Universal Prevention Research Articles

Long-term consequences of bullying involvement in first grade

Few prospective studies have examined how early bullying experiences impact long-term adjustment and the differential impact of children's co-occurring bullying and peer victimization involvement on adjustment in adulthood. This study addressed these gaps by examining subgroups of first graders involved in bullying and associations with four outcomes in early adulthood, including (a) Major Depression diagnosis, (b) post-high school suicide attempt, (c) on-time high school graduation, and (d) criminal justice involvement. Additionally, middle school standardized reading test scores and suspensions were examined as potential mechanisms through which early bullying involvement is associated with adult outcomes. Participants were 594 children from nine urban elementary schools in the United States who participated in a randomized controlled trial of two school-based universal prevention interventions. Latent profile analyses using peer nominations identified three subgroups: (a) High involvement bully-victims, (b) Moderate involvement bully-victims, and (c) Low/No involvement youth. Compared to the No/Low involvement class, High involvement bully-victims were less likely to graduate high school on time (OR = 0.48, p = .002) and Moderate involvement bully-victims were more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system (OR = 1.37, p = .02). High bully-victims were at greater risk for both not graduating high school on-time and criminal justice system involvement, which were partially explained by 6th grade standardized reading test scores and suspensions. Moderate bully-victims were less likely to graduate high school on time, which was partially explained by 6th grade suspensions. Findings highlight how early bully-victim involvement increases risk for difficulties that affect adult quality of life.

Protocol for a Trial Assessing the Efficacy of a Universal School-Based Prevention Program for Addictive Behaviors.

"Juego de Llaves" [ Set of Keys ] is a universal school-based prevention program for adolescents aged 12-15. It is aimed at reducing drug use and other addictive behaviors. This paper describes the full protocol for the evaluation design, instruments, randomization procedure, follow-ups, and primary outcomes. Non-Randomized Control Cluster Trial in a set of Spanish secondary schools, with follow-ups at 12-, 24- and 36-months. Participants will be allocated to an experimental or control group. Using a digital application designed for the study, a battery of instruments will be used to assess addictive behaviors, sociodemographic variables, school climate and other transdiagnostic psychological variables. A pilot test will be carried out to test the implementation protocol and to calculate the sample size needed for outcome evaluation. After implementing the program, longitudinal statistical approaches will be used to report intervention efficacy and potential moderators and mediators. There is a lack of assessments on the effectiveness of school prevention programs, and this paper is expected to improve monitoring and ongoing evaluation in prevention.

Developmentally Appropriate Prevention of Behavior and Emotional Problems and Fostering of Social and Emotional Skills in Elementary School – Overview of Program Theory and Measures of the Preventive Intervention Program Papilio-6to9

Children face increased demands for interpersonal as well as learning-related social skills, especially by the vulnerable stage of school entry, due to the more structured setting, new academic requirements, and the fact that children are supposed to interact successfully within a larger and heterogeneous peer group. Although a plethora of social-emotional learning (SEL) programs for elementary school students have been developed, there is a lack of empirically evaluated programs suitable for implementation in field-based settings, especially in Germany. The universal-selective, school-based prevention program Papilio-6to9 aims at facilitating the transition from preschool to elementary school, improving social-emotional competences, and preventing behavior and emotional problems. As a universal-selective prevention program, Papilio-6to9 includes all children in elementary school classes regardless of risk factors (universal prevention) whereby also children with risk factors are targeted without being stigmatised (selective prevention). The program targets elementary school children aged about six to nine and their teachers who receive a three-day training followed by two collegial supervisions to implement the program in and during regular school classes. Papilio-6to9 is part of an approach combining findings from developmentally appropriate practice, positive psychology, social-emotional learning, and developmentally appropriate prevention, and aligns with the early childhood education and care (ECEC)

Longitudinal associations between age 20 problematic substance use and opioid use disorder incidence at age 30 – findings from an urban cohort

