Vietnamese Adolescents Research Articles

The ‘big four’ health risk behaviors among Vietnamese adolescents: co-occurrence and socio-cultural risk factors

ABSTRACT Background Health Risk Behaviors (HRBs) represent significant health threats for adolescents. However, there has been relatively little research on multiple HRBs in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC), where the majority of the world’s youth reside. This study’s objective was to investigate common HRB, their co-occurrence, and socio-demographic risk and protective factors among Vietnamese adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional self-report survey examined four major HRBs (tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet) among 431 adolescents aged 15–17 years in five Vietnam provinces. Key HRB risk and protective factors assessed included perceived social norms, parental monitoring of adolescents’ behavior, and health behavior literacy. Results Forty-one percent of participants reported no HRB, 39% reported one, and 20% reported two or more HRBs. The four HRBs appeared to be independent, with an exploratory factor analysis indicating no common factors. The most prevalent HRB was unhealthy diet (45%), the least prevalent smoking (1%). The most frequent co-occurring HRBs were unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Adolescents’ perceptions of norms regarding HRBs and related healthy behaviors were the most consistent risk factor for the HRB. Diet was the HRB most influenced by the social variables perceived norms, monitoring, and health literacy. Conclusions Results highlight the importance of future research identifying the temporal order of co-occurrence of multiple HRB, how differing conceptualizations of socio-cultural roles impact on HRB, and health-related effects of HRB co-occurrence. Such information will be useful for maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs in LMIC.

Validation of the coping self-efficacy scale: Vietnamese version for adolescents

BackgroundThis study aimed to examine the construct validity of the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale-Vietnamese Version (CSES-V) among Vietnamese adolescents.MethodsThis study selected Grade 10 students from eight schools in Hanoi using a multiple-stage sampling method. Multiple aspects of the construct validity were examined including: factorial structure (evaluated using exploratory factor analysis); internal consistency (tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient); measurement invariance between male and female participants and longitudinal measurement invariance (tested by employing multiple group confirmatory factor analysis) and external aspect (tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficients between CSES-V and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Subscales of Depression (DASS21-D), Anxiety (DASS21-A), and Stress (DASS21-S) and a measure of mental well-being, Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF)).ResultsA total of 1082 adolescents (aged 14–16 years) was included in this study. Data supported a three-factor structure (comprising 24 items) that explained 97.6% of the total variance of the CSES-V. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of all three factors were acceptable. All levels of measurement invariance between male and female participants and longitudinal measurement invariance were well-supported. The three factors of the CSES-V were positively correlated with MHC-SF and were negatively correlated with the DASS21 subscales at a low or moderate level, supporting the external aspect of the construct validity.ConclusionsCSES-V is recommended to assess coping self-efficacy among Vietnamese adolescents who are attending school.

Family conflict and negative emotions as risk factors predicting alcohol use among Vietnamese teenagers

ABSTRACT Background Teen drinking is a societal concern in Vietnam, which requires more efforts to find out risk factors leading to alcohol drinking among teenagers with hope to prevent or reduce the problem in the country. Methods A Binary logistic regression analysis was computed, using a sample of 3978 adolescents aged between 14 and 18 in Vietnam, to examine the impacts of family conflict and negative emotions on alcohol use among the teenagers. Results Findings of the main effects revealed that both family conflict and negative emotions were associated with alcohol drinking among Vietnamese adolescents. Specifically, Vietnamese adolescents are more likely to drink alcohol if they have negative emotions or experience family conflict. Conclusion The findings of this study have implications for adolescents, parents, local authorities, and social services agencies.

Cyber-victimization and its association with depression among Vietnamese adolescents.

BackgroundCyberbullying has become an alarming social issue, but little is known about its prevalence and consequences in many countries. This study investigated the prevalence of cyber-victimization and its association with depression among students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,492 students from eight secondary schools and high schools in four urban and suburban areas. Multi-stage cluster sampling approach was used to recruit participants. Students participated in this study on a voluntary basis and completed a self-report questionnaire that included validated scales to measure their experience of cyber-bullying (Cyber Bullying Scale) and symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale). Weighted logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for the cluster effect and sampling probability.ResultsAlmost all (92.4%) students reported using the internet everyday and nearly 40% used internet for more than four hours per day. Cyber-victimization was identified in 36.5% of students and almost 25% experienced multiple types of cyber-victimization. Nearly half of students reported symptoms of depression. After adjusting for other covariates, students who experienced cyber-victimization were found to have 1.81 times (95% CI [1.42–2.30]) higher in odds of having symptoms of depression.ConclusionsCyber victimization and depression are both common in Vietnamese adolescents. Those who experienced cyber bullying have a higher likelihood of having symptoms of depression. These findings indicate an urgent need for interventions and policies targeting this emerging type of bullying in Vietnam and similar settings due to its potential harmful effects on adolescents’ health.

