Sample Of Chinese Adolescents Research Articles

Stressful psychosocial school environment and suicidal ideation in Chinese adolescents

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death during adolescence worldwide. This study, using a sample of Chinese adolescents, examines associations of a stressful psychosocial school environment with suicidal ideation, which were rarely investigated so far. A total of 1,004 Chinese students (468 boys and 536 girls) from Grade 7-12 were recruited into our questionnaire survey. Psychosocial school environment was measured by the effort-reward imbalance questionnaire adapted to the school setting, and suicidal ideation was assessed by a standardized question. Multivariate logistic regression was applied, adjusting odds ratios for age, gender, grade, smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, family wealth, and self-rated health. In school settings, 10.86% students reported suicidal ideation during the last 6 months, which was found to be significantly related to both effort and reward. Remarkably, effort-reward imbalance was associated with elevated risk of suicidal ideation (odds ratio = 1.77, 95% confidence interval = 1.34-2.35). This study finds significant associations between a stressful psychosocial school environment in terms of effort-reward imbalance and suicidal ideation in Chinese adolescents. Preventive actions aiming at reducing this imbalance may define a promising approach towards a healthy psychosocial school environment.

The Development of Future Planning and Its Relation with Parenting Behaviors During Early and Middle Adolescence: The Mediating Effects of Behavioral Autonomy

An important feature of individuals’ thinking and behavior is that they are future-oriented. Future planning, a process that involves constructing plans and realizing these plans, has been extensively studied by researchers according to two dimensions, i.e., exploration and commitment. Literature indicates that future planning is particularly important for many aspects of adolescents’ current and later adjustment. In recent years, with the inspiration of the notions of Developmental Contextualism, researchers have become increasingly interested in adolescents’ future planning in specific cultural and/or social contexts, especially in those contemporary societies with rapid social and economic changes. However, the overwhelming majority of the research in this area was conducted in Western cultures and research on how contemporary Chinese adolescents plan for their future has been rare. Methodologically, existing research findings were mainly based on studies of cross-sectional design, resulting in very limited information available about the developmental changes of future planning with age. Besides, family is the more proximal context that is salient for adolescents’ development, in what ways that parenting behaviors influence adolescents’ future planning and whether the associations between parenting and future planning are mediated by individual characteristics such as autonomy are important questions of interest. The present study was designed to examine the development of future planning, the concurrent and longitudinal relationships between future planning and parenting behaviors, and the possible mediating role of behavioral autonomy in the associations with a sample of Chinese adolescents. Using a short-term longitudinal design, a total of 948 adolescents (499 males, 449 females) of grades 8 and 10 attending junior and senior high schools respectively in Shandong province of China were investigated during a period of one and a half years. At Time 1, those adolescents completed a series of questionnaires assessing future planning (i.e., exploration and commitment) concerning education and occupation, parenting behaviors (i.e., acceptance/involvement and strictness/supervision), and behavioral autonomy. A year and a half later, at time 2, they completed the future planning questionnaire again. The main findings were as follows: (1) the developmental patterns of future planning for education and occupation varied between early and middle adolescents. While middle adolescents reported increased exploration for education with age, no significant changes were observed for early adolescents. Both early and middle adolescents reported no significant changes in their commitment to future education, and their exploration for and commitment to future occupation between Time 1 and Time 2. Early adolescents reportedmore exploration for and commitment to occupation than middle adolescents at both Time 1 and Time 2. (2) At Time 1, for both early and middle adolescents, parental acceptance/involvement was strongly associated with future planning (exploration and commitment) concerning education and occupation in a positive way, whereas parental strictness/supervision only positively predicted adolescent exploration for and commitment to future education. Even after controlling for future planning at Time 1, parental acceptance/involvement still positively predicted future planning concerning education and occupation at Time 2; parental strictness/supervision did not predict adolescent future planning longitudinally. (3) Adolescents’ behavioral autonomy served to partially mediate the concurrent and longitudinal associations between parental acceptance/involvement and future planning concerning education and occupation. The results demonstrated that the development of Chinese adolescents’ future planning was shaped by the specific culture and age-graded tasks, which further supports the notion that future planning is the process of socialization.

