Underage Population Research Articles

Relationship between MASC scores and diagnosis in a sample of children and adolescents in Spain

IntroductionAnxiety is one of the most common Mental Health diagnosis in underage population. We decided to study if there was any variable that would lead us to a specific diagnosis, using the MASC questionnaire (Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children).Objectives1. Describe the prevalence of the different anxiety disorders and the differences in its prevalence according to sex. 2. Examine possible differences and associtions between MASC questionnaire scores and a specific anxiety diagnosis.MethodsThis is a descriptive, observational, retrospective, quantitative study with data from patients between June 2016 and 2023. Inclusion criteria: 3-18 year-old-spanish-speakers who met criteria for a ICD-11 disorder. Exclusion criteria: absence of legal representatives, intellectual disability. Variables: sex, ICD-11 diagnosis, MASC’s subscales (Physical Symptoms, Harm Avoidance, Social Anxiety and Separation Anxiety) and CGI. Statistical analyzes were performed with STATA-15 program, using as independent variables MASC questionnaire and dependent one Anxiety Diagnosis.ResultsThe sample contains 1024 patients. Figure 1 shows the distribution of Anxiety Disorders: Unspecified Anxiety Disorder (47%), Separation Anxiety Disorder (23%), Simple Phobias (9%) and Social Anxiety Disorder (7%). Figure 2 represents the distribution by sex, with the differences being statistically significant (p<0.05) for all anxiety disorders, meaning that girls have higher prevalence of all anxiety disorders. Figure 3 shows how age correlates significantly and directly with all the subscales, meaning the older the patients are the higher the scores. We also found that boys have lower scores and a lower percentage of alteration in all subscales. CGI scale also correlates positively with all the subscales, specially with Physical Symptoms. All these data have been adjusted.Image:Image 2:Image 3:ConclusionsAnxiety disorders are the most common form of Mental Disorder in young people (lobal prevalence of 6.5%, Rapee et al.2023). Prevalence for specific Anxiety Disorders in underage population are less reliable, because of the unequal age of samples (Rapee et al.2023). Separation Anxiety disorder is the most prevalent among children (La Maison et al., 2018), while Social Anxiety disorder is among adolescents (Lawrence et al.2015). We did not categorized our sample, being Separation Anxiety disorder the most frequent followed by Social Anxiety. We observed a correlation between some subscales and a specific diagnosis: the risk of presenting a Social Anxiety disorder is multiplied by 1.08 for each point of increase in that subscale and the risk of presenting a Separation Anxiety disorder is multiplied by 1.05 for each increase of 1 point in Separation Anxiety subscale. However, the diagnosis of Simple Phobia decreases with the increase in scores in all subscales, maybe due to the fact that there are not many items that specifically evaluate fears.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Association and predictor role of MASC scores in pharmacological or psychological treatment indication in a sample of children and adolescent in Spain

