Changes and predictors of adolescent emotion regulation, self-esteem, and locus of control during the COVID-19 pandemic: 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort

Objectives: There is growing interest in examining the impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on adolescent socioemotional development. This study aimed to examine changes in adolescent emotion regulation (ER), self-esteem (SE), and locus of control (LoC) from before to during the pandemic in a Brazilian birth cohort, and to investigate the variables associated with changes in those socioemotional competences. Methods: 1,949 adolescents from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort were assessed before (T1, November 2019 to March 2020) and during (T2, August to December 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic (mean ages [SD] = 15.69 [0.19] and 17.41 [0.26], respectively). Adolescents' socioemotional competences were assessed, including ER, SE, and LoC. Sociodemographic, pre-pandemic, and pandemic-related correlates were examined as predictors of change. Multivariate latent change score models were used in the analyses. Results: There were significant mean increases in adolescents' ER and SE (mean ER = 1.918, p < 0.001; mean SE = 1.561, p = 0.001) and a significant mean decrease (towards internalization) in LoC levels (MLoC = -0.497, p < 0.01) during the pandemic. Factors that predicted a lower competency increase included family conflicts, harsh parenting, and maternal depressive symptoms during the pandemic. Conclusion: Despite the stress imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the adolescents of this cohort showed positive development in their socioemotional competences. Family-related factors emerged as important predictors of adolescent socioemotional adjustment during the study period.

Prevalence of adolescent risk behaviors at 11 and 15 years of age: data from the 2004 Pelotas birth cohort

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the following risk behaviors: experimentation with cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, alcohol, substances, delinquent behavior, and sex at age 15, stratified by sex and socioeconomic position. We also investigated the prevalence of cigarette and alcohol experimentation at age 11 and the persistence and cumulative incidence of these behaviors between 11 and 15 years of age. Methods: In this cohort study, we included 3,491 11-year-olds and 1,949 15-year-olds from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort. All outcomes were identified via confidential questionnaires and were analyzed as binary variables. Results: At age 11, there was a higher prevalence of cigarette experimentation among boys. At age 15, there was a higher prevalence of experimentation with alcohol, cigarettes, and substances among girls; experimentation with cigarettes and sex were more prevalent among those in a low socioeconomic position. We found a high cumulative incidence of alcohol experimentation, as well as persistent alcohol experimentation, in both boys and girls. Conclusions: Further research should clarify causal paths of the high prevalence of risk behaviors during adolescence and its increase among girls.

Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and postpartum depressive symptoms / Suplementação de ácido fólico na gestação e sintomas depressivos pós-parto

