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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1139373.].

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INTRODUCTION: With a population of roughly 11 million, the Roma (Gypsies) are the largest ethnic minority in Europe, particularly in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. A number of serious socioeconomic issues, such as poor health, low levels of education, unemployment, discrimination, criminal activity, high-risk sexual behavior, and a high rate of illnesses, including STDs, are present in their society.

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Reducing risky behaviors and traffic violations is crucial for preventing road trauma among private and commercial motorcyclists. While legal interventions such as road rules and police enforcement have been somewhat effective, there is a gap in understanding how motorcyclists perceive these deterrents and the psycho-social factors influencing their effectiveness. This research aims to explore the interplay between motorcyclists' psycho-social predispositions and their responses to legal interventions. It also compares two distinct groups of riders - private and commercial motorcyclists - within the urban environment of Da Nang, Vietnam, providing a nuanced consideration of the influence of work-related impacts on risky behavior, which can enable targeted interventions. We propose a theoretical model integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and Deterrence Theory to analyze how psycho-social and punitive factors influence riders' traffic violations. A total of 423 delivery riders and 411 private riders in Da Nang participated in the study. The results show that attitude, perceived behavioral control, and perceptions of deterrence significantly impact riders' intentions to engage in risky behaviors, with delivery riders being particularly responsive to law enforcement and penalties. To enhance policy effectiveness, interventions should employ tailored enforcement strategies that account for the unique motivations and perceptions of each rider group. For example, increasing the visibility and consistency of law enforcement could be particularly impactful for delivery riders, who are more sensitive to immediate deterrents. Policy adjustments should also focus on reshaping riders' attitudes toward safety and adjusting their perceived control over riding situations. By tailoring interventions to effectively influence each group's behavior, we can ultimately reduce traffic incidents.

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The mortality rate among adolescents has been steadily increasing in recent years. Researchers have previously identified forms of externalizing psychopathology measured during adolescence associated with an increased risk for premature mortality, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance use disorders (SUDs), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD). The current study investigated whether additional personality traits (i.e., adolescent psychopathic traits, assessed via the Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version [PCL:YV]) were also associated with premature mortality risk among maximum-security incarcerated adolescents (N = 332). During a follow-up period ranging from 10 to 14 years, premature mortality was observed in n = 33 participants (9.94%), a mortality rate nearly ten times higher than population norms. We observed that adolescents scoring the highest on PCL:YV total scores exhibited significantly higher rates of premature mortality compared to adolescents scoring lower on PCL:YV total scores via Fisher's exact tests. Additionally, through univariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses, PCL:YV total, Factor 2 (measuring lifestyle/behavioral and antisocial/developmental psychopathic traits), Facet 1 (measuring interpersonal psychopathic traits), and Facet 3 (measuring lifestyle/behavioral psychopathic traits) scores were associated with faster time to premature mortality. In supplemental analyses performed, we observed that adolescents meeting criteria for externalizing psychopathology (i.e., ADHD, SUDs, ODD, and CD) did not exhibit higher rates of premature mortality compared to control participants. The current study therefore identifies additional maladaptive personality traits to consider in relation to premature mortality risk (i.e., psychopathic traits) among a high-risk sample of incarcerated adolescents.

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This study was conducted to examine the effect of psychoeducation on attitudes toward violence and risky behaviors among refugee adolescents. This was a randomized controlled experimental study conducted with refugee adolescents (n = 101) studying in a high school in southern Turkey. After psychoeducation, it was determined that there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of antisocial behaviors, alcohol use, suicidal thoughts, unhealthy eating habits, and school dropout thoughts among adolescents according to the subdimensions of the risky behavior scale. Psychoeducation was found to be effective in reducing attitudes toward violence and preventing risky behaviors among refugee adolescents.

