorders, including impairments in decision-making capacities. The tendency to devalue rewards that are delayed (temporal discounting) is relevant to a range of health risk behaviors. Making choices about delayed rewards engages the executive control network of the brain, which has been found to be affected by HIV. In this case-control study of 18 HIV-positive and 17 HIV-negative adults, we examined the effects of HIV on brain activation during a temporal discounting task. Functional MRI (fMRI) data were collected while participants made choices between smaller, sooner rewards and larger, delayed rewards. Choices were individualized based on participants' unique discount functions, so each participant experienced hard (similarly valued), easy (disparately valued), and control choices. fMRI data were analyzed using a mixed-effects model to identify group-related differences associated with choice difficulty. While there was no difference between groups in behavioral performance, the HIV-positive group demonstrated significantly larger increases in activation within left parietal regions and bilateral prefrontal regions during easy trials and within the right prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate during hard trials. Increasing activation within the prefrontal regions was associated with lower nadir CD4 cell count and risk-taking propensity. These results support the hypothesis that HIV infection can alter brain functioning in regions that support decision making, providing further evidence for HIV-associated compensatory activation within fronto-parietal cortices. A history of immunosuppression may contribute to these brain changes. Hum Brain Mapp 37:2455-2467, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Assessing future expectations of low-income minority young men: Survival-threats and positive expectations.

Future expectations, a subset of overall orientation, represent youths' most realistic appraisals of future outcomes, and has been demonstrated to be associated with a range of health risk behaviors and wellbeing. The current study extends previous measurement efforts to operationalize and measure future expectations by estimating a multidimensional model of future expectations encompassing both positive and survival-based expectations, and using longitudinal data to test the consistency of these constructs over time. The current work uses data from six waves of the Chicago Youth Development Study (n=338), a sample of African American and Latino young men from low income neighborhoods in an urban center, to test a hypothesized multidimensional structure of future expectations across adolescence. Test retest confirmatory factor analyses from six waves of data covering the mean age range of 12 to 19 years reveal good model fit for the hypothesized multidimensional model of future expectations at each wave. Strong measurement invariance based on race/ethnicity is established for the multidimensional model. Implications for a latent construct approach to future expectations with low-income racial/ethnic minority young men are discussed.

Developing Brief Opportunistic Interactions: practitioners facilitate patients to identify and change health risk behaviours at an early preventive stage

Aim To identify shortcomings in existing models of patient behaviour change, and present the development and testing of a novel approach using practitioner facilitation and person-focussed conversations that identifies and addresses behaviours at an earlier stage than current models. Systematic strategies used by health professionals to change patient behaviours began with motivational interviewing and brief intervention approaches for serious addictive behaviours. Practitioners typically presume they should drive the process of patient behaviour change. Attempts to transfer these approaches to primary care, and a broader range of health risk behaviours, have been less successful. The TADS programme (Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drugs, later Training and Development Services) began teaching motivational interviewing and brief interventions to practitioners in New Zealand in 1996. Formal and informal evaluations showed that practitioners used screening tools that patients rejected and that led to incomplete disclosure, used language that did not engage patients, failed to identify the behaviours patients wished to address and therefore misdirected interventions. Iterative development of new tools with input from patients and primary care clinicians. Findings The TADS programme developed a questionnaire whose results remained private to the patient, which enabled the patient to identify personal behaviours that they might choose to change (the TADS Personal Assessment Choice Tool). This was assisted by a brief conversation that facilitated and supported any change prioritised by the patient (the TADS Brief Opportunistic Interaction). The need for this approach, and its effectiveness, appeared to be similar across adults, youth, different ethnic groups and people in different socio-economic circumstances. Behaviours patients identified were often linked to other health risk behaviours or early-stage mental health disorders that were not easily detected by practitioner-driven screening or inquiry. The long-term effectiveness of this approach in different populations in primary health care settings requires further evaluation.

The association between adolescent sexting, psychosocial difficulties, and risk behavior: integrative review.

