Adolescent Well-being Research Articles

Sleepless in the Pursuit of perfection: A longitudinal investigation of bidirectional relationships between insomnia and perfectionism in Adolescent males and females

Study objectivesPerfectionism is a possible risk factor for insomnia, yet longitudinal evidence of this relationship in adolescence is lacking. Cross-sectional evidence suggests the nature of the relationship may differ based on biological sex, and the form of perfectionism, since socially prescribed and self-oriented critical perfectionism are conceptualised as maladaptive for wellbeing, while self-oriented striving may be adaptive or neutral. This study aimed to investigate longitudinal bidirectional relationships between total perfectionism, and sub-forms of perfectionism (i.e., socially prescribed, self-oriented critical, self-oriented striving perfectionism), and symptoms of insomnia, over the course of mid-adolescence. Longitudinal models were examined for males and females separately. Methods434 adolescents (Mage = 14.25, SD = 0.56, range = 13–16, 52 % male) completed questionnaire measures of perfectionism (Child-Adolescent Perfectionism Scale) and insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index) on three annual occasions (at approximately 14, 15 & 16 years of age). Data were from the larger Risks to Adolescent Wellbeing (RAW) Project. ResultsBiological sex did not moderate the association between insomnia symptoms and any form of perfectionism. Cross-lagged panel models showed no longitudinal relationship between self-oriented striving, nor self-oriented critical perfectionism and insomnia symptoms for males or females. Higher total perfectionism predicted moderate increases in insomnia symptoms for males and females, but insomnia symptoms did not predict changes in total perfectionism. Socially prescribed perfectionism and insomnia symptoms predicted large and moderate increases in one another over time, respectively, forming a perpetuating cycle. ConclusionsResults suggest that perfectionism may be an important risk factor for insomnia symptoms in adolescents.

Influence of Unperceived Victimization on Adolescent Well-Being.

Background: Bullying has been shown to have negative consequences on the health and well-being of adolescents. Some students may experience various bullying behaviors and not consider themselves victims, finding themselves in a situation of unperceived mistreatment. Few studies have focused on the relationship between self-reported victimization behaviors and self-identification as a victim. Our objective is to determine the prevalence of unperceived victimization and analyze its relationship with adolescent distress. Methods: A total of 964 adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years participated. Standardized instruments were used to assess psychological distress, bullying in the last month and previous years, perception of victimization, and resilience. Results: More than 20% of adolescents are in a situation of unperceived victimization, not recognizing themselves as victims despite reporting bullying behaviors. Among girls and middle adolescence, perceiving oneself as a victim increases the likelihood of feeling distress. The likelihood of experiencing distress increases with previous victimization and decreases with high resilience. Conclusions: Mental health professionals should consider bullying as a factor of distress in adolescence. It is essential to refer adolescent victims of bullying to specialized mental health resources to adequately address their well-being and increase resilience as a protective factor.

Correction to: Social Media Browsing and Adolescent Well-Being: Challenging the “Passive Social Media Use Hypothesis”

Correction to: Social Media Browsing and Adolescent Well-Being: Challenging the “Passive Social Media Use Hypothesis”

Correction: Longitudinal Associations between Cyberbullying Victimization and Cognitive and Affective Components of Subjective Well-Being in Adolescents: A Network Analysis

Correction: Longitudinal Associations between Cyberbullying Victimization and Cognitive and Affective Components of Subjective Well-Being in Adolescents: A Network Analysis

Measuring the Realisation of Well-Being Needs of Adolescents: Validation of the Social Production Function Instrument for the Level of Well-Being–Short (SPF-ILs)