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Background: Public health emergencies not only threaten the physical and mental health of the public but also trigger a series of risky behaviors of the public, which in turn lead to the emergence or intensification of risk events, disrupting existing economic and social order. Purpose: Based on construal level theory, cognitive appraisal theory of emotions and mood maintenance hypothesis, the study aims to investigate the collectively effect of risk perception and psychological insecurity in the connection between psychological distance and public risky behavior. Participants and Methods: Cross-sectional data was derived from 257 China urban residents. All participants finished the psychological distance scale, risk perception scale, psychological insecurity scale, and risky behavior scale. The research hypothesis was tested using the PROCESS macro. Results: The direct impact of psychological distance on risky behavior was not significant (ß=-0.018, p>0.05). The indirect impact of psychological distance on risky behavior was significant. In other words, the impact of psychological distance on risky behavior was serially mediated via risk perception and psychological insecurity (ß=0.011, 95% CI= [0.0013, 0.025]). Conclusion: Risk perception and psychological insecurity play serial mediating roles in the relationship between psychological distance and public risky behavior. We conclude that during public health emergencies, public health managers should pay extra attention to the risk perception and psychological insecurity level of the public with closer psychological distance, take measures to reduce their risk perception, enhance their psychological security, and reduce their risky behavior, thereby ensuring the physical and mental health of the public and maintaining the stability of economic and social order.

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BACKGROUND: Infectious disease is an important health problem in border areas as there is a possibility that the migrants may carry the disease into the area. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and behaviors toward human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer in the women of reproductive age in the Thailand-Myanmar border area. METHODS: A survey study in a population of 418 women of reproductive age in Mae Hong Son Province in the Thailand-Myanmar border area. Knowledge and risk behaviors of HPV and cervical cancer were described using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Fifty percent of the participants had sexual debut at age less than 20 years, 27% had more than one lifetime sexual partner and only 3% had sex outside a monogamous relationship during the past 12 months. In term of knowledge, 62.5% knew about HPV. The proportion of correct answers about HPV and cervical cancer questions ranged from 14-95% and 52-94%, respectively. Among the cervical cancer screening target, 69.4% accessed the screening. The factors associated with better knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer were education level higher than high school and sexual debut. CONCLUSION: The women of reproductive age in the Thailand-Myanmar border areas showed relatively low sexually risk behaviors for HPV infection. More than one-third of the participants did not know about HPV. The percentage of correct answer to questions about cervical cancer were low.  We encourage the Thai Ministry of Public Health to increase health promotion and health literacy on prevention of HPV and cervical cancer in the women of pre- and reproductive age in the Thailand-Myanmar border area.

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Background: Life stress modulates decision making, particularly in the face of risk, in some cases prompting vulnerable populations to make suboptimal, life-altering choices. In the brain, stress is known to alter the extracellular release of catecholamines in structures such as basolateral amygdala (BLA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), but the relationship between catecholamines and decision-making behavior under stress has not been systemically explored. Methods: We developed an operant touchscreen decision-making task for rats comprising elements of loss aversion and risk seeking behavior. Rats were first injected systemically with an adrenergic α 2 A -receptor agonist (guanfacine) and antagonist (yohimbine), as well as a partial inverse GABAA agonist, FG 7142, known to induce anxiety and stress related physiological responses in a variety of species, including humans. We then used fiber photometry to monitor NE in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), and DA activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) while animals engaged in decision-making and following systemic injections of FG 7142 and yohimbine. Results: Neither yohimbine nor guanfacine had any impact on decision making strategy but altered motivational state with yohimbine making the animal almost insensitive to the reward outcome. The pharmacological induction of stress with FG 7142 biased the rats' decisions towards safety, but this bias shifted toward risk when co-treated with yohimbine. In the BLA and NAc, the FG 7142 altered catecholamine release, with systemic yohimbine producing opposing effects on NE and DA release. Conclusions: Stress induced changes in catecholamine release in the BLA and NAc can directly influence loss sensitivity, decisions and motivation, which can be modulated by the α 2 A adrenoreceptor antagonist, yohimbine.

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Introduction: Pedestrians are a vulnerable group at the roadside and previous research has identified that children with DCD and ADHD are at a heightened risk of pedestrian injuries. Despite this, limited research has explored parental perspectives of the pedestrian risks faced by children with DCD and/or ADHD. Understanding parents' perspectives provides a unique insight into the challenges children face every day and the concerns that parents perceive regarding their children's safety as pedestrians. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore parents' perspectives of the pedestrian risks faced by their children with DCD and/or ADHD. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 parents of primary school and early secondary school aged children with age range 7-17. The participants were divided into three groups based on their children's conditions: DCD group (10-17 years, n = 3), ADHD group (7-13 years, n = 5), and co-occurring group (7-16 years, n = 6). All parents confirmed an existing diagnosis and completed the SNAP-IV and DCDQ as screening tools. The interviews explored parents' perspectives regarding their children's pedestrian behaviors, parents' concerns and preventative measures taken to improve the pedestrian safety of their children with DCD and/or ADHD. Reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken to analyze the interviews, from which three themes were developed. Results: The first theme related to the challenges experienced by children at the roadside; parents emphasized the significance of structured and controlled pedestrian crossing sites, underlining their preference for designated crossings as safer options due to their heightened perceptions of risk associated with other road-crossing locations. The second theme: parental concerns and influences on children's road safety referred to their children's performance and safety at the roadside, leading to increased monitoring and a more protective approach to road crossing. The third theme: road safety education related to various strategies parents implemented to mitigate risks, while balancing independence and prioritizing their safety. Discussion: While there were commonalities in the challenges faced by children with DCD and/or ADHD at the roadside, there were also notable differences. Parents of children with DCD discussed challenges with spatial awareness and motor skills, whereas parents of children with ADHD discussed challenges with impulsivity and inattention. Parents of children with co-occurring DCD and ADHD described a complex interplay of these challenges. It is evident from the interviews that children with DCD and/or ADHD require a distinct approach to develop their pedestrian skills effectively and parents reported specific strategies they used to address the risks associated with their children's roadside behavior. Promoting pedestrian safety for children with DCD and/or ADHD necessitates collaboration among parents, schools and local authorities to implement comprehensive measures ensuring their safety. These findings contribute to understanding parental experiences and needs, providing valuable guidance for targeted interventions and policies to enhance the road safety of children with DCD and/or ADHD.

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Risky behaviors are defined as emotional and behavioral problems that harm mental and physical health. The present study aimed to systematically review and synthesize research investigating the risky behaviors of Syrian children living in Turkey. The study was conducted through a systematic review of articles published in the Scopus and Web of Science database between 2013 and the present day, and met the STROBE reporting criteria. The inclusion criteria for studies in the systematic review were established, and studies that focused on Syrian-origin forced migrant child-adolescents aged 7-18 years and investigated risky behaviors without a clinical diagnosis and treatment purpose were included. Four studies with a sample of 790 children were examined. According to the findings of this study, there is a measurement issue for risky behaviors. In this study, there are numerous factors influencing risky behaviors, including those related to traumatic life events due to war, psychopathology, acculturation-related factors, and sociodemographic factors. The most significant finding highlighted in the study is the need for methodological improvements and context-specific studies to be repeated in future research, to ensure statistical generalizability and clinical implications in research on this subject.

Studies on the factors influencing risky behaviors in children and adolescent forced migrants have been conducted using diverse research designs, questions, hypotheses, and results. Risky behaviors are defined as emotional and behavioral problems that harm mental and physical health. The present study aimed to systematically review and synthesize research investigating the risky behaviors of Syrian children living in Turkey. According to the findings of this study, there is a measurement issue for risky behaviors. In this study, there are numerous factors influencing risky behaviors, including those related to traumatic life events due to war, psychopathology, acculturation-related factors, and sociodemographic factors.

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Nowadays, children are able to enrich their reality via the Internet. Unfortunately, this may increase their risk of becoming victims of cyberbullying. We analyzed the health characteristics and risk behavior of two cohorts of children in Serbia; those who reported being exposed to cyberbullying and those who did not. The statistical differences and logistic regression models were applied to the data on 3267 students collected from 64 schools participating in the 2017 Serbian Study on health behavior in school-age children (HBSC). Children exposed to cyberbullying reported having the following health problems on a daily basis: headache (18.5%), back pain (19.5%), depression (21.6%), irritability or bad mood (17.7%), nervousness (16.0%), sleep problems (16.1%), and dizziness (21.2%). As for the different types of risk behavior, cigarette smoking ranging from six to nine days ever was the most prevalent (26.9%). It was followed closely by getting drunk more than 10 times ever (24.1%). Compared to non-victims, victims were found to be at a higher risk of perceived back pain (OR = 2.27), depression (OR = 1.43), irritability or bad mood (OR = 2.07), nervousness (OR = 2.23), and dizziness (OR = 2.43) as well as being injured once or twice (OR = 1.98) or three or more times (OR = 4.09). Victims were associated with further risk factors: having smoked more than five cigarettes ever in life (OR = 1.73) and having gotten drunk two to three times (OR = 1.71) or four or more times (OR = 1.65). As the number of school-age children using social media continues to rise, we must prioritize educating them about self-help and community resources for addressing related health issues with greater speed and intensity. The findings from Serbia suggest that while children may be aware of their health issues, they may be unaware of their link to cyberbullying, which could hinder their ability to address these issues promptly. The respondents' attention to the health implications of cyberbullying could be increased by reformulating the survey questions used in the HBSC study.

