Supportive Behaviors Research Articles

Transactional models of depression via caregiver-child interactions: Evaluating conflict resolution as a source of resilience in adversity-exposed families

BackgroundYouth who experienced early life caregiving adversity (ECA) are at increased risk for developing depression, which may in part reflect a heightened vulnerability to the deleterious effects of later-life stressors, including poor caregiver mental health and interpersonal conflict. Transactional models posit bidirectional influences between caregivers and children that operate over development and more proximally across interactions. ObjectiveTo address gaps in knowledge of bidirectional influences between caregivers and children, and differences therein based on ECA exposure, we evaluated the effects of caregiver and child depressive symptoms on their own and each other’s emotion-related behavior during conflict resolution, and the effects of their behavior on their own and each other’s changes in affect expression from conflict resolution to a recovery task. Participants and setting161 caregiver-child dyads (child age 6–16 years; 49 % female youth; 45 % caregivers of ECA-exposed youth) participated in videorecorded conflict resolution and subsequent recovery tasks. MethodsCaregivers reported on their own and their child’s depressive symptoms. Trained coders rated caregiver and child positive and negative affect and supportive and unsupportive emotion-related behavior. ResultsContrary to expectations derived from models of stress-sensitization, results of actor-partner interdependence models demonstrated positive associations between caregiver depressive symptoms and supportive child behavior, among ECA-exposed families. Among these families, only, child supportive behavior was also associated with greater increases in subsequent caregiver positive affect during the recovery task. ConclusionsIn contrast to models of stress-sensitization, youth supportive reactions to caregiver distress may initiate positive spirals that transcend interactions. Implications for intervention efforts are discussed.

Supportive-leadership training to improve social connection: A cluster-randomized trial demonstrating efficacy in a high-risk occupational context.

The high, and still rising, rate of loneliness is a threat to public health (Office of the Surgeon General, 2023), with negative mental and physical health consequences (e.g., Holt-Lunstad, 2021). Given that loneliness is a risk factor for poor mental health, efforts to address loneliness are urgently needed. Workplaces can facilitate an employee's social connection through supervisor support training, which can help mitigate loneliness. Among occupational groups, the military is at higher risk for mental health disorders, suicide, and loneliness (Fikretoglu et al., 2022; Naifeh et al., 2019). This study evaluated the efficacy of an evidence-based supportive-leadership training intervention targeting active-duty U.S. Army platoon leaders and targeting both proactive support behaviors that help bolster employee social connection and responsive support behaviors, including destigmatizing mental health. Ninety-nine platoon leaders (69.7% of eligible leaders) completed the 90-min training that consisted of both in-person and computer-based components. Using a cluster-randomized controlled trial design, intervention effects were tested using an intent-to-treat approach and revealed a significant effect, whereby loneliness of service members whose leaders were randomized to the intervention group (N = 118) was significantly reduced compared to loneliness reports for service members in the control group (N = 158). Additionally, service members with higher baseline loneliness were more strongly and positively impacted by the supervisor training, reporting higher levels of supportive behaviors from their leaders at 3 months postbaseline. In sum, these results suggest how workplaces, especially those that are considered high-risk occupations, and their leaders play a critical role in a national strategy to address Americans' well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The influence of the industrial organization on farmers' willingness to adopt water-saving irrigation technologies: a perspective of organizational support

ABSTRACT Water scarcity and inefficiency hinder China's sustainable agriculture. Water-saving irrigation (WSI) technology, as a crucial means to improve water efficiency, has relatively low adoption rates. In this context, this study utilizes survey data from 1,178 farmers in the Yellow River Basin in China, employing both the Binary Probit model and the Iv-Probit model to deeply explore the influence and mechanism of industrial organizations on farmers' willingness to adopt WSI technology. Our study shows that organizational participation behavior and degree of organizational support can effectively enhance farmers' willingness to adopt WSI technology. Organizational support indirectly enhances farmers' willingness to adopt WSI technology by standardizing production, providing agricultural training, and being proactive in learning agricultural techniques. Furthermore, organizational support has a significant impact on farmers with low education, young age, large land management areas, and poor agricultural production conditions. Our study also found that organizational support and government support can play a synergistic role in promoting farmers' willingness to adopt WSI technology. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the cultivation of industrial organizations, improve the governance structure of industrial organizations, strengthen the institutional guarantee of industrial organizations, and pay attention to the heterogeneity of farmer groups when leveraging the role of industrial organizations.

