Developmental and Adolescent Health

Editorial

2024-09-05

Dear colleagues,

a sixth issue of The Journal of Developmental and Adolescent Health (JDAH) is now available, and it presents an array of valuable information related to the health and development of youth. This journal is particularly aimed at healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators who focus on the well-being and development of adolescents. It serves as a resource for those looking to stay updated on the latest findings and best practices in youth health.
Among the main topics covered are mental health challenges faced by adolescents in in relation to the adolescent journey into sexuality and sexual identity, the impact of social media on youth behavior, and innovative approaches to pediatric healthcare and public health issues. One key article explores the response to school intervention programs and the need to inform the community about adoles-cent vaccinations. The findings are crucial for parents, educators, and policymakers who are working to create healthier online environments for youth.
The present edition will be a great experience for you. Staying updated helps in advocating for policies that promote healthier environments both online and offline, ultimately contributing to the well-being of the younger generation.

On behalf of the editorial team and content management of JDAH,

Artemis K. Tsitsika MD, PhD
As. Professor in Pediatrics-Adolescent Medicine
Head of the Adolescent Health Unit (A.H.U.)
Chair of “Str. Of Developmental & Adolescent Health” MSc
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
President of the Hellenic Society for Adolescent Medicine/Health
Editor in Chief of the Journal of Developmental & Adolescent Health (JDAH)

Toxic Influencers on Social Media: Impact on Children and Adolescents. A Brief Review

Maria Vasilikopoulou — 2024-09-05

Abstract

As the advancement of technology increases, the use of social media by children and
teenagers is becoming more and more common. These young age groups tend to spend
their time interacting with online friends and seem to follow famous people, influenced
by the content on their screens. Influencers are people who have become widely known
through the promotion of themselves and their lifestyle on social media. They often work
with commercial companies aiming to influence users to consume the products they
promote. The negative effects of toxic influencers on children and adolescents are
widespread and widely accepted. This brief review demonstrates high rates of addictive
and risky behaviors, over-consumption patterns, eating disorders and negative body
image in children and adolescents due to the negative influence of content promoted by
toxic influencers on social media. In these circumstances, both scientists working with
the young population and parents should act as a shield against the risk of disruption to
children’s physical and mental health.

Asexual Aromantic Youth

Chrysi Koutsaftiki — 2024-09-05

PURPOSE: Sexuality in humans has drawn scientific interest increasingly, and its thorough approach has revealed various patterns of expression. Being asexual or/and aromantic is an aspect neither fully investigated nor acknowledged. Sexual expression effects people’s personality, their life choices, their health and their place into society, making it not an individual’s matter but affects society as well.

MATERIAL-METHODS: Articles were searched in the international literature, in reputable websites such as Pub Med, Google Scholar, but also other internet resources, using key words “asexuality, aromantic, adolescents, young adults, sexual identity, sexual orientation”.

RESULTS: studies, reviews and social networks around asexuality showed that it is a different sexual expression not much investigated but seems to claim prevalence almost the same as other sexual minorities. Asexual doesn’t need to be aromantic as well, or feel distress because of it, differentiating this behavior from sexual or psychiatric disorders. Many factors may contribute to the formation of this sexual expression like gender, age, religiosity, cultural background, health issues and socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSIONS: sexual identity is a complex issue and must be seen through the needs and beliefs of people involved to better understand it and accept it. No safe conclusions can be retrieved from typical investigations who do not consider as many shades as possible of this sensitive human expression, especially when it concerns the young.

Gender Fluidity: Consequences for Youth's mental health and important protective factors

Gabriela Mavrova — 2024-09-05

Introduction: This review aims to delineate and analyze the acceptance of gender fluidity which refers to an individual's gender identity being flexible and not confined to traditional binary gender categories of male and female. Important differences in various terms that may or may not fall under the term gender fluidity such as 'Genderqueer' and 'Non-binary’ etc. will be discussed.

Methods: After presenting the definition, the important differences and the historical background of the concept, data from various studies will follow. The survey data are mainly from the USA, Canada and Greece and cover the period 2009 to 2023. Very often the exact words of people with gender non-conforming are quoted.

Discussion: Evidence is recorded on the mental health consequences for gender fluid young people due to non-acceptance by family, school and friends. Negative mental health consequences for young people lead to a model of minority anxiety about the health of sexual minorities. Instead, attempts of acceptance by the family and school lead to a supportive framework. For example, the Genders & Sexualities Alliances (GSA program operating in Canada will be mentioned and its results will be presented. Finally, there is a reference to the international legislation and that of Greece in particular, and the governmental treatment of gender fluid people.

Conclusion: The negative consequences on mental health as a consequence of the non-acceptance of gender fluidity make evident the need for direct intervention and recognition of young people who want to express themselves in this way.

Prevalence and distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) serotypes of the anogenital region in adolescent boys and young men: a systematic review

Anna Pardali — 2024-09-05

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of HPV vaccinations on the prevalence of HPV serotypes on adolescent boys and young men through a systematic review. The search aimed for clinical studies in English up to 2022 concerning HPV serotyping of samples from randomly selected, non-high risk male participants, aged 11-25 with no underlying pathologies. The search resulted in 18 eligible articles among which 15 concerned unvaccinated and 3 concerned vaccinated young males. In 4 articles the participants were homosexual/bisexual, in 4 they were heterosexual while in the rest of the publications the sexual orientation of participants was mixed or unspecified. In about half of the articles, sample collection predated the initiation of national HPV vaccination programs for girls in the respective countries. In the selected articles, HPV seroprevalence varied significantly depending on vaccination rates and variability in methodology. Overall HPV prevalence was found to be high in most studies. Significant reduction of HPV vaccine-type prevalence was detected only in directly vaccinated adolescent boys and young men.

Educational intervention concerning vaccination In Greek pre-adolescents: a study protocol

Thirios Athanasios — 2024-09-05

Objective: Vaccines stand as a cornerstone of modern medicine, pivotal in bolstering public health. However, skepticism and controversy have led to declining public confidence, contributing to suboptimal vaccination rates, particularly among Greek adolescents. The study presents a comprehensive educational intervention targeting pre-adolescents and their parents, encompassing both hard copy and web-based community materials.

Method: 125 pre-adolescents-parents recruited from 7 primary schools in Athens. Questioners were used in two phases, before and after the intervention. Intervention used brochures, website content, youth involvement, parent academies, and peer discussions in order to seek to fortify beliefs in vaccinations and elevate immunization rates. The study also delved into socio-economic factors influencing vaccination uptake and was approved by the Ministry of Education of Greece.

Results: Preliminary findings underscore the significance of Greek nationality and parental employment in vaccine compliance. The study aims to bridge gaps in vaccination knowledge and uptake, laying a foundation for future public health initiatives.

Conclusion: The adolescent vaccination intervention program was well received by the parents of the participating children. The students showed great interest in the subject of vaccinations and their willingness to get involved in matters concerning their health was evident. Students who attended the intervention reported that they are positive about completing their immunizations with the adolescent vaccines, according to the National Child and Adolescent Immunization Program.