Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Mental Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic among US Adults without a Pre-existing Mental Health Condition: Findings from American Trend Panel Survey.
Most individuals in the United States have no history of a mental health condition yet are at risk for psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency and risk and protective factors of psychological distress, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in this group. Data comes from the Pew Research Center's American Trends Panel (ATP), a probability-based online survey panel representative of the US adult population. ⋯ Fifteen percent of the sample experienced 2 psychological distress symptoms for at least 3 days over the past week; 13% had three or more symptoms. Risk factors for higher distress included searching online or using social media to post about coronavirus, reporting that the outbreak caused major changes to personal life, and perception that the virus was a threat to the US economy, the individual's personal health or finances. This has important implications for mental health service delivery.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Harmful masculinities among younger men in three countries: Psychometric study of the Man Box Scale.
In response to growing evidence of associations between harmful masculinities and adverse health outcomes, researchers developed the Man Box Scale to provide a standardized measure to assess these inequitable gender attitudes. In 2019, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the 17-item Man Box Scale and derived a 5-item short form. Using previously collected data (in 2016) from men aged 18-30 years across the United States (n = 1328), the United Kingdom (n = 1225), and Mexico (n = 1120), we conducted exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), assessed convergent validity by examining associations of the standardized mean Man Box Scale score with violence perpetration, depression, and suicidal ideation, and assessed internal consistency reliability of the full scale. ⋯ IRT resulted in a 5-item short form with good fit through CFA and convergent validity, and good internal consistency. The Man Box Scale assesses harmful masculinities and demonstrates strong validity and reliability across three diverse countries. This scale, either short or long forms, can be used in future prevention research, clinical assessment and decision-making, and intervention evaluations.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Exposure to tobacco content in episodic programs and tobacco and E-cigarette initiation.
While prior research suggests a relationship between exposure to tobacco content in movies and smoking, less is known about the impact of exposure to tobacco through episodic programs. This study assessed the relationship between exposure to tobacco content in programs on Netflix and broadcast or cable TV and initiation of combustible tobacco or e-cigarette use among young people. A nationally representative, longitudinal sample (ages 15-21 at baseline) was surveyed about exposure to episodic programs previously analyzed for the presence of tobacco and subsequent use of combustible tobacco and e-cigarettes. ⋯ Results suggest exposure to tobacco in episodic programs may impact future e-cigarette use. Ongoing monitoring of the impact of tobacco content in episodic programs is needed as the number of available programs continues to increase. Findings highlight the need for policy and advocacy efforts to reduce young people's exposure to tobacco content across all media platforms.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Associations of home and workplace vaping restrictions with e-cigarette use among U.S. adults.
The current study examined home and workplace vaping restrictions and their associations with e-cigarette use, frequency of e-cigarette use, and exposure to environmental vape aerosol among adults in the U. S. We used data from the 2018 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey to determine these associations. ⋯ Vaping restrictions in homes were associated with lower prevalence and frequency of e-cigarette use. Those in worksites with complete vaping bans were less likely to be exposed to environmental aerosol at work. Home e-cigarette restrictions appear to have a stronger association with e-cigarette use behaviors than workplace restrictions.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
ReviewThe mediating role of school connectedness in the associations between dating and sexual violence victimization and substance use among high school students.
Dating and sexual violence victimization affect a significant portion of teenagers and result in a wide array of negative health and behavioral outcomes, including increased alcohol and drug use. In some cases, students who have been victimized may develop feelings of being unsupported by or disconnected from peers and adults in their school community, placing them at even higher risk for negative health outcomes. ⋯ Furthermore, school connectedness was negatively associated with both forms of substance use at T1 and T2, and partially mediated the effects of DV and SV victimization on heavy drinking at T1, and marijuana use at T1 and T2. These findings elucidate the importance of addressing intermediary cognitive processes such as perceptions of school connectedness in order to improve health and functional outcomes among high school victims of dating and sexual violence.