Adolescent well-being is increasingly scrutinized due to its decline. This study was conducted to validate a theory-driven instrument for the measurement of well-being needs with a sample of Dutch adolescents. The short (15-item) Social Production Function Instrument for the Level of well-being (SPF-ILs) measures whether a person’s needs for stimulation, comfort, behavioural confirmation, affection and status are met. In this study, its psychometric properties for adolescents were examined. Data collected in spring 2018 (T1) and spring 2019 (T2) from 1,304 Dutch adolescents (53.0% girls) aged 11–17 (mean, 13.7 ± 1.1) years were used. The instrument’s factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, and gender and age factorial invariance were evaluated. The results showed that the SPF-ILs is valid and reliable for the assessment of adolescents’ well-being needs realisation. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the five-factor (stimulation, comfort, behavioural confirmation, affection and status) model, showing good internal consistency (α = 0.86 at T1, 0.88 at T2), convergent/divergent validity, as well as gender and age factorial invariance. Comparison across groups revealed the expected differences in the realisation of physical (comfort and stimulation) and social (behavioural confirmation, status and affection) well-being needs between girls and boys and over time. SPF-ILs use increases our understanding of how adolescents achieve well-being via the fulfilment of well-being needs. The maintenance of adolescents’ well-being is a global challenge, and this study revealed clear differences in adolescents’ realisation of well-being needs, increasing our understanding of what interventions are needed to support such realisation.

Presence of meaning in life and subjective well-being as mediators of association between sense of community and academic engagement

We examined the associations between sense of community (SoC) and multidimensional academic engagement, including whether meaning in life and subjective well-being mediate the relationships. Participants were Nigerian students who completed the Classroom Sense of Community Inventory–School Form (CSCI-SF), Meaning in Life Questionnaire’s (MLQ) Presence subscale, Brief Adolescent Subjective Well-being in School Scale (BASWSS), and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale – Student Version (UWES-S-9). Data was analysed using Model 6 of Hayes’ regression-based PROCESS module. Results showed that both presence of meaning and subjective well-being mediated the effects of aspects of SoC on vigour, dedication and overall academic engagement. The effects of SoC on absorption was only mediated by subjective wellbeing. Mediation pathways were not significant for the effects of learning SoC on absorption. In all cases, the strongest mediation existed in the paths linking social SoC to academic engagement through subjective wellbeing. Promotion of classroom SoC may facilitate presence of meaning in life and subjective wellbeing thereby enhancing academic engagement

Impact of a collaborative model on community clinician confidence in child and adolescent mental health care, wellbeing, and access to child psychiatry expertise.

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in child and adolescent mental health disorders, with subsequent worsening of patient access to specialist mental health care. Clinicians working in the community were faced with increased demands to diagnose and manage pediatric mental health disorders, without always having the confidence and knowledge to do so. We therefore developed COnnecting Mental-health PAediatric Specialists and community Services (COMPASS)-a collaborative model designed to upskill community clinicians in child and adolescent mental health care and provide them with better access to child and adolescent psychiatry expertise. COMPASS comprises (1) an online Community of Practice (CoP) with fortnightly one-hour sessions covering: anxiety; aggression and challenging behaviours; depression; self-harm and suicidality; eating disorders; and autism spectrum disorder/complex cases and (2) primary and secondary consultations for general practitioners and paediatricians with an experienced child psychiatrist. We aimed to assess the impact of COMPASS on community clinician self-reported confidence in: managing common child and adolescent mental health disorders (Objective 1, primary outcome); navigating the mental health care system (i.e. knowing how services are organised, accessed, and how to refer patients, Objective 2); diagnosing conditions (Objective 3); prescribing psychotropic medications (Objective 4) as well as the impact on, clinician practice and wellbeing (Objective 5) and outcomes of patients referred by COMPASS clinicians to the child psychiatrist (Objective 6). We evaluated COMPASS in its first year, with COMPASS running from March to July 2021. Participating clinicians completed pre-post surveys evaluating change in Objectives 1 to 4 above, using study-designed measures. A purposive sample of clinicians was then invited to a semi-structured interview to understand their experience of COMPASS and its impacts on practice and wellbeing (Objective 5). We adopted an inductive approach to the qualitative analysis using the Framework Method. This involved selecting five random transcripts which were double coded and categorized, to generate an initial framework against which all subsequent transcripts were analysed. Themes and subthemes were generated from the data set, by reviewing the matrix and making connections within and between clinicians, codes and categories One child psychiatrist completed a 2-week logbook of the nature and outcomes of primary and secondary consultations (Objective 6). 51 (86%) clinicians attended CoP sessions and completed pre-post surveys, with 92% recommending COMPASS to peers. Clinicians reported increased confidence in the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of all conditions, most notably for management of self-harm. They also reported increased knowledge of how to navigate the mental health system and prescribe medications. Qualitative analysis (n = 27 interviews) found that COMPASS increased clinician wellbeing and reduced feelings of professional isolation and burnout. Over the 2-week snapshot, the child psychiatrist consulted on 22 patients and referred all back to the community clinician. COMPASS is associated with improved clinician confidence to manage child and adolescent mental health concerns, navigate the mental health system, improved clinician wellbeing, and reduced need for ongoing mental health care by specialists.

Geographical Variation in the Associations Between School Characteristics and Homophobic Bullying: a Contextual Analysis.

Homophobic bullying constitutes a serious threat to adolescent well-being and could be understood as an ecological phenomenon, influenced by diverse school, regional, and community contexts. This study examined geographic variations in the relationship between school characteristics and homophobic bullying. Data from 2244 California schools, including student surveys and administrative records, were combined and analyzed using geographically weighted regression (GWR). Results showed that the associations between school characteristics and general victimization were consistent across geographic areas. However, when it came to homophobic bullying, the relationships with school characteristics varied significantly based on location. Notably, regions with high intolerance, urbanity, large school size, and small student-teacher ratios appeared to offer protection against bullying. Additionally, student socioeconomic status influenced bullying in disadvantaged rural schools with limited Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) presence. Ethnic diversity also played a role, with low diversity or dominance of two ethnic groups linked to higher bullying rates.

Intersections of family expressiveness and adolescent mental health: exploring parent–adolescent relationships as a mediator

Purpose This study investigates the mediating role of parent−adolescent relationships in the impact of family emotional expressiveness on adolescent psychological adjustment. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which positive family dynamics and strong parent−child bonds influence adolescents' psychological resilience and well-being. Design/methodology/approach The study involved 463 middle school students (241 boys and 222 girls) from Chlef, Algeria. Data was collected using the self-expressiveness in the family questionnaire (SEFQ), the parent−adolescent relationship scale (PARS) and the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Descriptive statistics, correlations and mediation analysis were performed to examine the relationships among family emotional expressiveness, parent−adolescent relationships and psychological adjustment. Findings The results reveal moderate positive correlations among family emotional expressiveness, parent−adolescent relationships and psychological adjustment. Mediation analysis indicates that parent−adolescent relationships partially mediate the effects of family emotional expressiveness on psychological outcomes, with both direct and indirect effects being statistically significant. Originality/value This study contributes to the field of mental health by exploring the nuanced interplay between family dynamics, parent−adolescent relationships and psychological adjustment within the Algerian cultural context. While the quantitative nature of the study limits the depth of contextual insights, the findings underscore the importance of considering family emotional expressiveness and the quality of parent−adolescent relationships in interventions aimed at promoting adolescent psychological well-being. The study highlights the partial mediating role of parent−adolescent relationships, indicating that other factors may also influence the association between family expressiveness and adolescent adjustment. This emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, culturally-sensitive approach that addresses various influences on adolescent development. It should be noted that while the family unit and parenting styles have been extensively researched, this study offers a fresh perspective by focusing on these dynamics within a specific cultural setting.

Insight into the Trends in Research on the Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health

This study investigates the impact of social media on adolescent mental health through a bibliometric analysis of literature from 2004 to 2024 in the web of science database. With internet usage among adolescents exceeding 87% and instant messaging rates reaching 84.1%, platforms such as Facebook and Instagram significantly affect their mental well-being. The study identifies “anxiety,” “depression,” and “adolescents” as central themes, demonstrating a strong correlation between high-frequency social media use and mental health issues. Adolescents, the most affected group, face significant risks from prolonged social media exposure. The United Kingdom leads study collaborations in this field. The findings highlight the complexity of social media’s impact on mental health, influenced by various factors ranging from childhood experiences to specific psychological issues. Emphasizing adolescent mental health, the study calls for future study to explore the long-term effects of social media use and develop effective intervention measures and policy recommendations. This scientific evidence aims to guide policymakers, educators, and parents in promoting the comprehensive development and well-being of adolescents, helping them navigate the digital age healthily and safely.

Prospective associations between early childhood mental health concerns and formal diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders in adolescence.

Understanding associations between psychosocial development in early childhood and formal diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in adolescence is critical for early identification and for tailoring interventions and support. This study investigated whether the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores in early childhood (4-5 years) predict mental health (MH) problems as evidenced by SDQ scores and formal diagnosis of NDDs in adolescence (16-17 years). This study analysed data from a sample of 4968 children and adolescents using data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. We used hierarchical regression models to determine the association between SDQ subscales and total scores at ages 4-5 years (primary exposure) and total SDQ scores and NDD diagnoses at ages 16-17 years (outcomes) whilst controlling for sociodemographic risk factors. Each unit increase in SDQ score at age 4-5 led to a rise in SDQ scores at age 16-17. Autism and ADHD diagnoses, female gender, lower maternal education, and financial hardship were associated with higher SDQ scores at age 16-17. Furthermore, parent reported SDQ at age 4-5 was linked to higher likelihoods of formal diagnoses of ADHD, autism, and ADHD/autism at age 16-17. Additionally, social determinants of health such as female gender, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and financial hardship were associated with increased odds of ADHD, autism, and ADHD/autism diagnoses at age 16-17. Our findings highlight the opportunity for early identification of transdiagnostic developmental and MH issues in the preschool period. Findings also emphasise the critical role of social determinants of health in the longitudinal trajectory of MH and NDDs and highlight the need for implementing early supports for improving peer relations and behavioural support strategies. If coupled with wrap around social care, early support strategies can enhance MH and wellbeing in adolescence and beyond.

Latent classes of adolescent health behaviour, social covariates and mental wellbeing: a longitudinal birth cohort study

BackgroundAdolescent mental wellbeing has been declining in the United Kingdom for over a decade. Expansion of services to support the mental wellbeing of young people is a public health priority and a core component of the National Health Service’s Long-Term Plan. In this paper, we leverage secondary analysis of a very large longitudinal dataset (#BeeWell) to generate insights regarding different patterns of health behaviour, their covariates, and consequences for mental wellbeing one year later.MethodsA Latent Class Analysis was conducted using data on physical activity, sleep, and eating habits collected in 2021 from 18,478 Year 8 pupils from Greater Manchester (United Kingdom) to (1) identify distinct latent classes of adolescent health behaviour; (2) establish factors likely to be associated with latent class membership; and (3) determine whether latent class membership contributes to variance in self-reported mental wellbeing one year later.ResultsA three-class solution was identified as an excellent fit to the data, discriminating between: the Wellness Weary (n = 2,717; 15%); the Balanced Bunch (n = 7,377; 40%); and the Green and Dream Team (n = 8,384; 45%). Several factors significantly influenced class membership. Most notably, socio-economic disadvantage and social media use were linked with less favourable health behaviour patterns, whilst cisgender heterosexual girls were likely to endorse healthier patterns. After adjusting for covariates, the Green and Dream Team reported significantly greater mental wellbeing than the Balanced Bunch one year later. However, there was no difference between the Balanced Bunch and the Wellness Weary, signalling that health behaviours may support mental wellbeing, but only among the healthiest young people.ConclusionsBeyond advancements in fundamental understanding, our findings yield significant translation opportunities through their use and application in health, education, and allied professional settings designed to support young people.

