Afolakemi C. Olaniyan

More information is needed to elucidate factors related to anxiety and behavioral problems among adolescents to inform those developing interventions. Reduced levels of parental stress and a supportive parent-adolescent relationship may be positively associated with anxiety and behavioral problems while experiencing adverse childhood events typically is negatively associated with anxiety and behavioral problems. This study investigated correlates of behavioral problems among youth with anxiety. Secondary data analyses were performed using a sample of 2,285 youth (10–17 years) whose parents reported that they currently had anxiety and behavioral problems from the 2019 National Survey of Children’s Health. Two multivariable logistic regressions examined the associations between four predictors: anxiety severity (mild or moderate/severe), adverse childhood experiences (0 ACEs, 1 ACE, ≥ 2 ACEs), parental stress (always or seldom stressed from parenting role), and emotional support for parents (Yes or No) and outcome variables (parent report of current or past behavioral problems for youth with anxiety). Results were similar for the two regression models. Specifically, participants who had severe/moderate anxiety, were exposed to more traumatic events (≥2 ACEs), lived with parents who were always stressed from parenting roles, and resided with parents who did not receive emotional support with parenting were more likely to have behavioral problems. Interventions are needed to reduce parental stress and provide emotional support for parents whose children experience anxiety and behavioral problems.

(1) Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are potentially traumatic childhood events, have been associated with increased tobacco product use. Less is known about electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use during young adulthood. This study explored the associations between ACEs and current e-cigarette use among U.S. young adults. (2) Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data including 2537 young adults aged 18–24 years. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses were conducted. (3) Results: Of the participants, 19.2% currently used e-cigarettes, and 22.1% reported 1 ACE, 13.0% reported 2 ACEs, 10.7% reported 3 ACEs, and 30.6% reported ≥4 ACEs. Unadjusted results indicated that participants who experienced 1 ACE (odds ratio (OR) = 1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–3.07), 2 ACEs (OR = 2.18, 95%CI = 1.24–3.83), 3 ACEs (OR = 2.63, 95%CI = 1.41–4.90), and ≥4 ACEs (OR = 3.69, 95%CI = 2.23–6.09) were at increased odds of reporting current e-cigarette use than participants who experienced 0 ACEs. Adjusted results indicated that participants who experienced 3 ACEs were at 2.20 times higher odds (95%CI = 1.15–4.23) and participants who experienced ≥4 ACEs were at 2.73 times higher odds (95%CI = 1.58–4.71) of reporting current e-cigarette use than participants who experienced 0 ACEs. (4) Conclusions: Young adults exposed to ACEs are at risk of using e-cigarettes.

BACKGROUND Tobacco smoke exposure (TSE), defined as secondhand smoke (SHS) and thirdhand smoke (THS), is associated with negative health consequences. This study's objective was to assess the associations between home TSE status and school engagement, school success, and afterschool activity participation among school-aged children. METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of 2018-2019 National Survey of Children's Health cross-sectional data. Children ages 6-11 years (N = 17,466) were categorized into home TSE groups: no home TSE; THS exposure only; and SHS and THS exposure. Weighted logistic and Poisson regression models were built. RESULTS Compared to children with no home TSE, children with home THS exposure only and SHS and THS exposure were at decreased odds of being engaged in school (AOR = 0.69, 95%CI = 0.57, 0.83; AOR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.41, 0.97, respectively), and at increased odds of having >= 1 school-to-home contact about child problems in school (AOR = 1.83, 95%CI = 1.50, 2.23; AOR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.05, 2.37, respectively). Children with THS exposure only were at increased odds of missing >= 1 school day (AOR = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.13, 1.81). Children with THS exposure only (ARR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.83, 0.96) and SHS and THS exposure (ARR = 0.74, 95%CI = 0.61, 0.89) were at reduced likelihood of participating in a higher number of afterschool activities. CONCLUSIONS Children exposed to home tobacco smoke are at unique risk for poorer school engagement and success.