Jie W Weiss

Longitudinal Effects of Hostility, Depression, and Bullying on Adolescent Smoking Initiation

PURPOSE The present study examined the associations between smoking initiation and, hostility, depressive symptoms, and bullying (bullies and bully-victims) among a culturally diverse sample of 1,771 adolescents who reported never having smoked at baseline. METHODS Data were obtained from a longitudinal school-based experimental trial of smoking prevention programs in Southern California. Annual survey was performed for students of the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. All students in the 24 participating schools were invited to participate in the study during the sixth grade. RESULTS The risk of smoking initiation was significantly higher among students who scored higher on hostility and depressive symptoms, and were bully-victims. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that tobacco prevention programs should include strategies for managing hostile feelings and negative effect as part of the curriculum. In addition, it might be helpful to identify youth who score high on these psychosocial factors and teach them skills to handle interpersonal conflict and negative feelings to prevent their involvement in substance use.

Effects of Acculturation and Social Norms on Adolescent Smoking Among Asian-American Subgroups

Abstract This study provides new information about how acculturation and perceived social norms affect adolescents smoking among four Asian-American subgroups. Results showed differences in smoking prevalence rates across subgroups, with Koreans having the highest rates of smoking, while Chinese have the lowest rates. In contrast to the large gender disparity in the ancestral countries, smoking rates were equal for Asian-American boys and girls. Acculturation was significantly associated with an increased risk for lifetime smoking for Asian-American girls, but not for boys. Perceived social norms regarding peer smoking were significantly associated with smoking behaviors for both genders and for all subgroups.

Association between psychological factors and adolescent smoking in seven cities in China.

Background: Cigarette smoking is a culturally accepted behavior among adult males in China. However, there is limited information on smoking among Chinese adolescents, particularly the information on the relationship between psychological well-being and smoking behavior among this population. Purpose: This study explored associations between three psychological factors—anxiety, hostility, and depressive symptoms—and smoking behavior among Chinese adolescents. Methods: The data presented in this study are a cross-sectional slice from a longitudinal investigation of tobacco use and lifestyle carried out in China. The study population consisted of 4,724 7th and 11th grade students from seven large cities in China. Results: Odds ratios showed that anxiety, hostility, and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with a higher risk of lifetime smoking for both boys and girls. Conclusion: Much like their Western counterparts, Chinese adolescents face developmental stress. The resulting distress may increase their risk for substance use and other health-risk behaviors.

Smoking among adolescents in China: an analysis based upon the meanings of smoking theory.

Purpose. This study utilized the Meanings of Behavior theory to examine whether meanings of smoking differ among adolescents in China who were never smokers, ever smokers, and past-30-day smokers. The Meanings of Behavior theory argues that affect takes precedence over cognitive constructs in motivating behavior. This study also examined whether the associations among meanings of smoking and smoking behavior vary by age and gender. Design. This study was a cross-sectional study using survey data. Setting. Middle and high schools in seven cities in China. Subjects. A random sample of 4724 students comprised this study. Measure. A self-administered questionnaire asked about smoking behavior and incorporated the meanings of smoking scale. Results. Overall prevalence rates of ever smokers and past-30-day smokers in this sample were 24.3% and 9.0%. Smoking was much more prevalent in boys than in girls. Students in the 11th grade were more likely than those in the 7th grade to have tried smoking at some time and to have smoked within the past 30 days. Odds ratios confirmed that meanings of smoking were significantly associated with smoking behaviors. Conclusions. Meanings of smoking are associated with smoking behavior among Chinese adolescents in that smoking may connote autonomy, control, or social relatedness. Prevention programs in China require new strategies to incorporate meanings of smoking in order to meet adolescent psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and social connections.

Dieting and its Relationship to Smoking, Acculturation, and Family Environment in Asian and Hispanic Adolescents

The objective of this article was to examine dieting and its relationship to smoking behaviors and attitudes, acculturation, and family environment in an ethnically diverse sample of adolescents. Participants were 211 adolescent girls and boys: 57% Asian, 16% Hispanic, 27% White. Regular dieting was determined using the Restraint Scale (Herman, 1978). Dependent variables were measured using the Smoking Beliefs and Attitude Questionnaire (Pederson & Lefcoe, 1985), Family Functioning in Adolescence Questionnaire (Roelofse & Middleton, 1985), and Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale (Suinn, Rickard-Figurroa, Lew, & Vigil, 1987). Dieting girls, as compared to nondieters, had more favorable attitudes toward smoking, more strongly believed that smoking keeps one from eating, and first experimented with cigarettes at an older age. Chronic dieting was related to reports of poorer family functioning, and Asian dieters were more acculturated than nondieters. For boys, there was no relationship between dieting and smoking, acculturation, or family environment. Smoking prevention programs targeted toward ethnic minority adolescent females need to address the issue of weight concern.

