Gangs and group-level processes were once central phenomena for criminological theory research. By the mid-1970's, however, gang research was primarily displaced by studies of individual behavior using randomized self-report surveys, a shift that also removed groups from theoretical foreground. In this project, we return to group level test competing claims about delinquent structure. We use network-based clustering methods identify 897 friendship in two ninth grade cohorts 27 Pennsylvania...

Background Strengthening social integration could prevent suicidal behavior. However, minimal research has examined through relationship network structure. To address this important gap, we tested whether structural characteristics of school networks predict rates ideation and attempts. Methods In 38 US high schools, 10,291 students nominated close friends trusted adults to construct networks. We used mixed‐effects logistic regression models test individual student likelihood ( SI ) suicide...

The associations between children's academic reputations among peers and their self-concept, effort, performance were examined in a longitudinal study of 427 students initially enrolled Grades 3, 4, 5. Assessments completed the fall spring 2 consecutive school years 3rd year. Peer reputation (PAR) correlated moderately strongly with teacher-rated skills changed over time as function grades earned at prior assessment. Path-analytic models indicated bidirectional PAR grade point average. There...

The present study examines the relative role of three distinct types peer relationships (reciprocated friendships, frequent interactions, and shared group membership) in within-year changes academic self-concept engagement before after transition to middle school (fifth seventh grade). In a series linear regression analyses, main effects each type’s on youths’ characteristics were used test socialization processes. Interactions skills with those type social comparison processes influencing...

We explore the justification and formulation of a four‐parameter item response theory model (4PM) employ Bayesian approach to recover successfully parameter estimates for items respondents. For data generated using 4PM model, overall fit is improved when rather than 3PM or 2PM. Furthermore, although estimated trait scores under various models correlate almost perfectly, inferences at high low ends continuum are compromised, with poorer coverage confidence intervals wrong used. also show in...

Given current pressures to increase the public health contributions of behavioral interventions, intervention scientists may wish consider moving beyond classical treatment package approach that focuses primarily on achieving statistical significance. They also focus goals directly related optimizing impact. The Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) is an innovative methodological framework draws engineering principles achieve more potent interventions. MOST increasingly being adopted by...

Girls and boys were more similar than different in the structural features of their social groups networks early adolescence. Boys' somewhat larger girls' groups, but contrary to prominent theoretical views, there no systematic sex differences tight-knittedness or salience status hierarchies.

A difficult result to interpret in Computerized Adaptive Tests (CATs) occurs when an ability estimate initially drops and then ascends continuously until the test ends, suggesting that true may be higher than implied by final estimate. This study explains why this asymmetry shows early mistakes high-ability students can lead considerable underestimation, even tests with 45 items. The opposite response pattern, where low-ability start lucky guesses, leads much less bias. authors show using...

Background: Peer-led interventions have been applied to prevent various health behavior problems and may be an important complement individual-level suicide prevention approaches. Sources of Strength trains student "peer leaders" in secondary schools conduct activities that encourage other students build healthy social bonds strengthen help-seeking norms. Prior work examining diffusion peer-led programs has focused on youths' closeness peer leaders but minimally factors such as connections...

Using social networks to inform prevention efforts is promising but has not been applied vaping. To address this gap, we pilot tested the peer-led Above Influence of Vaping (ATI-V) and examined diffusion through 8th grade in three schools. Fifty students, nominated trained as Peer Leaders, implemented campaigns informed by communication science, including gain-loss messaging norming. Across schools, 86-91% students (N = 377) completed measures (pre-post) electronic vaping product (EVP) use...

Determining the prevalence of doping within an elite athlete population is challenging due to extreme sensitivity topic; however, understanding true important when designing anti-doping programs and measuring their effectiveness. The objective this study was estimate among Olympic, Paralympic, World, National-level competitive athletes in United States subject World Anti-Doping Code. All who were U.S. Agency's Protocol for Olympic Paralympic Movement Testing, a Code ("Code")-compliant...

To make recommendations for improving medical amnesty policy implementation in collegiate athletics based on exploration of relevant implementation, frameworks, and athletic department input. 54 published peer-reviewed articles, 78 professionals, 5 content experts with direct responsibilities related to policies that impact college student athlete well-being, 113 higher education institutions' Athletics Healthcare Administrators (AHA). Mixed methods using narrative literature review,...

We examined three interrelated questions: (1) Who selects physically aggressive friends? (2) Are adolescents influential? and (3) is susceptible to influence from these Using stochastic actor‐based modeling, we tested our hypotheses using a sample of 480 (ages 11–13) who were followed across four assessments (fall spring 6th 7th grade). After controlling for other factors that drive network behavioral dynamics, found attractive as friends, girls more likely select peer‐rejected less friends....

We tested two hypotheses derived from Moffitt's (1993) taxonomic theory of antisocial behavior, both which are central to her explanation for the rise in delinquency during adolescence.Specifically, we whether persistently delinquent individuals become more accepted by their peers adolescence and who abstain behavior less accepted.Participants were 4,359 adolescents 14 communities PROSPER study, assessed friendship networks 6 th (M = 11.8 years) 9 15.3 grade.We operationalized peer...

Schools are increasingly incorporating the teaching of social emotional learning (SEL)-informed self-regulation strategies. However, little is known about context that facilitates use these skills. The current study investigated whether students' popularity (indegree), perceived number friends (outdegree), or school connectedness, related to their practice sample was 92 2nd through 5th graders (49% girls, 48% boys, 3% non-binary) at an elementary school. Using multilevel models account for...

We used a treatment group-only design to pilot test newly developed intervention increase condom use among higher risk heterosexually active African American/black male college students. A community-based participatory research partnership the called Brothers Leading Healthy Lives. Following an initial screening of 245 men, 81 eligible men were contacted for participation. Of 64 who agreed participate, 57 completed and 54 those 3-month follow-up assessment, 93% completion rate. Results show...

Few studies have examined disparities in adverse birth outcomes and compared contributing socioeconomic factors specifically between African-American White teen mothers. This study intersections neighborhood status (as defined by census-tract median household income), maternal age, racial preterm (PTB) mothers North Carolina. Using a linked dataset with state record data information from the 2010 US Census, for 16,472 were through bivariate multilevel analyses. teens had significantly...

We examined variation in the use of evidence-based decision-making (EBDM) practices across local health departments (LHDs) United States and extent to which this was predicted by resources, personnel, governance. analyzed data from National Association County City Health Officials Profile Local Departments, State Territorial Departments Profile, US Census using 2-level multilevel regression models. found more workforce predictors than resource predictors. Thus, although resources are related...

Objective: To describe first-year college student-athletes' friendship contexts and test whether their perceptions of alcohol use approval by different types friends are associated with own use. Participants: First-year student-athletes (N = 2,622) from 47 colleges universities participating in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports during February–March 2013. Methods: Student-athletes completed online surveys the baseline assessment an other drug prevention program...