Adolescents

Substance use remains a global public health concern with adverse effects on health, education, and community safety. In South Africa, in rural areas like substance use among secondary school students compromises teaching quality and school safety. This study aims to develop and validate community-based strategies to mitigate substance use among secondary school students using a Participatory Action Research approach. A qualitative, participatory design will be implemented in three phases: (1) situational analysis through interviews with parents and focus groups with students; (2) co-development of strategies guided by the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, building, overcoming, exploring, and minimizing framework and Dickoff’s practice-oriented theory; and (3) validation using Chinn and Kramer’s evaluation criteria. Twenty students (aged 13–18 years) and twenty parents will be purposively and conveniently sampled. Data will be analyzed thematically using Tesch’s eight-step method, with trustworthiness ensured using Guba’s criteria. This study is expected to strengthen collaboration among schools, parents, and community stakeholders. The co-developed strategies will inform future interventions, guide school health policy, and promote sustainable, community-driven approaches to adolescent health promotion, ultimately enhancing secondary school students’ well-being and academic performance in rural educational settings. Full article

Parenting style plays a key role in adolescent development and well-being. This study set out to examine how different dimensions of perceived parenting styles influence resilience levels among a sample of 609 Spanish secondary school students aged 11 to 17 years. Data were collected using the School Resilience Scale (SRS) and the Parenting Style Assessment Scale (PSAS). Spearman correlations showed strong and significant associations, particularly between Affection and Communication and External Resources (ρ = 0.637, p < 0.001) and Internal Resources (ρ = 0.489, p < 0.001). Linear regression models explained 31.7% (Internal Resources) and 44.3% (External Resources) of the variance, with Affection and Communication and Revelation emerging as the most consistent predictors (p < 0.001). Multinomial logistic regressions showed good model fit (Nagelkerke R² = 0.398 and 0.561) and indicated that these dimensions increased the likelihood of belonging to the high-resilience groups (odds ratios ranging from 1.07 to 1.21). The findings highlight the importance of warm and emotionally expressive parenting practices in promoting adolescent resilience and suggest potential directions for school-based and family-focused intervention programs. Full article

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of childhood that usually affects children under five but can also present in adolescence. Although less common, adolescent cases pose unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to atypical features and increased cardiovascular risk. Methods: A targeted PubMed search, supplemented by a Google Scholar screening, was conducted to identify studies on KD in adolescents published between 2000 and 2024. Nine studies were included in the synthesis, along with one national surveillance study. This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-Scr guidelines. Results: Adolescents with KD often do not meet full diagnostic criteria, leading to delays or missed diagnoses. Presentations frequently involve symptoms that mimic those of mucocutaneous, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and neurological conditions. These delays are linked with higher rates of coronary artery abnormalities compared with younger children. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) remains the primary treatment, though resistance occurs more frequently in this group. Beyond the acute illness, adolescent KD impacts school participation, physical activity, and independence, underscoring the importance of addressing developmental and psychosocial outcomes. Conclusions: While KD is primarily a disease of younger children, adolescent cases require greater clinical awareness, prompt intervention, and developmentally informed follow-up to reduce complications and support effective transition to adult care. Full article

Truth-telling, a community intervention to increase reconciliation after systemic injustices, has been employed recently to increase public awareness of harms perpetuated by the child welfare industry in the U.S. Guided by participatory action research principles, we examined a public truth telling initiative over two years which was co-designed by a trans-experiential team of emerging adults with lived expertise and child welfare system professionals in Kentucky. The aims of the truth-telling events were to raise awareness about the experiences of Black American youth in the Kentucky child welfare system and generate ideas for improvements. We conducted a longitudinal collaborative autoethnography (n = 9, 2 time points) to examine our collective experience of developing and hosting the truth-telling circles and supporting activities. Key themes included the transformative impact on the alumni of receiving validation and acknowledgement, as well as forming social and professional connections. Some concerns related to timing of activities and group dynamics also were reported. In addition, the four lived expert truth-tellers engaged in a systematic consensus workgroup process to select a list of 10 priority practice and policy recommendations, such as child welfare system alumni being hired to provide emotion regulation and self-advocacy skills training directly to youth. Full article

