Youth Demographics Research Articles

Distance Learning as Compared to Full-Time Programs in Higher Education (based on Russia’s official statistics)

The indicators of development of distance higher education in Russia since 2000 until now are described as compared to full-time learning programs using the estimates based on the primary data obtained from the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia as well as official statistics. The study involves analysis of the chronological changes in the indicators of enrollment rates, the applicants per place ratio, the distribution of applicants by age characteristics and the level of educational attainment, the number of students and their gender composition, graduation as such and broken by the type of degree (Bachelor’s, Specialist’s, Master’s), the form of ownership of an educational institution (public/private), and the ratio of state- and self-funded places (which takes into account youth demographics, where possible). Data on the proportion of distance learning students in the 2017 enrollment rates is used to identify a series of trends that characterize the development of this form of education in particular federal okrugs and subjects of the Russian Federation.

An exploratory investigation of motivation orientations of Indian business students: implications for educators

India's rapid economic growth and favourable youth demographics have created an unprecedented demand for business graduates. Employer feedback indicates that large numbers of graduates are deficient in their knowledge, behaviours, and skill-sets to be effective in the workplace. This arises due to subpar institutions, lecture-based teaching, rote memorisation learning, and progress by passing exams. The need to institute educational reforms is widely acknowledged but hampered by the lack of knowledge about Indian business majors and their motivation towards education. A modified version of the motivated strategies for learning questionnaire (MSLQ) with 22 items was used to collect data on five aspects of motivation (extrinsic, intrinsic control of learning beliefs, self-efficacy, and test anxiety) from a sample of 462 students drawn from three colleges located in Chennai. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the reliability and validity of the five constructs. A cluster analysis shows the emergence of three distinct clusters that differed across all five constructs. Implications for educators along with recommendations are discussed.

The design of medical marijuana laws and adolescent use and heavy use of marijuana: Analysis of 45 states from 1991 to 2011

ObjectivesTo assess the association between U.S. state medical marijuana laws (MML), the most liberal category of marijuana policies before legalization, their specific provisions, and adolescent past-30-day use and heavy marijuana use. MethodsThis quasi-experimental study used state Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data collected during 1991–2011 from 45 states (N=715,014) to examine MML effects, taking advantage of heterogeneity across states in MML status and design. Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to adjust for state and year effects, and youth demographics. ResultsUnadjusted analyses found that MMLs were associated with higher rates of adolescent past-30-day marijuana use (odds ratio [OR]=1.08, 95% confidence interval, [(CI)=1.03,1.13]) and heavy marijuana use (OR=1.12, [CI=1.05,1.21]). However, analyses adjusting for state/year effects found a 7% lower odds of use (OR=0.99, [CI=0.98,0.999]) and no difference in heavy use. In the adjusted models, years since MML enactment (OR=0.93, [CI=0.86,0.99]) and MML inclusion of more liberalized provisions (OR=0.98, [CI=0.96,0.998]) were associated with slightly lowered odds of past-30-day marijuana use. Conversely, allowance for ≥2.5 usable marijuana ounces was associated with higher past-30-day marijuana use odds (OR=1.21, [CI=1.09,1.34]) and a voluntary vs. mandatory patient registration with higher odds of both past-30-day use (OR=1.41, [CI=1.28,1.56]) and heavy use (OR=1.23, [CI=1.08,1.40]). ConclusionsMML enactment, years since enactment, and inclusion of more liberalized provisions were not associated with increased adolescent marijuana use in this dataset after adjusting for state and year effects; however, higher possession limits and a voluntary registration were. It is possible that state norms are the impetus for MML enactment.

Gang organization and violence in youth correctional facilities

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine characteristics of gang organization in youth correctional facilities as reported by youth and staff as well as to analyze the relationship between institutional violence and level of gang organization.Design/methodology/approach– The data were collected through interviews with staff and youth in correctional facilities. Gang organization level averages are compared across youth and official perspectives, and the variability of responses among youth is also examined. Negative binomial regression models are conducted to determine the association between perceived level of gang organization and officially recorded violent behavior, both prior to and subsequent to the interview.Findings– Perceptions of institutional gang organization vary notably depending on who is reporting. In contrast with prior studies of street gangs, controlling for youth demographics and offense characteristics, the authors find no significant relationship between gang organization and violence.Research limitations/implications– The sample size is small and the data are cross-sectional. Future studies will need to be conducted in order to confirm these findings, as they contradict prior studies. The analysis of street gang organization may need to be approached differently by scholars.Originality/value– Research has not been conducted on the organizational structure of gangs in youth correctional facilities or its relationship to institutional violence.

Exploring Differences in Youth Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Electronic Cigarette Television Advertisements.

Studies suggest that exposure to televised electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) advertising contributes to the recent increase in e-cigarette use among youth. This study examines the relationship between perceptions of e-cigarette advertisements and attitudes toward and intentions to use e-cigarettes among youth who had never used e-cigarettes. In May 2014, we conducted an online survey of 5020 youth aged 13 to 17. Participants were randomly assigned to answer questions about their attitudes toward and intentions to use e-cigarettes before or after viewing e-cigarette advertisements. Perceived effectiveness (PE) of advertisements was measured after ad exposure. Ordinary least squares models were used to assess the relationship between PE and study outcomes. Among never e-cigarette users, greater PE was associated with more positive attitudes toward e-cigarettes (b = 0.74, P < .001) and intentions to use e-cigarettes (b = 0.16, P < .001). Findings suggest that PE is predictive of outcomes controlling for study condition, youth demographics, and media use variables. After ad exposure, youth who have never used e-cigarettes previously perceive e-cigarettes as cooler, more fun, healthier, and more enjoyable. Youth who thought the ads were more effective were more likely to have a positive attitude toward e-cigarettes and greater intention to try e-cigarettes in the future. Restricting televised e-cigarette advertising may reduce e-cigarette initiation among youth. Previous studies demonstrate that, among adults, PE is antecedent to actual ad effectiveness across a range of behaviors. To our knowledge, this is the first study to document the relationship between PE and advertising effectiveness among youth. It provides evidence that PE may be a useful tool to quantify the potential influence of advertising on youth-advertising that, in this case, is designed to market a consumer good that may be harmful to youth but that may also be used to develop public health campaigns.

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, and Nutritional Risk Profiles and Relations to Body Mass Index, Obesity, and Overweight in Eighth Grade

The objective of this article was to determine (1) the existence of individually varying patterns of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and nutrition intake risk; and (2) how these risk-patterns relate to youth's demographics, Body mass index (BMI) and psychosocial functioning. Participants (N = 9,304) from the 2007 8th Grade Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Cohort completed the revised Self-Description Questionnaire II. Age, sex, height, and weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI) z scores and percentiles. Three risk profiles emerged via Latent Profile Analyses: “Active + Healthy Diet” (AHD; 16.3% Obese); “Sedentary + Unbalanced Diet” (SUD; 21.3% Obese); and “Screen-Time + Recreational Food” (STRF; 25.0% Obese). Significant differences in BMIs, psychosocial factors, and demographic characteristics were found across the profiles. Differential patterns of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and nutritional choices were found to predict BMI and psychosocial functioning. These findings may be helpful to refine and develop modular-based prevention and weight control intervention programs.

Youth Online Media Use: Associations with Youth Demographics, Parental Monitoring, and Parent-Child Relationships

As online media has become an increasingly important part of youths’ daily lives, it is critical for the field to explore questions related to youth online media use in order to support youth workers, youth development practice and programming. Using a national sample of youth age 13-22 (N = 585), the current study explored demographic differences in youth online media use, and examined associations between youth demographics, parental monitoring, parent-child relationship quality, and likelihood of being a frequent user of online activities. Although youth reported being frequent users of online media, Internet use was not the same for all youth. Online media use differed significantly by youth age, gender, race, and family relationship quality. The findings remind the field to consider the young people we are working with and how they use online media in their daily lives.

The Effect of Youth Demographics on Violence: The Importance of the Labor Market

Recent uprisings in the Middle East have increased interest in the roots of moderate as well as severe political and social conflicts. One popular explanation for upticks in violence is the bulge, the presence of disproportionately large youth cohorts. We refine that model using a panel dataset that includes more countries and years than previous literature and implement new measurement techniques to capture the relationship between large youth populations and violence. Contrary to prior literature, we find that the mere presence of a bulge is not enough to generate violence, but instead the causal roots of violence lie in the pressure youth cohorts exert on the total labor force. We use a new variable, the Youth Risk Factor (the ratio of the youth population to the total labor force), to measure the stress youth cohorts exert on labor markets, and find a significant and large effect on violence. These results have policy implications for countries that currently face large youth cohorts and help explain why conventional policy measures such as increasing educational access are likely not the answer to reducing violence. Language: en

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BOOSTER SESSIONS IN CBT TREATMENT FOR CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MOOD AND ANXIETY DISORDERS

To investigate the effects of booster sessions in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for children and adolescents with mood or anxiety disorders, whereas controlling for youth demographics (e.g., gender, age), primary diagnosis, and intervention characteristics (e.g., treatment modality, number of sessions). Electronic databases were searched for CBT interventions for youth with mood and anxiety disorders. Fifty-three (k=53) studies investigating 1,937 youth met criteria for inclusion. Booster sessions were examined using two case-controlled effect sizes: pre-post and pre-follow-up (6 months) effect sizes and employing weighted least squares (WLSs) regressions. Meta-analyses found pre-post studies with booster sessions had a larger effect size r=.58 (k=15; 95% CI=0.52-0.65; P<.01) than those without booster sessions r=.45 (k=38; 95% CI=0.41-0.49; P<.001). In the WLS regression analyses, controlling for demographic factors, primary diagnosis, and intervention characteristics, studies with booster sessions showed larger pre-post effect sizes than those without booster sessions (B=0.13, P<.10). Similarly, pre-follow-up studies with booster sessions showed a larger effect size r=.64 (k=10; 95% CI=0.57-0.70; P<.10) than those without booster sessions r=.48 (k=20; 95% CI=0.42-0.53; P<.01). Also, in the WLS regression analyses, pre-follow-up studies showed larger effect sizes than those without booster sessions (B=0.08, P<.01) after accounting for all control variables. Result suggests that CBT interventions with booster sessions are more effective and the effect is more sustainable for youth managing mood or anxiety disorders than CBT interventions without booster sessions.

The Relation Between Child Maltreatment and Adolescent Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review and Critical Examination of the Literature

A large body of research suggests that child maltreatment (CM) is associated with adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts. These studies, however, have not been critically examined and summarized in a manner that allows us to draw firm conclusions and make recommendations for future research and clinical work in this area. In this review, we evaluated all of the research literature to date examining the relationship between CM and adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts. Results generally suggest that childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect are associated with adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts across community, clinical, and high-risk samples, using cross-sectional and longitudinal research designs. In most studies, these associations remain significant when controlling for covariates such as youth demographics, mental health, family, and peer-related variables. When different forms of CM are examined in the same multivariate analysis, most research suggests that each form of CM maintains an independent association with adolescent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. However, a subset of studies yielded evidence to suggest that sexual abuse and emotional abuse may be relatively more important in explaining suicidal behavior than physical abuse or neglect. Research also suggests an additive effect-each form of CM contributes unique variance to adolescent suicide attempts. We discuss the current limitations of this literature and offer recommendations for future research. We conclude with an overview of the clinical implications of this research, including careful, detailed screening of CM history, past suicidal behavior, and current suicidal ideation, as well as the need for integrated treatment approaches that effectively address both CM and adolescent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.

ABOUT A REVOLUTION: THE ECONOMIC MOTIVATIONS OF THE ARAB SPRING

The paper reviews the economic motivations of the Arab Spring. After examining the possible relationships between the Arab riots and the global economic crisis started in 2007, the analysis focuses on some structural aspects characterizing North Africa and Middle East Countries, such as their demographic structure, the profound social inequalities, and the discrepancy between the education levels, of youth in particular, and the civil and political rights accorded to the populations. The combination of youth demographics, high unemployment rates, and high educational levels, coupled with an unrepresentative political system, increases the likelihood of social unrest.

Corporal punishment and youth externalizing behavior in Santiago, Chile

ObjectivesCorporal punishment is still widely practiced around the globe, despite the large body of child development research that substantiates its short- and long-term consequences. Within this context, this paper examined the relationship between parental use of corporal punishment and youth externalizing behavior with a Chilean sample to add to the growing empirical evidence concerning the potential relationship between increased corporal punishment and undesirable youth outcomes across cultures. MethodsAnalysis was based on 919 adolescents in Santiago, Chile. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the extent to which parents’ use of corporal punishment and positive family measures were associated with youth externalizing behavior. Furthermore, the associations between self-reported externalizing behavior and infrequent, as well as frequent, use of corporal punishment were investigated to understand how varying levels of parental use of corporal punishment were differently related to youth outcomes. ResultsBoth mothers’ and fathers’ use of corporal punishment were associated with greater youth externalizing behavior. Additionally, increases in positive parenting practices, such as parental warmth and family involvement, were met with decreases in youth externalizing behavior when controlling for youth demographics, family socioeconomic status, and parents’ use of corporal punishment. Finally, both infrequent and frequent use of corporal punishment were positively associated with higher youth problem behaviors, though frequent corporal punishment had a stronger relationship with externalizing behavior than did infrequent corporal punishment. ConclusionsParental use of corporal punishment, even on an occasional basis, is associated with greater externalizing behavior for youth while a warm and involving family environment may protect youth from serious problem behaviors. Therefore, findings of this study add to the growing evidence concerning the negative consequences of corporal punishment for youth outcomes.

Smoking Behavior of US Youths: A Comparison Between Child Welfare System and Community Populations

We compared rates of smoking for 2 groups of youths aged 12 to 14 years: those involved in the child welfare system (CW) and their counterparts in the community population. We then investigated factors associated with smoking for each group. We drew data from 2 national-level US sources: the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. We estimated logistic regression models for 3 binary outcome measures of smoking behavior: lifetime, current, and regular smoking. CW-involved youths had significantly higher rates of lifetime smoking (43% vs 32%) and current smoking (23% vs 18%) than did youths in the community population. For CW-involved youths, delinquency and smoking were strongly linked. Among youths in the community population, multiple factors, including youth demographics and emotional and behavioral health, affected smoking behavior. Smoking prevalence was notably higher among CW-involved youths than among the community population. In light of the persistent public health impact of smoking, more attention should be focused on identification of risk factors for prevention and early intervention efforts among the CW-involved population.

Informant discrepancies in clinical reports of youths and interviewers' impressions of the reliability of informants.

In this study the authors examined whether discrepancies between parent and youth reports of the youth's emotional and behavioral functioning are related to interviewers' reliability ratings of parents and youths. In a consecutive case series analysis of 328 parents and youths aged 11-17 years, parents and youths provided reports of youth emotional and behavioral functioning and participated in structured clinical interviews. At the conclusion of the interviews, interviewers rated the reliability of informants. Interviewers rated youths' clinical severity and parents and youths provided information on youth demographics. Nominal logistic regressions tested patterns of discrepancies between parent and youth reports (i.e., which informant consistently reported greater degrees of youth emotional and behavioral concerns than the other) as predictors of interviewers' ratings of the reliability of parents and youths. All analyses controlled for variance explained by youth demographics and youth severity. When parents reported greater degrees of youth emotional and behavioral concerns than youths self-reported, interviewers were likely to rate the youth as an unreliable informant, and were unlikely to rate the youth as an unreliable informant when parents reported less concerns than youths self-reported. However, interviewers' ratings of parents' reliability did not relate to the discrepancies between reports, regardless of which informant reported greater degrees of youth concerns. Prior research indicates that informant discrepancies potentially reveal important information of youths' emotional and behavioral concerns, such as the settings in which youths express these concerns. Yet, when parents and youths disagree in their clinical reports of the youth's functioning, this relates to whether a clinical interviewer views the youth as a reliable informant of their own functioning. To increase the cost-effectiveness and clinical utility of multi-informant clinical evaluations, practitioners and researchers should anticipate informant discrepancies and predict what they may represent before conducting clinical evaluations.

Associations between Youth Assets and Sexual Intercourse by Household Income

Evaluate youth assets or potential strengths and sexual intercourse associations by household income. Data consisted of youth and parent responses from randomly selected households from a cross-sectional study and wave one of a longitudinal extension of that study. Youth assets and sexual intercourse were compared for four income categories. Midwestern racially diverse, inner-city neighborhoods. One adolescent (12-19 years) and one parent (2335 pairs). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression. Variables assessed included parent and youth demographics, youth sexual intercourse, and youth assets (adult and peer role models, family communication, use of time [religion or sports], community involvement, future aspirations, responsible choices, and health practices). Youths' mean age was 14.9 (± 1.8) years, and 52% were female; 44% of respondents were white. Use of time (religion) was significantly associated with never having sex for all but the lowest income youth (OR range=1.79-2.64). The variable peer role models was significant for the lowest income (O =2.01) and two upper income groups (ORs=2.52 and 4.27, respectively). The variable future aspirations was significant for the lowest income youth (OR=1.77). The youth asset variable future aspirations was critical for the lowest income households. Other asset variables, such as peer role models and use of time (religion) were critical regardless of income.

Youth in Africa: Rebels without a Cause but not without Effect

This article examines basic patterns of Africa’s demography and urbanization and examines the consequences of runaway population growth since the mid-twentieth century for Africa’s economies, educational systems, urban planning, public health, transport sectors, and other domains. The nexus between population age structure and the likelihood of civil strife is discussed, with a reference to the “child soldier phenomenon” south of the Sahara. The youth crisis in Africa, as elsewhere, is not merely the upshot of a very young age pyramid, but more importantly, the upshot of the failure of capacious young cohorts to “accomplish” adulthood. Finally, this article presents policy implications regarding the impact of youth demographics on the likelihood of sustainable democracy.

Discussion of Sensitive Health Topics with Youth During Primary Care Visits: Relationship to Youth Perceptions of Care

Purpose Youth have concerns about sensitive health topics, such as drugs, sex, and mental health, and many wish to discuss those concerns with a primary care provider. Research has not determined whether the discussion of sensitive health topics during primary care visits is independently associated with youth perceptions of care. This study examined whether the discussion of sensitive health topics during primary care visits was associated with youth's perceptions of the provider and of participation in treatment. Methods Directly after visits to 54 primary care providers in 13 geographically diverse offices and clinics, youth age 11–16 years old (N = 358) reported whether the visit included the discussion of mood, behavior, getting along with others, drugs, tobacco, alcohol, sexuality, birth control, parent mood, or family problems. Youth also reported whether the provider understood their problems, eased their worries, allowed them to make decisions about treatment, gave them some control over treatment, and asked them to take some responsibility for treatment. Providers reported confidence in their ability to offer counseling for nonmedical concerns and their beliefs and attitudes toward treating nonmedical concerns. Results Youth had more positive perceptions of the provider and were more likely to report taking an active role in treatment when the visit included the discussion of a sensitive health topic. Results from multivariate random effects logistic regression suggested that youth were more likely to report that the provider understood their problems (OR = 3.62, CI = 1.57–8.31), eased their worries (OR = 2.13, CI = 1.06–3.92), allowed them to make decisions about treatment (OR = 2.71, CI = 1.44–5.10), gave them some control over treatment (OR = 2.51, CI = 1.32–4.71), and asked them to take some responsibility for treatment (OR = 2.00, CI = 1.04–3.86) when the visit included the discussion of one or more sensitive health topics. The odds of each of these outcomes were also higher when the visit included the discussion of a greater number of sensitive topics. Youth also had more positive perceptions of female providers. Youth demographics, mental health status, and other provider characteristics were unrelated to youth perceptions of care. Conclusions The discussion of sensitive health topics during primary care visits may have a positive impact on youth perceptions of care. Future research is needed to understand the relationship between the discussion of sensitive health topics and health outcomes among youth.

Differences and predictors of family reunification among subgroups of runaway youths using shelter services

Community-based youth shelters represent the primary method of intervention for runaway youths and are mandated to reunify youths with their families. The study discussed in this article pursued two research questions: (1) What are the differences among runaway-homeless, throwaway, and independent youths? (2) What youth demographics, personal characteristics, and family factors predict youth's reunification? The Runaway Homeless Youth Management Information System (RHYMIS), a comprehensive, automated information system developed to assist federally funded youth shelters nationwide, was used. The final sample included 17,790 youths using shelter services during 1997. Chi-square and logistic regression demonstrated that the three groups differed significantly on a variety of characteristics. Among runaway-homeless youths, family characteristics were most important for youths' reunification; among throwaway youths, problem behaviors predicted not returning home, and among independent youths, only individual demographics predicted reunification. Key words: families; runaway youths; typology; throwaway youths; youth services Runaway youths remain one of the most needy and understudied adolescent populations (Kipke, Montgomery, Simon, & Iverson, 1997; Whitbeck, Hoyt, & Ackley, 1997). Estimates suggest that the number of these youths is increasing and, that between 575,000 and 1 million youths in the United States run away or are forced to leave their parental homes each year (Finkelhor, Hotaling, & Sedlak, 1990; Greene, Ringwalt, Kelly, Iachan, & Cohen, 1995; Herin & Rudy, 1991). Research has shown that these youths often have a variety of problems, such as school failure, substance abuse, criminality, and unprotected sexual activity (Greene, Ringwalt, & Iachan, 1997). These troubled adolescents come from diverse, multiproblem living situations and give many reasons for running away or leaving their homes (Whitbeck, Hoyt, & Yoder, 1999). They frequently report high levels of family conflict, including parental abuse, criminality, and substance abuse (Kipke, Palmer, LaFrance, & O'Connor, 1997; Stiffman, 1989; Whitbeck et al., 1997). In addition, these families have histories of unstable housing situations and often are characterized as emotionally unavailable and lacking effective parenting skills (Bass, 1992; Whitbeck et al., 1999). Because runaway adolescents typically lack the skills and education necessary to obtain and maintain gainful employment, they often are forced into prostitution, drug dealing, and other criminal behavior to survive (Greene et al., 1997). Life on the street also can have deadly consequences because these adolescents are at significantly increased risk of serious health problems such as malnutrition, sexually transmitted diseases, and premature death resulting from suicide, murder, and drug overdose (Powers, Eckenrode, & Jaklitsch, 1990). To disentangle the heterogeneity of this population, researchers have divided runaway youths into three categories (Bass, 1992; Ringwalt, Green, & Robertson, 1998; Zide & Cherry, 1992). A recent study confirmed the distinctiveness of these subgroups and encouraged future research focusing on developing services and interventions specific to these unique groups of youths (Zide & Cherry): * runaway-homeless youths--stay away from home at least overnight without the permission or knowledge of their parents or guardians * throwaway youths--leave home because their parents have encouraged them to leave or have locked them out of the house * independent youths--feel that they have no home to return to because of irreconcilable conflicts with their families, have lost contact with their families, or have families that are homeless (Bass; Kurtz, Jarvis, & Kurtz, 1991). Community-based youth shelters are the primary method of intervention designed to meet the complex needs of adolescents who leave home before possessing skills to live autonomously. …