The Relationship Between Individual Characteristics, Religius, And Social Support And Infectious Disease Prevention Behaviors In Islamic Boarding School “X”, 2022

Background: Islamic boarding schools are places that have a high risk of spreading infectious diseases. This can be caused because Islamic boarding schools have very dense housing and low cleanliness in the Islamic boarding school environment. Objective: To determine the relationship between individual characteristics, social support and religiosity with infectious disease prevention behavior at the Al-Kahfi Integrated Islamic Boarding School in 2022. Method: This research uses quantitative research methods with a cross-sectional study design , the number of respondents in this study was 116 respondents, and the sampling technique used in this research was simple random sampling. The data analysis carried out was univariate analysis and bivariate analysis using the chi-square test and OR value. Results: It is known that of the total respondents, only 50% of respondents had good behavior. Of all the variables studied, only gender and knowledge variables did not have a significant relationship with infectious disease prevention behavior. In the attitude variable (p=0.015), religiosity (p=0.016), peer support (p=0.09), support from ustadz or uztadzah (p=0.016) have a significant relationship to infectious disease prevention behavior at the Al Al Integrated Islamic Boarding School -Kahfi. Conclusion: There are several research variables that have a significant relationship with infectious disease prevention behavior at the Al-Kahfi Integrated Islamic Boarding School, including attitude, religiosity, peer support, and support from ustadz or ustadzah. Suggestion: Managers at the Al-Kahfi Integrated Islamic Boarding School can maximize the facilities available in an effort to prevent infectious diseases, such as providing nutritious food for students, creating regular joint sports programs, creating award programs and carrying out punishments for students who violate agae motivating students to prevent infectious diseases in the Islamic boarding school environment.

Parent-provider communication dynamics during the pediatric oncology diagnostic process in Guatemala: A qualitative study.

Effective communication is founded on bidirectional participation from families and healthcare providers. In adult medicine, bidirectional communication promotes treatment adherence and builds the family-provider relationship. However, the relationship between communication styles in pediatrics remains poorly understood, particularly in culturally diverse settings. This study aims to investigate parent-provider communication dynamics and parental involvement during diagnostic cancer communication in Guatemala. This qualitative study included 20 families of children with cancer and 10 providers at Unidad Nacional de Oncología Pediátrica in Guatemala. Psychoeducation and diagnostic conversations between parents, psychologists, and oncologists were recorded and thematically analyzed using a priori and novel codes exploring communication behaviors, parental engagement, and interpersonal dynamics. Participating parents had children with various diagnoses. Only 15% of fathers and 5% of mothers reported education beyond primary school. Providers spoke 68% of words during psychoeducation and 85% of words during diagnosis conversations. Providers used supportive communication behaviors providing explanations, demonstrating verbal attentiveness, and soliciting questions and non-supportive behaviors including paternalistic talk. Parental participation was considered active when they asked questions, expressed hopes or concerns, or asserted their opinions, and non-active when participation was limited to brief responses to closed-ended questions. Supportive provider communication often encouraged active participation; non-supportive communication did not. Furthermore, active parental participation prompted supportive communication from providers, while non-active participation did not. Our findings highlight the bidirectional nature of effective communication, establishing that provider communication styles both influence and are influenced by parental participation, and emphasizing the importance of supportive provider communication for patient-centered care.

