Ju Yu Yen

Multi‐dimensional discriminative factors for Internet addiction among adolescents regarding gender and age

Aims:u2002 The aim of the present study was to examine the discriminative effects of sociodemographic, individual, family, peers, and school life factors on Internet addiction in Taiwanese adolescents.

Quality of life and its association with insight, adverse effects of medication and use of atypical antipsychotics in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in remission

OBJECTIVEnThe present study aimed: (i) to compare the level of quality of life (QOL) among subjects with bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia who were in remission and healthy control subjects and (ii) to examine the association of QOL with insight, adverse effects of medication and use of atypical antipsychotics among subjects with BD and schizophrenia who were in remission by controlling other confounding factors.nnnMETHODSnThe QOL on the four domains of the World Health Organization Questionnaire on Quality of Life: Short Form - Taiwan version (WHOQOL-BREF) were compared between 96 subjects with BD in remission, 96 subjects with schizophrenia in remission and 106 healthy control subjects. The association between the four QOL domains and subjects insight, adverse effects of medication and use of atypical antipsychotics were examined using multiple regression analyses in the subjects with BD and schizophrenia in remission.nnnRESULTSnThe results demonstrated that the subjects with BD in remission had similarly poor levels of QOL in all four domains as those subjects with schizophrenia in remission, and both subjects with BD and schizophrenia had poorer QOL than those in the control group. For both subjects with BD and schizophrenia in remission, insight was negatively associated with QOL on the physical domain, and adverse effects of medication were negatively associated with QOL on the physical and environment domains. Use of atypical antipsychotics was not associated with QOL, but subjects with BD receiving olanzapine perceived better psychological QOL than those receiving risperidone and better psychological and social relationship QOL than those receiving no atypical antipsychotic.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe results of the present study indicate that subjects with BD are dissatisfied with their QOL, even when they are in a remitted state. Clinicians must consider the negative influences of insight and adverse effects of medication on QOL of patients with BD and schizophrenia in remission.

The relationships between body mass index and television viewing, Internet use and cellular phone use: the moderating effects of socio-demographic characteristics and exercise.

OBJECTIVEnThis study aimed to examine the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and television viewing, Internet use and cellular phone use and the moderators for these relationships in adolescents.nnnMETHODnThe relationship between BMI and the time spent on three kinds of sedentary activities and the moderators for these relationships were analyzed among 9,278 Taiwanese adolescents. The different relationships between BMI and various Internet and cellular phone-related activities were analyzed.nnnRESULTSnHigh television viewing and high Internet use were associated with increased BMI in adolescents. Exercising had a moderating effect on the relationship between BMI and television viewing. Several Internet and cellular phone-related activities were associated with increased BMI.nnnDISCUSSIONnThe results support the relationships between adolescent BMI and television viewing and Internet use. The moderating effect of exercise and various Internet and cellular phone-related activities should be considered when developing intervention strategies for overweight adolescents.

The association between problematic cellular phone use and risky behaviors and low self-esteem among Taiwanese adolescents.

BackgroundCellular phone use (CPU) is an important part of life for many adolescents. However, problematic CPU may complicate physiological and psychological problems. The aim of our study was to examine the associations between problematic CPU and a series of risky behaviors and low self-esteem in Taiwanese adolescents.MethodsA total of 11,111 adolescent students in Southern Taiwan were randomly selected into this study. We used the Problematic Cellular Phone Use Questionnaire to identify the adolescents with problematic CPU. Meanwhile, a series of risky behaviors and self-esteem were evaluated. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the associations between problematic CPU and risky behaviors and low self-esteem regarding gender and age.ResultsThe results indicated that positive associations were found between problematic CPU and aggression, insomnia, smoking cigarettes, suicidal tendencies, and low self-esteem in all groups with different sexes and ages. However, gender and age differences existed in the associations between problematic CPU and suspension from school, criminal records, tattooing, short nocturnal sleep duration, unprotected sex, illicit drugs use, drinking alcohol and chewing betel nuts.ConclusionsThere were positive associations between problematic CPU and a series of risky behaviors and low self-esteem in Taiwanese adolescents. It is worthy for parents and mental health professionals to pay attention to adolescents problematic CPU.

Factor structure of the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale in Taiwanese adolescents

BACKGROUNDnThe original study of Radloff (Appl Psychol Meas. 1977. 1:385-401) on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) indicated a 4-factor model in the adult population. However, the factor structure of the CES-D in Asian adolescents has not been extensively validated. The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure of the Chinese version of the CES-D in a large representative Taiwanese adolescent population.nnnMETHODnA total of 10 116 adolescents completed the Chinese version of the CES-D. We used confirmatory factor analysis to examine the adequacy of 5 models of the factor structure in adolescents who were divided into 4 groups by sex and age. We also enrolled the variables of suicide tendency, insomnia, and peer relationships into the confirmatory factor analysis to examine the factor structure of the CES-D and examined the correlations between the CES-D factors and these variables.nnnRESULTSnThe results of this study indicated that the four-factor model (depressed affect, somatic symptoms, interpersonal problems, and positive affect) had the highest validity in Taiwanese adolescents. We also found that although the 4 factors of the CES-D were correlated with each other, their correlations with suicide tendency, insomnia, and peer relationships were different.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis study supported the usefulness of the Chinese version of the CES-D as a tool to understand the concept of depression in Taiwanese adolescents.