A Study of Cognitive Vulnerability–Stress Model of Depressive Symptoms among Chinese Adolescents

The objective of the present study is to test the validity of the integrated cognitive model of depression proposed by Kwon and Oei (1994) with a Chinese adolescent sample. A two-wave panel design was used. We hypothesized that the interaction between dysfunctional attitudes measured at time 1 and adolescents' negative life events experienced between times 1 and 2 would predict changes in the frequency of automatic thoughts between times 1 and 2. We further hypothesized that changes in the frequency of automatic thoughts would, in turn, predict changes in the severity of depressive symptoms. Participants were 329 Chinese adolescents. As a comparison, we tested three other competing models: linear mediation, alternative aetiologies and symptom models. All participants completed the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale, Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale on two occasions-5 months apart. Path analysis was used to test all models. Results of the path analysis indicated that the integrated cognitive model showed an adequate fit for the Chinese adolescent data. During phases of increased depression, dysfunctional attitudes were common cognitive moderators of depression, whereas automatic thoughts were specific cognitive mediators of depression.

2798 – Differential item functioning of the chinese version of the somatosensory amplification scale among adolescents across grade levels

Introduction Tam et al. (2011)[1] recently reported the invariance of the one-factor model of the Chinese version of the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (ChSAS). The objective of this paper is to further examine the item-level equivalence of the ChSAS in a sample of Chinese adolescents across grade levels. Methods The ChSAS was administered to 500 Chinese adolescents. Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis was performed to identify any uniform and non-uniform differences on the 10 ChSAS items among adolescents across different grade levels. Results After a Bonferroni adjustment of p value (=0.0007, i.e., 0.05/70), results of DIF analyses showed that there is no uniform (all Fs ranging from 0.17–2.15, ps > 0.09) or non-uniform (all Fs ranging from 0.47–1.76, ps > 0.02) difference on the 10 ChSAS items. Conclusions The four different grade level groups used the scale comparably, without showing any difference on item properties. These findings further substantiate the use of ChSAS as a valid and reliable instrument among adolescents across grade levels.

Negative Attachment Cognitions and Emotional Distress in Mainland Chinese Adolescents: A Prospective Multiwave Test of Vulnerability-Stress and Stress Generation Models

The present study examined the relation between attachment cognitions, stressors, and emotional distress in a sample of Chinese adolescents. Specifically, it was examined whether negative attachment cognitions predicted depression and anxiety symptoms, and if a vulnerability-stress or stress generation model best explained the relation between negative attachment cognitions and internalizing symptoms. Participants included 558 adolescents (310 females and 248 males) from an urban school in Changsha and 592 adolescents (287 female, 305 male) from a rural school in Liuyang, both in Hunan province located in mainland China. Participants completed self-report measures of negative attachment cognitions at baseline, and self-report measures of negative events, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms at baseline and at regular 1-month intervals for an overall 6-month follow-up (i.e., six follow-up assessments). Higher levels of negative attachment cognitions predicted prospective depression and anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, support was found for a stress generation model that partially mediated this longitudinal association. No support was found for a vulnerability-stress model. Overall, these findings highlight new developmental pathways for development of depression and anxiety symptoms in mainland Chinese adolescents.

Association between Childhood Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: Evidence from a Large Sample of Chinese Children and Adolescents