(1) Background: Self-regulation of attention, emotions, and behavior constitutes a core set of skills essential for positive mental health in adolescence and adulthood. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have shown positive effects on these skills in early developmental stages. Yet it remains unclear whether dispositional mindfulness mediates these effects. This study examined whether dispositional mindfulness mediates the effects of attention and emotion-focused MBIs on attentional, emotional, and behavioral self-regulation. (2) Method: An experimental study was conducted with three conditions: (a) MBI focused on emotion regulation, (b) MBI focused on attentional regulation, and (c) control group. The sample consisted of boys and girls aged 8 to 12 years (n = 70, Mage = 9.60, SD = 1.01), randomly assigned to the three experimental conditions. Group differences in emotional, behavioral, and attentional regulation were analyzed, with mindfulness as a mediating variable. The mediation analysis was conducted using linear regressions and a nonparametric bootstrap technique with 5000 samples. Age and gender were included as control variables in all models. (3) Results: Both programs produced significant improvements in all three dimensions of self-regulation. However, mindfulness showed a mediating effect only on emotional self-regulation, not on attention and was inconclusive on behavioral self-regulation. (4) Conclusions: Mindfulness mediates emotional but not attentional self-regulation. The evidence for the mediating role of mindfulness in behavioral regulation was inconclusive. Incorporating mindfulness in educational settings could strengthen emotional self-regulation skills, thereby promoting mental health; however, further studies are needed. Full article

Objective: This study focuses on selected potential determinants of self-harm in adolescents of two age groups. The considered factors are depression, sex, and parental cohabitation. The aim of the study is to reveal the association between the mentioned factors and self-harm in younger and older adolescents. A secondary goal is to identify the prevalence of self-harm in two age groups. Self-harm is defined as the repeated occurrence of its physical forms. Methods: In the non-experimental research study, the respondents (N = 1285) were primary and secondary school pupils from Slovakia and made up two age cohorts (12–15 and 16–18 y). A battery of questionnaires consisted of the CDI, Self-Harm Inventory and a demographic questionnaire. Procedures of statistical analysis including the logistic regression were applied for data processing. Results: Depression as a risk factor for physical forms of self-harm was recognised in both age cohorts. In terms of sex as a predictor (girls), it proved to be a strong determinant of development of self-harm in the younger group. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the relevance of the need for a separate study of self-harm in boys and girls, as well as in the context of developmental peculiarities in adolescence. Full article

(1) Background: While Hong Kong is renowned for being a multicultural city, its South and Southeast Asian population has experienced disadvantages in various aspects of life, particularly career development. This study adopts the Systems Theory Framework (STF) to investigate the school-to-work transition of Pakistani, Nepalese, Filipino, and Indian youths in the Hong Kong Chinese context. (2) Methods: A qualitative approach using individual and focus group interviews was employed to uncover and critically examine educational and career aspirations and contextual factors in the transition pathways of educational and career advancement experienced by these ethnic groups. (3) Results: Findings show that career aspirations among South and Southeast Asian youths undergoing the school-to-work transition are comparatively lower than those of their counterparts who remain in secondary education. This disparity is attributed to a range of contextual factors, particularly shortcomings in education policy and limited cultural competence within Hong Kong Chinese society, both of which contribute to the erosion of occupational outlook among these underrepresented groups. (4) Conclusions: This study demonstrates the critical impact of contextual factors on the ethnic inequality of school-to-work transition, which are more overwhelming than can be overcome by personal and family efforts. If these issues are not addressed, achieving racial equality and equal opportunity in school-to-work transition will remain a persistent challenge. Full article

Transition-age youth exiting foster care (TAY) are at high risk for housing instability, with nearly half experiencing homelessness before age 26. Multi-level factors are associated with greater risk, including individual, social, and geographic contexts. This study explored experiences of TAY in a large region of Texas to identify drivers of housing stability during the transition out of care. Youth aged 18–25 who were connected to the region’s foster care transition center were recruited to participate in a mixed-methods, semi-structured interview (n = 25). Youth were prompted to identify networks of up to 20 people who had provided support over the past year. Interview questions explored what happened when youth turned 18, including changes in their housing situations, and delved into relationships with the network members. An iterative coding process was used to create a matrix to examine housing transitions and social supports within and across cases, then identify themes and subthemes. Housing instability was common, with 13 of 25 participants reporting episodes of homelessness after turning 18. Abrupt transitions were driven by systemic factors related to placement settings, strict rules, and a lack of available housing options. Social network data illuminated the close link between housing and the social network, along with the importance of “housing-capable” adults who helped prevent homelessness. Findings call for the development of more youth-friendly housing options for TAY transitioning out of care and interventions that help to build enduring social supports. Full article

