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Health Promotion International Jun 2024Studies that have examined young people's drinking behaviour, particularly how they abstain from alcohol or drink lightly and their motivations, have focused on Western...
Studies that have examined young people's drinking behaviour, particularly how they abstain from alcohol or drink lightly and their motivations, have focused on Western contexts. Currently, studies on how and why young Africans abstain from alcohol or drink moderately are lacking. Therefore, there is a need to examine young people's drinking behaviours/practices on the continent to facilitate health promotion interventions. This study, which uses qualitative data elicited from 53 participants, explores how young Nigerian men and women who consume alcohol and drink heavily enact and negotiate abstinence and moderate drinking and the factors that motivate their choices. Some participants constructed situational abstinence, while others participated in temporary light drinking in their friendship networks, but these attracted some consequences. Peers pressured them, but some deployed the ability to offer 'valid' explanations and express self-determination and agency to ward off such pressures and negotiate situational abstinence or moderate drinking. Additionally, the fear of public embarrassment, negative publicity on social media due to intoxication and parental influences motivated some participants' occasional sobriety. Others relied on previous personal or friends' negative experiences of drunkenness or the consequences of heavy drinking represented in movies and books to construct occasional light drinking. The findings demonstrated how enacting and rejecting particular forms of masculinity and embodied gendered drinking practices, more generally, in some friendship groups, facilitated situational abstinence and moderation. Policymakers should partner with young people to design interventions that encourage abstinence or moderation and mitigate the current drinking practices in Nigeria, which will enhance health promotion.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Nigeria; Adolescent; Young Adult; Alcohol Drinking; Qualitative Research; Alcohol Abstinence; Motivation; Peer Group; Negotiating; West African People
PubMed: 38899832
DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daae068 -
International Journal of Clinical and... 2023Depression is often present concurrently with coronary artery disease (CAD), a disease with which it shares many risk factors. However, the manner in which depression...
Dissecting the mediating and moderating effects of depression on the associations between traits and coronary artery disease: A two-step Mendelian randomization and phenome-wide interaction study.
BACKGROUND
Depression is often present concurrently with coronary artery disease (CAD), a disease with which it shares many risk factors. However, the manner in which depression mediates and moderates the association between traits (including biomarkers, anthropometric indicators, lifestyle behaviors, etc.) and CAD is largely unknown.
METHODS
In our causal mediation analyses using two-step Mendelian randomization (MR), univariable MR was first used to investigate the causal effects of 108 traits on liability to depression and CAD. The traits with significant causal effects on both depression and CAD, but not causally modulated by depression, were selected for the second-step analyses. Multivariable MR was used to estimate the direct effects (independent of liability to depression) of these traits on CAD, and the indirect effects (mediated via liability to depression) were calculated. To investigate the moderating effect of depression on the association between 364 traits and CAD, a cross-sectional phenome-wide interaction study (PheWIS) was conducted in a study population from UK Biobank (UKBB) (N=275,257). Additionally, if the relationship between traits and CAD was moderated by both phenotypic and genetically predicted depression at a suggestive level of significance (≤0.05) in the PheWIS, the results were further verified by a cohort study using Cox proportional hazards regression.
RESULTS
Univariable MR indicated that 10 of 108 traits under investigation were significantly associated with both depression and CAD, which showed a similar direct effect compared to the total effect for most traits. However, the traits "drive faster than speed limit" and "past tobacco smoking" were both exceptions, with the proportions mediated by depression at 24.6% and 7.2%, respectively. In the moderation analyses, suggestive evidence of several traits was found for moderating effects of phenotypic depression or susceptibility to depression, as estimated by polygenic risk score, including chest pain when hurrying, reason of smoking quitting and weight change. Consistent results were observed in survival analyses and Cox regression.
CONCLUSION
The independent role of traits in CAD pathogenesis regardless of depression was highlighted in our mediation analyses, and the moderating effects of depression observed in our study may be helpful for CAD risk stratification and optimized allocation of scarce medical resources.
