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ObjectivesThe objective of the study was to examine longitudinal associations of perceived diabetes-specific peer support with adherence and glycemic control among late adolescents with type 1 diabetes as they transition out of high school and into early emerging adulthood.MethodAs part of a larger study, 211 high school seniors with type 1 diabetes completed confidential online surveys and were reassessed 1 year later. Perceived diabetes-specific peer support and adherence were assessed in each survey. Glycemic control was measured with HbA1c assay kits.ResultsPerceived diabetes-specific peer support in high school predicted better adherence across the subsequent year while controlling for initial levels of adherence. Perceived peer support during early emerging adulthood was also associated with better adherence across time, after controlling for initial levels of both adherence and peer support.ConclusionsPerceived diabetes-specific peer support may be a protective factor as late adolescents with type 1 diabetes transition out of high school. Building strong peer support during the transition into early emerging adulthood may facilitate better diabetes management during this high-risk time of development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Introduction: Parents and adolescents are often discrepant in their reports of adolescent psychosocial factors. Few studies have addressed parent–adolescent discrepancies in subjective ratings of familial dysfunction and depression as longitudinal predictor variables, and none have done so in a treatment setting for adolescents with acute suicidality. This study examined how parent–adolescent discrepancies in familial dysfunction and depression impact adolescent treatment response in an intensive outpatient program for suicidality. Methods: Adolescents (N = 315) were assessed at treatment entry and exit for familial dysfunction, depression, and suicidal ideation. Parents received parallel assessments of familial dysfunction and adolescent depression at each time point. A polynomial regression was conducted to determine whether parent–adolescent discrepancies in reports of familial dysfunction and depression at entry related to the treatment outcome of adolescent‐reported depression and suicide ideation at exit. Results: Significant discrepancies were present with on average adolescents reporting more depression and familial dysfunction than parents. Entry discrepancy in familial dysfunction (but not depression) predicted suicide ideation at exit. Conclusions: Our results suggest that parent–adolescent discrepancies in perception of familial dysfunction is a risk factor for poor outcomes in suicidal youth and might be a fruitful target in treatment programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relapse rates for children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) range from 30% to 40% within 1 to 2 years after acute treatment. Although relapse rates are high, there have been relatively few studies on the prevention of relapse in youth. While acute phase pharmacotherapy has been shown to reduce symptoms rapidly in depressed youth, children and adolescents frequently report ongoing residual symptoms and often relapse following acute treatment. Recent adult trials have begun examining augmentation with psychosocial treatment after successful medication treatment to enhance medication response and prevent future relapse. This strategy has not yet been examined in youth with depression. Here we present initial efforts to develop a sequential, combination treatment strategy to promote rapid remission and to prevent relapse in depressed youth. We describe efforts to adapt CBT to prevent relapse (RP-CBT) in youth who respond to pharmacotherapy. The goals of RP-CBT include: preventing relapse, increasing wellness, and developing skills to promote and sustain well-being. We describe the rationale for, components of, and methods used to develop RP-CBT. The results from a small open series sample demonstrate feasibility and indicate that youth appear to tolerate RP-CBT well. A future test of the treatment in a randomized controlled trial is described. (Contains 3 tables.)

A study examined maternal depressive symptoms at the beginning and end of acute pediatric treatment of children with major depressive disorder (MDD). Results suggested a direct and possible reciprocal association between maternal and child depression severity.

This study examined 1,361 Chinese adolescents who reported self-injurious behaviors. Groups A and B both acknowledged deliberate self-injury, but only Group A had made a suicide attempt. Group C reported accidental self-injury. Deliberate self-injurers (Groups A and B) were more frequently girls, older, and with more suicidal ideation. Group A had more psychopathology, environmental and suicide-related risk factors than group B and C. Group C had higher depressive symptoms than noninjured controls. The study clarifies differences among self-injurious behavior groups based on expressed deliberate self-injury and self-reported suicide attempt. These three groups appear to present a continuum of risk.

Working within the framework of a confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) model, this study adds another dimension to construct validation of both the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) and a Chinese version of the BDI-II (C-BDI-II; Chinese Behavioral Sciences Society, 2000). Specifically, we tested for measurement equivalence of the C-BDI-II with the original BDI-II across Hong Kong (N = 1771) and American (N = 501) adolescents, respectively. Provided with evidence of measurement equivalence, we then tested for differences in the latent factor means (i.e., subscale levels) of three first-order factors of negative attitude, performance difficulty, and somatic elements and one second-order factor of general depression. All procedures were based on analyses of mean and covariance structures (MACS) that took into account both the incompleteness and non-normality of the data. Findings revealed sound evidence of measurement equivalence of the C-BDI-II and BDI-II factorial structures, and latent factor means that pointed to higher levels of depressive symptoms for Hong Kong adolescents than for their American counterparts.

The absence of validated U.S. rates of nonfatal suicidal behavior places risk management and injury prevention programs at danger of being poorly informed and inadequately conceptualized. In this study we compare estimated rates of intentional self-harm from two ongoing surveys (National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program-NEISS-AIP; National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey-NHAMCS) to data from the Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. Results suggest that, for every 2002-2003 suicide, there were 12 (NEISSAIP) or 15 (NHAMCS) self-harm--related emergency department visits, and for every intentional self-poisoning death there were 33 intentional overdoses reported to poison control centers, of which two ultimately went untreated.