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To verify whether folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is associated with the occurrence of maternal depressive symptoms at three months postpartum, in the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort. METHODS This study included 4,046 women, who were classified into three groups: did not use folic acid supplementation during pregnancy; used during only one trimester of pregnancy; and used for two or three trimesters. Depressive symptoms were assessed at three months postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), at cutoff points ≥ 10 (mild symptoms) and ≥ 13 (moderate to severe intensity). RESULTS The overall prevalence of mild symptoms was of 20.2% (95%CI 19.0-21.5), and moderate and severe was 11% (95%CI 10.0-12.0). The prevalence of EPDS ≥ 10 was of 26.8% (95%CI 24.0-29.5) among women who did not use folic acid and 18.1% for both those who used it during one trimester of pregnancy (95%CI 16.1-20.1) and those who used it for two or three trimesters (95%CI 16.0-20.2). The prevalence of EPDS ≥ 13 was of 15.7% (95%CI 13.5-17.9) in those who did not use folic acid, 9.1% (95%CI 7.5-10.6) in those who used it for one trimester, and 9.4% (95%CI 7.8-11.0) in those who used it for two or three trimesters. In the adjusted analyses, there was no statistically significant association between the use of folic acid during pregnancy and the occurrence of depressive symptoms at three months postpartum. CONCLUSION There was no association between folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and postpartum depression at three months.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Verificar se a suplementação de ácido fólico durante a gestação está associada com a ocorrência de sintomas depressivos maternos aos três meses pós-parto, na Coorte de Nascimentos de Pelotas de 2015. MÉTODOS Este estudo incluiu 4.046 mulheres, que foram classificadas em três grupos: sem suplementação de ácido fólico na gestação; uso durante apenas um trimestre da gestação;e uso durante dois ou três trimestres. Os sintomas depressivos foram avaliados aos três meses pós-parto, através da Escala de Depressão Pós-Natal de Edimburgo (EPDS), nos pontos de corte ≥ 10 (sintomas leves) e ≥ 13 (intensidade moderada a grave). RESULTADOS A prevalência geral de sintomas leves foi de 20,2% (IC95% 19,0-21,5),e moderados e graves de 11% (IC95% 10,0-12,0). Entre as mulheres que não fizeram uso de ácido fólico, a prevalência de EPDS ≥ 10 foi de 26,8% (IC95% 24,0-29,5) e 18,1% tanto entre as que utilizaram durante um trimestre da gestação (IC95% 16,1-20,1), quanto entre as que utilizaram por dois ou três trimestres (IC95% 16,0-20,2). Já a prevalência de EPDS ≥ 13 foi 15,7% (IC95% 13,5-17,9) entre as que não utilizaram ácido fólico, 9,1% (IC95% 7,5-10,6) entre as que utilizaram durante um trimestre e 9,4% (IC95% 7,8-11,0) entre as que utilizaram por dois ou três trimestres. Nas análises ajustadas, não houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre o uso de ácido fólico na gestação e a ocorrência de sintomas depressivos aos três meses pós-parto. CONCLUSÃO Não se observou associação entre a suplementação de ácido fólico na gestação e depressão pós-parto aos três meses.

Fatores sociodemográficos e estilo de vida relacionados aos comportamentos violentos em universitários / Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors related to violent behaviors among university students

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar a prevalência de comportamentos violentos como agressão, roubo e porte de arma ou faca, segundovariáveis sociodemográficase de estilo de vida como inatividade física, uso de drogas ilícitas, uso prejudicial de álcool, tabagismo e consumo alimentar não saudável em estudantes universitários. Estudo transversal, do tipo censo, realizado com estudantes de 18 anos ou mais, em cursos presenciais de uma instituição pública de ensino superior no Sul do Brasil. Na análise dos dados utilizou-se a regressão de Poisson para obtenção das Razões de Prevalências (RP) com ajuste baseado em modelo hierárquico conceitual. A prevalência de um ou mais comportamentos violentos foi de 15,1%. Após ajuste, a prevalência foi significativamente maior para homens [RP=1,40 (IC95% 1,10;1,77), p=0,01]. Observou-se associação entre um ou mais comportamentos violentos com maior atividade física, maior uso de drogas ilícitas e maior consumo prejudicial de álcool. Os resultados são importantes para identificar o perfil sociodemográfico de estudantes perpetradores de comportamentos violentos, podendo ser úteis para o planejamento de ações de promoção a saúde voltadas à prevenção de fatores de risco modificáveis que se mostraram associados aos comportamentos violentos nesta população.

Abstract The scope of this study was to characterize the prevalence of violent behaviors such as aggression, robbery and carrying a weapon, according to sociodemographic and lifestyle variables such as physical inactivity, use of illicit drugs, harmful alcohol consumption, smoking habits and unhealthy food consumption among university students. A cross-sectional, census-type study was carried out with students aged 18 years or older, in face-to-face classrooms at a public higher education institution in southern Brazil. In the data analysis Poisson regression was used to calculate Prevalence Ratios (PR) with adjustment based on a hierarchical conceptual model. The prevalence of one or more violent behaviors was 15.1%. After adjustment, the prevalence was significantly greater for males [PR=1.40 (95%CI 1.10; 1.77), p=0.01]. Violence was associated with higher levels of physical activity, use of illicit drugs and harmful consumption of alcohol. The findings show the sociodemographic profile of students who perpetrate violent behaviors, and can be useful for planning health promotion interventions aimed at preventing modifiable risk factors associated with violent behavior in this population.