IntroductionAnxiety is one of the most common Mental Health diagnosis in underage population. We decided to study if there was any variable that would lead us to a specific treatment indication using the MASC (Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children).ObjectivesPrevalence of psychiatric disorders and comorbidities in an underage population.Possible association between MASC questionnaire scores and the indication for pharmacological and/or psychological treatment.MethodsThis is a descriptive, observational, retrospective, quantitative study with data from patients between June 2016 and 2023. Inclusion criteria: 3-18 year-old-spanish-speakers who met criteria for a ICD-11 disorder. Exclusion criteria: absence of legal representatives, intellectual disability. Variables: Age, sex, psychiatric family history, ICD-11 diagnosis, treatment indication and MASC’s subscales (physical symptoms, harm avoidance, social anxiety and separation anxiety). Statistical analyzes were performed with STATA-15 program, using as independent variables MASC questionnaire, and dependent ones the indication treatment and diagnosis.ResultsThe sample contains 1024 patients, with a mean age of 12 (SD 4.028). Table 1 shows that the most frequent diagnosis is ADHD, with combined presentation with a prevalence of 22.27%, followed by Anxiety Disorders, without differentiating by subtypes (17.93%). It also shows that Defiant and Oppositional Disorder is the most prevalent comorbidity (9.66%) followed by Anxiety Disorder not specified (4.99%). Table 2 stands that there are significantly higher scores in all MASC subscales in those patients who do have prior psychiatry family history. We founf in Table 3 statistically significant differences were found between the score on the Physical Symptoms subscale based on whether the patient was undergoing previous treatment, both pharmacological (8.45 vs. 7.59) and psychological treatment (9.01 vs. 7.95) compared to those who were not (pharmacological 7.36 vs. 7.06), psychological (7.21 vs. 6.92). All these data have been adjusted.Image:Image 2:Image 3:ConclusionsAnxiety disorders are the most common form of Mental Disorder in young people, with a global prevalence of 6.5% (Rapee et al.2023). However, in our sample the most common one is ADHD as our center is specialized in it. We found that the most prevalent one was Oppositional Defiant Disorder, as it is the most frequent comorbidity of ADHD (Vallejo-Valdivielso et al,2019; Faraone et al,2021). The increase of one point in the Physical Anxiety subscale increases the probability of indicating pharmacological treatment, which could be explained because of how functional limitation these symptoms cause. The increase in all the subscales of the MASC implies an increase in the probability of an indication for psychological treatment as it is the gold-standard treatment for anxiety in children.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Underage drinking, prevalence and predictors in India: Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data

ABSTRACT Underage drinking is a high-risk behavior associated with adverse health consequences among children and youth. Globally, underage drinking is the leading cause of social crimes, disability, and premature accidental and suicidal deaths among the young population. Despite leading to serious health and social problems, it has been a scarcely studied issue in India. This study assessed the prevalence and socio-economic predictors of underage drinking in India using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2021 data from 306,929 individuals in the age group of 15–20 years. Analyzing these data, the prevalence of underage drinking was assessed, and regression analysis was undertaken to identify the significant predictors of underage drinking in India. The population prevalence of underage drinking in India was 2%. Age, sex, education, marital status, family structure, house type, religion, social category, wealth index, place of residence, region, and tobacco use were the statistically significant predictors of underage drinking. Despite restrictions on the purchase and consumption of alcohol by the underage population, the prevalence is high in most of the Indian states and varies across individual, behavioral, familial, socio-economic, and demographic factors. There is a pressing need to delay the minimum legal drinking age, establish uniform criteria for age restrictions across India, enforce age restrictions, and create awareness about the harms of underage drinking in India.

Repressive policy of the Soviet government in relation to minorsin 1941 –1958: analysis of the regulatory framework (stages 3, 4 and 5)

This article, which is a continuation of the previous publication (3 issues of the Bulletin of Karaganda Uni-versityfor 2023), analyzed the last three stages of the regulatory framework of repressive policies towards minors for the period from 1941 to 1958.By grouping the available normative base, the authors identified five stages from 1918 to 1958, with the main criterion being legislative documents aimed at tightening or sof-tening repressive policies towards the underage population of the country. This article examines the normative documents of the third, fourth, and fifth stages from July 7, 1941, to December 25, 1958.The main sources used in the analysis were the constitution, laws, orders, instructions, resolutions, and various directive documents that allowed the authors to trace the scope and stages of repressive policies towards minors. In conclusion, the authors concluded that the third stage (from July 7, 1941, to January 18, 1945) was the peak, characterized by the tightening of legislation, a sharp increase in the number of minors in the penitentiary sys-tem, and the scale and ruthlessness of child labor in all areas of life. The fourth stage (from January 18, 1945, to March 24, 1956) was transitional and characterized by a relaxation of repressive policies towards children. During this stage, not only we observe a reduction in normative sources, but also the emergence of documents aimed at improving the well-being of children. The fifth stage (from March 24, 1956, to December 25, 1958) marked the conclusion, as it was during this period that repressions against minors ceased

Burns: Why give special attention to adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean from a primary health prevention perspective?