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INTRODUCTION: The dynamic HIV/AIDS epidemic significantly impacts China, particularly affecting injection drug users (IDUs), former plasma donors (FPDs), men who have sex with men (MSM), and those engaging in high-risk heterosexual behavior (HRHB). This study specifically focuses on identifying the risk factors and influences that drive the spread of HIV among these population groups by performing a comprehensive analysis of contact histories of individuals diagnosed with HIV. METHODS: Data for this research were gathered from China's HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System (CRIMS). Contact histories were described using bar and venn diagram. Trend in engaging in HBRB among MSM were identify potential change using the Cochran-Armitage test. Logistic regression was employed to analyze the factors influencing HBRB in MSM. RESULTS: From 1989 through to 2022, a total of 1,457,218 individuals aged 15 years or older in China, who reported being infected with HIV, indicated they had one or more types of contact histories including injecting drug use, male homosexual behavior, commercial plasma donation, and high-risk heterosexual behavior. Among these, 97.0% reported a single type of contact history, while 3.0% reported having multiple contact histories. Of those with multiple contact histories, 98.0% (42,258 individuals) had engaged in HRHB. Among all HIV-infected IDUs, MSM, and FPDs, their respective proportions of engagement in HRHB were 11.8%, 5.7% and 6.2%. Prior to 2012, most were reported to be IDUs; however, subsequent to this, most reported being MSM. Factors that heightened the risk of engaging in HRHB among HIV-infected MSM included being of age between 25-34 years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.29] or 35-44 years (AOR = 1.22), marital status such as being married (AOR = 1.23) or being divorced/widowed (AOR = 1.17), belonging to an ethnic minority (AOR = 1.29), receiving diagnosis in hospitals (AOR = 1.81), residing in rural areas (AOR = 1.12), among others. However, the risk of HRHB decreased when age ≥ 55 years (55-64 years: AOR = 0.82; ≥ 65 years: AOR = 0.64). CONCLUSION: The potential for HIV transmission among diverse populations is substantial. As such, it is imperative that strategies are implemented to mitigate the propagation of HIV to the general populace via heterosexual intercourse.

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Becoming elderly is an intrinsic part of life, and the burden of disease increases with age. However, the early life migration experience and occupational hazards at the destination can lead to serious health problems later in life. This study aims to understand the association between early life migration and the health and risky behavior of elderly return migrants using data from the Kerala Migration Survey in 2018. The results of bivariate and multivariate analyses show that the majority of migrants return due to retirement and ill health at the average age of 51 and suffer from poor health and multiple diseases. More than half (55%) of elderly returnees reported poor health, and among them, 70% have at least one chronic disease. The early life migration experience and injuries at the destination are the main determinants of poor self-rated health and chronic disease. Furthermore, elderly return migrants have high-risk health behaviours such as smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as less access to health schemes. Despite some shortcomings, this study identifies the most vulnerable groups among the elderly and their health characteristics. This will help to promote healthy aging in Kerala, India, or areas with increasing numbers of elderly and return migrants around the world.

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In the current article, we examine mattering to others as a relational resource and discuss how feelings of not mattering are uniquely implicated in addiction and substance use. We describe the mattering construct and how it is conceptualized, and we comprehensively review existing evidence based primarily on research with adolescents that links feelings of not mattering with addictive tendencies in general, and specific tendencies (e.g., excessive drinking and drug use and excessive social media use). A central premise of this article is the need to take race and ethnicity into account when considering the potential link between feelings of not mattering and substance use among young people with minority status and various ethnicities who may be especially prone to feeling marginalized and insignificant as a result of adverse experiences reflecting being ostracized and not socially accepted. Potential models of drinking and addictive tendencies that can easily incorporate the mattering construct are also outlined to underscore the conceptual relevance of feelings of not mattering to others. Mattering is also considered in terms of how internalization (i.e., not mattering to oneself) potentiates impulsive and risky behavior. Our article concludes with discussion of the implications for treatment and prevention in addiction and substance use and directions for future research that should further illuminate the role of feelings of not mattering to others and not mattering to oneself.

