Survey Administration Research Articles

Updated Adjustment of the HCAHPS Survey for New Modes of Survey Administration and Patient Mix.

Web-first multimode survey protocols increase HCAHPS survey response rates and representativeness but may result in different HCAHPS scores because of survey mode effects and selective email address availability. A variable absent from many patient-mix adjustment models that may result in more positive patient experiences is whether the hospital admission was planned; adjustment for planned stays may better measure hospital performance. Develop adjustments for new Web-first survey protocols and planned admissions to facilitate comparisons across hospitals. Using 2021 survey mode experiment data, we estimate survey protocol effects in linear models predicting HCAHPS top-box outcomes from protocol indicators (which incorporate email availability for Web-first protocols), patient-mix adjustors, and hospital intercepts. We evaluate the unique effect on scores of whether a stay was planned. Phone-only and Web-Phone without email produce more positive responses than Mail-only, requiring negative adjustments. All other survey protocol effects and adjustments are mixed in direction and generally small. Planned stays are associated with more positive experiences for otherwise similar patients and make a unique contribution beyond other current patient-mix adjustment variables. It is important to adjust HCAHPS scores for survey protocol effects to ensure fair comparisons across hospitals and to enable hospitals to choose the survey protocol that best represents their patients. Incomplete email address availability necessitates that HCAHPS survey protocol adjustment control for email address availability when a Web-first protocol is used. Accounting for differences associated with planned stays may improve patient-mix adjustment.

Teacher acceptability of instructional supports in science for multilingual learners

Addressing language barriers during instruction is critical for improving content area learning and achievement within classrooms with students from different native language backgrounds. Although several instructional supports have been highlighted in the literature as helping to reduce language barriers, it is questionable whether teachers are likely to infuse them within their instruction. We applied a social validity framework in the administration of a teacher survey ( N = 376) and interview ( N = 9) to better understand United States (U.S.) elementary teachers’ perspectives on four instructional supports for English learners (ELs). Survey results indicated teachers tended to find all supports acceptable within a science instructional context but found visual supports more acceptable than incorporation of the students’ native language. Interview results shed light on the different goals and priorities teachers may have for ELs that may help to explain the varying acceptability of the four instructional supports addressed. Implications for school psychologists seeking to help improve outcomes for ELs through school-based consultation are provided.

Telephone follow-up on Medicare patient surveys remains critical.

Patient experience surveys are essential to measuring patient-centered care, a key component of health care quality. Low response rates in underserved groups may limit their representation in overall measure performance and hamper efforts to assess health equity. Telephone follow-up improves response rates in many health care settings, yet little recent work has examined this for surveys of Medicare enrollees, including those with Medicare Advantage. Our objective was to describe response rates to the 2022 Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (MCAHPS) surveys and the completion mode (mail or telephone), overall and by person-level characteristics. Cross-sectional survey. Participants were 1,092,434 individuals with Medicare who were selected to receive the 2022 MCAHPS survey in the 50 states and the District of Columbia and who were representative of the Medicare population. Study measures were survey response and completion mode. The overall response rate was 33.7% (31.3% by mail and 2.3% by telephone), with 6.9% of responses by telephone. Despite the low overall telephone response rate, the phone was used at markedly higher rates by respondents in some groups with lower overall response rates who are thus underrepresented among respondents, including those who were younger than 65 years (eligible for Medicare due to disability: 16.5% of responses by telephone), Black (16.1%), or Hispanic (14.1%) or had limited income and assets (14.6%). Including a telephone component in the administration of the MCAHPS survey continues to have value because several groups still show a relative preference for survey completion by telephone. Steps should be taken to improve response rates by telephone.

Challenges and Lessons Learned in Managing Web-Based Survey Fraud for the Garnering Effective Outreach and Research in Georgia for Impact Alliance–Community Engagement Alliance Survey Administrations