The existing evidence on burns in the underage population has focused mainly on children under ten years, leaving behind the age group defined as "adolescents" by the World Health Organization. However, adolescents present their own characteristics that differentiate them from their younger counterparts. These differences are relevant from a primary prevention perspective, focusing on preventing illness or injury. In this context, this article reflects on why adolescents need special attention in the primary prevention of burns in Latin America and the Caribbean. First, burn scenarios in adolescents are often linked to participation in risky activities due to pressure, social desirability, or low perception of the associated risks. Second, it is essential to emphasize that adolescents may experience social vulnerability, which entails a higher risk of suffering an intentional or unintentional burn. Third, the risk of burns in adolescents may be related to mental health and self-harm scenarios. These aspects need to be investigated through both quantitative and qualitative studies to design and implement primary prevention strategies relevant to this population group in the region.

Awareness and use of tobacco products among underage individuals: findings from the altria client services underage tobacco use survey 2020–2022

BackgroundTobacco use among underage individuals is a public health concern. Timely data about tobacco products, especially emerging products such as novel oral nicotine products (NPs), can provide critical information for the prevention of underage tobacco use. With a recent federal law raising the legal age of purchase of tobacco products from 18 to 21, it is of interest to benchmark awareness and use of tobacco products in the new underage population, young adults 18–20 years old. This study provides estimates on awareness and use of tobacco products among underage individuals 13–20 years old during May 2020 to August 2022 in the United States.MethodsAltria Client Services Underage Tobacco Use Survey (UTUS) is a repeated cross-sectional survey conducted every quarter-year. A stratified random sampling approach was used to draw nationally representative samples of household dwelling individuals 13–20 years old. Information about the awareness and use of tobacco products was obtained via online self-administration or phone interviews after a consent/assent process.ResultsA sizable portion of underage individuals were aware of NPs (~ 40% among youth and ~ 50% among underage young adults), although past 30-day use was low (< 2%). The lowest levels of awareness and use were observed for heated tobacco products and snus. E-cigarettes were the most used tobacco products among underage individuals. Underage young adults (i.e., 18–20 year olds) were more likely to use tobacco products than youth (i.e., 13–17 year olds). There was no substantial change over time in the awareness and use of tobacco products during the study period despite a slight increase in past 30-day prevalence of e-cigarette use among youth between quarter 1 of 2021 and quarter 2 of 2022.ConclusionsThe awareness and use of tobacco products remained relatively stable between May 2020 and August 2022. There is a notable level of awareness of novel NPs among underage individuals.

Dignity labor of the surrogate mothers in Colombia

This investigation pretends to search how the Colombian state can dignify the Labor conditions and the social security of the surrogate mothers and equate with community mothers in relation with the child care. It´s used a qualitative methodology explanatory type for inquire the reasons by which the Colombian legislator dives a differential treatment although they do similar activities for the underage population in head to Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar -ICBF.

Blood lead monitoring in a former mining area in Euskirchen, Germany: results of a representative random sample in 3- to 17-year-old children and minors

Heavy metal residues in former mining areas can pose a burden to the local environment and population even decades after closure of the mining sites. In the North Rhine-Westphalian (Germany) communities of Mechernich and Kall, both parts of the district of Euskirchen, lead residues are a source of health concerns for local residents. A statistically representative collective of both communities depending on sex, age, and area of residence was created, mirroring the local underage population. The blood lead levels (BLL) of 182 children and minors in the two adjacent communities were assessed via ICP-MSMS. The results were compared to German lead reference values, valid for the general underage population. In total, 32 (17.6%) of the subjects investigated exceeded the according reference values of 15 µg/L and 20 µg/L, respectively, depending on sex and age, thus pointing out an additional lead burden affecting children in the area. Potential lead sources contributing to the BLL were evaluated using a questionnaire. Factors that showed significant impact on the BLL were, other than age, sex, height, and weight, the factors occupancy, time spend in the garden, garden hand-to-mouth contact, consumption frequency of homegrown products, and lifestyle factors. The data presented enable both residents and the local authorities to further reduce lead exposure and to take appropriate personal and public action.