Pharmacists’ mental health support behaviours with simulated patients: a mixed-methods pilot study

BackgroundSimulated mental health role-plays provide a safe and relevant learning experience for pharmacy students, improving confidence in and attitudes toward providing mental health support. Little research explores the use of mental health role-plays, enacted by trained actors, with pharmacists. ObjectivesThis study aimed to pilot the adaptation of simulated patient (SP) role-plays, from the university classroom with students, to a workshop with pharmacists, and explore pharmacists’ experiences. MethodsPharmacists attended a two-hour workshop. Trained actors enacted simulated scenarios (previously developed for pharmacy education) with pharmacist volunteers while being observed by peers, a workshop facilitator, and mental health consumer educator (MHCE). Pharmacists engaged in self-assessment immediately post-roleplay, followed by performance feedback and debrief discussions with MHCEs, workshop facilitators, and peers. Pharmacists completed pre- and post-workshop surveys exploring intended mental health support behaviours, then invited to participate in an interview exploring their workshop experiences and opinions about using mental health role-plays in clinical practice (via mystery shopping). Non-parametric tests were conducted to analyse role-play and survey scores, and thematic analyses were undertaken on interview transcripts. ResultsThirty-five pharmacists attended the workshop. Fourteen role-plays were analysed. Pharmacist self-assessment scores were significantly lower than MHCE scores (P = 0.028). Overall, the role-plays significantly increased pharmacists’ intentions in supporting a person experiencing mental health crises such as suicide and psychosis, as well as encouraging other supports (P < 0.05). Four themes emerged from interviews (n = 4): realistic context for skills application and practice, benefits of observing, self-assessment and feedback, and integrating into clinical practice (via mystery shopping). ConclusionSP role-plays of mental health symptoms and crises, enacted by trained actors, may effectively assess and enhance pharmacists’ intended mental health support behaviours. It is recommended that the SP method is adapted into clinical practice, via repeated mystery shopping visits with immediate performance feedback, to shape pharmacists’ mental health support behaviours.

Exploring the effects of web-based psychological capitals training on teachers' PsyCap development, emotional stability, and support: Evidence from Chinese inclusive education.

Inclusive education for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has increasingly received attention nationwide in China. Schools realize that teachers are under stress and lack the skills to handle daily interactions with these students. So far, few studies have directed efforts to provide a remedy for teachers to improve their daily work. This study aimed to design and implement a 2-hour web-based training on psychological capital (PsyCap) to protect their well-being and foster their supportive behavior for ASD students in the inclusive class. A total of 120 targeted teachers were invited to participate in the training and were randomly divided into control and treatment groups. Pre-, post-, and follow-up surveys were distributed before, after, and one week after the training. ANOVA results suggested that teachers showed a significant increase in their PsyCap scores after completing the training, although the training effect slightly decreased after one week. Moreover, higher levels of PsyCap showed a positive influence on teachers' emotional stability and supportive behavior in class. The results highlighted the effectiveness of web-based PsyCap training in boosting teacher positivity, which enhances teacher support for students in inclusive education.

A Study on the Relationship Between Perceived Supervisor Support and Innovative Behavior : The Mediating Effects of Work Engagement and The Moderating Effects of Performance Pressure

A Study on the Relationship Between Perceived Supervisor Support and Innovative Behavior : The Mediating Effects of Work Engagement and The Moderating Effects of Performance Pressure

THE POWER OF OPEN COMMUNICATION: EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENT-ADOLESCENT COMMUNICATION AND PROBLEM EXTENT AND THE MODERATING ROLE OF SIBLING INFLUENCE

Adolescence is the period of extensive physical, emotional, and social transformation. This article focuses on the primary role of effective communication within the family, especially parents and siblings influence, in shaping adolescence development. It considers how open, supportive, and sincere interactions help in identity formation, peer relationships, cognitive development, and affect regulation during this critical stage. The article draws both on Eastern and Western psychological paradigms, showing how academic psychology has evolved over the years and the main theoretical frameworks which inform our understanding of adolescent development. It is in this regard that the current study will explore the importance of effective family communication in developing a positive identity, building self-esteem, and supplying a sense of belonging. Emphasized herein is the role of parents in guiding adolescents through open discussions that will help them think critically, solve problems, and make independent decisions. Attention falls onto sibling influence in that they are in a special position to offer emotional support, companionship, and modeling behaviors. It draws from quantitative studies how family dynamics impact adolescent results. Construction and standardization processes of psychological measures are described to explain why reliable and valid instruments are needed when studying adolescent behavior and family interaction. This article concludes with the practical recommendations to enhance family communication strategies in supporting adolescent development. This integration of theoretical perspectives and empirical findings thus provides critical insights for educators, practitioners, and families seeking to promote healthy developmental trajectories among adolescents through effective communication and supportive sibling relationships.