Relationship between psychosocial adjustment and executive function in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in remission: The mediating and moderating effects of insight

OBJECTIVESnThe aims of this study were to examine the relationships between executive function and psychosocial adjustment, and the mediating and moderating effects of insight on the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in clinical remission.nnnMETHODSnThe level of psychosocial adjustment was assessed in 96 subjects with bipolar disorder and 96 subjects with schizophrenia who were in remitted state. The association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment and the mediating and moderating effects of insight were examined by multiple regression analysis models and the Goodman test.nnnRESULTSnThe results indicated that executive function had direct effect on psychosocial adjustment in both subjects with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. However, the mediating effect of insight on the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment was only found in subjects with schizophrenia, but not in subjects with bipolar disorder. No moderating effect of insight on the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment was found in subjects with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe results of this study indicated that executive function has an important role in psychosocial adjustment in both patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Meanwhile, insight has a different role in the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment between patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescent aggression perpetrators, victims, and perpetrator-victims

The aims of this study were to examine the risks of internalizing and externalizing problems in aggression perpetrators, victims, and perpetrator-victims and their sex differences, and to examine the effects of the level of aggression involvement on internalizing and externalizing problems. Eight thousand eighty-five adolescents in Taiwan completed the questionnaires. The associations of aggression involvement and the level of aggression involvement with internalizing and externalizing problems were examined. Compared with the neutrals, pure aggression perpetrators and perpetrator-victims had higher risks for internalizing and externalizing problems and pure victims had higher risks for internalizing problems and theft. Differences in the risks for internalizing and externalizing problems were found among 3 groups with aggression involvement. Levels of aggression involvement increased the risks for some internalizing and externalizing problems. Sex differences were also found. Internalizing and externalizing problems need to be detected among adolescents involved in aggression, especially among perpetrator-victims, those with high levels of aggression involvements, and females.

Comparisons of insight in schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and depressive disorders with and without comorbid alcohol use disorder

Aims:u2002 To compare the level of insight among six groups of patients with psychiatric disorders, including those with schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar I disorder (BP), or depressive disorders (DD) who had or did not have comorbid alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Tattooing among high school students in southern Taiwan: The prevalence, correlates and associations with risk-taking behaviors and depression

This study aims to examine the prevalence and sociodemographics, family and peer correlates of tattooing among high school students in southern Taiwan, and to examine the associations between tattooing and a variety of adolescent risk‐taking behaviors and depression. A total of 9755 high school students (grades 7 to 12) in southern Taiwan were recruited into this study and completed the questionnaires. The prevalence of tattooing among the adolescents was calculated. The responses were analyzed using the logistic regression analysis models. It was found that 1% of high school students in southern Taiwan had 1 or more tattoos on their bodies. The older students who were perceived to have low family monitoring and who had friends who drink regularly, used illicit drugs, had a criminal record or were in a gang were more likely to have a tattoo. Tattooing was also found to be associated with violence, weekly alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, dropping out of school, unprotected sex, suicidal ideation/attempt, and depression. The results indicate that several demographics, family and peer factors are associated with adolescent tattooing. Tattooing may be an indicator of risk‐taking behaviors in high school students.

Body Weight Statuses and Their Sociodemographic Correlates Among Adolescents in Southern Taiwan: Results Using Two Sets of Cutoff References

PURPOSEnTo examine the differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity based on the cutoff references established by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC), the prevalence of underweight on the IOTF reference, and the sociodemographic correlates of body weight statuses in Taiwanese adolescents.nnnMETHODSnOverweight and obesity in 10,371 Taiwanese adolescents were determined by the IOTF and WGOC cutoff references for body mass index (BMI). Underweight was determined by the IOTF. The prevalence of overweight and obesity using the IOTF standard were compared to those using the WGOC standard. Associations of body weight statuses with gender, age, residential status, and parental education level were also examined.nnnRESULTSnUsing the IOTF standard, 3.4% were underweight, 15.2% were overweight, and 6.1% obese, whereas 14.1% were considered overweight and 8.7% were obese by the WGOC standard. For both genders, more adolescents were classified as overweight by the IOTF standard and as obese by the WGOC standard. Although females were more likely to be underweight than males, males were more likely to be overweight or obese than females. For both genders, although older age increased the risk of being underweight, younger age increased the risk of being overweight or obese. For males, living in urban areas was associated with being overweight, and low paternal education level was associated with being obese.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe prevalence of overweight and obesity may differ depending on the reference standard consulted. Paternal education level and urbanicity were associated with gender differences in the proportion of adolescents who were overweight or obese.