Assessment of interactions between influencing factors on city shrinkage based on geographical detector: A case study in Kitakyushu, Japan

The phenomenon of urban shrinkage is a growing global issue. Although urban shrinkage in Japan was mostly contributed to the aging population and low fertility, a comprehensive understanding of the influence mechanisms of shrinking cities in Japan is still challenging. Thus, a case study in Kitakyushu, Japan, one of Japan's largest shrinking cities, was conducted for quantitative analysis of the characteristics of urban shrinkage. Moreover, a geographical detector method was applied to reveal the interactive correlation between the influencing factors on urban shrinkage. This study investigated the spatial patterns of urban shrinkage in a complex context and explored the individual and interactive influences of urban demographic and morphological factors. We found that the duration of residents, underage population ratio, and aging population ratio were mostly correlated with population changes. The interactions between urban demographic and morphological factors were manifested as bivariate enhanced or nonlinear enhanced, which informed different types of people may have preferences for the urban morphology in the process of relocation. The findings provide useful information for understanding urban shrinkage at the local scale and help urban planners and policy-makers develop effective sustainable urban planning forms.

Can Marijuana Counter-Marketing Prevent Underage Use?

Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana, in 2012. Health organizations and public policy makers, including the Colorado Governor’s Office, were concerned by how this action would affect the acceptability of marijuana consumption behavior among youths under 21 years of age. An advertising campaign was proposed that would motivate the underage population not to use marijuana or at least to postpone its use. This paper aims to explore the development and execution of a pioneering research effort and resulting counter-marketing campaign aimed at youths and to examine the reaction of young consumers to different advertising stimuli. A detailed profile of the target market mindset was developed on the basis of a comprehensive qualitative research effort. The work yielded a campaign centered around the tagline “Don’t Be a Lab Rat.” Colorado implemented a communication strategy using theater advertising, out-of-home alternative marketing tactics, and a comprehensive online digital and mobile marketing initiative.

Relationships among smoking abstinence self-efficacy, trait coping style and nicotine dependence of smokers in Beijing.

INTRODUCTIONPsychological, physiological and social factors play an important role in the initiation, persistence, dependence and relapse of smoking behaviors, and coping style and smoking abstinence self-efficacy can all affect nicotine dependence.METHODSA cross-sectional sample of 568 quitters from 19 communities in Beijing in 2019 was surveyed. Demographic information and psychological characteristics of smokers were collected by an interview questionnaire, and psychological traits scales including the Smoking Abstinence Self-Efficacy (SASE) and the Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ). We compared differences in psychological traits across demographic information and explored the relationship between nicotine dependence and coping styles and self-efficacy in refusing to smoke.RESULTSSignificant differences were identified in self-efficacy in refusing to smoke and across dimensions among quitters by gender, job type, education level, and monthly income level (all p<0.05). Males had lower self-efficacy in the habitual/addictive context than females; retirees had better overall self-efficacy and self-efficacy in the negative/emotional context than business service workers and professionals; and high-educated, high-income quitters had lower self-efficacy in the negative/emotional context. There are significant differences in positive coping styles among quitters of different ages, levels of education, and types of work (all p<0.05). The results further showed that the underage population, highly educated population, and practitioners other than those in retirement, are less likely to use positive coping styles. Interventional effects analysis showed that a higher sense of self-efficacy in addictive contexts can counteract some of the negative coping styles that induce smoking.CONCLUSIONSSelf-efficacy played an indirect mediating role between negative coping style and nicotine dependence; individuals who used more negative coping styles were more likely to engage in smoking and therefore were more nicotine dependent. Hence, it is necessary to reduce the use of negative coping strategies and improve the self-efficacy of smoking abstinence in the face of addiction.