Bringing employee learning to AI stress research: A moderated mediation model

While a substantial portion of the literature characterizes artificial intelligence (AI) stress as a hindrance, our focus diverges by probing employee learning as an active response to this challenge. We highlight the role of employee knowledge and skills development amidst an enterprise's digital transformation. Drawing on the active learning perspective of the Job Demand-Control model, we investigate why and when AI stress promotes employee learning and subsequent adaptive coping behaviors. We propose that AI stress can create opportunities and resources for employee learning, leading to improved job performance and supportive behavior for digital transformation. Additionally, we examine how employee trust in AI moderates these relationships, finding that higher levels of AI trust are associated with greater use of active learning strategies when faced with AI stress. Our findings, based on a two-wave survey of 224 employees from a motor-vehicle testing company in China, are further supported by post-hoc interview data collected from 32 employees of the same company. Overall, our study contributes to the understanding of AI adoption, digital transformation, and stress learning.

“We are an active family”: a randomized trial protocol to evaluate a family-system social identity intervention to promote child physical activity

BackgroundRegular engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during childhood yields a myriad of health benefits, and contributes to sustained MVPA behaviors into adulthood. Given the influence of parents on shaping their child’s MVPA behaviour, the family system represents a viable target for intervention. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of two intervention conditions designed to increase child MVPA: (1) A standard education + planning intervention providing information about benefits, action planning, and coping planning; and (2) An augmented physical activity education + planning intervention that includes the components of the standard intervention, as well as a focus on family identity promotion and developing as an active member of the family.MethodsA two-arm parallel single-blinded randomized trial will compare the two conditions over 6 months. Eligible families have at least one child aged 6–12 years who is not meeting the physical activity recommendations within the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (i.e.,<60 min/day of MVPA). Intervention materials targeting family identity promotion will be delivered online via zoom following baseline assessment, with booster sessions at 6-weeks and 3-months. Child MVPA will be measured by wGT3X-BT Actigraph accelerometry at baseline, 6-weeks, 3-months, and 6-months as the primary outcome. At these same time points, parent cognition (e.g., attitudes, perceived control, behavioral regulation, habit, identity) and support behaviours, and parent-child co-activity will be assessed via questionnaire as secondary outcomes. Child-health fitness measures will be also administered through fitness testing at baseline and 6-months as secondary outcomes. Finally, upon completion of the trial’s 6-month measures, a follow-up end-of-trial interview will be conducted with parents to examine parents’ experiences with the intervention.ResultsSo far, 30 families have been enrolled from the Southern Vancouver Island and Vancouver Lower Mainland area. Recruitment will be continuing through 2026 with a target of 148 families.DiscussionThis study will contribute to the understanding of effective strategies to increase child physical activity by comparing two intervention approaches. Both provide parents with education on physical activity benefits, action planning, and coping planning supports. However, one intervention also incorporates components focused on promoting an active family identity and involving all family members in physical activity together. The findings from this study have the potential to inform the design and implementation of public health initiatives aimed at improving physical activity participation in children and guide the development of more effective interventions that leverage the crucial role of parents and the family system in shaping children’s physical activity behaviors.Trial RegistrationThe clinical trial registration ID is NCT05794789. This trial was registered with clinicaltrials.gov on March 2nd, 2023, with the last updated release on September 28th, 2023.

Perceived social support on objective measured sedentary behavior of stroke patients: the mediating role of exercise self-efficacy.