Data about metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children is limited in China. We aimed to assess the prevalence of MetS related components, and their association with obesity. Data were collected as part of a representative study on MetS among 19593 children, aged 6–18 years old in Beijing. General obesity was assessed by body mass index (BMI) and central obesity by waist circumference. Finger capillary blood tests were used to assess triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Vein blood samples were collected from a subsample of 3814 children aged 10–18 years to classify MetS. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation 2007 definition. The associations between MetS related components and the degree and type of obesity were tested using logistic regression models. The prevalence of overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, elevated TG, TC and IFG were13.6%, 5.8%, 8.5%, 8.8%, 1.2% and 2.5%, respectively. Compared with normal weight children, overweight and obese children were more likely to have other MetS related components. In the subsample of 3814 children aged 10–18 years, the prevalence of MetS was much higher in obese subjects than in their normal weight counterparts (27.6% vs. 0.2%). Children with both general and central obesity had the highest prevalence of MetS. Compared with normal weight children, overweight and obese children were more likely to have MetS (overweight: OR = 67.33, 95%CI = 21.32–212.61; obesity: OR = 249.99, 95% CI = 79.51–785.98). Prevalence of MetS related components has reached high level among Beijing children who were overweight or obese. The association between metabolic disorders and obesity was strong.

The Comorbidity of Chronic Pain and Sleep Disturbances in a Community Adolescent Sample: Prevalence and Association with Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Factors

The comorbidity of chronic pain and sleep disturbances has received increasing research attention in Western clinical pediatric populations; yet, little is known about its sociodemographic and psychological correlates in non-Western community pediatric populations. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of comorbid chronic pain and sleep disturbances and its associated factors in a community sample of Chinese adolescents. A total of 1,518 adolescents aged from 11 to 19 years participated in this school-based study. Apart from sociodemographic background, participants were assessed on chronic pain, sleep disturbances, depression, perceived stress, and social support. Prevalence of co-occurrence of chronic pain and sleep disturbances was determined. Participants with single symptom were compared with those with symptom co-occurrence on pain characteristics and sleep patterns. Multiple regression model evaluated factors associated with symptom comorbidity. While the prevalence of chronic pain and sleep disturbances was 11.4% and 25.6%, respectively, the overall prevalence of comorbid chronic pain and sleep disturbances was 19.1% (95% confidence interval: 16.9, 21.4). Fully adjusted stepwise regression analysis identified being female, more depressive symptoms, and higher perceived stress to be significantly associated with comorbid symptoms. Adolescents with both symptoms reported significantly more pain sites, higher worst pain, and higher pain-associated interference than those reported chronic pain only. Participants with comorbid symptoms also had poor subjective sleep quality, greater sleep disturbances, and more daytime dysfunction than those reported sleep disturbances only. Our data offered preliminary evidence that comorbid chronic pain and sleep disturbances occurred among about one-fifth in the present sample of Chinese community adolescents. Future studies should examine whether the two symptoms interact with each other in affecting the physical, mental, and cognitive development of adolescents.

1611 The Comorbidity of Chronic Pain and Insomnia in a Community Adolescent Sample: Prevalence and Association with Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Factors

Background and AimsThe comorbidity of chronic pain and insomnia has received increasing research attention in Western clinical pediatric populations; yet, little is known about its sociodemographic and psychological correlates in...

Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of a Short-Form of the EMBU among Chinese Adolescents

The present study used a sample of Chinese adolescents and validated a short-form of the Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran: One's Memories of Upbringing (s-EMBU) assessing perceived parental rearing styles. A Chinese revision of the s-EMBU by the authors was administered to a total of 779 high school students, ages 11 to 19 years. Exploratory factor analysis with half of the sample yielded a three-factor solution of Rejection, Emotional Warmth, and Overprotection, accounting for 47.1% of the total variance onthe father form and 48.8% of the total variance on the mother form. Then, confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit of the three-factor model to the data in the other half of the sample. The three subscales consisted of 6, 6, and 7 items, respectively. Scores on these subscales had Cronbach alphas ranging from .71 to .81, indicating adequate internal consistency. These psychometric properties suggest its applicability for research with Chinese adolescents.