M27. FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH ATTENUATED PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS: RESULTS FROM A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

BackgroundAssessing longitudinal functional outcomes, besides the risk of transition, seems important in underage population given the concerns about the use of at-risk criteria in this age range. Indeed, it has been highlighted that attenuated psychotic symptoms appear to be more common and transient than in adults and could, more often, represent normative experiences (Bartels-Velthuis et al. 2016; Schimmelmann et al. 2013). Thus, in this longitudinal cohort study, we aimed to evaluate socio-occupational functioning at follow-ups in children and adolescents with attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS) and to investigate potential clinical predictors of the functional outcome.MethodsHelp-seeking adolescents (aged 12–18 years) consecutively admitted to Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric inpatient and outpatient units of the IRCCS Mondino Foundation (Pavia, Italy) were recruited. The Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental State (CAARMS) was used in order to evaluate the presence of attenuated psychotic symptoms. The final sample consisted of 31adolescents suffering from early onset psychosis (EOP), 110 APS and 102 adolescents with psychiatric disorders other than APS and EOP (non-APS). At baseline patients underwent an extensive clinical and, in a subset, also neuropsychological assessment using standardized semi-structured interviews and instruments. All APS patients recruited until March 2019 were followed up for a median period of 33 months (range 4–81 months) and baseline measures were repeated (every 12 months). The level of functioning was defined through the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS).ResultsAt 12 months and last visit follow-ups APS patients overall continued to display a significant impairment in socio-occupational functioning that persisted over time (baseline SOFAS average score 47.3±9.6, average 12-months follow-up 51.7±13.7, average last-visit follow-up SOFAS 51.6±11.5). Also APS adolescents that did not develop psychosis continued to display a significant impairment in socio-occupational functioning that persisted over time. Besides conversion status (p=0.04), a higher SOFAS (p=0.0026) and better social functioning (p=0.016) and total IQ (p=0.02) at baseline and not having a baseline diagnosis of anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, p=0.005 and panic disorder, p=0.003) significantly predicted socio-occupational functioning at follow-up.DiscussionIn line with previous literature in adults, besides the risk of transitioning, at follow-ups APS adolescents overall continued to display a significant impairment in socio-occupational functioning that persisted over time. These data further show that APS adolescents are truly in need of care and underscore the need, also and especially in adolescents, not to focus only on transition risk, as APS adolescents appear to be both at risk of conversion to psychosis but also of functional disability persistent over time. Thus, preventive interventions should not only target emerging psychosis, but also improving APS social and global functional impairment that already at baseline seems to be linked with such a disabling outcome. In APS children and adolescents a multidimensional treatment plan including careful monitoring not only for a potential progression but also psychological interventions aiming at improving functioning is strongly recommended

Effect of Monitoring the Compliance of Banning Alcohol Sales to Minors in the Volume of Underage Acute Alcohol Intoxication Cases in Mexico: A Controlled ITSA Analysis

In Mexico, underage alcohol consumption is a major public health problem. Notwithstanding the complex character of alcohol consumption, evidence indicates that enforcing the policies aimed to control the availability of alcohol has produced positive outcomes and has proved to be one of the most cost-effective strategies for curbing consumption, as well as they have succeeded in reducing health and social problems associated to alcohol use. Evaluate the effect of enforcing compliance with minimum-age restrictions for the sale of alcoholic beverages in the number of cases of acute alcohol intoxication in underage population in Mexico. A controlled interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) model was resorted in order to assess the effect of enforcing the ban of alcohol sales to underage individuals at national level in Mexico. The outcome variable was cases of acute alcohol intoxication (F10.0) discharged in emergency services in the group from 10 to 19 years of age. We found a statistically significant drop (16.4%) in the cases of acute alcohol intoxication immediately after the program implementation. This result suggests that monitoring and enforcing strategies to ban alcohol sales to underage individuals can provide an effective tool to reduce the negative outcomes of underage alcohol consumption.