When a sexting message spreads to an unintended audience, it can adversely affect the victim's reputation. Sexting incidents constitute a potential school safety risk. Just as with other types of adolescent risk behavior, school nurses might have to initiate the first response when a sexting episode arises, but a school nurse's role goes beyond intervention. They can also play an important role in the prevention of sexting and its related risks. This article reviews the links between adolescent sexting, other types of risk behavior, and its emotional and psychosocial conditions. Seven databases were examined and nine studies remained for further review. The review of the literature shows that adolescent sexting is cross sectionally associated with a range of health-risk behaviors. Youth who engage in sexting are also found to experience peer pressure and a range of emotional difficulties. The results can guide school nurse education and practice.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Behaviors of African American Sexual Minority Women

Background: African American women experience elevated risk for breast and cervical cancer compared to White women. Health risk behaviors and cancer screening practices are known to contribute to cancer disparities; however, little is known about the relationship between race, sexual orientation, and cancer risk. The objective of this paper is to report on engagement in a range of health risk behaviors associated with cancer and adherence to cancer screening guidelines among African American Women sexual minority women. Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study. Data were collected using a self-administered survey instrument. Participants (N=226) were a convenience sample of urban African American sexual minority women recruited as part of a community health needs assessment study. Results: Cancer risk behaviors were prevalent including high rates of obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use. Despite these health risk behaviors, perceptions of cancer risk were low. Eight-five percent of women over the age of forty reported ever having a mammogram and 69% reported having the screening examine in the previous year. The majority of participants reported ever having a Pap test but reports of past year screening were low (68%). Predictors of ever having a mammogram were older age and having a physician recommendation to screen. Past year mammography was associated with perceived cancer risk with those reporting higher perceived risk less likely to have been screened in the past year. None of our study variables were associated with adherence to cervical cancer screening guidelines. Conclusions: Study findings suggest the need for increased efforts to reduce cancer risk behaviors and to encourage adherence to routine cancer screening among African American sexual minority women. Provider recommendations play an important role in breast cancer screening adherence. Additional research is needed to better understand barriers and facilitators to adherence to cervical cancer screening in this population.

Correlates of Age at Onset of Sexual Intercourse in African American Adolescents Living in Urban Public Housing

Research has found the early onset of sexual activity (having sexual intercourse before age 13) among adolescents to be related to teen pregnancy and a range of health-risk behaviors and higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. These findings are most prevalent in urban African American adolescents. Using a sample of 299 sexually active African American adolescents living in public housing developments in a large Northeast and a large Mid-Atlantic city, this study assesses the influence of family, peers, and the individual on the age of onset of sexual intercourse. All participants completed surveys in their housing developments. Results indicate an average age of onset of 14. Males reported a significantly younger age of onset and more sexual partners than females. Exposure to delinquent peers and self-efficacy were significant predictors of age of onset. Implications for practice are discussed.

Children at Risk

The turn of the present world has witnessed a massive alteration of viewpoint in modifies relating to street children. The present paper assesses the overview of street children and identifies why there are street children in Bangladesh through the analysis of detailed empirical research with children. The rationales for their existence are linked to poverty, exploitation, parental subsequent marriage, conflict with family members, physical assault, and modernizing determinants. Much research has been done to document a wide range of health risk behaviors, but little research has focused on thoughtful the devices and appropriate reasons liable for the course of behavior change. The prevalence of child abuse and exploitation was widespread in Bangladesh. The binary logistic regression model and multiple classification analysis (MCA) reveals that age of the respondent, years of schooling, occupation, age at present work the child labor started, residence, and suffering diseases found the significant factors that influenced the dependent variables, whether the present work is risky for the health of the child labor and age at assaulting. Therefore this study suggests that hoisting community consciousness against child mistreatment and promoting defensive actions ought to be accepted to diminish the number of street children in Bangladesh.

Sexual Behaviour of High School Students in Two Rural South African Communities

This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of sexual risk behaviour among high school students in two rural settings in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, using a cross-sectional survey design. One thousand six hundred and thirteen randomly-selected adolescents (58% female) in Grade 11 completed a self-report questionnaire that asked about demographic characteristics and participation in a range of health risk behaviours. The results indicated a high prevalence of sexual risk behaviours, and suggested that rural adolescents are initiating intercourse at a younger age than their urban counterparts and are less likely to use condoms. Socioeconomic status, grade repetition and having lived in a city were inconsistently related to sexual risk behaviour. The findings suggest a particular need for intervention efforts aimed at young people in rural settings.

Frequent Tanning Bed Use, Weight Concerns, and Other Health Risk Behaviors in Adolescent Females (United States)

To examine the association between tanning bed use and weight concerns, health risk behaviors, and peer influence. The Growing Up Today Study (GUTS) is an ongoing prospective cohort study of adolescents established in 1996. In 1999, a total of 6,373 adolescent females ages 12-18 (offspring of participants in the Nurses Health Study 2) completed the survey. Almost nine percent (8.6%) of the adolescent girls had used a tanning bed 1-9 times and an additional 5.4% had used tanning beds at least 10 times in the past year (frequent users). Logistic regression models revealed that frequent tanning bed use was associated with being highly concerned about weight (OR = 1.5, 95%CI = 1.1, 2.0), frequently dieting to lose weight (OR = 1.5, 95%CI = 1.1, 2.0), using laxatives or vomiting to control weight (OR = 3.6; 95%CI = 2.2-5.8), having friends who placed a lot of importance on being thin (OR = 2.6; 95%CI = 1.3-5.1), smoking cigarettes (OR=1.7, 95%CI = 1.1, 2.6), binge drinking (OR = 2.1, 95%CI = 1.3, 3.1), using recreational drugs (OR = 3.0; 95%CI = 2.4, 3.8), and trying to look like females in the media (sometimes/pretty much: OR = 1.3, 95%CI = 1.0, 1.8). Frequent tanning bed use among adolescent females is associated with a range of health risk behaviors. This effect may be mediated by peer influence and a desire to look like other females in the media. Multi-pronged approaches, particularly those that target attitudes of young females, are needed to combat increased use of tanning beds.

Teacher connectedness and health-related outcomes among detained adolescents

Purpose Data were collected from a convenience sample of 550 detained adolescents (ages 14–18 years) to explore the association between adolescents’ perception of teacher connectedness and a range of health risk behaviors, such as gang membership, use of in alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, and engagement in sexual risk behaviors prior to detainment. Methods Participants answered survey questions using audio-computer assisted self-interviewing procedures that assessed demographic, pro-social, problem, and drug and sexual risk behaviors. Results Multiple logistic regression analyses controlling for demographic and socioeconomic status, truancy, number of days in the detention center, and family factors indicated that adolescents who reported low teacher connectedness, relative to their peers reporting high teacher connectedness, were twice as likely to use marijuana and amphetamines, and twice as likely to be sexually active, have sex while high on alcohol or drugs, have a partner who was high on alcohol or other drugs during sex, and have multiple sexual partners. Conclusions The association between teacher connectedness and adolescents’ health risk behaviors prior to detainment suggests that school-based interventions that enhance the school environment, particularly teachers’ skills and training to enhance and maximize the effectiveness of their student interactions, may be one strategy for reducing health risk behaviors and their associated adverse health outcomes among youth at high risk.

Health risk behaviors and associated risk and protective factors among Brazilian adolescents in Santos, Brazil.

To describe the prevalence of health risk behaviors and identify risk and protective factors that are associated with several health risk behaviors (cigarette smoking, drug use, onset of sexual intercourse before age 15, pregnancy, gun-carrying, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts) among adolescents in Brazil, as well as to explore gender differences. We estimated prevalence rates, evaluated bivariate associations, and explored multivariate analyses using logistic regression on data from a 1997 survey of adolescent health among 2059 eighth- and 10(th)-grade students in Santos, Brazil. Youth in Santos, Brazil report high rates of gun-carrying, suicidal thoughts and attempts, sexual intercourse, and pregnancy. Factors associated with diminished involvement for nearly all health risk behaviors, for both boys and girls, included having good family relationships, and feeling liked by friends and teachers. Factors associated with increases in nearly all health risk behaviors were: gun-carrying and gun availability in the home, drug use, and sexual abuse. Factors that are associated with a wide range of health risk behaviors among adolescents in Brazil appear to parallel those found in industrialized countries: access to guns, substance use, and sexual abuse. Likewise, connectedness to family, school, and peers is consistently the protective factor associated with diminished risky behaviors.