P-342 - Rasch analysis and item reduction of the chinese version of the 20-item toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20-C) for adolescents

Introduction The TAS-20 is a psychometrically validated instrument for assessing alexithymia in adult populations. However, the instrument is not well-established in adolescents. Objective and aims The objective of this study was to validate the Chinese version of the TAS-20 (TAS-20-C). Two studies aimed to produce a short form of the TAS-20-C and evaluate its subsequent factor structure in a sample of Chinese adolescents across different grade levels using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Methods The Mandarin version of the TAS-20-C was modified with respect to the local colloquial and was tested in two separate samples of Chinese adolescents. In Study 1 (n = 500), Rasch modelling and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to generate a short form of the TAS-20-C and to assess the psychometric properties of the scale. In Study 2 (n = 1294), CFA assessed the fit of the factor structure derived from Study 1. Factorial invariance was also examined across grade levels using multigroup CFA. Results Results of Rasch analysis showed 9 items of the TAS-20-C retained the concepts of the original scale, resulting in a 9-item short form (TAS-9-C). PCA yielded a one-factor solution (accounting for 38% of the total variance, r>/ = 0.40). In addition, results of CFA confirmed the one-factor model and its invariance across different grade levels (CFI>/ = 0.959). Internal consistency was good in the entire sample (alpha = 0.83). Conclusions The TAS-9-C is a reliable and valid instrument for use in adolescents across different grade levels. Future research on the specific role of alexithymia in explaining childhood psychopathology is desirable.

P-343 - The chinese version of the toronto alexithymia scale-short form (TAS-9-C): a differential item functioning analysis of grade levels

Objective Tam & Wong (accepted)[1] recently reported the invariance of the one-factor model of the Chinese version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-Short Form (TAS-9-C). This study sought to further examine the item-level equivalence of the TAS-9-C in a sample of Chinese adolescents across grade levels. Methods The present study is a sub-analysis of data collected between September 2008 and September 2009 (Tam & Wong, accepted). The TAS-9-C was administered to 500 Chinese adolescents. Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis was performed to identify any uniform and non-uniform difference on the nine TAS-9-C items among adolescents across different grade levels. Results After a Bonferroni adjustment of p value (=0.0008, i.e., 0.05/63), results of DIF analyses showed that there is no uniform (all F s ranging from 0.02–2.26, p s>0.08) or non-uniform (all F s ranging from 0.60–1.27, p s>0.19) difference on the nine TAS-9-C items. Conclusions The four different grade level groups use the scale comparably, without showing any difference on item properties. Consistent with previous findings, no difference was observed in the performance on the nine TAS-9-C items among adolescents across grade levels. These findings further substantiate the use of TAS-9-C as a valid and reliable instrument among adolescents from a wide range of grade levels. [1] Tam, B. K. H. & Wong, W. S. (accepted). Rasch analysis and item reduction of the Chinese version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20-C) for adolescents . Paper to be presented at the 20 th European Congress of Psychiatry, Prague, Czech Republic, 2012.

Myopia-Related Optic Disc and Retinal Changes in Adolescent Children from Singapore

To examine early myopia-related optic disc and retinal changes in a Singapore Chinese adolescent sample without confounding ocular or systemic disease. Population-based cross-sectional study. Children aged 12 to 16 years at a follow-up visit for Singapore Cohort Study of Risk Factors for Myopia. Detailed eye examinations, including cycloplegic autorefraction and contact biometry, were performed. Retinal photographs were acquired using nonmydriatic retinal photography among children who attended follow-up examinations in 2006, and were graded for myopia-related optic disc signs and macular changes by a single experienced grader. Optic nerve head parameters were measured adjusting for camera and ocular magnification with appropriate formulae. Optic disc changes (tilt, beta peripapillary atrophy [β-PPA], and optic nerve parameters) and macular changes (staphyloma, lacquer cracks, Fuchs' spot, and chorioretinal atrophy). Retinal photography data were available for 1227 children (median age, 14 years; range 12-16). Tilted optic discs were found in 454 subjects (37%), and were associated with myopic spherical equivalent refractions (-3.6 diopters [D] vs -1.3 D; P<0.0001), higher cylindrical error (0.9 vs 0.7 D; P = 0.0001) and longer axial length (24.93 vs 23.96 mm; P<0.0001). The pattern of distribution of the axes of the tilted discs and corneal curvature were similar (P = 0.4). All linear optic nerve parameters, except vertical disc diameter (P = 0.15), were significantly smaller in eyes with than without tilted discs (P <0.001) after adjusting for confounders. Apart from 20 cases, all eyes with tilted optic discs had associated β-PPA. We identified only 1 case each (0.1% prevalence) of staphyloma and lacquer cracks in this sample. In this Asian adolescent population, tilted optic discs were highly prevalent, in contrast with the lower prevalence reported in Caucasian populations. Eyes with tilted discs tended to have smaller optic cups with smaller cup-to-disc ratios, and were associated with myopic refraction, higher astigmatism, and longer axial length. There were similar patterns of distribution between the axis of disc tilt and the axis of corneal curvature, which could have embryologic origins. In contrast with optic disc changes, myopic macular changes were rare in this age group, suggesting that these changes may develop later in life. The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.