Acculturation as a Risk Factor for Smoking Among Asian American Adolescents

ABSTRACT Background. Acculturation to the United States is associated with tobacco use among Asian American adolescents. Previous studies have not controlled for the possible confounding effects of national origin. Methods. This study analyzed data from statewide surveys of 2093 Asian-American 10th grade California adolescents. Logistic regression analyses evaluated the independent effects of nationality and acculturation on past-month smoking. Results. Consistent with previous studies, acculturation was a risk factor for smoking. When nationality was added to the model, acculturation became nonsignificant and nationality became significant. Differences in smoking prevalence across groups were due to low smoking rates among Vietnamese-American and Chinese-American students and higher rates among Korean-American and Japanese-American students. Within each national subgroup, acculturation was not associated significantly with smoking. Conclusions. Research on acculturation and smoking among Asian-American adolescents should consider national origin.

Physical Performance as a Predictor of Attention and Processing Speed in Fibromyalgia

UNLABELLED Cherry BJ, Weiss J, Barakat BK, Rutledge DN, Jones CJ. Physical performance as a predictor of attention and processing speed in fibromyalgia. OBJECTIVE To explore the associations between physical (both self-report and objective measures) and cognitive function for persons with fibromyalgia (FM). DESIGN Correlational study. SETTING An exercise testing laboratory in southern California. PARTICIPANTS Community-residing and functionally independent (not wheelchair-bound) adults meeting the American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for FM (N=51) with a mean age of 54 years and no history of stroke. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Composite Physical Function Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, adapted Trail Making Test parts A (TMT-A) and B (TMT-B), Digit Symbol Substitution Test, a composite index of TMT-A, TMT-B, and Digit Symbol Substitution Test combined, and physical performance assessments. RESULTS Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that better objective physical performance predicted increased cognitive function for TMT-A and the composite cognitive score after controlling for age and symptom burden. That is, as the physical performance level decreased, cognitive performance levels decreased. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that research is needed to determine whether patterns of physical activity participation, through their effects on physical fitness and performance, can enhance cognitive performance in persons with FM. Physiologic changes in specific brain regions in FM (eg, hippocampus, neural pain regions) suggest that further research is also warranted in determining specific relationships between biomarkers and cognitive performance in persons with FM.

Recruiting Asian-American Adolescents for Behavioral Surveys

Asian societies have distinct languages, cultural traditions, and histories. An important empirical question is whether the various ancestral countries yield immigrants who differ in psychologically interesting ways. For any research issue inspiring speculation that cultural background is important, we can try to examine whether differences across subgroups are large relative to differences among individuals within the same subgroup. In order to explore such issues, researchers must be able to recruit sufficient numbers of representatives of each subgroup. We discuss lessons learned while carrying out a study that sought several hundred adolescents from four East Asian subgroups (Weiss, 2001).

Is Image Everything? The Role of Self-Image in the Relationship Between Family Functioning and Substance Use Among Hispanic Adolescents

This cross-sectional self-report study examined (1) whether family functioning (Family Functioning in Adolescence Questionnaire, FFAQ) and self-image (Piers–Harris Childrens Self-Concept Scale) have independent associations with smoking and alcohol use and (2) whether self-image mediates the relationship between family functioning, smoking, and alcohol use among 1,598 Hispanic males and females in grades 7 through 12 in Los Angeles County, California, in 2001. The findings supported the main effects and, to some degree, the mediational effects that were hypothesized. Limitations and implications for this study are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested. This study was funded by the California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program.

Assessment of Alcohol Use Patterns Among Spanish-Speaking Patients

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to assess drinking patterns of Spanish-speaking patients using a bilingual computerized alcohol screening and brief intervention (CASI) tablet computer equipped with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary university hospital emergency department (ED) between 2006 and 2010. Data from 1816 Spanish-speaking ED patients were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test for independence, and the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test for comparisons using quantitative variables. Results: Overall, 15% of Spanish-speaking patients were at-risk drinkers, and 5% had an AUDIT score consistent with alcohol dependency (≥20). A higher percentage of Spanish-speaking males than females were at-risk drinkers or likely dependent. Spanish-speaking males exhibited higher frequency of drinking days per week and higher number of drinks per day compared with females. Among older patients, nondrinking behavior increased and at-risk drinkers decreased. The majority of males and females were ready to change their behavior after the CASI intervention; 61% and 69%, respectively, scored 8–10. Conclusions: This study indicated that CASI was an effective tool for detecting at-risk and likely dependent drinking behavior in Spanish-speaking ED patients. The majority of patients were ready to change their drinking behavior. More alcohol screening and brief intervention tools should be tested and become readily accessible for Spanish-speaking patients.