This study used data from a longitudinal prevention study in an urban cohort to examine associations between nicotine dependence, alcohol, and cannabis use disorder and disorder criteria at age 20, with opioid use disorder (OUD) incidence or criteria onset by age 30. The study sample included 1408 participants (57.5% female, 72.5% African American) drawn from two cohorts of participants in a mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. as part of a series of randomized controlled trials of elementary school-based universal prevention interventions. Lifetime cannabis use disorder (CUD), alcohol use disorder (AUD; both DSM-IV), and current nicotine dependence (Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, FTND) assessed at age 20 were used to predict (1) DSM-IV lifetime OUD at age 30, and (2) OUD criteria between ages 20 and 30 in multivariable logistic regression models. Covariates for all analyses included sociodemographics (sex, race, and free/reduced-priced lunch status), community disadvantage, and intervention status. Nicotine dependence (FTND≥3) at age 20 predicted age 30 DSM-IV lifetime OUD (aOR = 2.37; 95% CI 1.02,5.54). The number of CUD criteria (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI 1.09,1.57) and nicotine dependence severity scores (aOR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.05,1.41) at age 20 predicted any OUD criteria between the ages of 20 and 30. Findings are consistent with previous research on opioid use behavior in young adulthood and suggest that nicotine dependence and CUD criteria among urban young people predict onset of OUD and OUD criteria in young adulthood.

LessStress - how to reduce stress in school: evaluation of a universal stress prevention in schools: study protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial

BackgroundChronic stress is detrimental to health, and children and young people have had to cope with significantly more stress since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, stress at school and in relation to learning is a major problem in this age group. Studies in Germany have indicated that the pandemic has led to a reduced quality of life (QoL) and an increased risk for psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Schools are an ideal setting for interventions against stress, which is one of the strongest predictors for the development of psychosocial problems. The present study seeks to address stress by means of a short prevention training programme in schools, including emotion regulation, mindfulness, and self-compassion. In addition to information material for self-study, students should have the opportunity to actively deal with the topic of stress and develop coping strategies within a short space of time. In contrast to very long stress reduction programmes that often last several weeks, the programme is delivered in just 90 min.MethodsThe effectiveness of the short and economical prevention programme LessStress will be examined in a cluster-randomised controlled trial (RCT) encompassing 1894 students. At several measurement time points, students from two groups (intervention and control) will be asked about their subjectively perceived stress levels, among other aspects. Due to the clustered nature of the data, mainly multilevel analyses will be performed.DiscussionIn Germany, there are no nationwide universal prevention programmes for students against stress in schools, and this gap has become more evident since the outbreak of the pandemic. Universal stress prevention in schools may be a starting point to promote resilience. By dealing with stress in a healthy way, mental health can be strengthened and maintained. Moreover, to reach at-risk students at an early stage, we advocate for a stronger networking between child psychiatry and schools.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00025721. Registered on November 4, 2021

Rehabilitation- Is a Vital Component of Universal Health Coverage

Rehabilitation is important, as are other facets of universal health coverage such efficient illness prevention, treatment, and palliative care. A person who has undergone rehabilitation can participate in school, job, recreation, and important life responsibilities including caring for family members. Rehabilitation enables a child, adult, or senior to be as independent as possible in daily activities. A health issue that could be treated by rehabilitation affects an estimated 2.4 billion individuals worldwide. The need for rehabilitation services is anticipated to increase globally as a result of changes in population health and features. People are living longer but with more chronic illness and incapacity, for instance. Rehabilitation needs are now mostly unmet. More than half of the population does not obtain the necessary rehabilitation services in several low- and middle-income nations. Rehabilitation and other healthcare programs have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Long-term behavioral effects of a school-based prevention program on illicit drug use among young adults.

Most universal drug abuse prevention efforts target early adolescents with the goal of delaying or preventing the onset of substance use. The present study examined long-term follow-up data from a large-scale randomized trial of a school-based prevention program that used cognitive-behavioral skills-training techniques to enhance social and personal competence skills and drug refusal skills. The preventive intervention was implemented in junior high schools, and pretest data were collected from students in the classroom. Approximately 13 years later, follow-up data were collected by mail from 2042 young adults. Rates of overall lifetime illicit drug use, as well as lifetime marijuana use, marijuana intoxication, and lifetime non-medical pill use, were lower among students who received the prevention program (Life Skills Training) during junior high school compared to control group participants. These findings support the hypothesis that comprehensive, universal school-based prevention programs can produce long-term effects on illicit drug use behavior.

Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding Universal Precautions and the Prevention of Blood Borne Infections among The Final Year B.Sc. Nursing Students of Selected Nursing Colleges

A Quasi experimental approach was used for this study. Objectives are to assess the level of knowledgeregarding universal precautions & the prevention of blood borne infections, effectiveness of structured teachingprogramme, association between the pretest level of knowledge among final year B.Sc.Nursing students withselected demographic variables. The study was carried out Rajeev College of Nursing, Hassan. The samplescomprised of 60 final year B.Sc.Nursing students. Sample was selected by using random sampling techniques. Atotal of 60 final year B.Sc.Nursing students selected for the study by using structured knowledge questionnaire,the selected samples were given pre test questionnaire followed by Structured teaching programme was given toall students for 45 minutes. Post test was conducted by using knowledge questionnaire after 15 days of StructuredTeaching programme for same students. The result of study shows that the post test mean score 20.94 (SD=8.17)was more than the pre test mean score 15.42 (SD=3.35), the obtained mean difference between pre and post testscore is 5.52 (SD=4.82), the obtained ‘t’ value is 13.3. So it is significant at the level of 0.05. It was inferred that finalyear B.Sc.Nursing students knowledge was increased regarding universal precautions and prevention of bloodborne infections after structured teaching programme increase in post test score. Therefore structured teachingprogramme is effective in improving knowledge regarding universal precautions and prevention of blood borneinfections among final years B.Sc.Nursing students, also there was significant in income and occupation ofparents with the level of knowledge and selected demographic variables.

Tiered universal and targeted early childhood interventions: Enhancing attendance across families with varying needs

This study examined whether a two-tiered parenting program, which provides universal primary prevention along with targeted secondary prevention only for families with increased needs, would have mutually beneficial impacts on attendance across two program components. A secondary analysis of the Smart Beginnings (SB) randomized controlled trial was conducted. SB takes place from birth to age 3 and combines universal delivery of the Video Interaction Project (VIP) with targeted delivery of the Family Check-Up (FCU) for families identified as having increased risks following yearly screening. The current study analyzed whether attendance in VIP in the first six months was associated with FCU attendance for eligible families at six months, and whether FCU attendance at six and 18 months was associated with subsequent VIP attendance. Analyses included logistic and mixed-effects Poisson regression, as well as group-based trajectory analysis. VIP attendance predicted later FCU attendance (AOR = 5.43, p < .01), and FCU attendance predicted later VIP attendance (IRR = 1.35, p < .01) and a high-stable VIP attendance trajectory (AOR=14.98, p < .01). Findings provide strong support for the ability of tiered models to engage parents, to promote effective and efficient service delivery to reduce disparities in school readiness, and their potential to overcome common barriers to attendance and scaling by addressing the heterogeneity of risk among low-income families.

Киберпространство как место совершения преступлений: современные тенденции, особенности, меры предупреждения

The relevance of this topic is due to the fact that the development of technology, the prevalence of computer technology and the Internet among the population have led to the emergence of a global problem for society – cybercrime. The purpose of this study is to analyze crimes committed in the information and digital space in the Russian Federation and determine preventive measures for various areas of this type of crime. Today, we are not yet talking about the timely universal prevention of cybercrime by law enforcement agencies; we consider it necessary to develop legislative regulation of this area of activity and to ensure the necessary retraining of law enforcement agencies to increase knowledge in the field of prevention, prevention and detection of cybercrimes. The methodology consists of dialectical, structural, formal legal and comparative legal methods, analysis and synthesis. The history and causes of crimes in the cyberspace are analyzed, the features of cyber attacks and cybercrimes in various fields are studied, and preventive measures for the corresponding crime are proposed. It is noted that the legal mechanisms of responsibility for some types of crimes are absent in the legislation due to the constantly changing methods of committing crimes, which also make it difficult for law enforcement agencies to solve them. Their solution is seen in the comprehensive application of preventive measures, timely changes in legislation and regular retraining of law enforcement agencies.