Factors affecting deviant behavior of adolescents in Vietnam

In Vietnam, deviant behavior in adolescents is increasingly popular and gradually becomes a major concern of the whole society. The purpose of this study is to identify Factors affecting deviant behavior of Vietnamese adolescents, including: Nature of adolescence (Biology, Intelligence and Cognitive functions) and Nurture (Family atmosphere, Education environment, Media and technology, Peer Pressure, and Religion and Politics). 426 survey samples were collected to serve the data analysis process as well as all hypotheses were examined by using STATISTIC 10 ver., LISREL 8.8 with Covariance Matrix, and LISREL model. This research showed that The Factors of Nature of adolescence, Family atmosphere, Education environment, Social media and technology and Peer pressure could have important effect on behavior of adolescents in Vietnam, even resulted in some deviant behavior. The study makes suggestions to improve morality and foster personality for adolescents in Vietnam, as a small contribution to the country's further development.

The Prevalence, Correlates and Functions of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Vietnamese Adolescents.

PurposeResearch conducted across different countries has consistently identified non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) to be a common and significant public health problem. This study examined the prevalence, associated factors and functions of NSSI, among a large sample of Vietnamese adolescents.MethodsA total of 1316 high school students (15–18 years old, 63.3% female) across urban and suburban areas in Ho Chi Minh City, participated in this cross-sectional study. NSSI was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation.ResultsAlmost half (43.9%) of the adolescents engaged in at least one type of NSSI within the preceding 12-month period and more than one quarter (26.1%) engaged in multiple types of NSSI. Hitting self on purpose (23.1%), picking at a wound (17.0%), or biting self (16.7%) were the most frequent behaviours. Severe forms of NSSI such as scraping, burning or erasing skin were reported by 17.2%. The most common functions for NSSI were to stop bad feelings (56.0%), to punish self (48.7%), to get control of a situation (44.0%) and to feel relaxed (42.2%). Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were significant factors associated with NSSI, particularly for participants who engaged in moderate/severe NSSI and multiple types of NSSI.ConclusionHigh rates of NSSI were found in Vietnamese adolescents. There is a pressing need for the development and implementation of effective interventions to reduce NSSI. Strategies that promote positive mental health and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress as well as approaches that help adolescents manage their internal emotions are likely to be beneficial.

The significance of understanding psychosexual development and sexuality education for Vietnamese adolescents

The significance of understanding psychosexual development and sexuality education for Vietnamese adolescents

Emotional intelligence and mental health problems among adolescents in Vietnam: A school-based survey

The burden of mental health problems among adolescents is substantial and apparent globally. Data of nature, prevalence, and determinants of these problems are limited in low- and middle-income countries. Emotional intelligence (EI) can protect adolescents from mental health problems in high-income countries, but this relationship has not been investigated in South East Asian countries. This study aims to investigate the relationship between EI and mental health problems among Vietnamese adolescents. The cross-sectional survey was conducted among students using an anonymous, self-completed questionnaire. A total of 1,593/1,616 (98.6%) students reported that students with higher Global EI scores and Well-being, Self-control and Emotionality subscale scores had significantly fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and a lower risk of having loneliness symptoms. Higher EI was associated with better mental health among adolescents. Structured interventions and school-based programs for students and parents are potentially promising approaches to reducing Vietnamese youth's mental health problems.

Associations between gaming disorder, parent-child relationship, parental supervision, and discipline styles: Findings from a school-based survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam.

Background and aimsVietnam implemented numerous measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 among school students, including study-at-home/self-quarantine. During the study-at-home period, adolescents may engage in more video gaming than usual, potentially contributing to gaming disorder. However, the regionally-representative prevalence of gaming disorder and its association with parenting practice and discipline practice have not been described. We assessed the prevalence of gaming disorder among Vietnamese adolescents during the initial 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associations between gaming disorder and parenting practice and discipline practice.MethodsWe conducted a school-based, self-administered cross-sectional survey of 2,084 students in Hanoi, Vietnam (response rate = 97.1%). The survey included standardized instruments translated from English to Vietnamese. We performed multilevel logistic regressions to assess the associations between parenting practice, discipline practice, and gaming disorder.ResultsThe prevalence of gaming disorder among the respondents was 11.6%. Healthy parent-child relationship was protective against gaming disorder (Adj OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.62). Non-supervision, non-discipline, violent discipline were positively associated with gaming disorder.Discussion and ConclusionsWe found associations between gaming disorder and parent-child relationship, parental supervision, and parental discipline. Future interventional studies should consider assessing the effect of fostering healthy parent-child relationships and appropriate discipline on the occurrence or prognosis of gaming disorders.