PubMed: 37701760
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2023.100394 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Aug 2023In 2022, the European Union introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA), a new legislation to report and moderate harmful content from online social networks. Trusted...
In 2022, the European Union introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA), a new legislation to report and moderate harmful content from online social networks. Trusted flaggers are mandated to identify harmful content, which platforms must remove within a set delay (currently 24 h). Here, we analyze the likely effectiveness of EU-mandated mechanisms for regulating highly viral online content with short half-lives. We deploy self-exciting point processes to determine the relationship between the regulated moderation delay and the likely harm reduction achieved. We find that harm reduction is achievable for the most harmful content, even for fast-paced platforms such as Twitter. Our method estimates moderation effectiveness for a given platform and provides a rule of thumb for selecting content for investigation and flagging, managing flaggers' workload.
Topics: Humans; Social Networking; European Union; Social Media
PubMed: 37579139
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307360120 -
Nutrients Jul 2023Physical activity (PA) is of benefit and particularly important for cardiovascular disease risk factors as being sedentary becomes a lifestyle habit. Research into... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
The Mediation and Moderation Effect Association among Physical Activity, Body-Fat Percentage, Blood Pressure, and Serum Lipids among Chinese Adults: Findings from the China Health and Nutrition Surveys in 2015.
Physical activity (PA) is of benefit and particularly important for cardiovascular disease risk factors as being sedentary becomes a lifestyle habit. Research into Chinese complex association among physical activity, body-fat percentage (BF%), blood pressure, and serum lipids is limited. The present study is based on an observational study among adults (>18 years old) residing in fifteen provinces in China. Data of 10,148 adult participants in the 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) were analyzed. The simple mediation effect models with covariates were utilized to assess the association among PA and blood pressure or serum lipids, and BF% was played as a mediator. The serial multiple-mediator models with covariates were constructed to the further analysis of the relationship between PA and blood pressure, and BF% was the mediator 1 and blood lipids were the mediator 2. Based on the above hypothesis, the moderated mediation models with covariates were used to analyze the association among PA, BF%, and blood pressure; in addition, BF% was used as the mediator and blood lipids played as the moderator. In the simple mediation models, the model with a dependent variable was high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C); BF% was played as the partly mediation effect and the proportion of contribution was 0.23 and 0.25, respectively. In the serial multiple-mediator models, blood lipids, as the second mediator, played the mediation effect; however, the effect was smaller than the BF%. In the moderated mediation model, blood lipids had the moderation effect as the moderator variable. HDL-C played a moderating role in the latter pathway of the "PA→BF%→SBP/DBP" mediation model, and LDL-C/TC played a moderating role in the direct effect of the "PA→BF%→DBP". In conclusion, BF% played a mediating role in the relationship between PA and blood pressure. HDL-C, LDL-C, and TC were more likely to act as moderating variables in the mediation model "PA→BF%→SBP/DBP". PA could directly and indirectly benefit to control the CVD risk factors simultaneously.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Blood Pressure; Body Mass Index; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; East Asian People; Exercise; Lipids; Nutrition Surveys; Triglycerides; Adiposity
PubMed: 37513531
DOI: 10.3390/nu15143113 -
Research in Developmental Disabilities Aug 2023Studies focusing on math abilities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are limited and often provide inconsistent results. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Studies focusing on math abilities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are limited and often provide inconsistent results.
AIM
This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate math abilities in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to typically developing (TD) participants.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES
According with PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search strategy was adopted. First, 4405 records were identified through database searching; then, the title-abstract screening led to the identification of 58 potentially relevant studies and, finally, after the full-text screening, 13 studies were included.
OUTCOMES AND RESULTS
Results shows that the group with ASD (n = 533) performed lower than the TD group (n = 525) with a small-to-medium effect (g=0.49). The effect size was not moderated by task-related characteristics. Instead, sample-related characteristics, specifically age, verbal intellectual functioning, and working memory, were significant moderators.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
This meta-analysis shows that people with ASD have poorer math skills than their TD peers, suggesting the importance of investigating math abilities in autism, taking into account the role of moderating variables.