Factors influencing school connectedness: Chinese adolescents’ perspectives

This study explored the concept of school connectedness and the factors that may influence its development with a sample of Chinese adolescents. Six focus groups involving 52 high school students were conducted using a set of predetermined discussion topics. Results indicated that the students fully understood the notion of school connectedness and could identify a number of key influences affecting its development. These factors could be grouped under several domains including teacher care, peer relations, broader school relationships, school disciplinary policies and practices, activities within the school’s guidance and counseling program, and opportunities for talent development. The students were also able to suggest practical strategies that schools might introduce to enhance and strengthen students’ acquisition of connectedness to school. The implications from the findings are discussed with particular reference to implementing comprehensive school guidance and counseling program in Hong Kong.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Structure in Chinese Adolescents Exposed to a Deadly Earthquake

This present study examined the structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a large sample of Chinese adolescents exposed to a deadly earthquake. A total of 2,800 middle school students aged 12 to 18 years participated in the study 6 months after the "Wenchuan Earthquake". Results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a five-factor intercorrelated model composed of intrusion, avoidance, numbing, dysphoric arousal, and anxious arousal, fit data significantly better than both the four-factor numbing model King et al. (Psychological Assessment 10:90-96, 1998) and the four-factor dysphoria model Simms et al. (Journal of Abnormal Psychology 111:637-647, 2002). Further examination of the external convergent and discriminant validity revealed that except for the dysphoric arousal factor, the remaining four PTSD factors yielded significantly different correlations with external measures of anxiety vs. depression. The findings add to the limited literature on the factor structure of PTSD in youths and on the five-factor PTSD model. In addition, they provide more detail into the latent psychopathological processes of PTSD, and inform the forthcoming DSM-5.

Social Network Status and Depression Among Adolescents: An Examination of Social Network Influences and Depressive Symptoms in a Chinese Sample

Examination of social networks may provide some insight into the role of peers in the vulnerability of some adolescents to depression. Social network data was incorporated into multilevel models of depressive symptoms from a large sample of Chinese adolescents. Being nominated as a friend was more important than being nominated as most liked. Network centrality was associated with depression. The risk of depression for those who were marginal members of classroom social networks was substantial. These findings suggest that a social network perspective could help to increase the effectiveness of programs aimed at preventing adolescent depression.

The Predictive Effects of Online Communication on Well-Being among Chinese Adolescents

Based on theories and previous studies on online communication, we proposed two hypotheses to better under- stand the effects of online communication on subjective well-being with a sample of Chinese adolescents (n = 190). The results of liner regression analysis found that online communication was positively related to adoles- cents’ subjective well-being. For boys, the coefficient of determination of online communication on subjective well-being was .143, and for girls the coefficient of determination was .040, indicating that boys benefit more from online communication than do girls.