The Interaction Between General and Strategic Leadership and Climate on Their Multilevel Associations with Implementer Attitudes Toward Universal Prevention Programs for Youth Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Emerging literature has highlighted the importance of discerning general and strategic organizational context (OC) factors (e.g., leadership and climate) and their interaction effect on individual implementation behaviors (e.g., attitudes toward evidence-based practices; EBPs) in youth mental healthcare. This study aimed to examine how leadership and climate (general and strategic) are associated with implementer attitudes toward EBPs across the individual and organizational levels and their interaction effect in schools. A series of multilevel models (MLMs) were fitted on a diverse sample of schools actively implementing universal prevention programs for youth mental health (441 implementers from 52 schools). The organization-level aggregates and individual educators' perceptions of general and strategic leadership and climate, and their interaction terms, were entered as level-2 and level-1 predictors of four attitudinal dimensions (Requirement, Openness, Appeal, and Divergence) based on their level of measurement. At the organizational level, higher levels of strategic leadership and climate, but not their general counterparts, were consistently associated with more favorable attitudes in all four dimensions. At the individual/within-school level, higher levels of perceived general and strategic leadership and climate were associated with more favorable attitudes of Requirement and Openness. At the organizational/between-school level, general climate moderated the positive effect of strategic climate on implementers' perception of appeal and divergence of EBPs. Our findings indicate that leaders should make data-based decisions to allocate resources on strategic and/or general leadership and climate to foster favorable staff attitudes toward EBPs based on the level of measurement, implementation-specificity, and attitudinal dimensions.

Predictors and comorbidity patterns of maternal birth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms: A Latent Class Analysis

Birth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) place a significant burden on mothers and their families. The aim was to (1) identify differential profiles of maternal birth-related PTSS; (2) determine the predictive value of established risk factors; (3) examine comorbidity patterns related to depression and anxiety symptoms. As part of the Norwegian Ahus Birth Cohort, 2,088 (expectant) mothers completed self-report questionnaires from 17 weeks of gestation to 2 years postpartum. The Impact of Event Scale was used to assess PTSS 8 weeks after birth. Latent class analysis revealed four latent classes: a High birth-related PTSS class (4%), a Moderate birth-related PTSS class (16%) particularly characterized by endorsement of intrusion symptoms, a Mild birth-related PTSS class (47%), as well as a No birth-related PTSS class (33%). We found similar (younger age, worse subjective birth experience, higher fear of childbirth) and differential predictors (prior posttraumatic stress disorder, lower education, birth complications). Women classified with High, Moderate, or Mild birth-related PTSS showed higher depression and anxiety symptoms compared to women with No birth-related PTSS. A considerable number of mothers experienced birth-related PTSS, most on a subclinical level, but these women still showed signs of mental distress 2 years postpartum, calling for more universal prevention approaches.

Universal prevention through a digital health platform reduces injury incidence in youth athletics (track and field): a cluster randomised controlled trial

ObjectivesTo examine whether universal prevention via a digital health platform can reduce the injury incidence in athletics athletes aged 12–15 years and if club size had an influence on the...

Children’s participation rights in schools — teachers’ beliefs and practices

Schools represent an important context for implementing participation rights guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child into the lives of children in general and into the lives of children from vulnerable groups. Providing opportunities for children to exercise their participation rights has been linked to positive youth development and universal prevention efforts in schools. Available evidence points to the importance of beliefs regarding children’s agency and participation practices. This study extends available research by investigating elementary-, middle- and high-school teachers’ beliefs about children’s participation rights and their link to participation conducive teacher practices in schools. A comprehensive mediational model is tested, which posits that teachers’ image of children as capable, active and agentic is associated with more support for children’s participation rights, which in turn predict student-centered participatory teaching and classroom management behaviors. Teachers’ support for participation rights was measured using contextualized vignettes including both general situations and situations specific to children from vulnerable groups. A total of 519 elementary, middle and high-school teachers completed several online questionnaires. Results showed that teachers have an ambivalent image of children’s capacity and agency for decision- making, and that this view does not depend on the children’s age. Having a more positive image of children and supporting children’s participation rights more predicted student-centered teaching style and less controlling classroom management styles. Support for children’s participation rights was a significant mediator of the relationship between the teachers’ image of the children and their participation-fostering classroom practices. These findings have important practical implications for school climates which promote high-quality teaching, the prevention of problem behaviors and positive youth development.