Cognitive and Affective Empathy and Its Relationship to Proactive and Reactive Aggression in Vietnamese Adolescents

Cognitive and Affective Empathy and Its Relationship to Proactive and Reactive Aggression in Vietnamese Adolescents

Clustering Lifestyle Risk Behaviors among Vietnamese Adolescents and Roles of School: A Bayesian Multilevel Analysis of Global School-Based Student Health Survey 2019.

BackgroundAdolescence is a vulnerable period for many lifestyle risk behaviors. In this study, we aimed to 1) examine a clustering pattern of lifestyle risk behaviors; 2) investigate roles of the school health promotion programs on this pattern among adolescents in Vietnam.MethodsWe analyzed data of 7,541 adolescents aged 13–17 years from the 2019 nationally representative Global School-based Student Health Survey, conducted in 20 provinces and cities in Vietnam. We applied the latent class analysis to identify groups of clustering and used Bayesian 2-level logistic regressions to evaluate the correlation of school health promotion programs on these clusters. We reassessed the school effect size by incorporating different informative priors to the Bayesian models.FindingsThe most frequent lifestyle risk behavior among Vietnamese adolescents was physical inactivity, followed by unhealthy diet, and sedentary behavior. Most of students had a cluster of at least two risk factors and nearly a half with at least three risk factors. Latent class analysis detected 23% males and 18% females being at higher risk of lifestyle behaviors. Consistent through different priors, high quality of health promotion programs associated with lower the odds of lifestyle risk behaviors (highest quality schools vs. lowest quality schools; males: Odds ratio (OR) = 0·67, 95% Highest Density Interval (HDI): 0·46 – 0·93; females: OR = 0·69, 95% HDI: 0·47 – 0·98).InterpretationOur findings demonstrated the clustering of specific lifestyle risk behaviors among Vietnamese in-school adolescents. School-based interventions separated for males and females might reduce multiple health risk behaviors in adolescence.FundingThe 2019 Global School-based Student Health Survey was conducted with financial support from the World Health Organization. The authors received no funding for the data analysis, data interpretation, manuscript writing, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Depressive disorder in academic and family structure in Vietnamese adolescents

The symptoms of depression are related to low academic achievement, suicidal ideation and cause emotional sufferings, fundamental impairments which can influence students' abilities to perform essential activities of daily living. This study conducted to examine the relationships between depression and not only academic performance but also family structure. This study used the Beck Depression Inventory-II to survey 1336 students from secondary and high schools in Hue province, Vietnam. The findings of our study showed that there were associations between levels of depression and academic performance. Students with good or excellent academic performance were more likely to increase depression than others. Besides, students who had divorced or separated parents were more likely to increase depression gradually than the others. Context: The symptoms of depression are related to low academic achievement, suicidal ideation and cause emotional sufferings, fundamental impairments which can influence students' abilities to perform essential activities of daily living. Aims: This study conducted to examine the relationships between depression and not only academic performance but also family structure. Methods and Material: This study used the Beck Depression Inventory-II to survey 1336 students from secondary and high schools in Hue province, Vietnam. Results: The findings of our study showed that there were associations between levels of depression and academic performance. Conclusions: Students with good or excellent academic performance were more likely to increase depression than others. Besides, students who had divorced or separated parents were more likely to increase depression gradually than the others.

The Prevalence of Cyberbullying among Adolescents: A Case Study of Middle Schools in Vietnam

This paper aims to investigate the prevalence of cyberbullying among Vietnamese adolescents. Special emphasis was placed on gender differences regarding different forms of cyberbullying and victimization. In this study, 200 middle school students from four state schools in Vietnam were online surveyed to obtain information about the prevalence of cyberbullying and victimization. The results show that most of the students used the Internet daily and that almost all of them possess mobile telephones. On average, 7% of students reported that they have cyberbullied others online, whilst 14% of them were victims of cyberbullying. The most common types of victimization reported by students were harassment including “prank or silent phone calls” or “Insults on instant messaging and website”. There were not any significant gender differences in cyberbullying and being victimized by cyberbullies than females.