Collective Impact on Prevention: Let's Talk About Children Service Model and Decrease in Referrals to Child Protection Services.

Background: Families with parental mental health issues often have numerous problems needing multilevel measures to address them. The “Let's Talk about Children Service Model (LT-SM)” is a community-based service approach aiming at collectively impacting population needs regarding child protection services. Three municipalities in the Raahe District (RD) of Finland requested implementation of the LT Service Model. This paper describes the model and first results.Methods: The LT Service Model connects relevant stakeholders with families and their social networks aiming at the shared goal of supporting children's everyday life at home, kindergarten, school, and leisure environments. Parents, teachers, and other caretakers are supported by LT interventions. An infrastructure for collaboration, decision making, monitoring, training, and feedback is established, embracing health, social and educational services, and other stakeholders. Referrals to child protection services were compared with national data before (2009–2013) and after implementation of the LT Service Model (2013–2016). Analyses were conducted using the joinpoint regression method.Results: There was a significant decrease in the underage population referred to child protection services in RD (AAPC = −6.9; p = 0.013) between 2013 and 2016, in contrast with an increased rate nationwide (AAPC = 1.9; p = 0.020).Conclusion: In the LT Service Model, prevention starts in children's everyday life as the uniting, common goal for multiple stakeholders and an integrated service structure is developed to support this effort. The first results are promising, showing an appreciable decrease in referrals to child protection services, although further research with longer follow-up and across other municipalities is needed.

Mental Health in the Attention Models for Juvenile Offenders. The Cases of Colombia, Argentina, United States and Canada

Abstract&#x0D; Objective: To investigate how mental health is understood and approached in the attention models of detention centers for the convicted underage population in Argentina, Colombia, United States and Canada. Methodology: A literature search was conducted using the following key words: adolescence, mental health, juvenile justice, juvenile delinquency, risk factors, and interventions. Searches were done through the search engine Pubmed. Additionally, public institution websites for each country were consulted. Conclusions: Juvenile delinquency is now understood as a multi-factorial phenomenon with multiple areas of intervention within which economic, domestic and social factors are considered relevant, since these favor the development of criminal behavior. A similarity was found between Colombian and Argentinian systems; both are based on restorative justice that seeks reparation and not punishment; which is why there are no punitive measures. When comparing Canada and the United States, it can be seen that Canada is more similar to Latin-American countries than to the United States, given that the latter uses punitive measures focused on the offender.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Family environmental factors associated with underage drinking

ABSTRACTBackground: Alcohol-related health and social problems amongst underage are increasing globally. Most studies have focused on the quality of parental relationships. However, less evidence is available to support the association between alcohol consumption and the birth order or the interaction between siblings. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between underage alcohol consumption and family structure and family relationships.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among schoolchildren in Murcia Region (Southern Spain) (n = 2290) using an anonymous questionnaire delivered in school settings. Statistical analyses used logistic regression to identify independent predictors of alcohol use. Separate analyses were carried out by sexes.Results: About one-third of the 2290 surveyed students (33.2%) reported alcohol consumption, being significantly higher in boys than girls (35.4% vs. 31.3%, p = 0.041). In general, attending second to fourth course of secondary education (grades 7–10 in North America), being a second child, mother with low educational level or working outside home, and having a bad relationship with parents or siblings were associated with higher risk of alcohol consumption.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the complexity of family interactions, including order or birth and quality of relationship with parents and siblings, may impact alcohol consumption in underage population. However, further studies are warranted to confirm and extend our finding, particularly about the order of siblings.