Abstract Background Convenience, privacy, and cost-effectiveness associated with web-based data collection have facilitated the recent expansion of web-based survey research. Importantly, however, practical benefits of web-based survey research, to scientists and participants alike, are being overshadowed by the dramatic rise in suspicious and fraudulent survey submissions. Misinformation associated with survey fraud compromises data quality and data integrity with important implications for scientific conclusions, clinical practice, and social benefit. Transparency in reporting on methods used to prevent and manage suspicious and fraudulent submissions is key to protecting the veracity of web-based survey data; yet, there is limited discussion on the use of antideception strategies during all phases of survey research to detect and eliminate low-quality and fraudulent responses. Objective This study aims to contribute to an evolving evidence base on data integrity threats associated with web-based survey research by describing study design strategies and antideception tools used during the web-based administration of the Garnering Effective Outreach and Research in Georgia for Impact Alliance–Community Engagement Alliance (GEORGIA CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities project surveys. Methods GEORGIA CEAL was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for rapid, yet, valid, community-informed, and community-owned research to guide targeted responses to a dynamic, public health crisis. GEORGIA CEAL Surveys I (April 2021 to June 2021) and II (November 2021 to January 2022) received institutional review board approval from the Morehouse School of Medicine and adhered to the CHERRIES (Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys). Results A total of 4934 and 4905 submissions were received for Surveys I and II, respectively. A small proportion of surveys (Survey I: n=1336, 27.1% and Survey II: n=1024, 20.9%) were excluded due to participant ineligibility, while larger proportions (Survey I: n=1516, 42.1%; Survey II: n=1423, 36.7%) were flagged and removed due to suspicious activity; 2082 (42.2%) and 2458 (50.1%) of GEORGIA CEAL Surveys I and II, respectively, were retained for analysis. Conclusions Suspicious activity during GEORGIA CEAL Survey I administration prompted the inclusion of additional security tools during Survey II design and administration (eg, hidden questions, Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart verification, and security questions), which proved useful in managing and detecting fraud and resulted in a higher retention rate across survey waves. By thorough discussion of experiences, lessons learned, and future directions for web-based survey research, this study outlines challenges and best practices for designing and implementing a robust defense against survey fraud. Finally, we argue that, in addition to greater transparency and discussion, community stakeholders need to be intentionally and mindfully engaged, via approaches grounded in community-based participatory research, around the potential for research to enable scientific discoveries in order to accelerate investment in quality, legitimate survey data.

Differences in suicide acceptability by farming-related occupation, demographic, and religiosity factors, general social survey 2000–2022

Introduction Suicide acceptability beliefs must be considered when evaluating interventions to prevent suicide, as such beliefs can reveal cultural sanctions associated with suicide and suicidal behaviors and thoughts. Compared to the general US population, farmers/ranchers have an elevated suicide rate, requiring culturally competent interventions. This analysis investigated whether farmers and workers in agricultural-related industries differ from the general U.S. population in suicide acceptability levels. Methods Cross-sectional General Social Survey (GSS) data were combined from years 2000 to 2022. Four yes/no items assessing whether respondents thought an individual should be able to decide to end their life amid four negative life scenarios were used to define suicide acceptability or endorsement. U.S. Census Bureau industry and occupational codes were used to delineate occupations. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, educational level, survey administration year, and religiosity level were covariates for multiple logistic regression analyses. Among 18,191 respondents to the GSS, 167 people worked in farming/ranching roles, including 74 farmers/ranch operators and 93 farm/ranch workers. Results In unadjusted models, individuals in farm-related occupations had a lower prevalence than the general US adult population of sanctioning suicide if facing an incurable disease. Yet, suicide endorsement beliefs showed no statistically significant differences between farmers/ranchers and the general population after demographic factors were included in the model. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, and education were significant predictors of suicide acceptability, p < 0.01. The prevalence of farmer/ranch operators identifying as very or moderately religious was significantly higher than that of farm/ranch workers and the general population, p < 0.05. The sample identifying as non-religious had higher odds of sanctioning suicide when faced with an incurable disease (aOR 5.980, 95%CI 5.235–6.829), bankruptcy (aOR 3.281, 95%CI 2.791–3.857), having dishonored their family (aOR 3.215, 95%CI 2.732–3.784), or becoming tired of living (aOR 3.660, 95%CI 3.209–4.175). Conclusion The present results showed that farmers’/ranchers’ acceptability of suicide was not distinct from the general US population in multivariable models. However, given their disproportionately high suicide rate, they require customized outreach and interventions. Further research may elucidate how religiosity, demographic factors, and beliefs about suicide and religion impact interventions to prevent suicide for individuals working in farming/ranching.