TỈ LỆ RỐI LOẠN TÂM THẦN Ở TRẺ VỊ THÀNH NIÊN VIỆT NAM: TỔNG QUAN TỪ MỘT SỐ CÔNG BỐ TIẾNG ANH

Mental disorders are prevalence among adolescents all over the world. However, very few information related to this area in Vietnam, where up to 20% of the total national population, have been published internationally. Therefore, this study sought for evidence of the incidence of mental disorders among Vietnamese adolescents from publications in English. The study searched for studies matching the selection criteria on online database systems and manually reviewed studies from bibliographies. A total of 2,643 studies were found. After eliminating ineligible studies, nine studies were used for analysis and evaluation. The results show that the prevalence of mental disorders among Vietnamese adolescents was quite high compared to the world. However, this number may be underestimated. Research provides evidence that there is an urgent need to develop programs and services to support mental health for this age group in Vietnam.

Clustering Lifestyle Risk Behaviors Among Vietnamese Adolescents and Roles of School: A Bayesian Multilevel Analysis of Global School-Based Student Health Survey 2019

Background: Adolescence is a vulnerable period for many lifestyle risk behaviors. In this study, we investigated the clustering of risk behaviors and role of the school health promotion programs among adolescents in Vietnam. Methods: We analyzed data of 7,541 adolescents aged 13–17y from the 2019 nationally representative Global School-based Student Health Survey, conducted in 20 provinces and cities in Vietnam. We applied the latent class analysis to identify groups of clustering and used Bayesian 2-level logistic regressions to evaluate the effects of school health promotion programs on these clusters. We reassessed the school effect size by incorporating different informative priors to the Bayesian models. Findings: The most frequent lifestyle risk behavior among Vietnamese adolescents was unhealthy diet (~67%), followed by sedentary behavior (37% in boys and 48% in girls) and low fruit/vegetable intake (~31%). More than half of students had a cluster of at least two risk factors and a quarter with three risk factors. Latent class analysis detected 18% boys and 15% girls being at high-risk of lifestyle behaviors. Consistent through different priors, high quality of health promotion programs associated with lower the odds of lifestyle risk behaviors (highest quality schools vs. lowest quality schools; boys: Odds ratio (OR) = 0·69, 95% Highest Density Interval (HDI): 0·49 – 0·99; girls: OR = 0·62, 95% HDI: 0·42 – 0·92). Interpretation: Our findings demonstrated the clustering of specific lifestyle risk behaviors among Vietnamese adolescents, suggesting a special need for required courses in schools and join interventions that target sex-specific multiple risk behaviors. Funding Information: The 2019 Global School-based Student Health Survey was conducted with financial support from the World Health Organization. The authors received no funding for the data analysis, data interpretation, manuscript writing, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: Written informed consent was obtained from all participants’ parents/guardians before the study. All procedures performed in this study followed the ethical standards of the Institution Review Board of Hanoi University of Public Health (IRB decision No. 421/2019/YTCC-HD3, dated: 06/08/2019).

Depressive Disorder in Adolescents in Terms of Gender and Grade: A Case Study in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam

Adolescents, with rapid but uneven developments in biology as well as psychology, are highly at risk of onset in depression. Depression brings about severe consequences, including social and academic difficulties. However, no previous research has considered using The Beck Depression Inventory to examine major depressive disorder among Vietnamese adolescents, especially the gender and grade aspects. The goal of this research was to evaluate adolescents’ depression in Hue province and consider the differences among grades as well as genders. A cross-sectional study utilising The Beck Depression Inventory was conducted with 1,336 adolescents in Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. There was a gender gap in depression among the adolescents in Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam, and depression in the 9th grade and 12th grade adolescents were more evident than in the others. Therefore, gender disparities vary among age groups in the incidence of depressive disorder.

Impact of School-Based Oral Health Education on Vietnamese Adolescents: A 6-Month Study.

We have evaluated the impact of a school-based intervention on oral health knowledge, behaviours, and oral health status of adolescents in Vietnam. This 6-month study included 462 adolescents aged 12 years from four selected schools in Hue City, Vietnam. The intervention group received a 15-min lecture by a dentist and hands-on session on mouth observation and toothbrushing skills. The control group did not engage in any educational activities during the follow-up period. Data were collected at baseline and 6 months through a survey questionnaire and clinical examination. The Debris Index was used for dental plaque; the Papillary, Marginal, Attached gingiva index for gingivitis; and the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth index (World Health Organization modification) for dental caries. Difference-in-difference analysis was used to compare changes between the groups. After 6 months, the control tended to show decreased toothbrushing frequency and increased dental plaque accumulation. The participants in the intervention group showed improved oral health knowledge (p < 0.01), behavior (p < 0.05), and hygiene (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. However, the intervention did not improve dental caries and gingivitis. A single school-based oral health education program can help adolescents improve oral health knowledge and prevent the deterioration of short-term oral health behavior and hygiene.

Prevalences of and correlations between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicidal behavior among institutionalized adolescents in Vietnam

ObjectivesWe investigated the prevalence rates of childhood trauma, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and suicidal behaviors among Vietnamese adolescents and compared the differences between institutionalized adolescents (IAs) and noninstitutionalized adolescents (NIAs). In addition, we examined the multidimensional associations between childhood trauma and psychopathology among IAs. MethodsFive hundred forty-six participants were recruited into two groups (IAs and NIAs) matched by age, sex and grade. They completed a childhood trauma questionnaire, depression scale, anxiety scale, and 3 suicide-related questions. The chi-squared test and logistic regressions were performed. ResultsThe prevalences of anxiety symptoms and suicide attempts among IAs was higher than that among NIAs (25.6 % vs 14.7 %, p = 0.001 and 8.1 vs 3.7, p = 0.03, respectively), while the prevalences of other psychopathologies did not differ significantly. In the IA group, high prevalences of victimization through physical abuse (22.3 %), emotional neglect (57.9 %), and physical neglect (72.9 %) were found, and 58.6 % of the participants had experienced more than one type of trauma. These figures were significantly higher in IAs than in NIAs. Depression and suicidal ideation were more strongly correlated with emotional abuse and neglect than other types of maltreatment, while anxiety, suicide planning and suicide attempts were more strongly correlated with physical abuse. IAs who experienced more than two categories of trauma or greater intensity of trauma were more susceptible to developing depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviors. ConclusionsChildhood trauma was multidimensionally associated with adverse psychological outcomes. We suggest that various aspects of childhood trauma, as well as psychopathologies, must be routinely assessed.

The Vietnamese Version of the Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ) and the Revised Short Gratitude, Resentment, and Appreciation Test (S‐GRAT): Psychometric Properties Among Adolescents

AbstractThere is a lack of validated instruments to measure gratitude in Vietnamese adolescents; this issue is regarded as a significant impediment to progress in implementing empirical research on the gratitude of Vietnamese adolescents. The aim of this study, therefore, was to validate the Vietnamese translation of the Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ) and the Revised Short Gratitude, Resentment, and Appreciation Test (S‐GRAT), using two independent samples of Vietnamese adolescents in two studies. In Study 1, Sample 1 (N = 365, female n = 173) completed the Vietnamese GQ (GQ‐VN) and S‐GRAT (S‐GRAT‐VN). Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the 5‐item version of the GQ‐VN and the 15‐item version of the S‐GRAT‐VN fitted the data adequately. Both instruments showed satisfactory internal consistency. In Study 2, Sample 2 (N = 202, female n = 93) completed the GQ‐VN and S‐GRAT‐VN, along with the Satisfaction With Life Scale. The GQ‐VN and S‐GRAT‐VN were found to be positively correlated with each other and with the construct of life satisfaction, confirming the convergent and predictive validity of the two questionnaires. All the findings support the validity and reliability of the Vietnamese GQ and S‐GRAT in a sample of Vietnamese adolescents. These two instruments, therefore, may facilitate the evaluation of factors associated with adolescent dispositional gratitude in Vietnamese settings.

School Factors Causing Vietnamese Adolescents’ Anxiety in Secondary Schools

Anxiety is regarded as an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure, and it is a common phenomenon for people in general and adolescents in particular. The study aimed to determine the factors that cause anxiety among adolescents in Vietnam under the influence of gender and grade. A group of 749 Vietnamese secondary school students participated in the survey. Results showed that scores and exams caused the most anxiety for participants. Factors related to scores and exams created more anxiety for females than males. Factors related to communicating with friends, teachers, school/classroom facilities, and school safety caused more anxiety for students in grades 6, 7, and 8 than those in grade 9. Our study suggests that prevention and intervention programs should be promoted to minimize anxiety for adolescents from the pressure of scores, exams, and the impact of gender and grade.