Topics: Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Cognition; Memory, Short-Term; Autistic Disorder; Mathematics
PubMed: 37329855
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104559 -
Journal of Palliative Medicine Jul 2023Hospice family caregiving is often physically and emotionally taxing, but it is unclear how employment status impacts hospice caregiver burden and well-being. To... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Hospice family caregiving is often physically and emotionally taxing, but it is unclear how employment status impacts hospice caregiver burden and well-being. To examine the relationship between caregiver burden and well-being, and the moderating role of employment status (i.e., working, not working). This was a secondary data analysis of baseline data from a longitudinal observational study of family caregivers of home hospice cancer patients in the United States. Descriptive statistics, correlations, hierarchical linear regressions, and moderation analyses were used. Baseline data included demographics, preparedness for caregiving, perceived burden, and well-being (i.e., global health, positive affect and well-being, anxiety, depression). The majority of the 90 participants were White (86.7%), married (71.1%), and college educated (85.6%). The mean age was 58.27 ± 14.22, 53.3% cared for a spouse, and 56.6% worked full or part time. After controlling for demographics, and using employment status as a moderator, greater caregiver burden was significantly associated with lower global health ( = -0.82 [-1.22 to -0.42], < 0.001), positive affect and well-being scores ( = -0.69 [-1.03 to -0.36], < 0.001), and higher depression ( = 0.24 [0.12-0.37], < 0.001) and anxiety scores ( = 0.22 [0.07-0.37], < 0.005). Employment status significantly moderated the relationship between burden and global health ( = 0.65 [0.22 to 1.08], < 0.005), and burden and positive affect and well-being ( = 0.45 [0.06 to 0.84], < 0.05). At high levels of burden, workers had greater well-being than nonworkers. More burdened hospice caregivers may experience worse well-being, especially among nonworking caregivers. Employment may be a protective factor for highly burdened hospice family caregivers.
Topics: Humans; Caregivers; Hospices; Hospice Care; Anxiety; Spouses
PubMed: 36799950
DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0395 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Oct 2023The aim of this review was to identify and critically appraise predictors and moderators of outcomes of psychological and pharmacological treatments for late-life... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The aim of this review was to identify and critically appraise predictors and moderators of outcomes of psychological and pharmacological treatments for late-life anxiety disorders. Their identification may guide the development of personalised treatments for older people with anxiety disorders.
METHODS
Web of Science, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and Pubmed were searched for studies published up to 12 May 2022. Randomised controlled trials and observational studies reporting treatment predictors and moderators were included. Participants with a diagnosis of any anxiety disorder who were aged over 60 years were included. Treatment outcomes included response, remission, and change in anxiety score.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-three out of 49 predictors or moderators assessed at post-treatment, and 14 out of 33 predictors or moderators assessed at follow-up were statistically significant. Only one predictor, baseline worry severity at post-treatment, was reported in at least three studies. Most studies were rated as having a low risk of bias in at least three areas and satisfied important quality criteria for predictor and moderator analyses.
LIMITATIONS
Samples were predominantly white, female and highly educated, and most studies were secondary analyses.
CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence that baseline worry severity appears to predict treatment outcome in late-life anxiety disorders. However, this was only explored in psychological intervention studies and therefore its predictive ability in pharmacotherapy remains unknown. Future research should explore predictors and moderators in a range of anxiety disorders and design methodologically-strong and adequately-powered studies with the primary aim of assessing predictors of treatment outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Anxiety Disorders; Anxiety; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37442444
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.057 -
International Journal of Sports Medicine Nov 2023The aims of the study were to examine the moderating role of physical activity in the relationship between cardiometabolic risk factors and adiponectin concentration in...
