Gizem Arat

The relationship between parental involvement and adolescent mental health in six sub-Saharan African countries: findings from Global School-based Health Surveys (GSHS)

Abstract Sub-Saharan African (SSA) youth have higher rates of poor mental health compared to their counterparts in other low-and-middle-income countries. Empirical studies have found that family support is a crucial deterrent against the development of mental health problems in adolescence. However, little is known about the link between parental involvement and SSA young people mental health. This study examined the correlation between parental involvement and SSA adolescent mental health. About 15,000 adolescents aged 11–17 from six SSA countries participated in the Global School-Based Health Surveys (2003–2007). Based on the findings, low parental involvement was observed. Binomial regression analysis showed that the strength and direction of the relationship between parental involvement and mental health varied across countries. These findings may indicate the need for more intense mental health intervention efforts including the collaboration of professionals, policy-makers, and parents to guide future child and adolescent mental health services.

Emerging protective and risk factors of mental health in Asian American students: findings from the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

A large number of studies observed inconsistent findings about mental health among Asian American adolescents. Using data from the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, this study examined a set of emerging risk and protective factors (dietary patterns, bullying, cyberbullying, TV consumption, and physical activity) for psychosocial distress (depression and suicidal ideation) in 12- to 18-year-old 671 Asian compared to 6,415 Caucasian and 3,477 African adolescents. Using descriptive statistics and bivariate logistic regression analysis, this study found that Asian students (27.1%) reported more depression than their African (25.9%) but less depression than their Caucasian (29.4%) counterparts. Asian students (18.8%) reported more suicidal ideation than their African (15.9%) and Caucasian (16.8%) counterparts. Results also depicted that lower carrot intake increased depression risk (odd ratio (OR): 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 2.21), while higher milk and less carbonated soft drink consumption decreased suicidal ideation risk (OR: .49, 95% CI: .26, .91, OR: .53, 95% CI: .32, .88, respectively), only applicable to Asian students. However, unexpectedly, low levels of bullying on school property resulted in higher depression (Asians, OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.24; Africans, OR: 3.32, 95% CI: 2.96, 3.72; and Caucasians, OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 2.04, 2.83). Similarly, lower cyber bullying (Asians, OR: 3.54, 95% CI: 2.12, 5.93; Africans, OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 2.47, 3.34; and Caucasians, OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 2.19, 3.04) predicted higher odds of depression and suicidal ideation in all racial groups. Another interesting risk factor of higher suicidal ideation in overall racial groups was high levels of breakfast consumption (Asians, OR: 3.19, 95% CI: 1.91, 5.31; Africans, OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.90; and Caucasians, OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.54). School staff and mental health professionals should embrace culturally responsive healthy dietary patterns to promote positive youth development in Asian Americans.

A systematic review of studies on ethnic minority youth development in Hong Kong: an application of the ecological framework

Abstract Ethnic minority young people play a significant role in the socio-economic growth of an ageing society with a decreasing fertility rate. The successful social integration of individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds within a society is a core value of the social work profession. This study examines the understanding of ethnic minority youth development in Hong Kong using a systematic review methodology. Risk prevention and positive promotion factors were identified using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework. Articles were searched through multiple databases in English, and 36 academic articles were reviewed. These studies mainly examined the risks of academic failure of these students in Hong Kong while few focused on the positive directions of multidimensional youth development. Future social work research and practice should examine positive youth development for ethnic minorities which can inform social work practice in Hong Kong and within other East Asian traditionally ethnically homogeneous societies undergoing significant changes in ethnic diversity.

Culturally Relevant Protective and Risk Factors of Youth Risk Behaviors Among Pakistani and Indian Students in Hong Kong: A Focus Group Study.

Purpose: The risk behaviors of Hong Kong ethnic minority students are understudied. This exploratory qualitative study aimed to explore culturally nuanced factors for the development and prevention of risk behaviors among Pakistani and Indian students in Hong Kong. Method: Twenty-three students participated in four focus groups. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The participants reported bullying, delinquency, gambling, alcohol, cigarette, and drug uses as risk behaviors. Four themes emerged in the development and prevention of risk behaviors: (a) Parental and peer influence, (b) An unsafe community environment were perceived by the participants as essential factors for the development of risk behaviors, (c) Parental monitoring, and (d) Strong religious beliefs were believed as protective factors for the prevention of risk behaviors. Conclusion: Further research and practice may investigate and focus on the factors embedded in the Hong Kong ethnic minorities’ sociocultural contexts to prevent risk behaviors.

The relationship between physical activity and mental health among adolescents in six middle-income countries: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Physical inactivity and poor mental health are emerging worldwide youth problems. Using the Global School-based Health Survey, this secondary data analysis study examined the link between physical activity and adolescent mental health among 23,372 adolescents between 11 and 17 years of age in six middle-income countries. The authors assessed physical activity by participation in (a) exercise for 60 min and (b) walking/biking in any day of a week in the past 7 days. The authors assessed mental health by the presence of (a) loneliness, (b) anxiety, (c) depression, (d) suicidal ideation, and (e) suicide attempts in the past 12 months. There was a low prevalence of physical activity among the participants. In general, there was a low prevalence of 12-month mental health problems among adolescents. Further research may incorporate physical activity to promote positive youth mental health for possible cost-effective interventions.

Examining the Association Between Resilience and Risk Behaviors Among South Asian Minority Students in Hong Kong: A Quantitative Study

Abstract The relationship between risk behaviors and resilience among South Asian minority youth identifying themselves as Pakistani, Indian, Pakistani-Hong Konger, or Indian-Hong Konger (N = 405) in a Hong Kong school setting was investigated using hierarchical linear regression analysis. Lower neighborhood disorganization, higher neighborhood characteristics, and higher individual resilience predicted lower likelihood of substance use in all ethnic groups. Stronger relationship with caregivers was associated with lower levels of substance use in all ethnic groups except for Pakistani-Hong Kongers (p > .05). Stronger multigroup ethnic identity predicted lower likelihood of substance use in Indians (p = .021) and Indian-Hong Kongers (p = .039). Resilience-based research, practical, and social policy implications are discussed.

Integrating resilience and positive youth development for the promotion of positive health behaviours among ethnic minorities: a conceptual framework

ABSTRACT Hong Kong, a traditionally ethnically homogeneous society, seems to fail encouraging positive development of ethnic minority young people. Studying resilient ethnic minority, young adults may provide insights into developing programmes and policies to encourage positive health behaviours. A pilot qualitative study of individual interviews with South Asian young minority adults was conducted to develop a conceptual framework by incorporating resilience and positive youth development. Based on the findings of this study, resilience and positive youth development contribute to young ethnic minorities’ positive health behaviours. This study may benefit culturally tailored research implications for young ethnic minorities.