Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Depression in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Mindfulness as a positive mental health intervention approach has been increasingly applied to address depression in young people. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in the treatment of depression among adolescents and young adults.Methods: Electronic databases and references in articles were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating MBSR and reporting outcomes for depressive symptoms among young people aged 12 to 25 years were included. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were conducted by two reviewers independently. Hedges’ g with a 95% confidence interval was calculated to represent intervention effect.Results: Eighteen RCTs featuring 2,042 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Relative to the control groups (e.g., no treatment, treatment as usual, or active control), MBSR had moderate effects in reducing depressive symptoms at the end of intervention (Hedges’ g = −0.45). No statistically significant effects were found in follow-up (Hedges’ g = −0.24) due to a lack of statistical power. Meta-regression found that the average treatment effect might be moderated by control condition, treatment duration, and participants’ baseline depression.Conclusion: MBSR had moderate effects in reducing depression in young people at posttest. Future research is needed to assess the follow-up effects of MBSR on depressive symptoms among adolescents and young adults

Sleep as a Priority:24-Hour Movement Guidelines and Mental Health of Chinese College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Research on the combined role of 24-hour movement behaviors (sleep, sedentary behavior [SB], and physical activity) in adult mental health, though important, is in its infancy. In the context of Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines integrating quantitative recommendations for sleep, SB, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), this study aimed to examine the associations between meeting guidelines and mental health among college students. The study used a cross-sectional sample of 1846 Chinese college students surveyed online in August 2020. Through network analysis and multivariate analysis of covariance, the individual and combined associations between meeting 24-hour movement guidelines and the levels of depression and anxiety after adjusting sociodemographic factors were analyzed. Results indicated that meeting the sleep guideline had stronger associations with depression and anxiety than meeting the SB or MVPA guideline. Specifically, compared to meeting no guidelines, meeting the sleep guideline (alone or in combination with other guidelines) was associated with significantly lower levels of depression and anxiety; meeting both SB and MVPA guidelines was also associated with a significantly lower level of depression. Hence, meeting more guidelines, especially adhering to a healthy sleep routine, may play an important role in promoting the mental health of young adults

A study on sexual health knowledge, sexual attitudes and sex-related behaviors of university students in Hefei, China

This present research aimed (1) to examine the level of sexual health knowledge, patterns of sexual attitudes and prevalence of sex-related behaviours among college students in contemporary China; (2) to explore factors predicting knowledge, attitude and behavior regarding sexuality; and (3) to assess gender differences in both characteristics and correlates. Based on data collected from 274 college students (167 male and 107 female) by the way of convenience sampling, in Hefei, China, Phase 1 of the study first selected, examined and modified (if necessary) three instruments (Sexual Health Knowledge Scale, SHKS; Sexual Attitude Scale, SAS; Sex-Related Behaviour Questionnaire, SRBQ), which was used in Phase 2 of the Study. It was found that the examined and (if necessary) modified SHKS, SAS and SRBQ showed good psychometric properties and internal consistencies, which could be useful questionnaires for the measurement of Chinese college students’ sexuality regarding knowledge, attitude and behaviour. Phase 2 of the Study including Section 1, 2 and 3 explored characteristics and correlates of sexual health knowledge, sexual attitudes and sex-related behaviors among an convenience sample of 1398 college students (828 male and 570 female) in Hefei, China. The results in Section 1 demonstrated college students had very limited sexual health knowledge and boys were likely to be much more knowledgeable than girls. Subscales and global score of sexual health knowledge correlated with received sexuality education, romantic relationship experience and coming from urban area, but the overall impact of the factors studied was not strong. The results in Section 2 indicated males had neutral attitudes about sexuality and females had relatively conservative attitudes. Although the overall impact of the factors studied was not strong, several variables (i.e., relationship experience, time spent online, parents’ education, family income, urbanity and sexual health knowledge,) were statistically significantly associated with subscales and global score of sexual attitude. Age was a positive predictor of permissiveness for males and a negative predictor for females. It was found in Section 3 that specific sex-related behaviours in the last one year varied in frequency. Prevalence of some sex-related behaviors (i.e., heterosexual intercourse, oral sex) remained low, while prevalence of other sexual behaviours (i.e., masturbation, pornography use) was high. The magnitude of gender differences in some sex-related behaviors (i.e., oral sex) was relatively small while there was the big gender gap in other sexual behaviours (i.e., masturbation). Moreover, students who had romantic relationship experience, lower educational aspiration or had received sexuality education reported more sexual behaviors involvement. Interestingly, males, but not females, were significantly influenced by time spent online. The thesis suggested significance at theoretical, empirical and practical level, limitations (i.e., gender-related reporting bias, limitation of generalization) and possible directions (i.e., safe sex, sexual and gender monitories, qualitative, cross-cultural and longitudinal study) for future research by reflecting on the findings of this research. Finally, the research was evaluated in terms of practical implications for sexuality education and broader public health policy in aspects of the role of schools and families, students’ participation, Internet utilization, teaching strategies and resources recommendation.published_or_final_versionEducationDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph

Attitudes toward Same-Sex Attraction and Behavior among Chinese University Students: Tendencies, Correlates, and Gender Differences