This bibliometric study analyses scientific output over the last 10 years on music using the following keywords “youth”, “culture” and “education”. Based on a sample of 904 documents extracted from the Web of Science database, the research analyses emerging trends in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, in patterns of collaboration between authors and countries, and the main topics related to music, culture, identity and young people. To this end, we have applied a quantitative bibliometric methodology, using the Biblioshiny tool from RStudio, generating frequency network maps, multiple correspondence analysis and thematic graphs showing the relationships between keywords and those used by authors. The results show that the United States is the leading scientific producer in this field. The two main terms obtained in the analysis are popular culture and popular music, in addition to related concepts such as identity, gender and education, among others. In conclusion, this study shows how globalisation alters popular culture by influencing the behaviour of adolescents. The research is limited in terms of contributions from the Global South, given the database used, but it is presented as an inclusion in future lines of research. Full article

Available reviews of the literature have failed to adequately address research on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) that has been conducted in developing countries, with the aim of this study being to systematically review empirical research on NSSI that has been conducted among adolescents and young adults living in countries located on the African continent. Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed methods systematic reviews, searches were conducted in six databases—PubMed, Scopus, PsychINFO, African Journals Online, African Index Medicus, and Sabinet African Journals—with searches being conducted from inception to 31 December 2024. These searches identified 33 unique records published in peer-reviewed journals or presented in postgraduate theses during the period 1985 to 2024; with the process of data synthesis identifying three broad analytic themes: the nature of NSSI, risk/protective factors associated with NSSI engagement, and the functions of NSSI. Key findings in relation to these themes: (1) highlight the value of an ethnomedical perspective in cross-cultural research on NSSI, and (2) suggest that the conventional focus on intrapersonal and proximal interpersonal influences on NSSI (in relation to both risk/resilience and NSSI functions) could usefully be extended to include influences emanating from the broader sociocultural context in which individuals are embedded. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for future research. Full article

Adolescents diagnosed with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) face a distinct set of challenges as they cope with a chronic neuroinflammatory disease during a formative stage of life. This review examines the growing body of literature on the psychosocial and cognitive consequences of POMS, from the trauma of diagnosis to disruptions in identity development, academic difficulties, and increased vulnerability to mental health issues. Many young people with MS experience fatigue, cognitive decline, depression, and anxiety, all of which can significantly interfere with their daily lives and overall well-being, even if physical symptoms of the disease remain limited. Yet, current care systems often fall short in addressing their needs, and interventions tailored to adolescents remain scarce. There is a pressing need for developmentally sensitive, family-centered, and integrated models of care. Targeted research and policy action are essential to better support this underserved group. This review builds on prior research by integrating recent findings with adolescent-development frameworks and by proposing a multicomponent health-promotion intervention model specific to POMS. The review describes relevant evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, peer-based interventions, and cognitive rehabilitation that were validated in adults with MS and chronically ill adolescents. The objective is to synthesize evidence and translate it into actionable recommendations for clinical care and research. Full article

Transracial adoption (TRA) places children across racial or national borders into non-biological families, raising complex questions about the adoptee’s racial identity. Guided by the bicultural identity integration theory, integrative racial and adoptive identity is defined as a developmental process with transformative variations. Method: With a mixed-design method, this study examines how Asian adoptees and non-Asian American adoptive parents navigated their racial and cultural adjustment journeys. A small and non-representative sample (N = 21) (14 parents and seven adoptees) was recruited for the survey. Eleven participants (seven parents and four adoptees) attended an individual semi-structured interview to describe TRA needs and obstacles. Results: (1) Even though adoptees and parents were comfortable sharing their adoption experiences through social media, adoptees continued their racial identity inquiries, while parents thought of being role models. (2) Integrative findings show adoptees wanted to learn about their “cultural socialization” at a younger age with parental guidance and normalize “reculturation” as they continued exploring their racial identities through external support. Their TRA journeys engage families in a support network appreciating racial/cultural differences and experiencing identity shifts as a part of reculturation. Implications: A social work platform is needed to provide justice-oriented opportunities for adoptees to share integrative identity journeys and for parents to hear adoptees about their lived experiences. Their engagement in mutual communication will help them show appreciation for each other’s efforts in the adjustment process. Full article

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) play a central role in university students’ social and academic lives by facilitating relationship maintenance, emotional support, and the exchange of information, especially for those studying away from home. However, it remains unclear how different patterns of SNS use influence academic outcomes and psychosocial well-being. Grounded in social capital and self-determination theory, the present study adopted a person-centered approach using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify distinct profiles of SNS engagement, academic outcomes and well-being. A sample of 275 Greek undergraduate students completed anonymous self-report questionnaires [SNSs use intensity, bonding and bridging social capital, perceived social support via SNSs, fear of missing out (FoMO), phubbing, nomophobia (NoMo), academic outcomes and well-being]. LPA revealed four user profiles: (1) Low Use-Low Support (poorest well-being, moderate academic outcomes); (2) Active and Supported (high well-being and academic outcomes); (3) At-Risk Heavy Users (intermediate academic outcomes and moderate well-being, comparable to Profile 2) and (4) Low Use-High Support (highest well-being, poorest academic outcomes). These findings indicate that SNS engagement may be associated with both benefits and risks for students, depending on how and why they are used. Adopting a person-centered perspective allowed the identification of meaningful usage patterns, providing critical insights for developing targeted interventions to support student adjustment. Full article

Background: Performance-enhancing drug (PED) use has become increasingly prevalent among adolescents and emerging adults, not solely for athletic advantage but as a psychological and sociocultural coping mechanism. In Türkiye, where Westernized body ideals intersect with traditional values, the emotional and symbolic meanings of PED use among youth remain underexplored. Methods: This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis to examine the subjective experiences of 26 Turkish adolescents and emerging adults (19 males, 7 females; ages 16–22) in Istanbul who reported non-medical use of steroids or other PEDs. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling in gym-adjacent communities across six urban districts. Interviews were conducted online, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify emergent psychological themes. Results: Six interconnected themes were identified: (1) body-based insecurity and the fantasy of reinvention; (2) emotional regulation through bodily control; (3) secrecy as autonomy; (4) compulsive enhancement and dissatisfaction; (5) psychological dependency and regret; and (6) PED use as agency and protest. While male and female participants differed in aesthetic goals and social narratives, both groups framed PED use as a means of identity construction, emotional survival, and social validation. Participants did not perceive themselves as deviant but as strategic actors navigating a performance-driven culture. Conclusions: PED use among youth in urban Türkiye emerges as a psychologically embedded coping mechanism rooted in emotional regulation, self-concept, and perceived control. Rather than a deviant behavior, it reflects an adaptive but precarious strategy for managing insecurity and achieving recognition during a critical developmental stage. Full article

Media food marketing (MFM) may greatly influence adolescents’ and parents’ dietary behaviors through direct and mutual influences, yet the interplay of these dynamics is unexplored. This study investigated the impact of parents’ and adolescents’ trust in MFM on their own and each other’s unhealthy food consumption (actor and partner effects). Parent–adolescent dyadic data (n = 1656 dyads) collected from the 2014 Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health and Eating study were analyzed. Actor–Partner Interdependence Models were estimated to assess for actor and partner effects of MFM trust/influence on unhealthy food intake (i.e., detrimental food, junk food, sugar-sweetened beverages, fast and convenience foods) while accounting for dyadic interdependence. Covariates included parents’ and adolescents’ age and sex, and parents’ health literacy, food insecurity, and food label reading habits. Parents’ and adolescents’ higher MFM trust/influence were related to their higher unhealthy food intake (actor effects). Parents’ higher MFM trust/influence was also associated with unhealthy food intake in adolescents (partner effect). Partner effects from adolescents to parents were found for sugar-sweetened beverages only. Parents’ and adolescents’ MFM trust/influence was related to adolescents’ unhealthy food intake, highlighting the need to address it in both parents and adolescents to reduce adolescents’ unhealthy dietary intake. Full article

Physical activity practice and excessive screen time affect adolescent girls’ body satisfaction and body image. This study aimed to estimate the association between screen time and physical activity in relation to body dissatisfaction and body image among girls from different Brazilian regions, considering both the direct effect and the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and school affiliation. This is a cross-sectional study based on secondary data analysis. The outcomes were body dissatisfaction and body image dissatisfaction due to excessive thinness and excessive fat. Physical activity and screen time were independent variables. The moderating variables included sociodemographic characteristics and school affiliation. Direct effects were observed in active girls with a lower odds ratio (OR) of dissatisfaction due to excessive thinness (Southeast region, OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34–0.90; South region, OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.19–0.43), whereas those with high screen times were more likely to report dissatisfaction due to excessive fat (Southeast region, OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.35–2.40; Northeast region, OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.28–3.03). Effect modification was observed based on sociodemographic characteristics and school affiliation. These behaviors were directly associated with body dissatisfaction, and age, school affiliation, skin color, and maternal education were important moderators of the relationship between physical activity and screen time. Full article