As stroke patients may have impaired motor function, there may have increased sedentary behavior. Factors associated with sedentary behavior need to be explored to develop targeted interventions. Although studies explore the effects of exercise self-efficacy and perceived social support on sedentary behavior, the relationship is not clear. The aim of this study was to explore the mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy on perceived social support and objective measured sedentary behavior in stroke patients. The random sampling method was adopted to select 275 stroke patients from the neurology department of a third-grade hospital of Henan Province from June 2023 to March 2024 in a cross-sectional descriptive study. A general data questionnaire, exercise self-efficacy scale, perceived social support scale, and ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer were used to investigate. The structural equation model was used to analyze the mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy between perceived social support and sedentary behavior. The mean sedentary behavior time in stroke patients in this study was (479.65 ± 112.65) min, the mean score of perceived social support was (47.53 ± 17.16), and the mean score of exercise self-efficacy was (24.19 ± 6.25). The correlation analysis revealed that, the sedentary behavior of stroke patients was negatively correlated with exercise self-efficacy and perceived social support. The results of the mediation analysis showed that exercise self-efficacy played a partial mediating role between perceived social support and sedentary behavior. Perceived social support and exercise self-efficacy were influential factors in sedentary behavior. Moreover, the impact of perceived social support on sedentary behavior was partially mediated by exercise self-efficacy. Therefore, to decrease the sedentary behavior, it is crucial to improve the level of perceived social support in stroke patients. Patients with less perceived social support can improve their exercise self-efficacy and thus perceive more social support.

Determinants of transmission prevention behavior among Tuberculosis patients in Surabaya, Indonesia

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, causing significant health challenges globally. Meanwhile, Indonesia ranks second worldwide in terms of TB prevalence, with East Java being among the most affected provinces. Surabaya, in particular, a major city reported approximately 4.628 cases in 2021, underscoring the urgent need to prevent transmission through behavior of patients. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze determinants of transmission behavior among TB patients in Surabaya, Indonesia. MethodsThe methodology used in this study was a cross-sectional design and the participants were 144 TB patients at three community health centers in Surabaya, selected using simple random sampling. Variables including knowledge level, supportive behavior, and medication adherence were analyzed and data collection was carried out using a structured questionnaire. Additionally, data analysis was performed with statistical methods to determine the significance of variables. ResultsThe results showed that knowledge (P-value = <0.001), supportive behavior (P-value = 0.001), and medication adherence (P-value = 0.004) had a significant effect on transmission prevention behavior among TB patients. ConclusionBased on our results, it was concluded that higher knowledge level, supportive behavior, and medication adherence had a significant correlation with increased social support provided by patients in preventing and controlling TB transmission. Therefore, there is a need to implement targeted programs to enhance prevention behavior.

Associations between social support and proactive health behaviours among Chinese adolescents: the mediating role of self-efficacy and peer relationships

BackgroundProactive health behaviours are crucial for enhancing adolescent health. However, there is limited evidence on the potential pathways through which social support influences adolescents’ proactive health behaviours. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationships between social support, self-efficacy, peer relationships and proactive health behaviours in Chinese adolescents.MethodsFrom October to December 2023, we recruited 6075 adolescents from Shandong Province, China. They completed self-report questionnaires on social support, self-efficacy, peer relationships and proactive health behaviours.ResultsLinear regression analysis indicated that social support was positively associated with proactive health behaviours among adolescents (β = 0.571, 95% CI = 0.542, 0.600). Further mediation analyses revealed that self-efficacy (β = 0.085, 95% CI = 0.069,0.101) and peer relationships (β = 0.156, 95% CI = 0.136,0.177) mediated this relationship.ConclusionsIncreased social support was associated with better proactive health behaviours in Chinese adolescents. Additionally, higher self-efficacy and positive peer relationships enhanced this association. Our findings emphasised the significance of providing supportive environments at home and at school to promote proactive health behaviours in adolescents.