Status in using wearable devices as surveillance tools in public health research among people with disabilities: preliminary analysis of 2017 BRFSS

Purpose: The study aims to examine the association between disability status and willingness to share wearable devices and mobile apps data for public health research using the 2017 Behavioral risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) through secondary data analysis. Materials and Methods: Current wearable device and mobile apps users at the time of the 2017 BRFSS survey administration from eight states were included in the analysis. Descriptive, chi-square analysis, and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine the associations. Subsample analyses were also conducted for individuals with disabilities and different types of disability, including visual impairments, hearing impairments, cognitive disability, independent living disability, self-care disability, and mobility disability on their willingness to share wearable device and mobile app data. Results: Among the 1575 wearable device and mobile app users, 17.8% (95% CI [14.6, 22.0]) were participants with disabilities. Less than half of the participants (43.8%, 95% CI [38.0, 50.0]) were willing to share their data for public health research with no significant differences between those with and without disabilities or among specific disability types. Conclusion: The findings underscore a general reluctance to share information for public health research. To address this reluctance, it is crucial to enhance public awareness of the potential benefits and educate users on how sharing data could contribute to understanding health behaviors and identifying public health needs.

Factors affecting entrepreneurial efforts of ethnic minority women: Case study of the Hmong community in Vietnam

The topic explored in this study is the issues related to the entrepreneurial activities of Hmong women in Vietnam, which has been minimally addressed in the literature. A quantitative study design, involving a survey administration to Hmong women involved in entrepreneurial activity, was used to identify the influence of empowerment and personal development, community development and modeling, cultural preservation through entrepreneurship, and economic impact and social change. Evidence from the study indicates that these areas are significant factors explaining motivation and entrepreneurial activities, as well as the role of personal empowerment, community support, cultural integration, and socio-economic context. The conclusion is that entrepreneurship for Hmong women in Vietnam is a contested site and the influence of factors motivating such entrepreneurial activity transcends economic motivations and is situated in personal and cultural development and social engagement relating to socio-economic factors. The findings are important for the development of policies and practices aimed at the support of Hmong women entrepreneurs, and suggest policies and practices should consider social and cultural areas of entrepreneurial activity. Further study should extend this research to a consideration of Indigenous groups and the inquiring of factors motivating entrepreneurial activity through a qualitative study design.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Additional Risk Minimisation Measures for Tofacitinib (Xeljanz®) in Europe: A Prescriber Survey.

We evaluated the effectiveness of tofacitinib (oral Janus kinase inhibitor) additional risk minimisation measures (aRMM) in Europe via prescriber surveys. Operational challenges/methodological limitations of surveys and recommendations for future considerations were summarised. In this post-authorisation safety study, multimodal surveys were conducted in eightEuropean countries from 2021 to 2022 among prescribers of tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis and/or psoriatic arthritis (RA/PsA) or ulcerative colitis (UC) in the 12months preceding survey administration. Prescribers' awareness (receipt) of aRMM materials, knowledge of key risk messages and adherence to risk minimisation practices were assessed. A priori effectiveness thresholds (≥ ~80%) were set across outcomes. Of 18,764 and 12,777 prescribers invited to take the RA/PsA or UC survey, 164 and 81completed the surveys, respectively (response proportion: 326/18,764, 1.7%; 154/12,777, 1.2%, respectively). Among completers, self-reported receipt of all initial and/or 2019 updated aRMM materials was 33.5% and 32.7% in the RA/PsA and UC surveys, respectively. In the RA/PsA and UC surveys, 39.5% and 24.5%, respectively, answered ≥~80% of knowledge questions correctly; 51.2% and 69.7%, respectively, provided desirable responses to ≥ ~80% of adherence questions. Although the tofacitinib aRMM materials did not achieve the desired effectiveness for awareness (receipt), knowledge or adherence to risk minimisation practices among survey completers, the study was deemed inconclusive given the low response rate. This demonstrated that unless an acceptable response rate is achieved, surveys should not be the only method for aRMM evaluation. Secondary data may supplement future surveys to increase their robustness. EUPAS43143 (date of registration: 29/09/2021).