The aims of the study were to examine the moderating role of physical activity in the relationship between cardiometabolic risk factors and adiponectin concentration in adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 96 adolescents of both sexes, between 11 and 17 years old. Body mass, height, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein (LDL-c), triglycerides, insulin, adiponectin, C-reactive protein, and level of physical activity (energy expenditure questionnaire) were measured. Body mass index (BMI), triponderal mass index (TMI), homeostasis model to assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated. Macro-PROCESS for SPSS was used for moderation analyses. Direct interactions were found for BMI, TMI, FM, insulin, and HOMA-IR and inverse for LDL-c, and QUICKI. Protection against cardiometabolic risk was found when the PA-coeff was completed above 1.57 coeff (BMI), 1.62 coeff (TMI), 1.55 coeff (FM), 1.41 coeff (LDL-c)1.60 coeff (insulin), 1.59 coeff (HOMA-IR) and 1.35 coeff (QUICKI). We conclude that physical activity was a moderator in the relationship with adiposity, insulin resistance and sensitivity, LDL-c, and adiponectin. In this context, we evidenced a relevant clinical impact on the health of adolescents, demonstrating the interaction between anthropometrics variables and physical activity.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Child; Adiponectin; Insulin Resistance; Cholesterol, LDL; Cross-Sectional Studies; Body Mass Index; Insulin; Cardiovascular Diseases; Exercise
PubMed: 37557904
DOI: 10.1055/a-2108-6594 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Nov 2023Depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents have experienced increase their risk of peripheral mental health and social problems. For adolescents, the role of family...
Depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents have experienced increase their risk of peripheral mental health and social problems. For adolescents, the role of family environmental factors should be taken into consideration. This study aimed to explore the association between resilience and depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents and to extend the findings by examining the moderating effects of family environment. A total of 35,573 adolescents in middle schools were recruited in China. Childhood abuse, resilience, and symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated in adolescents. We found a significant association between resilience and symptoms of depression and anxiety [OR = 0.976 (0.975-0.978), P < 0.001; OR = 0.980 (0.978-0.981), P < 0.001]. The adjusted ORs (95 % CIs) for mental health across the categories of resilience were as follows: 1 (reference) for low resilience, 0.660 (0.620-0.703) for medium resilience, 0.309 (0.286-0.333) for high resilience. The relationship between resilience and depressive symptoms was stronger for girls, non-only children, and those without child abuse experience compared to boys, only child, and those with child abuse experience (all p < 0.05). Our findings of a nationally representative sample in China suggest that gender, only child, parent-child relationship and child abuse moderated the relationship between resilience and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Child; Adolescent; Depression; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Schools; Only Child
PubMed: 37582465
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.063 -
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Jan 2024Recent studies have reported a negative association between exposure to childhood trauma, including physical neglect, and cognitive functioning in patients with...
Recent studies have reported a negative association between exposure to childhood trauma, including physical neglect, and cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia. Childhood trauma has been found to influence immune functioning, which may contribute to the risk of schizophrenia and cognitive symptoms of the disorder. In this study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that physical neglect is associated with cognitive ability, and that this association is mediated by a combined latent measure of inflammatory response, and moderated by higher genetic risk for schizophrenia. The study included 279 Irish participants, comprising 102 patients and 177 healthy participants. Structural equation modelling was used to perform mediation and moderation analyses. Inflammatory response was measured via basal plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP, and cognitive performance was assessed across three domains: full-scale IQ, logical memory, and the emotion recognition task. Genetic variation for schizophrenia was estimated using a genome-wide polygenic score based on genome-wide association study summary statistics. The results showed that inflammatory response mediated the association between physical neglect and all measures of cognitive functioning, and explained considerably more variance than any of the inflammatory markers alone. Furthermore, genetic risk for schizophrenia was observed to moderate the direct pathway between physical neglect and measures of non-social cognitive functioning in both patient and healthy participants. However, genetic risk did not moderate the mediated pathway associated with inflammatory response. Therefore, we conclude that the mediating role of inflammatory response and the moderating role of higher genetic risk may independently influence the association between adverse early life experiences and cognitive function in patients and healthy participants.
Topics: Humans; Schizophrenia; Genome-Wide Association Study; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Healthy Volunteers; Cognition
PubMed: 37748567
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.09.013