Promoting healthy sleeping habits in children and adolescents

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Adrenocortical attunement, reactivity, and potential genetic correlates among parent–daughter dyads from low-income families

Examining the multitude of influences on the development of adolescent stress responses, especially among low-income families, is a critical and understudied topic in the field. The current study examined cortisol attunement between adolescent girls and parents (mostly mothers) from predominantly low-income, single parent, ethnic minority families before and after an in-laboratory disagreement discussion task. The sample consisted of 118 adolescents (Mage = 13.79 years, 76.3% ethnic minorities, 23.7% European Americans) and primary caregivers (Mage = 40.62 years; Mdn yearly income = $24,000; 43.2% single parents; 50% living below poverty line). We investigated oxytocin receptor (OXTR rs53576) gene variations as a potential contributor to attunement within the dyad. Results showed that parents and adolescents showed stress system attunement across the disagreement task, but that parent and adolescent oxytocin receptor genotype did not impact attunement. Future studies should detail biological factors that contribute to the calibration of stress response systems of adolescents across a variety of samples, particularly those experiencing a combination of stressors

Assessing Theoretical Conclusions With Blinded Inference to Investigate a Potential Inference Crisis

Scientific advances across a range of disciplines hinge on the ability to make inferences about unobservable theoretical entities on the basis of empirical data patterns. Accurate inferences rely on both discovering valid, replicable data patterns and accurately interpreting those patterns in terms of their implications for theoretical constructs. The replication crisis in science has led to widespread efforts to improve the reliability of research findings, but comparatively little attention has been devoted to the validity of inferences based on those findings. Using an example from cognitive psychology, we demonstrate a blinded-inference paradigm for assessing the quality of theoretical inferences from data. Our results reveal substantial variability in experts’ judgments on the very same data, hinting at a possible inference crisis

Parents and Peers as Protective Factors Among Adolescents Exposed to Neighborhood Risk

The purpose of this study was to examine the link between neighborhood risk and adolescent antisocial behavior and whether this association was moderated by parent and peer relationships and characteristics. We also explored whether the moderating effects varied by age. The sample consisted of 206 adolescents (ages 10–18 years) from predominantly low-income, ethnic minority families. Results indicated that high levels of neighborhood violence and neighborhood danger were significantly related to high levels of antisocial behavior. The findings also showed that high levels of peer (but not parent) prosocial behavior and emotion regulation attenuated the links between neighborhood violence and antisocial behavior. Moreover, parent-adolescent (but not peer-adolescent) relationship quality served as a protective factor in the face of neighborhood violence and danger. In addition, little evidence of age differences in the moderating effects of parents and peers was found. Implications regarding the role of interpersonal relationships in the context of risk are discussed

Meaningful Social Inclusion and Mental Well-Being Among Autistic Adolescents and Emerging Adults: Protocol for a Community-Based Mixed Methods Study

BackgroundIn the United States, autistic people face high rates of co-occurring mental illnesses and premature death due to self-harm, which are indicators of threats to mental well-being. Social inclusion may enhance mental well-being and resilience among autistic people. According to Simplican and colleague’s (2015) model of social inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, social inclusion is an interaction between community participation and interpersonal relationships. There is limited research on social inclusion that includes the integration of interpersonal relationships and community participation among autistic people or the impact of social inclusion on the well-being of autistic people. Additionally, little evidence exists regarding how autistic people prefer to be included in the community or form interpersonal relationships. ObjectiveThe long-term objective of this project is to improve social inclusion factors to support the mental well-being of autistic people. This protocol describes a community-based, mixed methods pilot study to develop a definition of meaningful social inclusion for autistic people and to understand the relationship between meaningful social inclusion and mental well-being among autistic adolescents and emerging adults. MethodsThe project uses a community-based, sequential mixed methods design with a formative phase (Phase 1) that informs a survey phase (Phase 2) and concludes with a process evaluation of the community engagement process (Phase 3). During Phase 1, we will recruit 10 community partners (autistic adults and stakeholders) and conduct sharing sessions to cocreate a definition of meaningful social inclusion and a survey of meaningful social inclusion and well-being. During Phase 2, we will recruit 200 participants (100 autistic adolescents and emerging adults and 100 caregivers) to complete the survey. We will examine whether meaningful social inclusion predicts well-being given sociodemographic factors using ordered logistic regression, with well-being categorized as low, medium, and high. During Phase 3, the community partners from Phase 1 will complete a survey on their experiences with the project. ResultsEthics approval was obtained for this project in March 2023. We have recruited community partners and started the Phase 1 focus groups as of September 2023. Phase 2 and Phase 3 have not yet started. We expect to complete this study by March 2025. ConclusionsUsing a community-based, mixed methods approach, we intended to develop a definition of meaningful social inclusion for autistic people and understand the role meaningful social inclusion plays in the well-being of autistic people. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/5265

sj-docx-1-aut-10.1177_13623613221143592 – Supplemental material for Mental health–related hospitalizations among adolescents and emerging adults with autism in the United States: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of national hospital discharge data

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-aut-10.1177_13623613221143592 for Mental health–related hospitalizations among adolescents and emerging adults with autism in the United States: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of national hospital discharge data by Darcy Jones (DJ) McMaughan, Sara Imanpour, Abigail Mulcahy, Jennifer Jones and Michael M Criss in Autism</p