Improving public safety through precinct and neighborhood-based virtual restorative community-police dialogues

ABSTRACT The Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) Micro-Community Policing Plans (MCPP) is a collaborative police-community engagement initiative between Seattle University and the SPD. The MCPP consists of annual administration of the Seattle Public Safety Survey, Seattle University student Research Analysts (RA) a public-facing website, and virtual community-police dialogues. The MCPP community-police dialogues use a restorative framework to engage the community and police in conversation about the annual Seattle Public Safety Survey results, real-time crime and public safety concerns, and how community and police personnel can work together to improve public safety and neighborhood quality of life. Post dialogue surveys and participant observation meeting notes from 30 dialogues held May–August in 2021 and 2022 were analyzed using qualitative data software, ATLAS.ti. Key themes discussed in the dialogues are presented and the value of the MCPP dialogues are discussed.

KNOWLEDGE AND ADHERENCE TO OSTEOARTHRITIS CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN FAISALABAD

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and disabling musculoskeletal condition worldwide, with clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) offering evidence-based recommendations to optimize its management. Despite the availability of guidelines such as those from OARSI, NICE, and EULAR, adherence among healthcare professionals remains inconsistent. This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and adherence of physiotherapists in Faisalabad to OA CPGs, aiming to identify gaps in practice and potential areas for improvement to enhance patient outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and adherence of Faisalabad physiotherapists to osteoarthritis clinical practice guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in February 2023 across private and government healthcare settings in Faisalabad. Data were collected through in-person visits to hospitals and clinics, using a questionnaire based on OARSI, NICE, and EULAR guidelines. The questionnaire consisted of 25 statements covering diagnostic measures and therapeutic interventions for knee and hip OA. Demographic data, including gender, qualifications, and years of practice, were also recorded. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants before survey administration. A total of 109 physiotherapists who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Results: Among the 109 participants, 75.2% were female and 24.8% male. Most physiotherapists (70.6%) held a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) qualification, while 26.6% held a master’s degree. Full adherence to CPG11 was observed in 100% of participants, while 53.2% rejected CPG7. Overall, 92% demonstrated knowledge of and adherence to OA CPGs. However, adherence to first-line treatments, such as weight reduction and exercise, was inconsistent, with secondary interventions like manual therapy being more commonly favored. Conclusion: The study identified a sufficient level of knowledge among physiotherapists regarding OA CPGs, though gaps in adherence were evident, particularly concerning the integration of evidence-based practices into clinical care. Addressing these gaps through targeted education and simplified guidelines may improve OA management and patient outcomes.

Neurological Surgery Manpower Training and Density in Islamic Republic of Iran: A Population Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Significant disparities in worldwide neurosurgical training and workforce distribution are prominent primarily in low-income and middle-income countries. Although Iran is considered a lower middle–income country, neurosurgical density and distribution in Iran has surpassed the recommended ratio of 1 neurosurgeon for every 100 000 population. The objective was to determine neurological surgery density and distribution in Iran and the factors significant in the relative success in training and allocation of neurosurgeons in Iran. METHODS: Review of PubMed and administration of site surveys of multiple data sources including Neurosurgical Society of Iran, Iranian Board of Neurological Surgery, Medical Council of Islamic Republic of Iran, Universities of Medical Sciences in Iran, and Ministry of Health and Higher Education of Iran. RESULTS: Over the 72-year period from 1952 to 2024, 1200 neurosurgeons have been trained and distributed in 31 provinces in Iran, attaining a ratio of 1.4/100 000 population. All but 40 neurosurgeons were trained after 1981, which coincided with the Iran-Iraq War. Decentralization of medical and neurosurgical residency training programs, resolving the immediate need for neurosurgeons managing penetrating traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries during the 1980 to 1988 Iran-Iraq War, and active participation of legislative and executive branches of government in solving health care disparities were major factors in meeting the needs of the country. At the present time, more than 555 neurosurgeons are practicing in Tehran Province, a proportion of 3.8 neurosurgeons for every 100 000 population, which indicates an element of disparity in density distribution across Iranian land. CONCLUSION: Legislative initiatives and government support of public health care delivery and decentralization of medical and residency training programs after the Iran-Iraq War and introduction of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education are considered the main reasons for the relative success in meeting the neurosurgical demand and manpower density. Still, further adjustment of distribution of manpower is needed.

Association Between Medical Debt and Vaccine Uptake in the USA, 2021-2022.

Many individuals do not receive recommended vaccines, increasing infectious disease morbidity and mortality. It is unknown whether the financial practices of US healthcare institutions contribute to vaccine hesitancy. To determine whether medical debt is associated with low vaccine uptake. Cross-sectional analysis of the association between medical debt and vaccine receipt. 56,373 adult participants in the 2021-2022 National Health Interview Survey. Presence of medical debt at the time of survey administration. We used logistic regression models to assess whether medical debt was associated with recent vaccine receipt, adjusting for sociodemographic, health, and access-to-care variables. We performed a sensitivity analysis restricted to individuals with health insurance and conducted a falsification test of the hypothesis that current medical debt would not be associated with remote prior vaccination (i.e., > 1year prior, likely before debt acquisition). Individuals with medical debt were less likely than those without such debt to receive any recent vaccine (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-0.91), including influenza vaccination (aOR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75-0.91) or COVID-19 vaccination (aOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.69-0.91). Analyses limited to insured individuals had similar findings (aOR for any recent vaccination 0.79, 95% CI 0.72-0.88). In the falsification test, current medical debt was not associated with remote prior vaccination (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 0.93-1.16). Current medical debt is associated with lower likelihood of recent vaccine receipt in both insured and uninsured individuals. Policies that minimize medical debt may improve vaccine coverage.

Comparison of an Open versus List-Based Dietary Recall Method to Assess Unhealthy Feeding Practices among Infants and Young Children

BackgroundCollecting accurate dietary data is critical for assessing infant and young child feeding practices, identifying populations at risk, and using evidence to inform policy. In 2021, World Health Organization/United Nations Children’s Fund released new indicators of unhealthy food and beverage consumption and recommended that survey administrators use either an open or list-based method. ObjectivesThis study compared infants’ and young children’ unhealthy food consumption estimated using an open 24-h recall (24HR) compared with list-based 24HR among young children living in peri-urban Cambodia and explored the effect of social desirability bias on respondents’ responses. MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of unhealthy food consumption estimated in a longitudinal cohort study implemented from June 2021 through January 2022 in the rural/peri-urban district of Khsach Kandal, Kandal Province, Cambodia (567 children aged 10–13.9 mo at baseline). Each month, for 5 mo, data were collected via an open 24HR. At the 6th month, half of the children were randomly assigned to also receive a list-based 24HR to collect data on unhealthy food consumption. ResultsThe prevalence of sweet beverage and unhealthy food consumption and zero fruit and vegetable consumption among young children was high. We observed that the percentage of children consuming sweet foods was significantly higher when estimated using the list-based compared with an open 24HR method (61.6% compared with 43.8%; P = 0.012). An association between social desirability bias and reported consumption of salty/fried foods was also observed across both groups; however, this relationship was more pronounced among caregivers who received the list-based 24HR than the open 24HR (P = 0.004). ConclusionsResearchers must carefully consider the method used for 24HR because this may have implications for respondents’ recall and memory. As more evidence is collected on the rising consumption of unhealthy food and beverages among young children, researchers should take into consideration the effects of caregiver’s susceptibility to social desirability bias when analyzing these consumption patterns.

Trauma Patient Transitional Work: A Multidisciplinary Feasibility Survey of Planned Behavior Elements.

Patient transitions in critical care require coordination across provider roles and rely on the quality of providers' actions to ensure safety. Studying the behavior of providers who transition patients in critical care may guide future interventions that ultimately improve patient safety in this setting. To establish the feasibility of using the Theory of Planned Behavior in a trauma environment and to describe provider behavior elements during trauma patient transfers (de-escalations) to non-critical care units. This cross-sectional study surveyed a convenience sample of 103 multidisciplinary providers who do the cognitive and physical work of transitioning trauma patients from critical care to another non-critical care unit at a U.S. Level I trauma center. Descriptive methods for survey development, analysis, and administration were evaluated. A total of 72 respondents completed the survey; they included registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and medical doctors, demonstrating a 70% response rate. Statistically significant differences among ICU roles were observed in perceived control (Eta-squared=0.09, p =.001) and in several anchors in the attitude, subjective norms, and behavioral intent theoretical domains (Cohen's d ranging from 0.36 to 2.03, p <.05). This study demonstrated variability in theory domains, signaling an opportunity to study a representative sample. It can serve as a blueprint for future behavioral studies designed to examine the Theory of Planned Behavior elements in trauma critical care providers.