Analysis of Healthcare Workers' Behavior in Maternal and Child Health Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Aceh Province

Healthcare workers, including midwives, face a high risk of disease, including the coronavirus. It is expected that healthcare workers possess good knowledge and behavior regarding the management of care for pregnant women, childbirth, newborns, and the handling of emergency complications during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore the behavior of healthcare workers in providing health services to mothers and children during the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive study employs a cross-sectional design, involving all midwives in Aceh Province, with data collection conducted through Google Forms from June to July 2021. The results indicate that there is no relationship between age, length of service, and sources of health information with the behavior of healthcare workers in providing health services to mothers and children during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a significant relationship between knowledge and COVID-19 prevention behavior, with a p-value of 0.000. In conclusion, healthcare workers with higher knowledge are more likely to exhibit good behavior in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to continue enhancing their knowledge, particularly regarding virus transmission, to strengthen supportive behaviors and contribute to breaking the chain of COVID-19 transmission.

“I’m trying to take the lead from my child”: experiences Parenting Young Nonbinary Children

BackgroundWhile research has emphasized the importance of parental support for LGBTQIA + youth wellbeing, there remains limited understanding of parental experiences with nonbinary children, particularly those prepubescent. This study aimed to explore how parents of nonbinary children ages 5–8 learn to support their child’s identity, examining initial reactions, emotional processes, supportive behaviors, societal responses, and associated challenges and rewards.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) within a framework of ontological relativism and epistemological constructivism. Nine parents of nonbinary children aged 5–8 from the Northeastern United States participated in semi-structured interviews lasting 60–80 min. Questions explored various aspects of parenting nonbinary children, including the child’s gender identity, parental feelings, experiences sharing the child’s identity, and challenges and rewards of raising a gender-diverse child. The research team, comprising individuals who identify as trans, genderqueer, and nonbinary, employed collaborative coding and thematic development.ResultsFour main themes were constructed: (1) Parents hear and support their child’s nonbinary identity, this theme highlights immediate acceptance and efforts parents make to affirm their child’s gender; (2) Parents learn about ways cisnormative society harms their child, here, parents recognize the societal pressures and barriers their children face; (3) Parents take significant and proactive steps to affirm their child, this theme documents the actions parents take to support their child in environments that invalidate their identity; and (4) Gender is just one aspect of who my child is, this theme reflects on parental insights of gender as just one part of their child’s overall personhood.ConclusionsThis study provides insights into the experiences of parents supporting young nonbinary children, emphasizing the importance of affirming expressed identity, the parent-child relationship, and proactive support in navigating cisnormative societal structures. Findings highlight the transformative experience of parenting nonbinary children, with parents often challenging their own preconceptions of gender and coming to more nuanced understandings. These results can inform supportive interventions and policies for nonbinary children and their families, and we hope to contribute to a growing body of research that shifts narratives towards joy, resilience, and community in trans and nonbinary experiences.

Online interpersonal trust and online altruistic behavior in college students: the chain mediating role of moral identity and online social support.

The prevalence of online altruistic behaviors among the college students has attracted widespread attention. However, the factors influencing this are still unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship and mechanism of online interpersonal trust, moral identity, online social support and online altruistic behavior among college students. The survey was conducted among 986 Chinese college students using the Interpersonal Trust Scale for the Internet, Moral Identity Scale, The Internet Social Support Questionnaire for College Students and The Internet Altruistic Behavior Questionnaire for College Students. Moral identity, online social support, online interpersonal trust and online altruistic behavior were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.09-0.39, p < 0.01). Online social support plays a partial mediating role in the relation between online interpersonal trust and online altruistic behavior, accounting for 33.76% of the total effect, while moral identity and online social support play a chain mediating role in the relation between online interpersonal trust and online altruistic behavior, accounting for 2.23% of the total effect. Online interpersonal trust not only directly affects college students' online altruistic behavior, but also indirectly influences it through moral identity and online social support.