Problematic use of social media in adolescents or excessive social gratification? The mediating role of nomophobia

The term problematic social media use (PSMU) refers to the interference produced by social networks in everyday life, where online participation is perceived as rewarding and continues despite negative consequences. The constant gratification (peer connection, instant notifications, scrolling, and variable rewards) has negative consequences for the well-being of adolescents, from the fear of not being connected to developing negative moods. Recent studies of uses and gratifications theory suggest that user preferences, such as the search for friendships and maintaining social relations, are related to PSMU. Based on that theory, this study analyzes the mediating role of nomophobia in the link between social use (social gratification) and problematic social media use among adolescents in Madrid (Spain). The research was conducted in 2022 with adolescents aged 14–17 (N = 820), who self-reported the use of social media, nomophobia, and problematic social media use (Adolescent Risk of Addiction to Social Networks and the Internet Questionnaire; ERA-RSI). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with partial least squares (PLS). The gratification-oriented social use offered by social networks in interactions with other people and nomophobia were explanatory variables for problematic use in adolescent participants. As predicted, nomophobia mediates the link between social use and PSMU. Social use and nomophobia were positively and significantly related, with a medium effect size. The preference for online social interaction and fear of losing this connection contribute significantly to PSMU. The results revealed the need for school-based prevention and intervention programs for digital well-being.

A psychosocial bouldering intervention improves the well-being of young refugees and adolescents from the host community in Lebanon: results from a pragmatic controlled trial

BackgroundMental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is increasingly considered vital for addressing the needs of displaced communities. The mental health of young people in Lebanon, including members of the host community and refugees, has been severely affected by multiple crises. Physical activity (PA) is an effective means for enhancing mental health, but evidence of PA’s impact on mental health among forcibly displaced populations is still emerging and often varies widely across studies.MethodIn this waitlist-controlled study, we examined the effectiveness of an 8-week psychosocial bouldering group intervention offered by the nonprofit organization ClimbAID on psychological well-being, distress, self-efficacy, and social cohesion in a group of mostly Syrian refugee adolescents residing in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. The intervention consisted of 8 sessions and took place once a week for 2 h in a group of up to 12 adolescents with 2 trained facilitators and up to 2 volunteers, supervised by a climbing instructor and a social worker. Multilevel analyses were performed for all outcomes.Results233 people were included in the study. The dropout rate was approximately 33%. The IG improved significantly more than the waitlist group in terms of overall mental well-being and psychological distress. Group allocation was a significant predictor of improvements in mental well-being and psychological distress and showed a trend toward predicting self-efficacy. There was no positive impact of the intervention on social cohesion.ConclusionsEven in complex humanitarian settings of forced displacement, a psychosocial bouldering intervention reduces psychological distress and increases well-being in a mixed group of host and refugee youth in Bekaa, Lebanon.Trial registrationProspectively registered with ISRCTN 13005983, registered April 1st, 2022.

Gender differences and correlates of bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents in Benin

Bullying is one of the important global health issues affecting both health and educational outcomes of adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine gender differences and correlates of bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents in Benin, West Africa. A secondary analysis was conducted with Benin’s national dataset among 2496 school-going adolescents aged 13 years and above from the 2016 Global School-Based Student Health Survey. The overall prevalence of bullying victimisation among in-school adolescents was 42.1%, with varying rates across males (40.1%) and females (44.6%), respectively. The odds of bullying victimisation were 56% significantly higher among males in lower grades than those in higher grades (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.20–2.03). Also, there was a 32% increased odds of bullying victimisation among males who currently use alcohol compared to those who do not use alcohol (AOR = 1.32, CI 1.02–1.70). Males who were physically attacked (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.32–2.40) and those who were seriously injured (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.41–2.30), respectively, had 78% and 80% increased odds of bullying victimisation compared to males who were not physically attacked or seriously injured. Males who engaged in physical fights had 2.03 higher odds of bullying victimisation compared to those who did not engage in physical fights (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.51–2.72). For females, there were 73%, and 90% increased odds of bullying victimisation among those who were physically attacked (AOR = 1.73, CI 1.21–2.46) and those who engaged in physical fights (AOR = 1.90, CI 1.36–2.66), respectively, compared to those who were not physically attacked or involved in physical fights. The odds of bullying victimisation were 60% higher among females who were seriously injured compared to those who were not injured (AOR = 1.60, CI 1.23–2.09). Also, females who ideated suicide had 2.04 higher odds of bullying victimisation compared to those who did not ideate suicide. Gender-specific variations of bullying victimisation exist among in-adolescents in Benin. Major stakeholders (teachers, school healthcare providers, and other school authorities) should be mindful of the identified risk differentials and develop effective anti-bullying intervention strategies aimed at promoting the mental health and well-being of school-going adolescents in Benin.

Companion animals and child development outcomes: longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of a UK birth cohort study

BackgroundResearch into the impact of social relationships on childhood and adolescent health and wellbeing has been largely limited to children’s relationships with other humans, while studies into the impact of pet ownership are sparse and have generally not adjusted for potential confounders. This study aimed to investigate the association between pet ownership and a range of developmental outcomes in childhood and adolescence.MethodsData were self-reports and direct assessments of approx. 14,000 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Multivariable regression models adjusting for confounding factors examined associations between developmental outcome measures (emotional health, behavioural development, cognitive development, language development, educational attainment) and concurrent pet ownership, including species, and also longitudinal pet ownership history and pet-interaction where possible. Analyses model numbers using multiple imputation varied from n = 393–8963.ResultsIn cross-sectional analyses, owning a dog (b = 0.24, [0.06–0.41], p = .004) and owning other/miscellaneous pets (b = 0.18, [0.03–0.33], p = .021) at age 3 were associated with higher prosocial behaviour score. Owning a pet was associated with a higher non-verbal communication score at age 2 (cross-sectional, b = 0.18, [0.04–0.32], p = .014), and a higher language development score at age 5 (cross-sectional, b = 1.01, [0.18–1.83], p = .017). However, pet ownership was associated with lower educational attainment across a number of academic subjects and timepoints, in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. It was also cross-sectionally linked to hyperactivity at age 3 and conduct problems at age 3 and 11. Furthermore, at age 8, cross-sectional analysis showed that children who owned any pets (OR [95% CI]: 0.85 [0.73–0.98], p= ·026) or cats (0.83, [0.73–0.95], p= ·006) had lower odds of high self-esteem (scholastic competence).ConclusionsUsing a large, well-designed longitudinal study and adjusting for key confounders, we found little evidence of cross-sectional or longitudinal associations between pet ownership and emotional health or cognitive outcomes in children. There may, however, be some cross-sectional and longitudinal association with poorer educational attainment and a positive impact on social interactions as seen through associations with enhanced language development and prosocial behaviour. This study demonstrates the importance of adjustment for confounding variables and suggests that, contrary to popular belief, positive impacts of pet ownership on childhood development may be mainly limited to social behaviour and language development.

A - 40 Food Insecurity Is Associated with Serious Cognitive Difficulties among Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities

Abstract Objective Youth with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD), experience cognitive difficulties in their daily lives. Food insecurity, a public health problem, disproportionately affects youth with neurodevelopmental disorders and is associated with mental health and academic functioning. We examined the association between parent-reported food insecurity and cognitive difficulty among youth after adjusting for factors associated with cognitive difficulty. Methods The 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health, conducted in the United States, is designed to provide parent-reported information on the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Associations between cognitive difficulty, food insecurity, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), psychiatric conditions, flourishing, receiving federal assistance, and low socioeconomic status were analyzed using binary logistic regressions. Results There were 6422 youth (aged 6–17) with ADHD and/or LD (63.4% boys). Around half had parent-reported serious cognitive difficulties (50.5%). A third (31.9%) were reported to have mild food insecurity and 6.7% had moderate/severe food insecurity. In the multivariable model [χ2(6) = 1138.25, p < 0.001; Nagelkerke R2 = 0.22], food insecurity [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–1.34)] was an independent predictor of serious cognitive difficulty, in addition to ACEs (OR = 1.121, 95%CI = 1.075–1.168), anxiety or depression (OR = 2.279, 95%CI = 2.041–2.545), flourishing (OR = 0.473, 95%CI = 0.442–0.505), and free or reduced school meals (OR = 1.244, 95%CI = 1.108–1.397). Conclusion Food insecurity was independently associated with parent-reported cognitive problems among youth with ADHD and LD. Better understanding the mechanisms that underlie the associations between food insecurity, other social determinants of health, and cognitive difficulties can facilitate the development of targeted, evidence-informed interventions to bolster functional and academic outcomes for youth with neurodevelopmental disorders.

