Lifetime victimization experiences, depressiveness, suicidality, and feelings of loneliness in youth in care.

BACKGROUND: Research has demonstrated the damaging effects of poly-victimization on the mental health of children and adolescents. However, few studies have been conducted in high-risk youth in care (Y-IC) samples. OBJECTIVE: The study examines the frequency of lifetime victimization and the association of poly-victimization and victimization types on depressiveness, suicidality, and feelings of loneliness among Y-IC. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 164 participants aged 14 and 21 years (M = 17.39, SD = 1.95), who live in family-based care or residential care. METHODS: The Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ) was used to assess lifetime victimization. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Loneliness Scale-SOEP (LS-S) to measure depressiveness, suicidality, and loneliness. Hierarchical regression models were calculated. RESULTS: Participants reported on average 12.66 (SD = 6.58) victimization experiences. The female and diverse gender groups reported higher rates of victimization, loneliness, depressiveness, and suicidality than the males. Participants in residential care reported more victimizations and stronger feelings of loneliness than those in family-based care. Poly-victimization was not associated with any of these internalizing symptoms but peer victimization was significantly associated with depressiveness (ß = 0.23, p = .002) and loneliness (ß = 0.22, p = .006), sexual victimization with depressiveness (ß = 0.22, p = .004). CONCLUSION: Y-IC show high levels of victimization and internalizing symptoms, with higher burden on girls and youth living in residential care. Findings underscore the relevance of social exclusion experiences among peers within Y-IC. Interventions should address multiple forms of victimization, with a special focus on sexual and peer victimization.

Promoting positive body image and intuitive eating in women with overweight and obesity via an online intervention: Results from a pilot feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Body dissatisfaction and dietary restraint are established risk factors for eating disorders and are also prevalent in individuals who are overweight and obese. Studies have shown that online prevention programs can lower these risk factors. The aim of this feasibility pilot study was to estimate effects of a 12-week online health promotion and eating disorder prevention program in a sample of women with overweight or obesity, but without binge eating. METHODS: The program was evaluated in an uncontrolled pre-post-follow-upstudy over 12 months. Outcome measures were eating disorder related cognitions and attitudes. Participants were recruited via flyers, online posts, press releases, and mailings through cooperating health insurances. RESULTS: 371 women who completed the screening met the inclusion criteria. 323 women took part in the baseline assessment and were granted access to the intervention. 50 women completed all sessions. An intention-to-treat analysis showed significant and long-term reductions in weight and shape concerns, restrictive eating and increases in life satisfaction and self-esteem (d = 0.31-0.86), and a short-term increase in fruit and vegetable consumption (d = 0.70). CONCLUSION: everyBody fit seems a feasible program for improving body image and reducing disordered eating in overweight and obese women, with medium to large effects on various outcomes. The efficacy of the intervention needs to be established in a randomized controlled trial.