Inversion of traditional gender roles and intimate partner violence against pregnant women / Inversão de papéis tradicionais de gênero e violência por parceiros íntimos contra gestantes / Inversión de los roles tradicionales de género y violencia doméstica contra mujeres embarazadas

This study analyzed the association between the inversion of traditional gender roles and exclusive psychological and physical/sexual intimate partner violence, in a cross-sectional study of Brazilian pregnant women, identified through prenatal services in the municipalities of São Luís, Maranhão State (n = 992) and Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State (n = 943). The pregnant women ranged from 12 to 45 years. Inversion of traditional gender roles was assessed by calculating differences in age, education and occupation between pregnant women and their co-residing intimate partners and identifying the largest contribution to family income. The conceptual model was tested with structural equation modeling and showed acceptable fit. The prevalence of any type of intimate partner violence was 29.8% in São Luís and 20.1% in Ribeirão Preto. In both municipalities, pregnant women were more likely to suffer exclusive psychological and physical/sexual violence when they had the highest income in the family (p < 0.005). In São Luís, physical/sexual violence was more common among women who were better educated than their partners (standardized coefficient, SC = -0.466; p = 0.007). In Ribeirão Preto, exclusive psychological violence was more frequent among women who had lower status occupations than their partners (SC = 0.236; p = 0.004). Inversion of traditional gender roles is associated with exclusive psychological and physical/sexual violence against pregnant women by their co-residing intimate partners. These findings suggest that women's empowerment at an individual level does not necessarily relieve them of intimate partner abuse in social contexts where traditional gender norms persist.

O estudo analisou a associação entre a inversão de papéis tradicionais de gênero e violência psicológica exclusiva e física/sexual por parceiros íntimos, em um estudo transversal com gestantes brasileiras usuárias de serviços de pré-natal nos municípios de São Luís, Maranhão (n = 992) e Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo (n = 943). As gestantes tinham idades de 12 e 45 anos. A inversão dos papéis tradicionais de gênero foi avaliada cálculando diferenças em idade, escolaridade e ocupação entre as gestantes e seus parceiros íntimos residentes, e a pessoa que mais contribuía para a renda familiar. O modelo conceitual foi testado com modelagem de equações estruturais e mostrou ajuste aceitável. A prevalência de qualquer tipo de violência cometida pelo parceiro íntimo foi de 29,8% em São Luís e 20,1% em Ribeirão Preto. Nos dois municípios, as gestantes mais frequentemente sofreram violência psicológica exclusiva e física/sexual quando eram a pessoa de maior renda na família (p < 0,005). Em São Luís, violência física/sexual era mais comum entre mulheres com mais escolaridade em relação aos seus parceiros (coeficiente padrão, CP = -0,466; p = 0,007). Em Ribeirão Preto, violência psicológica exclusiva era mais frequente entre mulheres com ocupações de menor status em relação aos parceiros (CP = 0,236; p = 0,004). A inversão dos papéis de gênero tradicionais está associada à violência psicológica exclusiva e à violência física/sexual contra as gestantes por seus parceiros íntimos. Os achados sugerem que o empoderamento individual das mulheres não necessariamente protege contra o abuso pelos parceiros íntimos em contextos sociais em que persistem as normas de gênero tradicionais.

