OAR@UM Collection:

Book reviews [International Journal of Emotional Education, 4(1)]

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Book reviews [International Journal of Emotional Education, 4(1)] Abstract: In this issue of the IJEE book reviews section we focus on a single text, “Children’s social and emotional wellbeing in schools: a critical perspective” (2012, Policy Press), written by Debbie Watson, Carl Emery and Phil Bayliss, with contributions from Margaret Boushel and Karen McInnes. There are two reviews – by Ruth Cigman and Katherine Ecclestone – followed by a response from the authors. The text by Watson et al. provides a critical perspective on an area that is central to the mission statement of ENSEC, and as a result has been viewed by some as challenging the core principles of our organisation. Having read the book, my own view is that it is less incendiary and controversial in its key propositions about children’s wellbeing than it has perhaps been given credit for – reinforcing the age-old maxim that we should never judge a book by its cover. Watson et al do challenge many of the assumed truths in the field of social and emotional wellbeing, but their critique is primarily about how the concept itself is constructed and understood. They offer an alternative perspective on wellbeing, but at the core of their thesis is the view that, “engaging with children’s social and emotional development is vital, and the contested nature of the concept of wellbeing does not mean that there is not a need for many of the activities taking place on the ground” (p.209).

Editorial [International Journal of Emotional Education, 4(1)]

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Editorial [International Journal of Emotional Education, 4(1)] Abstract: It is my pleasure to organize the first International Journal of Emotional Education (IJEE) special issue on “Social-Emotional Factors Related to Substance Misuse in Adolescents.” Substance misuse remains a significant public health problem. Approximately 435,000 deaths per year in the U.S. alone are attributable to tobacco use (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012), with overconsumption of alcohol responsible for additional 85,000 deaths and illicit drug use responsible for 17,000 deaths (Mokdad et al., 2004). Worldwide, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use are accountable for nearly 13% of all deaths (World Health Organization, 2009).

Direct and mediated effects of a social-emotional and character development program on adolescent substance use

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Direct and mediated effects of a social-emotional and character development program on adolescent substance use Authors: Lewis, Kendra M.; Bavarian, Niloofar; Snyder, Frank J.; Acock, Alan; Day, Joseph; DuBois, David L.; Ji, Peter; Schure, Marc B.; Silverthorn, Naida; Vuchinich, Samuel; Flay, Brian R. Abstract: Mitigating and preventing substance use among adolescents requires approaches that address the multitude of factors that influence this behavior. Such approaches must be tested, not only for evidence of empirical effectiveness, but also to determine the mechanisms by which they are successful. The aims of the present study were twofold: 1) To determine the effectiveness of a school-based social-emotional and character development (SECD) program, Positive Action (PA), in reducing substance use (SU) among a sample of U.S. youth living in a low-income, urban environment, and 2) to test one mechanism by which the program achieves its success. We used longitudinal mediation analysis to test the hypotheses that: 1) students attending PA intervention schools engage in significantly less SU than students attending control schools, 2) students attending PA intervention schools show significantly better change in SECD than students attending control schools, and 3) the effect of the PA intervention on SU is mediated by the change in SECD. Analyses revealed program effects on both SECD and SU, a relationship between SECD and SU, and the effects of PA on SU were completely mediated by changes in SECD. Future research directions and implications for schoolbased social-emotional and character development efforts and substance use prevention are addressed.

Effects of parent-child affective quality during high school years on subsequent substance use

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Effects of parent-child affective quality during high school years on subsequent substance use Authors: Ralston, Ekaterina S.; Trudeau, Linda S.; Spoth, Richard Abstract: The literature indicates that the quality of affective relationships between youth and parents is associated with lower levels of a range of problem behaviors during childhood, early and late adolescence. While the protective effect of parental monitoring on substance use in the high school and post high school years has been demonstrated, there is a knowledge gap concerning effects of parent-child affective quality (PCAQ) during the same periods. We tested a conceptual theoretical model to examine the effects of PCAQ on substance use following high school. The sample was from a RCT that assessed adolescents in rural Iowa from the seventh grade through two years after high school (N=456). We specified direct effects of PCAQ in 12th grade on drunkenness, smoking and illicit drug use during the two years immediately following high school graduation. We also specified the effects of early substance use initiation (alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use reported at baseline) on later use. The direct effect of PCAQ in 12th grade on substance use was significant for all substances during at least one of the two years past graduation (ypg). Results were: drunkenness 1 ypg, β=-.126, p<.05; smoking 1 ypg, β=-.119, p<.05; 2 ypg, β=-.146, p<.05; illicit drug use 2 ypg, β=-.165, p<.05. Some significant indirect effects of PCAQ at baseline, via PCAQ at 12th grade, were found. Results also indicated significant direct effects of early initiation on two of the three substances, albeit with a different pattern of effects over time for each substance by years post high school. Importantly, while early initiation remains the strongest predictor of long-term tobacco and illicit drug use, results show how PCAQ might reduce its harmful effects.