Risk Factors for the Development of Disorders Related to Children’s Gambling in the Light of Desk-research Studies

The issue of addiction to activities has been present in the scientific discourse for years. Gambling disorders constitute a specific, separate disease entity. These disorders can affect people of all ages, and children and adolescents are particularly prone to them. The subject of the research described in the article are risk factors for the development of gambling disorders among children, and its aim is to present the results of research conducted in 2021 by a research team at the Jagiellonian University. The research method was a systematic literature review based on PRISMA standards. The research material consisted of selected articles published in English-language high-ranking scientific journals. The conclusions from the research, including the most common risk factors of gambling disorder, allowed for the formulation of recommendations and recommendations in the field of universal and selective prevention addressed to children, their parents and caregivers.

Common factors in HIV/AIDS prevention success: lessons from Thailand

BackgroundThailand has achieved global acclaim for its response to HIV/AIDS. However, the success of some of the country’s most well-known initiatives was by no means a foregone conclusion. Policy entrepreneurs on the periphery of power had to achieve buy-in from stakeholders in state and society to scale and mainstream their ideas. This paper offers a comparative and historical understanding the process by which three of the country’s most well-known initiatives came into being: a civil society campaign to promote condom usage; a Ministry of Public Health program that aimed to prevent the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by targeting high-risk populations (the 100% condom program); and a universal Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program.MethodsThe research relied on existing literature and interviews with high-ranking ministerial officials, representatives from international and non-governmental organizations, professors, and philanthropic organizations, in addition to a review of the existing literature. Taking a comparative and historical approach that is common within political science and sociology, we analysed the in-depth qualitative interviews in relation to the literatures and used an inductive cross-case analysis aimed to draw out critical features that the initiatives shared in common.ResultsCommon factors in HIV/AIDS prevention that cut across the three key cases include policy entrepreneurs who championed the programs, successful demonstration projects that produced a credible evidence base for policy adoption, and a diverse set of institutional partners that played critical roles in helping to mainstream their initiatives into national HIV/AIDS policy and scale programs nationally. The findings from this comparative research project have implications not only for the building of understanding related to one single project, but for broader theoretical understanding related to the mainstreaming of health policy from peripheral spaces of power.ConclusionsThis analysis draws out the role that demonstration projects played in building a credible evidence base for policy adoption and the role that a diverse set of institutional partners played in elevating the profile of policy entrepreneurs’ ideas and helping to scale them nationally as state policy. Success was contingent on entrepreneurs first identifying and then taking advantage of different political opportunities that arose during each of the historical periods. Over time, these initiatives have evolved from vertical programs into an integrated program, in parallel with the evolution of the HIV/AIDS landscape at the global level.

Promoting Cognitive Stimulation in Parents Across Infancy and Toddlerhood: A Randomized Clinical Trial

To test the impact of the fully integrated Smart Beginnings model on parental support of cognitive stimulation from 6 to 24months across infancy and toddlerhood. This was a single-blind, 2-site randomized clinical trial of the Smart Beginnings intervention. Enrollment took place at birth in postpartum units of hospitals in New York City and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with aconsecutive sample of 403 mother-infant dyads. Smart Beginnings combines a Video Interaction Project-14-session universal primary prevention program delivered in the pediatric clinic at the time of well-child visits birth-36 months-with potential for Family Check-Up-3-4 sessions targeted secondary prevention home-visiting program. The principal outcome was parental support of cognitive stimulation assessed via parent survey and video-recorded observations of parent-child interactions. Ordinary least squares and mixed effects regressions were conducted. Families were mostly Black/African-American (50%) or Latinx (42%); all were Medicaid eligible (100%). Smart Beginnings significantly promoted cognitive stimulation during infancy and toddlerhood for most survey outcomes across time, including StimQ common total (effect size [ES]=0.25, P=.01) and READ Quantity (ES=.19, P=.04) and Quality (ES=.30, P=.001). For the observations, the impact of Smart Beginnings varied by time, with significant impacts at 6 (ES=0.37-.40, P<.001) and 24 (ES=0.27-.30, P<.001) months, but not 18months. Smart Beginnings positively promotes cognitive stimulation from infancy through toddlerhood using the integrated model. This study adds to the body of research showing preventive interventions in pediatric primary care and home visiting can support early relational health including parental support of cognitive stimulation. NCT02459327.

