Campus climate and sense of belonging: Implications for the mental health outcomes of Asian American graduate students.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test a conceptual framework examining the interrelationships among campus climate, sense of belonging, anxiety, depression, and flourishing using a sample of Asian American graduate students. Methods: Secondary analysis of the Healthy Mind Study data from Fall 2019-Spring 2020 was conducted using a path analysis controlling for gender and perceptions of current financial situation as stressful. Results: Findings indicated that neither campus climate measured as perceptions of the climate for students from diverse backgrounds nor campus climate measured as perceptions of overall campus climate directly affected any of the outcome variables. Moreover, it was found that sense of belonging fully mediated the relationship between each campus climate and outcome variable. Conclusions: Sense of belonging is important to consider when evaluating campus climate and mental health outcomes among student populations. There are implications for college administrators responsible for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and programs.

Knowledge of Predatory Practices within the Substance Use Disorder Treatment Industry: Development of a Measurement Instrument.

The increase in predatory practices in the substance use disorder treatment industry calls for the development of measures to assess individuals' knowledge about these practices. METHODS: This study describes the development of the Knowledge of Predatory Practices Scale (KPPS), a newly developed measure designed to assess the knowledge of predatory practices within the substance use disorder treatment industry. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the factor structure of this measure. RESULTS: The final 11-item KPPS consisted of two factors-knowledge about general predatory practices (9 items) and knowledge about unethical practices (2 items). Overall, these factors explained 61.75% of the total variance. The Cronbach's alpha for the KPPS was 0.81. CONCLUSIONS: The KPPS is a reliable measure of knowledge of predatory practices within the substance use disorder treatment industry and can be used as a measurement tool to educate individuals seeking help for their loved ones who are misusing substances.

Social Isolation Profiles and Older Adult Substance Use: A Latent Profile Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine substance use among older adults based upon their social isolation and loneliness profiles. METHODS: Data were derived from the New Jersey Older Adult Survey on Drug Use and Health. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to determine the profiles of older adults (N = 801) based on 5 dimensions of social isolation and loneliness. Logistic and generalized ordered logistic regressions were conducted to assess the relationship between the latent profiles and substance use. RESULTS: LPA identified 5 social isolation/loneliness profiles. The "connected and active" group had the lowest odds of cigarette use. The "alone but not lonely" group had the highest odds of cigarette use, alcohol use, and high-risk drinking. The "alone and lonely" group had the highest odds of nonmedical drug use. DISCUSSION: In working with older adults who are using substances, it is important to inquire about their social isolation and loneliness. Cognitive behavioral therapy for the "alone and lonely" group may be beneficial, as it has been deemed effective in reducing loneliness and enhancing social networks.

The effects of family religiosity, parental limit-setting, and monitoring on adolescent substance use.

The purpose of this study was to assess both the direct and indirect effects of family religiosity on adolescent substance use among African American and European American adolescents. For African American adolescents, the results indicated that parental limit-setting and monitoring mediated the relationship between family religiosity and adolescent substance use. As for European American adolescents, parental limit-setting and monitoring partially mediated the relationship between family religiosity and adolescent substance use. Implications for the development of interventions for African American and European American adolescents at risk for substance use are discussed.