John M. Wallace

Religion's Role in Promoting Health and Reducing Risk Among American Youth:

Although past research has long documented religions salutary impact on adult health-related behaviors and outcomes, relatively little research has examined the relationship between religion and adolescent health. This study uses large, nationally representative samples of high school seniors to examine the relationship between religion and behavioral predictors of adolescent morbidity and mortality. Relative to their peers, religious youth are less likely to engage in behaviors that compromise their health (e.g., carrying weapons, getting into fights, drinking and driving) and are more likely to behave in ways that enhance their health (e.g., proper nutrition, exercise, and rest). Multivariate analyses suggest that these relationships persist even after controlling for demographic factors, and trend analyses reveal that they have existed over time. Particularly important is the finding that religious seniors have been relatively unaffected by past and recent increases in marijuana use.

Health risk and inequitable distribution of liquor stores in African American neighborhood.

In this paper we examine whether the physical availability of alcohol is greater in predominantly African American communities compared to predominantly white communities as indicated by the presence of off premises liquor stores. We investigate the extent to which the income status of the residents of a community mediates the relationship between community racial composition and alcohol availability; and explore whether the intersection of race and class places low income African American communities at increased risk to have such stores located in their communities. Multivariate analytic techniques are used to examine the relationship between community racial composition, median income of neighborhood residents and per capita number of alcohol outlets in 194 census tracts in Baltimore, Maryland. The analysis found that liquor stores are disproportionately located in predominantly black census tracts, even after controlling for census tract socioeconomic status. Census tracts that are both low income and predominantly African American have substantially more liquor stores per capita than other census tracts. Although it is beyond the scope of the present study, our data reveal significant associations between the presence of liquor stores and the risk of health-related social problems in low income neighborhoods. More research needs to be done on the impact of alcohol on the social, psychological, and physiological health of low income urban populations.

Explaining racial/ethnic differences in adolescent drug use: The impact of background and lifestyle.

Past research has shown large racial/ethnic differences in adolescent drug use, with use highest among Native American youth, somewhat lower among white and Hispanic youth, and lowest among black and Asian youth. The present study uses large nationally representative samples of high school seniors to explore whether the often large racial/ethnic differences in cigarette, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine use may be attributable to racial/ethnic differences in background and/or in important lifestyle factors. The results indicate that controlling for background alone does not account for most racial/ethnic differences in drug use. In fact, if black youth were as likely as white youth to live in two-parent households and have highly educated parents, their drug use might be even lower than reported. Controlling for background alone does reduce Native Americans relatively high drug use, suggesting that their level of use may be linked to their disadvantaged socioeconomic status. When both background and lifestyle factors are controlled, many of the racial/ethnic differences in drug use are considerably reduced or eliminated. Several lifestyle factors—including educational values and behaviors, religious commitment, and time spent in peer-oriented activities—strongly relate to drug use and help to explain the subgroup differences. The authors conclude by discussing theoretical and policy implications of this research, along with directions for future efforts.

A Meta-Analysis of Social Capital and Health: A Case for Needed Research

Social capital refers to various levels of social relationships formed through social networks. Measurement differences have lead to imprecise measurement. A meta-analysis of eligible studies assessing the bivariate association between social capital and self-reported health and all-cause mortality was performed. Thirty-nine studies met inclusion criteria, showing social capital increased odds of good health by 27 percent (95% confidence intervals [CI] =21%, 34%). Social capital variables, reciprocity increased odds of good health by 39 percent (95% CI = 21%, 60%) and trust by 32 percent (95% CI =19%, 46%). Future research suggests operationalizing measures by assessing differences by race/ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic status.

RELIGION AND U.S. SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS Current Patterns, Recent Trends, and Sociodemographic Correlates

This study used large nationally representative samples of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students to examine current patterns, recent trends, and sociodemographic correlates of religiosity among American adolescents. The results indicate that approximately 60% of American young people feel that religion is an important part of their life, 50% regularly attend religious services, and the vast majority report an affiliation with a specific religion. Trend data suggest that key indicators of religiosity have been relatively stable for nearly a decade among8th and 10th graders and for more than a quarter century among high school seniors. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of the relationships between selected sociodemographic factors and the religion measures indicate that younger students, girls, Black and Latino youth, more affluent youth, rural youth, and Southern youth are generally more religious than their older, male, White, less affluent, urban, and non-Southern counterparts.

Race-Related Correlates of Young Adults' Subjective Well-Being

We investigated how often young adults worry about race relationsand whether they perceive that white/black relations have beendeteriorating. We also explored the relationships betweenrace-related worry and pessimism, and subjective well-being. This study addressed the distribution of race-related worry andpessimism, and their relationship to subjective well-being innational probability samples of high school seniors completingself-administered questionnaires in 1996 and 1997 (n = 4,514). Nearly one-third of high school seniors often worry about racerelations, and about 20% perceive that contemporary white/blackrelations have been getting at least a little worse. Worryingoften about race relations and perceiving that race relationshave been getting worse were significantly associated withdiminished levels of life satisfaction and happiness. Theresults confirm that race-related worry and pessimism werecommon, and that they impact youths affective and cognitivestates.

Data-Driven Organizing: A Community–University Partnership to Address Vacant and Abandoned Property

Vacant and abandoned properties adversely affect the physical, mental, social, and economic health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. This article describes a community–university partnership that combined a multimethod data collection strategy with a novel community-based participatory intervention research model (i.e., data-driven organizing) to address the vacancy problem. The project assessed the conditions of over 1,500 properties in an economically disadvantaged, predominantly African American neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and mobilized residents to use an existing policy mechanism to ameliorate the impact of property vacancy in the community.

Sustained Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking and Trends Over Time

INTRODUCTION Use of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) is now prevalent among U.S. adolescents. However, the more clinically relevant questions are whether users exhibit sustained patterns of use and whether use is increasing over time relative to other tobacco products. We aimed to examine factors associated with sustained WTS among U.S. adolescents and to compare prevalence trends between WTS and other tobacco products. METHODS The Monitoring the Future project began assessing WTS among 12th-grade students in 2010. In 2014, we conducted multivariable regression analyses to examine correlates of sustained WTS, which we defined as use at least six times in the past 12 months. We used trend analysis to compare use of WTS and other types of tobacco. RESULTS Of the 8,737 participants queried from 2010 to 2013, 18.8% (1,639) reported past-year WTS, whereas 7.2% (627) reported sustained use. Sustained WTS was inversely associated with female sex (versus male, OR=0.78, 95% CI=0.63, 0.96); African American race (versus Caucasian, OR=0.26, 95% CI=0.14, 0.48); and increased number of parents in the home (p<0.001). Sustained WTS was positively associated with increased school-level parental education (p=0.002); lower grades (p=0.005); truancy (p<0.001); lower religiosity (p<0.001); more evenings out per week (p<0.001); and dating (p=0.03). Visual inspection and non-overlapping CIs suggest that both past-year and sustained WTS are significantly increasing relative to cigarette use but not small cigar use. CONCLUSIONS Given the prevalence of sustained WTS and indications of its increase over time, it should be included in efforts related to tobacco surveillance and intervention.

Issues and Concerns on the Validity of Self-Reports in Student-Based Studies on Minority Populations'

This study uses large, nationally representative samples of high school seniors to investigate the epidemiology, reliability, and validity of racial/ethnic differences in drug use. On average, use is highest among American Indians and Whites, at an intermediate level among Hispanics, and lowest among Blacks and Asians. Racial/ethnic differences in drug-related attitudes and perceptions largely parallel differences in self-reported drug use. We argue that such correspondence should be taken, to a considerable extent, as evidence of the validity of self-reports.

The feasibility of a binge eating intervention in Black women with obesity

INTRODUCTION U.S. Black women have the highest rates of obesity and report frequent binge eating behaviors. To our knowledge, no intervention research has aimed to treat binge eating specifically among Black women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and preliminary effect of Appetite Awareness Treatment (AAT), an 8-week cognitive-behavioral binge eating intervention, among Black women with obesity, and who report binge eating. METHODS Participants (N = 31), had a mean (±SD) age of 48.8 ± 12.8 years, a body mass index of 33.7 ± 3.9 kg/m2, and reported at least one binge eating episode monthly over the last three months. Using a randomized controlled trial design, Black women were randomized to AAT or a wait-list control group (WAIT) group. We examined recruitment, attendance, retention, and adherence. Linear mixed models explored preliminary differences between the AAT and WAIT on the primary outcome variables of binge eating and eating self-efficacy measured at baseline and 8-weeks. RESULTS Approximately one-third of screened participants were eligible and did enroll. Participants completed 55% of homework assignments, and attended 59% of intervention sessions. Retention to AAT was 87.5%. Compared to participants in the WAIT group, AAT participants had greater decreases in binge eating scores and greater improvements in eating self-efficacy scores at the end of Week 8. CONCLUSION Results suggest that AAT is feasible among Black women with binge eating behaviors, with evidence of preliminary efficacy, providing a rationale for a trial of AAT in a larger sample of Black women.