The present study examined Chinese university students’ attitudes toward same-sex attraction and behavior, the socio-demographic correlates of these attitudes, and the potential gender differences in both tendencies and correlates. A total of 2,644 Chinese university students (49.7% male, mean age = 20.27 years) indicated generally negative attitudes toward same-sex attraction and behavior, with males reporting more negative attitudes than females. More years in university (i.e., higher grade levels), higher levels of maternal education, growing up in an urban area, and more frequent Internet use significantly predicted more positive attitudes. Gender significantly moderated one correlate: For female participants, a higher university grade was related to more positive attitudes; this correlation was not significant for male participants. The findings suggest valuable directions for related intervention practices for young people in China. Key words: Chinese university students, same-sex attraction and behavior, gender difference

Care Their Diet and Mind: Association between Eating Habits and Mental Health in Chinese Left-behind Children

Studies have shown that the prevalence of mental health problems is high among left-behind children (LBC). Modifiable eating habits may play an important role in promoting mental health among these adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the situation of dietary habits and their association with mental health problems in a sample of Chinese LBC. We conducted this cross-sectional study in an economically disadvantaged area of China in May 2020. Information on socio-demographic factors, eating habits (the frequency of eating carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, protein, and breakfast), and mental health problems (insomnia, depression, and anxiety) were collected among local adolescents. Among 8939 adolescents were recruited, a total of 3314 LBC (1455 males and 1859 females, aged 12–17 years) were identified and included in the current study. Associations between dietary habits and mental health were analyzed by generalized linear models. Results indicated that the dietary pattern was unhealthy among LBC and even worse in females. Compared to routinely eating breakfast and fruits, lower frequencies of eating breakfast and fruits were identified as two significant factors with higher risks of mental health problems. Moreover, the association was more pronounced in females. Therefore, improving diet quality, particularly the frequency of eating breakfast and fruit intake may be an effective approach in the mental health promotion for LBC, especially for females

Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health in Chinese Adolescents: Differences among Girls and Boys

The negative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on individual mental health have been widely demonstrated, yet fewer studies have examined the impact of ACEs on depression and anxiety of Chinese adolescents and their sex differences. This cross-sectional study surveyed 12421 adolescents aged 10–17 in Hechi City, Guangxi Province, to measure their levels of ACEs, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The results found that: (1) Girls were more likely to experience ACEs than boys (37.67% vs. 32.25%, χ2 = 39.97, p < 0.001). (2) Emotion-related ACEs were more likely to occur among girls, while physical maltreatment, violence, and family dysfunction related ACEs were more likely to occur among boys. (3) Adolescents with ACEs were more likely to develop depression (OR = 4.40) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 4.60) than those without ACEs; adolescents who have encountered “peer isolation” and “emotional neglect” are most likely to develop depression (OR = 6.09/5.04) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 6.14/4.94). (4) The dose-response relationship between the level of ACE exposure and the risk of depression/anxiety symptoms was significant (p < 0.05), i.e., the risk increased as ACE level increased. (5) Girls were more likely to develop depression and anxiety symptoms than boys with the same ACE level. This study deepens the understanding of the prevalence of ACEs, the effect of ACEs on depression and anxiety symptoms, and their sex differences among Chinese adolescents in the underdeveloped regions of China. It provides more empirical support for future work on adolescent mental health protection

Psychometric Properties of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 Item (GAD-7) in a Large Sample of Chinese Adolescents

Anxiety symptoms are common among adolescents. A well-validated and easy-to-use tool is indispensable to measure and detect anxiety for timely interventions. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 item (GAD-7) is a self-report scale used to measure the severity of anxiety and has been validated in adult populations, but psychometric properties of the GAD-7 remained rarely tested in adolescents. The study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the GAD-7 in Chinese adolescents. Sex- and age-specific analyses were conducted in a large sample of adolescents (n = 67,281, aged 10–17 years). Our results showed that the GAD-7 scores were higher in female and older adolescents. The GAD-7 presented good internal consistency and a unidimensional structure across sex- and age-specific groups. The GAD-7 scores were significantly correlated with the scores of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item (PHQ-9, a self-reported scale to measure depression symptoms) in all subgroups, indicating acceptable criterion validity. In conclusion, the GAD-7 is a scale with good psychometrics and can serve as a tool for anxiety screening in Chinese adolescents at the populational level

Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Chinese Young Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Repeated-Measure Study throughout One Year

Though we know physical activity (PA) decreased while sedentary behavior (SB) increased compared to that before the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about subsequent changes in PA and SB throughout one year in the post-pandemic era. This study aimed to examine the changes in PA and SB in a sample of Chinese young adults using a four-wave repeated-measure design during the pandemic. A total of 411 participants provided self-reported data of sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., sex, age), PA, and SB. Nonparametric tests and generalized estimating equations were conducted. Results revealed significant changes in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), light PA (LPA), and SB. The MVPA of Wave 1, 2, and 3 was significantly less than that of Wave 4 (p < 0.001); the LPA of Wave 1 and 2 was significantly less than that of Wave 4; the SB of Wave 1 was significantly more than that of Wave 4 (p < 0.05). Being female was the only predictor of changes in MVPA (Beta = −0.311, p< 0.001). Being female (Beta = 0.115, p = 0.003) and perceived family affluence (Beta = −0.059, p< 0.001) were predictors of changes in SB. As such, PA was less, while SB was more during the early stages of the pandemic. With the progress of the pandemic stages, health behaviors in young adults have been gradually improved. Sex and perceived family affluence were two important factors in predicting health behaviors. Our results can inform efficient policies or interventions in the COVID-19 era and future similar public health events