Background: Adolescence is a critical period of rapid physical and psychological change, yet it is also when many health and well-being problems first emerge, often setting limits on lifelong opportunities and achievements as youth transition into adulthood. The ground-breaking adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) study has significantly shaped the development of programs and policies aimed at fostering adolescent health. Nonetheless, there has been limited exploration into the heterogeneity among individuals experiencing a high number of ACEs, such as four or more. This study employs Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to examine the diverse outcome profiles of adolescents who have been exposed to a substantial number of ACEs. Method: The data were from participants who experienced at least four ACEs by age 9 in the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 1427; 54% male; 59% Black; 15.3% Hispanic; 2.4% other). We applied LPA using the manual three-step method within Mplus 8 to establish profiles based on six developmental indicators at age 15. These indicators included optimism, perseverance, academic performance, internalizing and externalizing behavioral competence, and social skills. The full information maximum likelihood method was used to handle missing data. Results: The study identified three distinct profile groups according to model fit indices and interpretability: Multidimensional Competence Group (61.0%), Low Personality and Social Competence Group (23.8%), and Low Behavioral Competence Group (15.2%). Racial and ethnic backgrounds were significant predictors of membership in these different profile groups. Conclusions: In a research landscape often focused on the cumulative harm of ACEs, our study underscores the heterogeneity of trauma profiles among adolescents with substantial ACE exposure. Given that adolescence is a critical stage when health and well-being challenges emerge, tailored early interventions are important to supporting a successful transition into adulthood. We advocate for the importance of comprehensive screening for social-cognitive and behavioral health difficulties in trauma-affected youth, enabling practitioners to implement timely prevention strategies and tailored interventions that foster resilience and long-term well-being. Full article

Background and Objective: The availability of money to purchase food within the school setting has been identified as a factor associated with children’s nutritional status. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between spending on snacks and the nutritional status of Chilean schoolchildren living in a region in the far south. Methods: This was a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study. A total of 596 schoolchildren and adolescents (12.1 ± 1.3 years) from three public schools in the Magallanes Region, Chile, participated. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index (BMI) for age, and a validated questionnaire was applied to assess frequency and type of food purchases within the school environment. To determine associations, ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Among boys, 25.8% were overweight, 36.4% with obesity, and 8.6% severely with obesity; among girls, 34.9% were overweight, 30.5% with obesity, and 5.5% severely with obesity. The average snack expenditure was 642.7 ± 658 CLP (Approximately USD 0.67). Weekly purchase frequency was once in 29.5% and twice in 26.9% of cases (p < 0.001), with no differences across BMI categories (ANOVA p = 0.469). Food preferences were unhealthy snacks in 46.5% and healthy snacks in 24.0% of cases, with no association with nutritional status (χ² = 6.073; df = 10; p = 0.728). Conclusion: Although no direct association was found between snack spending and nutritional status, high consumption of unhealthy foods reflects a persistent risk. The results highlight the importance of strengthening public and educational policies regarding school meals. A comprehensive approach is needed that combines regulation, nutrition education, and family involvement. This study provides novel evidence for the design of interventions in southern and isolated regions. Full article

Background: Former foster youth frequently experience housing instability, which hinders their transition to adulthood and affects key life outcomes including education, employment, mental health, and social connections. Objective: This scoping review explores housing stability and identifies barriers to stable housing. Method: Following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, and Academic Search Complete. Studies published in English within the last ten years were screened and selected based on relevance to housing stability and former foster youth outcomes. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were thematically analyzed. Results: Findings reveal that a significant proportion of youth aging out of foster care lack adequate preparation, face systemic barriers such as unaffordable housing and limited services, and often experience repeated episodes of instability. Promising strategies include transitional planning, extended housing support, trauma-informed services, and youth engagement in program design. Flexible funding and targeted support for high-risk subgroups are also crucial. Conclusion: Housing stability is foundational to the well-being of former foster youth. Addressing systemic gaps through youth-centered, supportive housing interventions is essential for promoting resilience and successful transitions to independence. Full article