Effects of the HORS‐PISTE universal anxiety prevention program measured according to initial level of student problems

AbstractAnxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychopathologies in Western adolescents and have been on the rise in recent years. Not only does anxiety disrupt the daily lives of the young people who suffer from it, it can also have harmful behavioral, psychological, social, and academic effects. Given this, there is a pressing need to implement universal anxiety prevention programs for adolescents in one of their main living environments, the school. This type of program has the twofold advantage of reaching all adolescents before the onset of more significant symptoms and of promoting access to services for young people in difficulty. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the HORS‐PISTE—Exploration Cycle 1 program developed by the RBC Center for Academic Expertise in Mental Health, based on the initial level of problems presented by the students, using a preexperimental pretest–posttest design. A total of 2276 students in grades 7 and 8, with an average age of 12.65 years, from 16 high schools participated in the pretest and posttest evaluations. The results showed that the students who participated in the HORS‐PISTE program reported a significant change in the intended direction for several of the variables examined between T1 and T2. In particular, decreases in anxiety symptoms, fear of being judged by others, perfectionism, internet addiction, intolerance of uncertainty, and anxiety interference, as well as an increase in the sense of self‐efficacy, were observed between T1 and T2 for both boys and girls. The results also showed that students who presented at T1 with more significant anxiety symptoms and proximal risk factors experienced greater improvement than did those with a moderate or low level of initial problems. Overall, the results of this evaluative study of the HORS‐PISTE program are promising, demonstrating positive changes in symptoms and in the main proximal risk factors for anxiety, in particular among students who initially presented with high levels of problems. This study therefore demonstrates the relevance of implementing this type of prevention program in high schools.

How could an evidence-informed postal subscription programme aiming to improve children's mental health and wellbeing work in practice?

BackgroundDifficulties impacting mental wellbeing often start in childhood, and universal prevention programmes are gaining attention as a scalable method to mitigate early risks. Send Me Sunshine is a grassroots initiative postal subscription programme for primary school-aged children, with activities designed to promote mental wellbeing. This study aimed to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and demand for this programme. MethodA newsletter was sent to parents of the children in two primary school classes (n=60), inviting participation. A prototype pack was posted to those families who registered their interest. Children (n=15; Mage = 7.6 years) and their parents (n=15) gave feedback via online surveys. Deductive and inductive content analysis and descriptive statistics were used. ResultsThe prototype postal pack was popular with both children and parents. Participants gave positive feedback about the content and format of the pack indicating good acceptability, and the postal approach showed feasibility. All parents said they would subscribe, and 87% would be willing to pay, suggesting promising demand. Improvements were suggested for future programme development. ConclusionThis postal subscription wellbeing programme was feasible and acceptable in this study, and findings suggest it could work in practice. Empirical studies are now needed to see if it does work and has any effect or efficacy in maintaining or promoting child mental wellbeing.

Socio-Demographic, Self-Control, Bullying, Parenting, and Sleep as Proximal Factors Associated with Food Addiction among Adolescents.

Adolescence is considered an important period of neurodevelopment. It is a time for the emergence of psychosocial vulnerabilities, including symptoms of depression, eating disorders, and increased engagement in unhealthy eating behaviours. Food addiction (FA) in adolescents is an area of study where there has been substantial growth. However, to date, limited studies have considered what demographic characteristics of adolescents may predispose them to endorse greater symptoms of FA. Studies have found a variety of factors that often cluster with and may influence an adolescent's eating behaviour such as sleep, level of self-control, and parenting practices, as well as bullying. Therefore, this study investigated a range of socio-demographic, trait, mental health, and lifestyle-related profiles (including self-control, parenting, bullying, and sleep) as proximal factors associated with symptoms of FA, as assessed via the Yale Food Addiction Scale for Children (YFAS-C) in a large sample of Australian adolescents. Following data cleaning, the final analysed sample included 6587 students (age 12.9 years ± 0.39; range 10.9-14.9 years), with 50.05% identifying as male (n = 3297), 48.5% as female (n = 3195), 1.02% prefer not to say (n = 67), and 0.43% as non-binary (n = 28). Self-control was found to be the most significant predictor of total FA symptom score, followed by female gender, sleep quality, and being a victim of bullying. Universal prevention programs should therefore aim to address these factors to help reduce the prevalence or severity of FA symptoms within early adolescent populations.