Childhood inactivity, a public health priority

The continuing epidemic of cardiovascular diseases calls for a renewed and intensified preventive public health action. The widespread occurrence and silent progression of atherosclerosis has created a cardiovascular diseases burden that is massive in terms of its attendant death and disability, as well as social and economic costs. Atherosclerosis begins to develop in childhood and progresses into the adult years, significantly affected by the associated risk factors. Recent studies of children, adolescents, and young adults have demonstrated the close link of blood cholesterol level, blood pressure level, smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity with the extent and severity of atherosclerosis in the underage population. These findings underscore the opportunities for preventing cardiovascular diseases during childhood and adolescence, as well as the lifelong importance of prevention. In most children, atherosclerotic vascular changes are minor and can be minimized or even prevented with adherence to a healthy lifestyle. Accordingly, participation of children in sports and active play has never been more crucial than it is today. Furthermore, beside the beneficial role of physical activity in delaying or preventing metabolic complications, it has also been shown to improve bone mineral density, increase school performance, and have a positive effect on mental health.

Peers and social network on alcohol drinking through early adolescence in Taiwan

ObjectivesThis study aims to identify peers and social network characteristics associated with drinking occasions through early adolescence. MethodsThe study sample of 1808 middle school students (aged 13–15 years) in northern Taiwan was collected via a two-wave longitudinal study of the Alcohol-Related Experiences among Children (AREC). Data concerning individual sociodemographics, family characteristics, peer influence, and alcohol drinking behaviors were collected via web-based self-administered questionnaire. Building upon the maximum of five friends nominated by young respondents at 7th grade, class-based social network was first constructed via the UCINET and Pajek; the network position (i.e., member, bridge, and isolate) for each student was subsequently ascertained. Complex surveys analyses and negative binominal regression models were used to evaluate concurrent and prospective relationship estimates. ResultsEffects of peers and social network were found to operate differentially by childhood alcohol experience. For the alcohol naïve youngsters, receiving higher peer's nomination at baseline was linked with subsequent increased drinking occasions (adjusted Incidence Rate Ratio [aIRR]=1.06; 95% CI=1.01–1.10), whereas having peers against alcohol drinking may reduce drinking occasions at 9th grade (aIRR=0.59; 95% CI=0.41–0.87). For the alcohol experienced youngsters, having parental alcohol offer, drinking peers, and attending classes of higher drinking norms may increase future drinking occasions by 90%, 80% and 44%, respectively. ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that parental alcohol offer, peer norms, and social network may affect adolescent drinking occasions differentially depending on childhood drinking experience. The findings have implications for the interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in underage population.

The alcohol policy environment and policy subgroups as predictors of binge drinking measures among US adults.

We examined the relationships of the state-level alcohol policy environment and policy subgroups with individual-level binge drinking measures. We used generalized estimating equations regression models to relate the alcohol policy environment based on data from 29 policies in US states from 2004 to 2009 to 3 binge drinking measures in adults from the 2005 to 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys. A 10 percentage point higher alcohol policy environment score, which reflected increased policy effectiveness and implementation, was associated with an 8% lower adjusted odds of binge drinking and binge drinking 5 or more times, and a 10% lower adjusted odds of consuming 10 or more drinks. Policies that targeted the general population rather than the underage population, alcohol consumption rather than impaired driving, and raising the price or reducing the availability of alcohol had the strongest independent associations with reduced binge drinking. Alcohol taxes and outlet density accounted for approximately half of the effect magnitude observed for all policies. A small number of policies that raised alcohol prices and reduced its availability appeared to affect binge drinking.

Pertinencia normativa del Raven para la evaluación de población infantojuvenil socialmente vulnerable

Study about the pertinence in the utilization of available norms of measuring children who are part of the socially vulnerable population in the city of Punta Arenas. The evaluation of intellectual abilities is an important feature of the labor of specialists who conduct interventions in vulnerable underage population, even though there is little information about the psychometric quality of some of the instruments applied in the process. This is the case of the Raven’s Progressive Matrices Test (1991) that thanks to its easy access, application and evaluation, is one of the most used screening test in Chile. The aim of this research is to evaluate the reliability of the use of available criteria, for that there were selected 75 subjects from residential systems of protection. The results prove that Chilean norms are closer to the observed averages. It is discussed the utility of the use of specific norms for this group and their both ethical and professional implications.