Changes in ethnic identity and competence in middle adolescents.

PURPOSE: Evidence suggests that the construct of ethnic identity (EI) in adolescents changes over time and is related to factors including social connectedness, social competence, coping, and self-worth. Transitional changes of EI in middle adolescence have not been studied. METHOD: This analysis, part of a longitudinal study of health behaviors, explored how EI changes from the first year of high school to the last, and it examined relationships among EI, social connectedness, indicators of social competence, coping, and self-worth in 602 youth (49% Hispanic, 59% female). RESULTS: EI was significantly related to social connectedness, social competence, coping, and self-worth as adolescents entered and prepared to exit high school. EI increased significantly over time for both genders and for Hispanics more so than for non-Hispanics. DISCUSSION: Findings support and extend the conceptual framework and previous research. Socialization with one's ethnic group is associated with developing competence and self-worth. EI development continues throughout high school. CONCLUSION: Findings extend our understanding of the salience of EI in adolescents in transition throughout high school. IMPLICATIONS: Strengthening EI may contribute to adolescents' feelings of self-worth, skills in coping, and competence within an ethnically diverse society. Nurses might plan interventions to strengthen EI throughout adolescence.

The Environmental Cost of Misinformation: Why the Recommendation to Use Elevated Temperatures for Handwashing is Problematic.

Multiple government and health organizations recommend the use of warm or hot water in publications designed to educate the public on best practices for washing one's hands. This is despite research suggesting that the use of an elevated water temperature does not improve handwashing efficacy, but can cause hand irritation. There is reason to believe that the perception that warm or hot water is more effective at cleaning one's hands is pervasive, and may be one factor that is driving up unnecessary energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. We examine handwashing practices and beliefs about water temperature using a survey of 510 adults in the United States. The survey included measures of handwashing frequency, duration, the proportion of time an elevated temperature was used, and beliefs about water temperature and handwashing efficacy. We also estimate the energy consumed and resultant carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (CO2eq) in the U.S. due to the use of elevated temperatures during handwashing. Participants used an elevated temperature 64% of the time, causing 6.3 million metric tons (MMt) of CO2eq which is 0.1% of total annual emissions and 0.3% of commercial and residential sector emissions. Roughly 69% of the sample believed that elevated temperatures improve handwashing efficacy. Updating these beliefs could prevent 1 MMt of CO2eq annually, exceeding the total emissions from many industrial sources in the U.S. including the Lead and Zinc industries. In addition to causing skin irritation, the recommendation to use an elevated temperature during handwashing contributes to another major threat to public health-climate change. Health and consumer protection organizations should consider advocating for the use of a "comfortable" temperature rather than warm or hot water.

Childhood predictors of adolescent competence and self-worth in rural youth.

PROBLEM: Urban children who become competent adults despite circumstances that place their development and mental health at risk are considered to be resilient. Less is known about the risk and protective factors that characterize resilience among Hispanic/Latinos living in rural areas. METHODS: Data for regression analyses were collected when children (n = 603; 54% Hispanic/Latino) enrolled in the study in fifth grade (M = 10.4 years of age), and again 5 years later when they were in high school (M = 15 years of age). FINDINGS: Statistically significant predictors of competence and self-worth in high schoolers included gender, ethnicity, and mother's education, as well as stress, temperament (task persistence), and competences measured in grade school. CONCLUSIONS: Parents' perception of child's temperament is a significant predictor of future competence and self-worth among rural adolescents.