Association between Cognitive Distortion, Type D Personality, Family Environment, and Depression in Chinese Adolescents

Purpose. Depression prevalence and risk increase among adolescents are related to biological, psychosocial, and cultural factors. Little is known about the association between cognitive distortion, type D personality, family environment, and depression. The aim of this paper was to examine the relationships of cognitive distortion, type D personality, family environment, and depression in a sample of Chinese adolescents. Methods. A sample of Chinese adolescents with depression and the controls were investigated cross-sectionally with life orientation test-revised (LOT-R), type D personality Scale-14 (DS14), family environment scale (FES), and Zung self-depression scale (SDS); respectively, all scales were administered in Chinese. Results. Chinese-depressed adolescents showed more cognitive distortion, type D personality, and adverse family environment than control groups. Furthermore, lower level of Optimism, negative affectivity, and poor family cohesion may increase the risk of depression in Chinese adolescents. Conclusions. Our study indicates that lower level of Optimism, Negative Affectivity, and poor Family Cohesion factors were implicated to contribute to depression in Chinese adolescents. Lower level of optimism and negative affectivity may be crucial associated factors of depression among these samples. our findings pointed to the importance of broad screening and intervention of vulnerable population.

Validation of the Cultural Influence on Helping Scale Among Chinese Adolescents

The influence of culture on adolescent prosocial behavior is a neglected aspect in existing studies. Objectives: This study evaluates the psychometric properties of the Cultural Influence on Helping Scale (CIHS) among Chinese adolescents. CIHS is an instrument that assesses Chinese cultural influence on helping other people. Method: The CIHS was administered to 5,812 high school students in Hong Kong. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) revealed three factors, namely, ‘‘Advantages of helping people,’’ ‘‘Disadvantages of helping people,’’ and ‘‘Self-centeredness,’’ which support the hypothesized dimensions. The CIHS demonstrated good internal consistency. Construct validity and criterion-related validity were also supported. Conclusions: The psychometric properties of CIHS are adequate in the assessment of cultural influence on helping in Chinese adolescent samples.

The responses to stress questionnaire: construct validity and prediction of depressive and social anxiety symptoms in a sample of Chinese adolescents

AbstractThe objective of the current study was to develop a Chinese version of the Responses to Stress Questionnaire (RSQ‐C) and to evaluate its reliability and validity. The original version of the RSQ was back‐translated into Chinese and administered to a sample of students recruited from two middle schools in Hunan, China. The final sample consisted of 1068 adolescents (49.9% males and 50.1% females). Participants' ages ranged from 14 to 20 (M = 16.47 years, standard deviation = 1.02). The RSQ‐C exhibited moderate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha was 0.87), and test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients was 0.82 over a 1‐month interval). Results of confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the fit of a three‐factor model of voluntary coping and a separate two‐factor model of involuntary coping. With regard to predictive validity, the results of multiple regression analyses suggest that the high levels of Disengagement Coping and low levels of Primary Control Engagement Coping were significant predictors of depressive symptomology. Additionally, high levels of Involuntary Engagement and low levels of Primary Control Engagement Coping predicted higher levels of social anxiety symptoms. Copyright ? 2009 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Body dissatisfaction, maternal appraisal, and depressive symptoms in Hong Kong adolescents

Body dissatisfaction, its risk factors and association with depressed mood have been well investigated in the West. However, more studies are needed to examine further the relation between body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms and the factors influencing body dissatisfaction in non-Western cultures. The present study examined in a sample of Hong Kong Chinese adolescents the relation between body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms, and the relation of maternal appraisal of their adolescent's figure to the adolescent's body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms. We obtained information from 379 boys and 254 girls about their body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms. Their mothers provided information about their appraisal of their adolescent's body shape and size compared to ideal. Body dissatisfaction was related to depressive symptoms in girls (B = 2.58, p <.01), but not in boys (B = -0.08, p >.10). Negative maternal appraisal did not have direct effects on adolescents' depressive symptoms (B = 0.14, p =.75), but the association between negative maternal appraisal and body dissatisfaction was significantly stronger in adolescents whose ideal was smaller than they perceived themselves to be (B = 0.32, p <.01) than those whose ideal was larger than their own perception (B = 0.14, p < .01). Our findings suggest that maternal appraisal had indirect effects on mood, acting through adolescents' body dissatisfaction, and that body dissatisfaction may be a sex-specific risk factor for depression. This study points to the need for testing and adapting programs to reduce body dissatisfaction particularly in girls at risk for depression, and to raise mothers' awareness of the link between their negative appraisals and their adolescents' body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms.