RESEARCH UPDATE
Are Older Siblings Good Sources of Support?
This Research and Training Center at Portland State University Data Trends brief summarizes research that indicates that children who experience stressful life events are less likely to experience increased internalizing symptoms when they have an affectionate relationship with an older sibling. Because this effect was not dependent on the quality of the mother-child relationship, the results suggest that older siblings may be an important source of support and comfort usually assumed to only be the responsibility of a parent.
» Access this Data Trends brief (PDF).
Bullying Tied to Mental Health Problems Later
Boys who bully or are victims of bullies may have a higher risk of mental health disorders as young men, a study published in the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatrics journal. Studies show the correlation between eight year old boys and how often they bullied other children, were targets of bullying, or both and mental health problems when they are older. Results of the study show that boys who habitually bullied were more likely than their peers to be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder as young men. The study also reveals that people with this disorder have a disregard for the law and the rights of other people, and are often aggressive or violent.
» Access this article.
The Impact of Media on America’s Youth
Both research and the viewing public acknowledge the effects that media has on America’s children. Today, over 50% of adolescents have some form of media available to them in their households as public or private use. A new research article from the American College of Preventive Medicine explores the impact of media on the lives of adolescents.
» Access this article (Free registration is required)
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Fact Sheets Describe Delinquency, Status, and Drug Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has published several new fact sheets that draw on data from the OJJDP report "Juvenile Court Statistics 2003-2004":
- "Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Courts, 2004" provides statistics on delinquency cases in U.S. juvenile courts between 1995 and 2004.
- "Petitioned Status Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts, 2004" reports on status offense cases processed in juvenile courts between 1995 and 2004.
- "Drug Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts, 1985-2004" offers data on drug offense cases handled in juvenile courts between 1985 and 2004.
Article Examines the Prevalence of Positive Substance Abuse Screening Among Adolescents
A new study, published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that approximately 15% of 12- to 18-year-old patients arriving for routine outpatient care had positive substance abuse screening test results. The primary objective of the study described in this article was to determine the prevalence of positive CRAFFT screens among adolescents presenting for routine outpatient medical care in a variety of practice types, and to estimate the prevalence of substance-related problematic use, abuse, and dependence among these adolescents. The study’s authors recommend that "providers consider screening whenever there is an opportunity, not just during well-child care visits" and that "providers receive training on how to further assess those who screen positive and to effectively offer brief advice or referral to counseling or treatment for patients who need them."
» Read more about substance abuse screening.
Impact of Pediatricians' Perceived Self-efficacy and Confidence on Violence Prevention Counseling: A National Study
In a national study by Finch, Weiley and Barkin that appeared in the June, 2007 addition of the Maternal and Child Health Journal, pediatricians reported that the amount of time that they spent with parents counseling them on violence prevention was directly related to their knowledge of the area as well as the time allowed for a visit. The study indicates that pediatricians felt the least knowledgeable about how to advise on safe gun storage. The authors suggested that more emphasis should be placed on education on violence prevention as well as research on effective ways to teach it.
» Learn more about this study.
New National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Report: Misuse of Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medications among Persons Aged 12 to 25
A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) documents the abuse of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines by young adults. According to the study, about 3.1 million young adults between the ages of 12 and 25 have used non-prescription cough and cold medicines to get high.
» Learn more about this study.
An Analysis of Racial/Ethnic Disproportionality and Disparity at the National, State, and County Levels
The Casey CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity in Child Welfare recently released a report on disparities in the representation and treatment of children of color in the child welfare system at national, State and county levels. This report examines disparities among children within five ethnic and racial groups: American Indians/Native Americans/Alaska Natives, Asian Americans/Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites.
» Access this report (PDF).