The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
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Extensive literature documents the high value adolescents place on seeing doctors alone for confidential health care. This is articulated in clinical guidelines that promote confidentiality for adolescents. However, little research has explored parents' views and beliefs regarding their adolescent children seeing doctors alone for confidential care. ⋯ In this study, parental desires regarding confidentiality for their adolescent children in the health setting were not always in accordance with current guidance provided to health professionals. Consequently, the provision of confidential care for young people may be more successful if health professionals invest in building trust with parents, as well as with adolescents, to facilitate parental acceptance of confidential health care for adolescents.
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Although quantitative benefits of mindfulness training have been demonstrated in youth, little is known about the processes involved. The aim of this study was to gain a detailed understanding of how young people engage with the ideas and practices known as mindfulness using qualitative enquiry. ⋯ Participants demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of and engagement with mindfulness principles and practice. Their reported experience aligned well with qualitative research findings in adults and theoretical literature on mindfulness. An encouraging finding was that, with ongoing mindfulness practice and within a relatively short time, participants were able to move beyond improved emotion regulation and gain greater confidence in their ability to manage life challenges.
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Repeated changes in reported sexual orientation identity linked to substance use behaviors in youth.
Previous studies have found that sexual minority (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual) adolescents are at higher risk of substance use than heterosexuals, but few have examined how changes in sexual orientation over time may relate to substance use. We examined the associations between change in sexual orientation identity and marijuana use, tobacco use, and binge drinking in U.S. youth. ⋯ In both clinical and research settings it is important to assess history of sexual orientation changes. Changes in reported sexual orientation over time may be as important as current sexual orientation for understanding adolescent substance use risk.
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To discuss common myths and misconceptions about long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) among patients and health care providers. ⋯ This review article can be used as a resource for contraceptive counseling visits and for the continuing education of health professionals providing adolescent reproductive health care.
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This longitudinal study examines the association between homelessness and injection drug use initiation among a cohort of street-involved youth in a setting of high-prevalence crystal methamphetamine use. ⋯ These findings highlight that homelessness is a key risk factor for injection initiation among street-involved youth. Supportive housing interventions for street youth may help prevent injection drug use initiation within this high-risk population.