Interactive effects of sustainable HRM, career adaptability and career sustainability on employee well-being

PurposePast research has well-demonstrated the importance of sustainable human resource management practices in augmenting sustainability in careers of individuals and their overall growth and well-being. In this regard, role of career adaptability as a potential resource in harnessing sustainable HRM and career sustainability relationship requires attention. Considering this, the purpose of the current research is to analyze how sustainable HRM practices influence career sustainability, that eventually predicts employee well-being. Besides this, we also examined the role of career adaptability as a potential moderator in governing the linkage between sustainable HR practices and career sustainability.Design/methodology/approachOur study adopted a cross-sectional research design. Data were collected through administration of survey among 620 working professionals. Analysis was conducted deploying statistical techniques such as confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to confirm the factors, and the hypotheses were tested using model 4 and model 7 in PROCESS macro by SPSS 20.0.FindingsResults showed that in the Indian context, career sustainability acts as a potential mediator between the sustainable HRM practices and employee well-being relationship. In addition, we also found the significant moderating role of career adaptability in strengthening the impact of sustainable HRM practices on career sustainability among employees.Practical implicationsThe study offers potential implications for scholars and management practitioners in terms of implementing sustainable HRM practices emphasizing on good values at various levels in organizations. Also, it encourages organizational policymakers and leaders for conducting training programs and workshops on developing career adaptability resources.Originality/valueIt is among one of the few studies that help in advancing the scholarship on sustainable HRM and sustainable careers and their key role in strengthening individuals’ well-being. The findings also extend the application of conservation of resources theory at the intersection of sustainable HRM and vocational psychology literature in the South-east Asian context.

The Analysis of Criminogenic Factors in a Sample of Drug Addicts: The Relevance of the Social -Environmental Element in Antisocial Behavior. Pilot Study

Introduction: Behavior is the consequence of cognitive processes that originate from multifactorial products, such as genetic predisposition, education received, and experience gained from the family and social context of reference. The deficiency or defect of one or more of these factors could cause psychopathological shaping in the individual that can foster or nurture deviant or antisocial behavior. It is necessary to investigate what are the main factors underlying the criminal phenomenon. Materials and methods: The literature up to August 2024 was reviewed and 40 articles were included in the research. The survey was conducted through the administration of an experimental Questionnaire-type sociological survey (QA2CPICB). Results: In this pilot study, a population of 49 individuals (42 males and 7 females) most with criminal records and currently addicted to narcotic substances / drugs / alcohol, aged between 24 and 57 years (M: 39.7; SD: 9.1), residents or permanent residents of the “Emmanuel” Communities of the Apulia Region (Italy), were selected. The variable of age is negatively correlated with the areas investigated by the QA2CPICB (as age increases, the impact of the factors investigated decreases). Conclusion: Variables that can describe lived life influences (such as traumatic childhood events, critical family and work issues, economic poverty in adulthood, and lack of stable and lasting affective-emotional support), psychiatric disorders, and social-environmental influences (such as degraded, poor, and/or criminal family and social environment) are negatively correlated with the age variable and serve as positive reinforcers for maintaining the pathological state of drug addiction and engaging in deviant or criminal conduct to procure the necessary economic liquidity. Early intervention, reeducation and economic-work support can act as a deterrent and negative reinforcer on drug addiction, promoting patient recovery and limiting further legally relevant behavior in the justice system. Key points 1. The social-environmental factor plays a central role in maintaining criminal conduct. 2. Criminal conduct is the prerequisite for nurturing the substance-dependence state of drug addicts. 3. Early intervention, reeducation and economic-work support can act as a deterrent and negative reinforcer on drug addiction, promoting patient recovery and limiting further legally relevant behavior in the justice system.

Developing the Short Form of the Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES-SF)

Given the critical role of socio-emotional skills in students’ academic success, psychological well-being, and other critical life outcomes, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) developed the Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES) to measure these skills among school-age students. However, the broad conceptual scope of socio-emotional skills necessitated the use of a large number of items (i.e., 120 items) in the original SSES, which poses challenges regarding survey administration and participant fatigue. To address these issues, this study aimed to develop a short form of the SSES (i.e., SSES-SF). The sample included 29,798 15-year-old students across 10 regions. We developed a 45-item version of SSES-SF using the machine learning approach of genetic algorithm, which is 62.5% shorter than the original 120-item SSES. The reliability, construct validity, reproduced information, concurrent validity, and measurement invariance of the SSES-SF were investigated. We found that the SSES-SF demonstrated satisfactory reliability, construct validity, and concurrent validity. Furthermore, the SSES-SF was able to reproduce a substantial amount of information from the original full-form SSES and exhibited measurement invariance across genders, regions, and language groups. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Overview and Methods for the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System - United States, 2023.

The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) is a set of surveys that tracks a broad range of behaviors, experiences, and conditions that can lead to poor health among high school students. The system includes a nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and separate school-based YRBSs conducted by states, tribes, territories, and local school districts. For the 2023 national YRBS, CDC made changes to the sampling method, survey administration mode, and questionnaire. Specifically, the sampling design added an American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) supplemental sample so that separate, precise estimates could be made for AI/AN high school students, in addition to the usual sample designed to provide nationally representative data for the population of students in grades 9-12. To decrease the time needed to collect and process data, CDC changed the survey administration mode from paper-and-pencil scannable booklets to a tablet-based electronic survey. To provide national data on topics of emerging interest, CDC added new questions to the questionnaire. These new questions assessed social media use, experiences of racism at school, adverse childhood experiences, transgender identity, consent for sexual contact, and unfair discipline at school. Public health practitioners and researchers can use YRBSS data to examine the prevalence of youth health behaviors, experiences, and conditions; monitor trends; and guide interventions. This overview report describes 2023 YRBSS survey methodology, including sampling, data collection, data processing, weighting, and data analyses. The 2023 YRBS participation map, survey response rates, and a detailed examination of student demographic characteristics are included in this report. During 2023, in addition to the national YRBS, 68 site-level surveys were administered to high school students in 39 states, three tribal governments, five territories, and 21 local school districts. These site-level surveys use site-specific questionnaires that are similar to the national YRBS questionnaire but are modified to meet sites' needs. This overview and methods report is one of 11 featured in this MMWR supplement, which reports results from the 2023 national YRBS but does not include data from the 68 site-level surveys. Each report is based on data collected using methods presented in this overview report. A full description of YRBSS results and downloadable data are available (https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/index.html).

Partnering for Progress: Lessons Learned From Mental Health Assessment for Youth Living With HIV in India Through Community-Based Participatory Research

Youth living with HIV (YLHIV) face diverse mental health challenges necessitating interventions informed by their lived experiences. Failure to do so can perpetuate a self-reinforcing cycle of misaligned and ineffective support, further exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. This study directly addresses this gap by using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to empower YLHIV in India to address their mental health challenges. YLHIV actively participated in adapting and implementing a culturally responsive mental health screening program. The study, incorporating CBPR principles at every step aimed to identify practical methods for integrating YLHIV voices in research, and showcase the value of YLHIV participation in co-creating and implementing impactful interventions. Six youth investigators aged 18-24, born with HIV and residing in southern Indian states underwent certification in human subjects’ protection and training in mental health screening and survey administration techniques. They actively shaped the research process by culturally adapting standardized mental health screening tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7) through iterative discussions with experts, drawing on their own perspectives. Following field assessments of the mental health screening tools among their peers, they documented their reflections in surveys and written essays. Youth investigators’ involvement improved the research process by optimizing tools, combating stigma, and facilitating reliable data collection. Beyond data collection, the youth investigators’ participation significantly boosted their own knowledge, self-confidence, and research skills. This study serves as an illustrative model of CBPR in mental health research among YLHIV, highlighting the importance of interactive training, continuous feedback mechanisms, and respectful youth engagement in fostering impactful research that can inform tailored sustainable interventions.

Hear, act, connect, support: Youth recommendations for educators who administer school climate surveys

AbstractSchool climate surveys are commonly used to solicit youth perspectives about their experiences in schools. However, to move climate surveys from solicitation towards a more youth‐centered, partnered practice for school improvement, guidance is needed from the youth themselves about how and in what ways they hope adults respond to their survey responses. In the present study, we analyzed data from four focus groups conducted with middle school and high school students. Findings reveal that, following the administration of climate surveys, youth want adults to: recognize their voices, take action based on their responses, cultivate opportunities for connection, and increase mental health supports. These student‐generated insights can help inform how adults in schools—from educational leaders to licensed mental health professionals—use student data to inform decision‐making.