Controlling Anxiety Mediates the Influence of Childhood Adversities on Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Emerging Adults

Copyright: © The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. Relatively little research has assessed the exposure-response relationship of childhood adversities on engaging in risky sexual behaviors. Also, no previous research has examined the interrelationship among childhood adversities, adult anxiety and depressive symptoms, and risky sexual behaviors. This study aimed to investigate their interrelationships. We used data from a multisite survey of emerging adults aged 18 to 29 studying at four universities in Hong Kong between September and December 2015. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the pathways from childhood adversities to risky sexual behaviors. Participants who had higher childhood adversity scores reported more severe adult anxiety symptoms (β = 0.20, p = 0.002); and adult anxiety symptoms were associated with significantly more risky sexual behaviors (β = 0.46, p  <  0.0001). The model with adult anxiety symptoms as the mediator between childhood adversities and risky sexual behaviors showed good fit (root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.04, comparative fit index [CFI]  = 0.96, Tucker-Lewis index [TLI] = 0.94 and standardized root mean square residual [SRMSR]  = 0.04). However, adult depressive symptoms failed to mediate between childhood adversities and risky sexual behaviors. This study demonstrates the link between childhood adversities and risky sexual behaviors via adult anxiety but not adult depressive symptoms. It is essential to reduce anxious symptoms in dealing with emerging adults who have risky sexual behaviors to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Transcultural and psychometric validation of the Dispositional Resilience Scale (DRS-15) in Chinese adult women

Purpose The aim of this study was to report translation and transcultural adaptation of the 15-item Dispositional Resilience Scale in traditional Chinese (C-DRS-15) and evaluate its psychometric properties.Methods The DRS is a self-report instrument that measures psychological hardiness. We followed an international standard of cross-cultural translation and validation of patient-reported outcome measures to create the Chinese version. Then, the translated C-DRS-15 was validated on 542 Chinese women from a population-based sample in Hong Kong.Results The internal consistency and criterion-related validity were investigated. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the C-DRS-15 was supported by a modified three-factor structure in our Chinese sample (RMSEA = .06, CFI = .94, TLI = .92, and SRMR = .06). The reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = .78) and validity were satisfactory. Total resilience score was negatively correlated with depression (p < .001), with non-depressed women scoring higher on the C-DRS-15.Conclusions The C-DRS-15 was demonstrated to be a reliable and valid measurement to assess hardiness in Chinese women

Chinese women health ambassadors programme: A process evaluation

© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to assess a community-women health ambassadors programme and report the areas that were successful and those that required improvement. The objectives were to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, implementation and sustainability of the programme. Background: Health promotion for the prevention of chronic diseases has always been the top priority in the health sector. To ensure that the relevant health messages are well received in local communities, a health promotion programme must be accessible, acceptable and culturally relevant. Design: We conducted and evaluated a women health ambassador programme based on the lay health advisor model for health promotion in Hong Kong during November 2014 to February 2015. Health needs and the subsequent focus of the programme were determined by underprivileged Chinese women. Methods: University health educators from different disciplines trained the women (N = 80) to be health ambassadors through mini-lectures and training workshops. The trained women raised awareness about the importance of health within their families and social networks. The programme was evaluated through attendance rates, questionnaires and quizzes, changes in knowledge and behaviour, as well as qualitative discussion. Results: While the majority of participants found the programme valuable and useful, retention rates were unideal. A statistically significant improvement was found in eating habits, but no significant change was identified for other knowledge and behaviour assessments. Conclusions: The programme empowered underprivileged women to reflect on the importance of health, take responsibility for their own health and actively promote health to their families and personal communities. Relevance to clinical practice: Our study supports that health promotion programmes based on the lay health advisor model are effective and encourage large-scale programmes of this nature. Our results also support that future health promotion efforts should deliver brief, clear and simple content as opposed to intricate information.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex