Objectives This study examined the links between maltreatment, posttraumatic stress symptoms, ethnicity-specific factors (i.e., perceived discrimination, ethnic identity, and ethnic orientation), and alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) problems among adolescent girls. Methods These relations were examined using archived data from a community sample of 168 Black and Hispanic adolescent girls who participated in a school-based substance use intervention. Results The results revealed that maltreatment was linked to AOD problems, but only through its relation with posttraumatic stress symptoms; maltreatment was positively related to posttraumatic stress symptoms, which were positively related to AOD problems. Both perceived discrimination and ethnic orientation were significant moderators. Specifically, greater perceived discrimination was associated with an increased effect of maltreatment on posttraumatic stress symptoms. Ethnic orientation demonstrated protective properties in the relation between maltreatment and AOD problem severity, such that the effect of maltreatment on AOD problem severity was less for girls with average to high ethnic orientation compared to girls with low ethnic orientation. Conclusions The findings of this study underscore the importance of developing interventions for Black and Hispanic girls that target maltreatment and AOD use concurrently and address ethnicity-specific factors.

With the U.S. adult education system providing education services to millions of immigrants annually, understanding the unique skills and assets among adult immigrant learners is important. Using data from the U.S. Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, this study used data on immigrants ( n = 1,873) to identify latent classes along dimensions of human and social capital. Latent class analysis indicated five discrete profiles: High Opportunity, Upskill Ready, Satisfactorily Skilled, Motivated and Engaged, and Highly Skilled. The results provide support for using customized education approaches to capitalize on the collection of assets adult learners have while concurrently increasing education service providers’ capacity to serve.

This cross-sectional study examined the relations among children's ethnic pride, perceived parenting behavior (i.e.

Background: Despite the old myth that smokers are skinnier, obesity is reaching epidemic proportions among smokers living with HIV, and particularly among women. We have previously observed an association between the use of mentholated cigarettes and obesity, but it is unclear whether obesity was a result from menthol inducedalterations, or if weight problems were a pre-existing condition. Methods: Smokers living with HIV and ready to quit were consecutively enrolled in our clinical trial. With a response rate of 98%, 154 female smokers were enrolled until 12/2018. Smoking history was obtained and participants were grouped into users of mentholated cigarettes=Group 1, or Group 2 if non-mentholated users. The study visit includes collection of anthropometrics, along with a history of weight problems. Two main outcomes were examined: (1) the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and proximal predictor variables derived from the Socio-Ecological Model: socioeconomic status, and unhealthy habits (dietary intakes, physical activities, sleep and smoking); and (2) the prevalence of overweight and obesity (BMI >30) and the history of obesity as a function of the type of cigarette used. Result: The prevalence of obesity among this group was 51%, whereas in the general population is 38.3% (NHANES). An association was found between obesity and one SES component, race/ethnicity. Two behavioral factors were significant: high consumption of sugars and use of mentholated cigarettes. The age of smoking onset did not differ between groups 1 and 2, suggesting that smoking onset was not triggered by their weight concerns. Weight gain associated with pregnancies tended to affect the development of obesity in women during midlife and beyond (OR=2.1 95% CI 0.7-7.1, p=0.07). However, the history of obesity did not differ between Groups 1 and 2. Binary regression confirmed in the adjusted model the effects of history of obesity during childbearing years, use of mentholated cigarettes, and limited physical activity on current obesity trends. Conclusion: Data points to the primacy of behavioral factors, such as the use of mentholated cigarettes. Analyses confirmed that obesity was not a precondition linked to start smoking, indicating that it is likely to be the consequence of using mentholated cigarettes. Reduced physical activity also is contributing to the rising obesity rates.

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