The Role of Perceived Organisational Support in Predicting Organisational Commitment and Organizational Citizenship Behavior in Professional Organizations

The study examined the "role of perceived organisational support in predicting organisational commitment and organisational citizenship behaviour in professional organisations". The primary data was acquired through a questionnaire from 200 respondents (employees from the finance and technology sectors) via a stratified random sampling technique. Excel and SPSS 26 were utilised for data analysis, and Statistical tools such as Anova, regression and correlation were used. The results demonstrated that perceived organisational support (POS) positively influences organisational commitment. Moreover, it has been found that perceived organisational support (POS) and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) in professional organisations have a substantial correlation, and there are significant differences in the perception of organisational support, commitment, and OCB among professionals working in the technology and finance sectors. This study can assist decision-makers and managers in the finance and technology sector in creating a comprehensive plan for organisational support and development programs that effectively include employees in their job responsibilities. The study provides valuable insights into the importance of perceived organisational support in fostering organisational commitment and citizenship behaviour.

Associations between Parenting and Cognitive and Language Abilities at 2 Years of Age Depend on Prenatal Exposure to Disadvantage

To investigate whether parenting or neonatal brain volumes mediate associations between prenatal social disadvantage (SD) and cognitive/language abilities and whether these mechanisms vary by level of disadvantage. Pregnant women were prospectively recruited from obstetric clinics in St Louis, Missouri. Prenatal SD encompassed access to social (eg, education) and material (eg, income-to-needs, health insurance, area deprivation, and nutrition) resources during pregnancy. Neonates underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging. Mother-child dyads (N=202) returned at age 1-year for parenting observations and at age 2-years for cognition/language assessments (Bayley-III). Generalized additive and mediation models tested hypotheses. Greater prenatal SD associated nonlinearly with poorer cognitive/language scores. Associations between parenting and cognition/language were moderated by disadvantage, such that supportive and non-supportive parenting behaviors related only to cognition/language in children with lesser prenatal SD. Parenting mediation effects differed by level of disadvantage: both supportive and non-supportive parenting mediated prenatal SD-cognition/language associations in children with lesser disadvantage, but not in children with greater disadvantage. Prenatal SD-associated reductions in neonatal subcortical grey matter (β=.19, q=.03), white matter (β=.23, q=.02), and total brain volume (β=.18, q=.03) were associated with lower cognition, but did not mediate associations between prenatal SD and cognition. Parenting moderates and mediates associations between prenatal SD and early cognition and language, but only in families with less social disadvantage. These findings, although correlational, suggest that there may be a critical threshold of disadvantage, below which mediating or moderating factors become less effective, highlighting the importance of reducing disadvantage as primary prevention.

Correlation Between Social Support and HPV Vaccination Behavior of Female Sex Workers in Entertainment Venues in a Region of Guangxi, China.

To understand the current situation for social support and HPV vaccination behavior of female sex workers (FSWs) in entertainment venues and to explore the association between the support and HPV vaccination behavior. 923 FSWs in entertainment venues in a region of Guangxi were selected as survey respondents by using intentional sampling and employing a self-developed basic information questionnaire. The social support rating and the HPV vaccination behavior scales were analyzed to determine the current status of support and HPV vaccination behavior of FSWs in entertainment venues. In addition, the correlations between these parameters were analyzed. The total score of social support of FSWs in entertainment venues was 35.13±8.10, and the score for HPV vaccination behavior was 30.08±5.73. There were significant differences between these two parameters for FSWs of different ages, monthly incomes and working hours (P < 0.05). Objective, subjective and social support were positively correlated with all dimensions of HPV vaccination behavior (r = 0.212~0.236, 0.245~0.334 and 0.113~0.152, respectively; P < 0.01 in all cases). Typical correlation analysis yielded a correlation between these three dimensions of social support as well as with two dimensions of HPV vaccination behavior (self-decision-making and self-efficacy) (r = 0.373; P < 0.01). Social support and HPV vaccination behavior of FSWs in entertainment venues initially low. However, as social support for FSWs was increased, their behavior towards HPV vaccination was elevated. Both subjective and objective support helped FSWs in entertainment venues their behavior to HPV vaccination and to maintain their physical and mental health.