Este estudio analizó la asociación entre la inversión de los tradicionales roles de género y la violencia doméstica exclusiva psicológica y física/sexual, en un estudio transversal con mujeres embarazadas brasileñas, identificadas a través de los servicios prenatales en los municipios de São Luís, Maranhão (n = 992) y Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo (n = 943). Las mujeres embarazas se encontraban en un rango de edad entre los 12 y los 45 años. La inversión de los roles tradicionales de género fue evaluada calculando las diferencias de edad, educación y ocupación entre las mujeres embarazadas y las parejas que residen con ellas, e identificando quién realiza la contribución más grande a los ingresos familiares. El modelo conceptual fue probado con el modelado de ecuaciones estructurales, y mostró un ajuste aceptable. La prevalencia de cualquier tipo de violencia por parte de la pareja fue del 29,8% en São Luís y 20,1% en Ribeirão Preto. En ambos municipios, las mujeres embarazadas fueron más proclives a sufrir violencia exclusiva psicológica y física/sexual, cuando contaban con los ingresos más altos en la familia (p < 0.005). En São Luís, la violencia física/sexual fue más común entre mujeres que estuvieron mejor educadas que sus parejas (coeficiente estandarizado, CE = -0.466; p = 0.007). En Ribeirão Preto, la violencia exclusiva sicológica fue más frecuente entre mujeres que tenían ocupaciones de estatus inferior al de sus parejas (CE = 0.236; p = 0.004). La inversión de roles tradicionales está asociada con la violencia exclusiva psicológica y física/sexual contra las mujeres embarazadas por parte de las parejas que residen con ellas. Estos hallazgos sugieren que el empoderamiento de las mujeres en un nivel individual no las alivia necesariamente del abuso por parte sus parejas en contextos sociales donde persisten las normas tradicionales de género.

Maternal recognition of child mental health problems in two Brazilian cities

Objective: To identify child behaviors and types of impairment that increase the likelihood of maternal recognition of emotional/behavioral problems (EBP) in children and adolescents. Methods: Maternal-reported data were obtained from two subsamples of 11-to-16-year-olds derived from cross-sectional studies conducted in two Brazilian municipalities: Itaboraí, state of Rio de Janeiro (n=480), and Embu, state of São Paulo (n=217). The Itaboraí study involved a representative sample of 6-to-16-year-olds (n=1,248; response rate = 86.0%) selected from the Family Health Program registry, which covered 85.5% of the municipal population. The Embu study was based on a probabilistic sample of clusters of eligible households (women aged 15-49 years, child < 18 years), with one mother-child pair selected randomly per household (n=813; response rate = 82.4%). The outcome variable was mother's opinion of whether her child had EBP. Potential correlates included types of child behaviors (hyperactivity/conduct/emotional problems as isolated or combined conditions) and impairment, assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); child's age and gender; maternal education and anxiety/depression (assessed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire [SRQ]). Results: Multivariate regression models identified the following correlates of maternal perception of child EBP: comorbidity (co-occurring hyperactivity/conduct/emotional problems), emotional problems alone, and interference of problems with classroom learning and friendships. Conclusion: Comorbidity of different problem types, emotional problems alone, and interference with classroom learning and friendships increase the likelihood of maternal recognition of EBP in children.

Vitimização por crime na infância e adolescência segundo registros oficiais: coorte de nascimentos de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Victimización por delitos durante la infancia y adolescencia según registros oficiales: la cohorte de nacimientos de Pelotas, Río Grande do Sul, Brasil / Criminal victimization in childhood and adolescence according to official records: the Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study

Resumo: Descrição dos diferentes tipos de vitimização registrados oficialmente para as 5.249 crianças da coorte de nascimento da cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Dados oficiais foram obtidos na Secretaria de Segurança Pública e no Juizado da Infância e Juventude. A vitimização ocorreu em 1.150 membros, com 1.396 ocorrências registradas até 31 de dezembro de 2012. A taxa de incidência da vitimização total foi 15,7 por 1.000 pessoas/ano, sendo a maioria por vitimização violenta (12,7 por 1.000 pessoas/ano). A vitimização aumentou gradualmente na infância e rapidamente ao longo da adolescência. As maiores incidências foram entre mulheres (p < 0,05), mais pobres (p < 0,05), com mães adolescentes (p < 0,001) e sem companheiro (p < 0,05). Vitimização violenta mais incidente foi por crimes com lesões corporais, roubo e crimes contra a liberdade individual; a não violenta foi por crimes de furto. Estudos como o presente permitiriam identificar fatores de risco e protetores ao longo da vida do indivíduo, salientando a importância da implementação de medidas de vigilância e controle da violência.

