Formative Years Research Articles

Analysing Infant Food Digestion through Artificial Neural Network

The symbiotic relationship between nutrition and health is crucial, especially during the formative years of infancy when dietary intake has a significant impact on growth and development. New developments in food engineering highlight how important Artificial Intelligence (AI) is to the best possible optimization of baby food products, making them more inexpensive while maintaining great nutritional characteristics. The way that factors related to food processing affect an infant's ability to digest food and absorb nutrients has a big impact on their development and overall health. To evaluate the nutritional qualities of baby food products, this work elaborates on digestive models. It examines the three stages of digestive models static, semi-dynamic, and dynamic shedding light on the enzymes used in each stage and their corresponding benefits and drawbacks. The work also explores the theoretical developments in machine learning and adaptation and how they might be used to predict nutritional characteristics that are important for baby health. However, making use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in a variety of food processing unit operations, this work will navigate the complex dynamics between food processing techniques and infant digestive stages. This method makes it easier to comprehend how food engineering and sophisticated computational models work together to forecast and maximize the nutritional benefits of foods designed specifically for infants. Fundamentally, the combination of cutting-edge food engineering methods and digestive modeling especially when it comes to baby food has great potential for guaranteeing that baby food offers are nutrient-dense and of high quality, both of which are essential for healthy growth and development.

Children and adolescent consumer behavior: Insights from the life course paradigm

AbstractResearchers have long been interested in understanding young consumers, but they have had inadequate methods for studying their consumption‐related thoughts and actions at early stages of life and how these develop and change during formative years. Recent theoretical and methodological advances in behavioral and social science have contributed to the development of a research approach, known as “life course paradigm.” This approach has helped replace and integrate previously used theories and methods by offering researchers an over‐arching multi‐theoretical framework for studying a wide variety of phenomena; and it has rapidly diffused across disciplines, and is increasingly used internationally. This article shows how consumer researchers could benefit from applying this conceptual research framework to improve existing models and study youths' consumer behavior in an innovative way.

Typewriting architects: projects and research from the AUA studio and the role of Manfredo Tafuri

This paper considers the formative years of Manfredo Tafuri in Rome, first as a member of the student group ASeA, then as a founder of the AUA studio. Rome at that time was a place of dense debate. Discussions were conducted mostly outside the retrograde School of Architecture but in the context of the network of associations and professional firms in the area. In this fervid cultural climate, Tafuri emerged first as both a designer and scholar, then as an extraordinary architectural critic, until in 1964, he decided to abandon designing altogether and dedicate himself entirely to history. Manfredo Tafuri’s Roman years have been analysed through his writings and projects carried out as a member of research groups — along with the accounts of some of his colleagues and traveling companions. The aim is to delve into the organisation of the AUA office, Tafuri’s role within it, and the reasons for his ultimate refusal to practice architecture.

Role of Households’ Wealth and Maternal Education in Early Child Development: A Case Study of Punjab, Pakistan

Children under the age of five are exposed to several hazards in developing countries, such as poverty, inadequate housing, and unstimulating home environments, which have an adverse influence on their cognitive and socio-emotional development. Since learning during adulthood is influenced by earlier developmental stages, these formative years are crucial in shaping a successful adult life. Therefore, the study intends to investigate what causes some children to perform worse than other children of the same age. It utilises data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2017-18 of 4,043 children from Punjab, Pakistan. Binary Logistic Regression was used for analysis and it demonstrated a positive relationship between early child development, wealth, maternal education, and home stimulating activities with all three measures of child development which include child identification of alphabets, reading at least four popular words, and recognition of numbers or shapes. The result of the study suggests that it is an urgent need of the hour to focus to women’s education and take steps to mitigate poverty in order to enable parents to provide their children with a better learning environment. JEL Classification Codes: I250, H75, P36, J13.

The Representation of Earlier African American Vernacular English by Charles W. Chesnutt

This article examines the validity of regional speech represented in the writings of an African American short story writer, essayist, lawyer, and stenographer Charles W. Chesnutt (1858–1932) with a corpus of dialogues extracted from his literary works (approximately 40,000 words). As a touchstone for exploring its accuracy, the Atlas data from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and the surrounding regions in Cape Fear and Pee Dee Valley− a region where the author spent his youth and his stories are set−are compared with the speech of his African American characters. The result reveals that the Atlas records and Chesnutt’s dialogues share many expressions in their regional lexicons ranging from single words to phrases. Considering the difficulty of recording all the synonyms and semantically related words from the same informant during the interview, the overall agreement between the two provides further evidence that as an African American writer who spent his formative years in a rural community in North Carolina, Chesnutt’s literary dialect offers a glimpse of earlier AAVE spoken in the region in the mid-nineteenth century. Furthermore, this article touches on Chesnutt’s racial identity and what led him to enter the literary world as it is pertinent to his linguistic background and the motive behind the use of literary dialect.

"Children Are Like Vuvuzelas Always Ready to Blow": Exploring How to Engage Young Children in Violence Research.

Children's participation and inclusion in violence research, particularly in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts, is scant and not well understood. To assess how young children can be engaged in violence research, 4- to 7-year-old children were recruited into our pilot study in a rural area of South Africa. Six interviewers, recruited from the community, were trained to complete cognitive interviews (n = 24), interviewer-administered questionnaires (n = 21), and qualitative interviews (n = 18) with young children. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with interviewers. Findings from FGDs and assessment of interview performance highlighted that young children could feasibly and meaningfully appraise violence they experience and articulate their view in a research context. Art- and play-based approaches offered participants an easier and developmentally appropriate platform for communication, expression, and engagement, and asking directly about violence was acceptable. The ease with which children participated was determined both by their level of development and the sensitivity of the interviewers; thus, intensive training and mentorship were required over time to assist interviewers in understanding child development and mental health and increase recognition of these issues and their presentation. Interviewers critically engaged with personal values regarding children's rights and voice in research, reflecting that some of the stories were difficult to listen to. They were able to use and value novel methods to facilitate the ethical involvement of young children to yield rich data. Without young children's involvement and dynamic participation in violence research, the field will not have the evidence to build best practices, respond appropriately to the needs of this vulnerable population, and interrupt the intergenerational transmission of violence that develops in these formative years. Our study adds to the burgeoning evidence that young participants are vital to the research process and are valuable active contributors to understanding violence in LMICs.

ASSESMENT OF KNOWLEDGE OF LIGHT MICROSCOPIC ERGONOMICS AMONG PATHOLOGISTS

Back Ground Sound knowledge regarding ergonomics and their practical application are essential for prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The role of microscopic ergonomics (ME) in preventing these work related ailments is significant. Methods Authors conducted a cross sectional survey among pathologist of Davangere city, Karnataka, India. The data was collected using 26 - item custom designed proforma, with questions evaluating pathologist’s basic knowledge about microscopic ergonomics. Results Of 100 subjects surveyed, 70% pathologists (staff and post graduate) stated that they came across microscopic ergonomics only through this survey. Also 100% pathologists of believed that the emphasis about microscopic ergonomics is less in the present dental curriculum. Conclusions The findings suggest that the pathologist’s comprehension regarding microscopic ergonomics is limited. This study advocates the revision of dental curricula regarding microscopic ergonomics to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Practical Implications Increased importance should be given during formative years of dental education about this essential clinical entity either via textbook education or in continuing dental education (CDE) programs. Key Words Microscopic ergonomics; musculoskeletal disorders; micro breaks

Friendship and self-harm: a retrospective qualitative study of young adults' experiences of supporting a friend who self-harmed during adolescence.

Self-harm amongst young people is becoming increasingly prevalent. Understanding, responding to, and supporting young people who self-harm is vital. Friends are typically the first and sometimes the only source of support sought by adolescents who self-harm. Despite their important role as confidants, friends' perspectives and experiences remain poorly understood. We conducted retrospective qualitative semi-structured interviews, prompted by an adapted version of the Card Sort Task for Self-Harm (CaTS-FF), about the experiences of nine female young adults (18-20 years old) who supported a friend who self-harmed during adolescence. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes were developed: (1) "I did not realize my friend was on the road to self-harm": Friends' reactions to self-harm; (2) "That's what friends do": the role of friends; (3) The impact of supporting a friend who self-harms; and (4) "They were quite formative years": reflecting on growth through the experience. The present findings highlight the complex experiences of young people supporting a friend who self-harms. Despite being willing to take on the role of a supporter, participants experienced a range of difficult emotions and consequences. The temporal transition running through the four themes reflects the evolving nature of participants' attitudes, knowledge, and friendships. Overall, results highlight the unmet needs of adolescents supporting young people who self-harm, as well as identifying potential pathways to "support the supporters" toward resilience.