A Machine Learning Approach to Well-Being in Late Childhood and Early Adolescence: The Children’s Worlds Data Case

Explaining what leads to higher or lower levels of subjective well-being (SWB) in childhood and adolescence is one of the cornerstones within this field of studies, since it can lead to the development of more focused preventive and promotion actions. Although many indicators of SWB have been identified, selecting one over the other to obtain a reasonably short list poses a challenge, given that models are particularly sensitive to the indicators considered.Two Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, one based on Extreme Gradient Boosting and Random Forest and the other on Lineal Regression, were applied to 77 indicators included in the 3rd wave of the Children’s Worlds project and then compared. ExtremeGradient Boosting outperforms the other two, while Lineal Regression outperforms Random Forest. Moreover, the Extreme Gradient Boosting algorithm was used to compare models for each of the 35 participating countries with that of the pooled sample on the basis of responses from 93,349 children and adolescents collected through a representative sampling and belonging to the 10 and 12-year-olds age groups. Large differences were detected by country with regard to the importance of these 77 indicators in explaining the scores for the five-item-version of the CWSWBS5 (Children’s Worlds Subjective Well-Being Scale). The process followed highlights the greater capacity of some ML techniques in providing models with higher explanatory power and less error, and in more clearly differentiating between the contributions of the different indicators to explain children’s and adolescents’ SWB. This finding is useful when it comes to designing shorter but more reliable questionnaires (a selection of 29 indicators were used in this case).

Impact of Locus of Control on Psychological Well-Being Among Male and Female Adolescents in Anambra State

This study focused on investigating how locus of control influences the mental well-being of male and female adolescents from Anambra State, Nigeria. The type of research study was correlational and the respondents were senior Secondary School students of which 396 were males and 367 females. The sampling methods used were multistage and stratified sampling. In data collection the Locus of Control of Behaviour Scale (LCBS) and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWS) were used; both instruments yielded high reliability as assessed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0. 72 and 0. 86, respectively. Specifically, in the regression equations it was discovered that locus of control has a positive correlation with psychological well-being and explained 21% of the variability. It accounts for 8% of the variability in all adolescent youth, 18. 1% among males and 24% among females. The findings underscored the significance of building an internal sense of control to improve adolescents’ psychological adjustment. The study revealed the need to apply such methods to enhance the students’ perceived control in educational programs and calls for future studies to discover other factors that have an impact on psychological well-being across various cultures.

Physical activity and indices of physical well-being in children and adolescents with trisomy 21

Introduction: Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) is the most common genetic disorder, which is caused by a chromosomal abnormality and presents various deviations in areas such as mental and motor levels. The presence of extra information corresponding in whole or in part to chromosome 21 affects the development of children with trisomy 21, and abnormal gene expression leads to changes in brain function. The overall prevalence of the syndrome is one (1) to two (2) per thousand (1,000) live births, although the prevalence may have variability among racial or ethnic groups. The purpose of this research is to highlight the deviations in the balance ability, the strength of the upper limbs, and to what extent they affect the quality of life of children and adolescents with trisomy 21. Methods: Eighteen (18) children and adolescents with trisomy 21 participated in the research, with three (3) being excluded due to exclusion criteria. Fifteen (15) children and adolescents with trisomy 21 were finally included, of which four (4) were boys and eleven (11) were girls.