Resumen: Descripción de los diferentes tipos de victimización registradas oficialmente en 5.249 niños de la cohorte de nacimientos de la ciudad de Pelotas, Río Grande do Sul, Brasil. Los datos oficiales fueron obtenidos en la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública y en el Juzgado de la Infancia y Juventud. La victimización se produjo en 1.150 miembros, con 1.396 casos registrados hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2012. La tasa de incidencia de la victimización total fue 15,7 por 1.000 personas-año, siendo la mayoría por victimización violenta (12,7 por 1.000 personas-año). La victimización aumentó gradualmente en la infancia y rápidamente a lo largo de la adolescencia. Las mayores incidencias fueron entre mujeres (p < 0,05), pobres (p < 0,05), con madres adolescentes (p < 0,001) y sin compañero (p < 0,05). La victimización violenta más incidente fue debida a crímenes con lesiones corporales, robo y crímenes contra la libertad individual; la no violenta por delitos de hurto. Estudios como el actual permitirían identificar factores de riesgo y protectores a lo largo de la vida del individuo, resaltando la importancia de la implementación de medidas de vigilancia y control de la violencia.

Abstract: This article describes different types of officially recorded victimization among 5,249 children in the 1993 birth cohort in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Official data were obtained from the Secretariat for Public Security and the Special Court for Children and Youth. Victimization was registered for in 1,150 cohort members, with 1,396 incidents recorded as of December 31, 2012. The total incidence of victimization was 15.7 ocorrences per 1,000 person-years, with the majority involving violent victimization (12.7 per 1,000 person-years). Victimization increased gradually in childhood and rapidly throughout adolescence. The highest incidence rates were among females (p < 0.05), the poor (p < 0.05), children of adolescent mothers (p < 0.001), and children of single mothers (p < 0.05). The most common violent victimization types were physical injuries, robbery, and crimes against personal freedom; non-violent victimization mainly involved theft. Studies like this help identify lifetime risk and protective factors for victimization, highlighting the importance of surveillance and control measures against violence.

Bugs & us: The role of the gut in autoimmunity.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial disease and requires interaction between genetic and environmental factors for predisposition. The presence of bacterial DNA of the gut residing commensals in synovium as well as dysbiosis of certain commensal bacteria in faecal samples of RA patients as compared to controls suggest a significant role of the gut flora in pathogenesis of RA. The gut commensals are involved in host immune development and function suggesting they might be critical epigenetic factors modifying autoimmune diseases like RA. This raises the question if gut-derived commensal can be exploited to generate a biomarker profile along with genetic factors to define individuals at risk. Genomic wide association studies have confirmed the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) class II genes as the strongest risk factor for predisposition to RA. HLA-DQ8 and DRB1*0401 molecules predispose to develop arthritis while DRB1*0402 provides protection. Interaction between host genetic factors like major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and gut microbiota and its impact on the development of RA is difficult to study in humans due to high variability in the genetic factors and diet. Animal models provide a means to study the molecular basis of pathogenesis thereby providing a basis for developing therapeutic strategies. Using transgenic mice expressing RA-associated and resistant HLA genes, we have developed a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model that shares similarities with human disease in sex-bias, autoantibody profile and phenotype. Studies in transgenic mice suggest that arthritis-susceptibility may be associated with dysbiosis in the gut microbiome. Studies in animal models underscore the impact of the gut flora in extra-intestinal diseases. Exploring the role of gut microbes will significantly advance our understanding of RA pathogenesis and may further help develop strategies for mucosal modulation of RA.