The overarching intent of this article is to exemplify strategies associated with tests for measurement invariance that are uncommonly applied and reported in the extant literature. Designed within a pedagogical framework, the primary purposes are 3-fold and illustrate (a) tests for measurement invariance based on the analysis of means and covariance structures (MACS), (b) use of the MACS approach in testing for an invariant higher order factor structure, and (c) tests for latent mean differences relative to both levels of a higher order factor structure. Addressing additional application limitations, the secondary purposes are 2-fold and illustrate (a) determination of invariance based on two substantially different sets of criteria and (b) interpretation of noninvariant measurement items within the context of an item response theory perspective. We are hopeful that readers will find the didactic approach to be helpful in gaining a better understanding of the invariance-testing process.

Background: This study examines the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations among cognitive variables, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in Hong Kong Chinese and Caucasian American adolescents. Methods: Community adolescents (n = 2,044) ages 14-18 years from Hong Kong and the United States provided information regarding their suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, and cognitions (self-efficacy, cognitive errors and hopelessness), at two surveys, six months apart. Results: Self-efficacy was a weak unique predictor of suicidal ideation in both cultures. Hopelessness was the strongest of cognitive variables in concurrent associations with suicidal ideation in bivariate and multivariate models, in both cultures, and in both boys and girls. Hopelessness continued to offer unique prediction when depressive symptoms were controlled, both concurrently and prospectively. Conclusions: Our results support hopelessness theories of suicidal ideation and behavior in Hong Kong, and extend the cognitive theory of suicidality to a modernized Asian culture.

The primary purpose of this study was to test for the validity of a Chinese version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (C-BDI-II) for use with Hong Kong community (i.e., nonclinical) adolescents. Based on a randomized triadic split of the data (N = 1460), we conducted exploratory factor analysis on Group1 (n = 486) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) within the framework of structural equation modeling on Groups 2 (n = 487) and 3 (n = 487); the second CFA served as a cross-validation of the determined factor structure. Factor analytic results, based on a 4-factor structure that comprised 1 2nd-order general factor of Depression and 3 1st-order factors representing Negative Attitude, Performance Difficulty, and Somatic Elements, replicated those reported previously for Canadian (Byrne & Baron, 1993), Swedish (Byrne, Baron, Larsson, & Melin, 1995), and Bulgarian (Byrne, Baron, & Balev, 1998) nonclinical adolescents. Based on this cross-validated factor structure, findings related to internal consistency reliability, stability over a 6-month time lag, and relations with relevant external criteria provided strong support for the valid use of the C-BDI-II in measuring depressive symptoms for Hong Kong community adolescents.

Compared the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) diagnostic interview information from Hong Kong and U.S. adolescents. Results suggested that adolescent MDD was as prevalent in Hog Kong as in the United States and that "subthreshold" depression was not a benign condition. Comparison of symptomatic patterns in the two cultures showed cultural influences on expressions of distress. (Contains references.) (SM)

Examined various potential contributors to sharing (parenting styles, context of identified versus anonymous sharing, and gender) among Caucasian and Asian second graders at an international school, also noting variables known to relate to sharing in young children (moral reasoning and empathy). Parenting styles, gender, and context all influenced children's sharing behavior, as did culture and moral reasoning. (SM)

Examined associations of self-esteem, relationship harmony, and academic achievement with perceptions of parents' styles and supervisory practices among 212 adolescents in Islamic Bangladesh. Found that parental supervisory practices were associated with a warm parental style for girls and parental dominating control for boys. Girls' (but not boys') perceptions of parents predicted academic achievement and were mediated by self-esteem. (Author/DLH)

Learning disabled students (N=22) with documented learning disabilities on standardized tests at beginning and end of one school year were evaluated. Neuropsychological measures were also administered. Subjects demonstrated impairment on neuropsycholgical measures. By the end of the year subjects had improved in written language. Results suggest that neuropsychological testing may be useful in predicting academic improvement. (JDM)

Depressive symptoms were measured in a sample of Chinese adolescents (N=996) using the Chinese Beck Depression Inventory (C-BDI), and a range of stressors was assessed as potentials to the level of suicide ideation. In boys, most of the prediction was attributable to C-BDI scores. In girls, C-BDI scores, perceptions of low parental caring, and high conflict with parents had additive effects in predicting level of suicide ideation. (Author/JDM)

Investigated value priorities and autonomy expectations in 59 pairs of Caucasian and 66 pairs of Asian teenagers and their mothers in Hong Kong. Findings support models that predict persistent family interdependence despite adoption of many individualist values in modernizing collectivist cultures. (SLD)

Grouped 72 Chinese and Indian 4-year olds with a friend and an acquaintance to study cultural influences on sharing resources. Findings from these representatives of two collectivist cultures highlight the importance of cultural beliefs on young children's behaviors and the interaction between sharers and recipients. (SLD)

Self-disclosure of serostatus by youth who are HIV-positive has been considered an important objective for preventing transmission and can have positive outcomes including enhancement of social support. This paper reviews the literature on self-disclosure. Several findings are consistent with the literature in adults, including the influence of gender, lower likelihood of disclosure in casual sexual relationships, and the identified barriers of rejection and stigma. Important areas of difference include youth's expressed needs for communication skills and the significant role of the family in influencing the decision to disclose. The findings raise questions about the relationship between disclosure and safe sexual practices in adolescents and moderate the concept of universal psychological gain from disclosure. The implications from the findings are reviewed, including the individual balance of risk versus benefit, practitioner strategies that might influence this balance and enhance the likelihood of positive outcomes following disclosure, and future research directions are discussed. Keywords Self-disclosure * HIV-positive * Adolescent * Serostatus, HIV transmission in adolescents is a major public health concern. Self-disclosure [defined here as the autonomous revelation of his/her HIV status to a sexual partner, family or units of society [...]