DISCERNMENT ACCORDING TO JOHN CASSIAN AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE USE OF SMARTPHONE FOR CANDIDATE OF PRIESTS

The development of digital technology, especially the smartphone, has a tremendous impact within all persons and structures of society, including the seminarians and their formation in seminaries. They can no longer withdraw and refuse to utilize the various facilities or applications provided by smartphone. Instead, they must learn to use it appropriately, wisely and competently, sharpened by appropriate theological insights that reflect priestly spirituality based on a constant dialogue with God. This requires them to have discretionary skills regarding the use of smartphone. Using a quantitative and qualitative methods, this research focuses on the understanding and experience of discretion in using smartphone among the seminarians in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, based on John Cassian’s thoughts on discernment. The result shows that among the seminarians there is a gap between their understanding and their practice on discretion. On the one hand, they understand very well what discretion is and how it should be applied in using smartphone. However, on the other hand, they often do not practice it so they are easily distracted. This research, therefore, recommends that digital discernment skills among seminarians, both personal and communal, need to be continuously improved during their formation years.

Warna Bahasa Anak dan Peran Serta Lingkungan dalam Perkembangannya

Humans are inherently social beings who use language as a primary means of com­munication to fulfill their social needs. The development of language skills occurs most rapidly from infancy through early childhood, a phase marked by unique linguistic phenomena that, while seemingly unnatural to adults, are logical to children. This study explores the distinctive characteristics of language development during these crucial phases and examines the role of the environment, particularly the family, in this process. Utilizing qualitative descriptive methods, the research analyzes the interac­tions between children and their surroundings, with a specific focus on the family's influence. The findings reveal that the rapid development of language skills in early childhood is significantly influenced by the immediate social environment, with parents serving as the primary language models. The study highlights the considerable impact of parental involvement and family structure on children's language acquisition. The quality of interaction between parents and children and the overall family dynamics play a crucial role in shaping children's linguistic abilities. Moreover, the study under­scores that an understanding of the distinctive characteristics of early language development and recognition of the pivotal role of families can inform more effective strategies to support language growth in young children. The results emphasize the necessity of a supportive and interactive family environment to optimize language acquisition during these formative years. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that parental involvement, family structure, and quality interactions are essential in fostering early language development. Recognizing these factors can help in designing interventions and support systems aimed at enhancing language acquisition and ensuring that children develop robust communication skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Individual-level innovation in the upstream oil & gas industry: Insights from a global survey

The transition to a lower-carbon world is significantly underway, but oil & gas will likely continue to play an important role in the world's energy mix for many years to come. At the same time, though, the industry is undergoing significant change on several fronts, and technology and innovation will accordingly play a pivotal role in the future of the sector. Building upon the first Society of Petroleum Engineers Global Innovation Survey, this paper presents the findings from the follow-up survey to examine these processes again. However, whereas the first survey looked at innovation at the business unit level, this investigation explores this phenomenon from the point of view of individual people. Through the application of tools from the field of organizational psychology, this survey was designed to find out who the “explorers” are within the oil & gas sector that are hardwired to deliver tomorrow's bolder technologies, and who the “exploiters” are that are more inclined to prefer modest improvements to existing solutions. We found several potentially useful patterns in the data. First, respondents who have graduate degrees were more likely to engage in exploration kinds of behaviors than those who do not. Second, age had little bearing on whether or not a respondent exhibited exploration kinds of behaviors. Third, respondents who spent their formative years before the age of 18 in Norway, Russia, or Indonesia tended to engage in more exploration kinds of activity than most others. Fourth, respondents working in Brazil, China, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Venezuela at the time of the survey all reported lower levels of exploration-like behavior than their counterparts elsewhere. The paper concludes with recommendations for future investigations in this area.

Evaluation and Comparison of Facial Appearance Using the Golden Ratio: An Anthropometric Study in Preschool and School-Going Children of Santhal Tribe in West Bengal.

Introduction Golden ratio and beauty are two inseparable sides of the same coin and have been studied for centuries by the Greeks. This divine ratio is defined as an invincible parameter in aesthetic dentistry to measure looks, symmetry, and balance. Being beautiful and handsome also boosts confidence in today's children and therefore is a top priority for young growing kids. However, there is no study done to define facial measurements based on the golden ratio in preschool and school-going children that can succor aesthetics in formative years. The purpose of this research was to evaluate facial proportions in the vertical dimension, quantify them in reference to the golden ratio, and analyze the association with gender among preschool and school-going children of the Santhal tribe in the Bankura district. Materials and methods A total of 399 subjects, 198 children of 3-5 years with primary teeth and 201 children of 6-12 years with mixed dentition, were selected from schools in villages of Bankura district, West Bengal, India. The subjects were made to relax in a sitting position and a digital vernier caliper was used to record the following vertical facial parameters: total facial height (TFH), trichion-gnathion distance (Tr-Gn), and subnasale-gnathion distance (Sn-Gn). The total facial height was correlated with sexual dimorphism and dentition. The ratio of Tr-Sn/Sn-Gn was calculated and compared with the golden ratio. The ratio was classified as normal (if it was between 1.6 and 1.699, i.e., normal to the golden ratio value), long (if it was more than 1.699, i.e., more than the golden ratio value), or short (if it was below 1.6, i.e., less than the golden ratio value). This facial analysis based on the golden ratio was correlated to sexual dimorphism and dentition. The data were recorded, compared with gender, and statistically analyzed using the unpaired t-test and Chi-square test. Results The total facial height was larger in males than females in both primary and mixed dentition; however, the value was highly significant in primary dentition. Tr-Sn/Sn-Gn ratios were lower in the longfacial categoryin both males and females in both preschool and school-going children. The values were statistically significant in these ratios for both dentitions. Conclusion The majority of children in the Santhal tribe of Bankura in West Bengal did not conform to the golden ratio and showed long faces. There was a significant association of facial features with sexual dimorphism. Clinical significance The early prediction of facial features in children and its confirmation with the established golden ratio can be considered an imperative parameter to comprehend facial aesthetics and symmetry.

Bomb radiocarbon determines absolute age of adult fin whales, and validates use of earplug growth bands for age determination

Baleen whales are one of the few vertebrate taxa for which there are no confirmed estimates of longevity or methods of age determination. Lamina counts in the waxy earplug are assumed to represent age, but ageing accuracy is completely unknown. In this study, bomb radiocarbon assays of the earplug growth sequence in three adult fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) were used to prepare the most complete within-individual bomb radiocarbon chronologies yet reported for any vertebrate. The whale radiocarbon chronologies matched those of known-age carbonate reference chronologies very well, indicating that the earplug laminae were both metabolically stable and formed throughout the life of the whale. Earplug lamina counts accurately represented absolute ages of 65-85 yr to within 6% of the correct age. Detection of a significant declining trend in δ13C with year of lamina formation within individual whales was consistent with that of the Suess effect, again underlining the metabolic stability of the earplug laminae. Given our results, recent applications of earplug laminae for reconstructing diet and life history events appear to be firmly based, with the potential for further elemental and isotopic applications analogous to those of the otolith.

Application of Yoga in Adolescent/Teens to increase Resilience & Improve Emotional Well-Being with Emphasis on Yogic Principles - A Study

Aim: Adolescence is a transition period from childhood to adulthood and this tender age between the ages of 12 - 19 years is usually riddled with uncertainties and difficulties as the children are faced with peer pressures, social media, career choices and parents' expectations. According to UNICEF and other research publications, ensuring emotional well-being and resilience in adolescents' formative years can foster a better transition from childhood to adulthood. This is the time when our youth is most prone to emotional imbalances. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) by 2020, 50% of the youth will be under-served. World bodies like the United Nations estimates that at-least 1 billion school going children have been affected globally by the closure of schools due to the Covid pandemic. The mental health and wellbeing of at least 332 million children are at risk, warns UNICEF. So there is an urgent need to take appropriate steps so that adolescents can attain normal, healthy growth and become productive and positive contributors to society. Yoga is proposed to offer methods for regulation and resilience through the integrated practices of yama and niyama (ethical intentional principals) asana ( physical exercise), pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation. This study aims to introduce and establish the seeds of Yoga in young minds, and how the practice of simple Yoga techniques can help manage stress, maintain emotional well-being and resilience. Methodology: The approach incorporates methods on how to engage children and gradually introduce the Yogic practices and convince them to use Yoga to manage stress, emotional well-being and build resilience to maintain a healthy body and mind. The methodology inculcates our age-old wisdom from classical texts like Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Yoga Vasishta and Bhagavad Gita, and combined with contemporary techniques to suit the current generation of youngsters. Classical texts were thoroughly investigated for references to yogic principles apt for today's modern world and these are verified on a group of young children using Hypothesis testing and statistical analysis. Conclusion: Youth is a valuable asset for any country. The consequences of not addressing the emotional well-being and mental health of adolescence extends into adulthood, thereby impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults. Scientific research studies all over the world have revealed that following yogic practices can play an important role to manage stress, emotional well-being and thereby improve resilience. The methodology used showed positive results with a group of 50+ children to introduce yoga and help maintain lower stress and emotional wellbeing, and boost immunity and build resilience. Highly resilient people are flexible, adapt to new circumstances quickly and thrive in constant change. Keywords: Emotional Well-Being, Resilience, Yoga, Teens, Adolescence

AWARENESS AND HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF PARENTS REGARDING THEIR CHILDREN’S ORAL HEALTH AND PROFESSIONAL DENTAL CARE

Parents' awareness and health-seeking behaviour concerning their children's oral health and professional dental care are vital components shaping pediatric dental wellness. The study's primary objective is to find parents' awareness and health-seeking behaviour regarding their children’s oral health and professional dental care. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi. Data was collected from 320 parents who participated in this study. To capture a comprehensive understanding, participant recruitment involves a diverse selection of parents, ensuring representation across various demographics, including age, socioeconomic status, educational background, and geographical location. Data were collected from 320 participants. Participants belong to different age groups. Respondents with a high school education or less constituted 35%, while those with a bachelor's degree represented 30% of the participants. The survey outlined varying degrees of parental awareness regarding specific oral health practices. While a high percentage of parents were aware of the importance of fluoride use for children (85%) and the ideal age for dental check-ups (60%), adherence to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) brushing recommendations and awareness of proper flossing techniques were notably lower, at 25% and 40%, respectively. It is concluded that early dental checkups play a crucial role in preventing conditions like dental caries. Founding good oral habits and hygiene during the formative years significantly contributes to lifelong oral health in children.

Children's cognitive impairment associated with cassava cyanide in Democratic Republic of the Congo: Burden of disease.

Worldwide, tens of millions of children rely on cassava as a dietary staple throughout their formative years of brain and behavioral development. Recently, it was discovered that cassava cyanide can impair children's neurocognitive development at relatively low exposures. We revisited the World Health Organization's foodborne disease burden estimate of cassava cyanide, focusing on the new health endpoint of children's cognitive impairment in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The loss of Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores was used to measure the endpoint of cognitive impairment caused by cassava cyanide exposure, which was estimated based on the concentration-effect relationship between children's IQ scores and cyanide concentrations in flour. We estimated the burden of intellectual disability (ID) associated with cassava cyanide exposure in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The median content of cyanide in cassava samples collected from DRC was 12.5 mg/kg, causing a median decrement to children's IQ of 2.37 points. The estimated number of children with ID associated with cassava cyanide exposure was 1,643 cases, although 1,567 of these cases (95%) were mild ID. The burden of cognitive impairment attributable to cassava cyanide in DRC alone was 13,862 DALYs per 100,000 children, or 3.01 million for all children under age 5. The results of the study, showing a significant burden of cassava cyanide-related cognitive impairment in children even at relatively low doses, can contribute to the implementation of cost-effective interventions to make cassava consumption safer for children in high-risk rural areas of DRC.

Gender and Class-wise Comparison of Stressors and Perceived Levels of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among the 2nd Versus 5th Year Medical Students

Background: Medical profession is being dominated by female students, but little attention is being paid on making them emotionally and physically competent to match their corresponding gender with whom they have to work in parallel in the near future. Research is crucial in this area to identify their needs and provide solutions.
 Objectives: To identify female and male gender-related depression, anxiety and stress (DAS) among the undergraduate medical students enrolled in the second versus final year of University College of Medicine and Dentistry (UCMD), The University of Lahore (UOL) and highlight the intricate web of stressors that these medical students encounter.
 Method: A concurrent mixed method study was conducted on a random sample of 200 medical students of 2nd and 5th year with equal gender distribution. DASS21 scale was used to assess Depression, Anxiety and Stress. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected on Google forms. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and the qualitative data by manual thematic analysis
 Results: The 2nd year female students had significantly higher stress than their male counterparts. No statistically significant difference was appreciated within the 5th year gender wise though the females had relatively higher DASS levels. No significant difference on DASS21 was observed within the same gender between the two academic years. The female and male students reported fear of failure and less preparation time versus syllabus load as their major stressors respectively. 
 Conclusion: The study has identified the stressors that influence the wellbeing of medical students and presented their depression, anxiety and stress comparison with respect to their gender and seniority. It has indicated the need to empower females emotionally at the level of their upbringing to formative medical years. Furthermore, male students must learn to manage time and be responsible doctors.

The importance of visual acuity screening in dental education amongst undergraduate dental students: a straightforward method

BackgroundVisual acuity plays a pivotal role in a dental professional's daily performance and screening the students' field of vision in their early formative years ensures successful undergraduate programmes.AimsTo compare near and distance visual acuity and stereopsis in first-year and final-year dental students and investigate students' perception of their vision.MethodThis was a cross-sectional study involving 100 KCL first- and final-year dental students that underwent assessment of their vision and completed a self-perception questionnaire. Near visual acuity was assessed using a standardised near vision test chart, distance visual acuity using COMPlog (Clinical Vision Measurement Systems Ltd, London, UK) computerised software and stereopsis using the Frisby stereotest. On the basis of the Mann–Whitney test, no statistical differences were found between the first-year and final-year students’ near and distance visual acuity, nor in stereopsis difference at a significance level of α = 0.05. The null hypothesis was accepted.Results84% of first-year students and 94% in final-year students attained the highest binocular near visual acuity score of 0.50M. Distance visual acuity scores showed a median ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) Letters score 94 in the first-year group and 95 in the final-year group. 8% of students were found to have correctable refractive errors in distance visual acuity. The majority of students across both year groups were able to discern 20 s arc of smallest disparity. Final-year students reported worrying about their eyesight significantly more than the first-year students.ConclusionsNo statistically significant differences were found in near and distance visual acuity, and stereopsis, between first-year and final-year dental students. However, 8% of students were identified with undiagnosed, correctable refractive errors. The importance of students' vision in clinical dentistry is highlighted and regular eye examination is recommended.

Duration and timing of depression and risk of family dissolution: A register-based cohort study of newly-formed Danish families

BackgroundDepression is detrimental to partnership stability. However, it remains unclear if and how the duration and timing of depression affect the risk of family dissolution. MethodsWe conducted a Danish register-based cohort study of newly-formed cohabiting and married couples in 2008 and 2009, who were followed from the second year after family formation. Depressive episodes were defined by individual-level prescription patterns of antidepressant drugs (ATC codes N06A) in either partner. Family dissolution was characterized by the discontinuation of a shared residential address. Using Longitudinal Targeted Minimum Loss-based Estimation, we estimated the risk of family dissolution after 5 years of follow-up under various lengths and timings of depressive episodes. ResultsThere were 102,335 families included. The covariate-adjusted risk of family dissolution in families without depressive episodes was 30.0 % (95 % CI 29.6–30.4 %) and 35.5 % (95 % CI 29.5–41.5 %) in families with at least one depressive episode during follow-up. The risk of family dissolution increased with the duration of depressive episodes to 42.2 % (95 % CI 40.8–43.6 %) for five coherent years of depression. Depression shortly after family formation carried higher risk of family dissolution; this risk was 42.3 % (95 % CI 38.4–46.3 %) for depression experienced in the first year of family formation versus 32.9 % (95 % CI 31.8–34.0 %) in the fifth year of family formation. LimitationsProxy measures of depression by antidepressant prescriptions fails to identify milder depression. Annual measures of family dissolution precluded more fine-grained analyses of time-intervals. ConclusionsDepression is disruptive to family stability, particularly with longer duration and early onset after family formation.

Minority bonding to political self-efficacy: a case study on bonding and bridging social capital and political self-efficacy among adolescents in Finland

While social capital is claimed to predict, for example, a higher level of trust, better health, and higher voter turnout, its uneven distribution causes concern in society. In this study, we examine which aspects of social capital are connected to political self-efficacy, which is an important predictor of political participation and associated with for example political interest. According to our knowledge, there is a research gap both in terms of studies focusing on analyzing the effect of minority status on political self-efficacy via social capital and studies analyzing these patterns among adolescents living their formative years. In this article we test this mediating effect of social capital among majority and minority adolescents since minorities can be expected to have relatively more bonding social capital and less bridging social capital. In the Finnish context, this is particularly interesting since the Swedish-speaking minority is praised for its high level of social capital that is suggested to explain a lot of its success ranging from better health to a higher turnout compared with the majority. Analyzing a nationwide dataset of 15–16-year-old students (N = 5,189) completing their final year of comprehensive education in Finland in a multilevel structural equation model, we discover that belonging to the Swedish-speaking minority seems to strengthen bonding social capital (social networks, and community). The civic participation, community, and social networks aspects of social capital are positively connected to the level of political self-efficacy, while generalized trust has no connection to it. All these findings indicate that societies should take measures to strengthen bridging and bonding social capital among both adolescents and minorities.