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An experimental paradigm with subjective and objective assessments was used to further explicate the role of positive emotion dysregulation on risky behavior. Participants were 151 community women currently experiencing intimate partner violence and using substances (Mage = 40.81, 43.0% white). Participants were randomly assigned to positive, negative, and neutral idiographic emotion inductions. Subjective (state self-report) and objective (high frequency heart rate variability [hfHRV], skin conductance response, and salivary cortisol) markers of emotion dysregulation were assessed, following which participants completed subjective (state urges for substances) and objective (Balloon Analogue Risk Task) measures of risky behavior. Results showed (a) greater self-reported state emotion dysregulation and lower hfHRV predicted more urges for substances in the positive (versus negative and neutral) emotion induction conditions; and (b) lower hfHRV predicted more behavioral risk-taking propensity in the positive (versus neutral) emotion induction condition. Findings provide additional support for the influence of positive emotion dysregulation on risky behavior.

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The purpose of this research study was to obtain greater insight into the associations of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-exposed experiences with the development of offending behavior in adolescents. Using the PubMed and Scopus databases, we performed a systematic review of recent cross-sectional studies between 2016 and 2022, investigating the associations of PTSD and trauma with the social and mental behavior of adolescents. Fifty-three articles were initially identified. Due to duplication, eight articles were excluded, leaving 45 remaining articles. In addition, 34 articles were excluded due to year of publication, review, abstract, or irrelevant title. Seven articles were included in this systematic review after excluding the remaining due to different study types or samples. Included studies primarily examined the associations of PTSD symptomatology and expression of externalizing symptoms with risky behavior and the commission of a crime. The strongest outcomes were increased levels of violent behavior, violent delinquency, and total risk in correlation with PTSD symptoms, emotional numbing, use of drugs, and in some cases maltreatment. The results of the systematic review suggest that PTSD symptoms and risky behavior, which can be also fueled by maltreatment activities in the family circle, are associated with criminal behavior. Future research is needed to confirm these findings.

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Background: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regarding risky behaviors among adolescents remains scarce, despite the large population (approximately 249 million out of 1.2 billion globally in 2019) of adolescents in the region. We aimed to examine the potential influence of depressive symptoms and school-going status on risky behaviors among adolescents in six SSA countries. Methods: We used individual cross-sectional data from adolescents aged 10-19 based in eight communities across six SSA countries, participating in the ARISE Network Adolescent Health Study (N = 7,661). Outcomes of interest were cigarette or tobacco use, alcohol use, other substance use, getting into a physical fight, no condom use during last sexual intercourse, and suicidal behavior. We examined the proportion of adolescents reporting these behaviors, and examined potential effects of depressive symptoms [tertiles of 6-item Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (KADS-6) score] and school-going status on these behaviors using mixed-effects Poisson regression models. We also assessed effect modification of associations by sex, age, and school-going status. Results: The proportion of adolescents reporting risky behaviors was varied, from 2.2% for suicidal behaviors to 26.2% for getting into a physical fight. Being in the higher tertiles of KADS-6 score was associated with increased risk of almost all risky behaviors [adjusted risk ratio (RR) for highest KADS-6 tertile for alcohol use: 1.70, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.48-1.95, p < 0.001; for physical fight: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.36-1.70, p < 0.001; for suicidal behavior: 7.07, 95% CI: 2.69-18.57, p < 0.001]. Being in school was associated with reduced risk of substance use (RR for alcohol use: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.53-1.00, p = 0.047), and not using a condom (RR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.66-0.99, p = 0.040). There was evidence of modification of the effect of school-going status on risky behaviors by age and sex. Conclusion: Our findings reinforce the need for a greater focus on risky behaviors among adolescents in SSA. Addressing depressive symptoms among adolescents, facilitating school attendance and using schools as platforms to improve health may help reduce risky behaviors in this population. Further research is also required to better assess the potential bidirectionality of associations.

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The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nursing students' fasting during Ramadan on their risky behaviors. This study was conducted in a university located in 2022 using the prospective cohort study method. The data were collected from the nursing department students through face-to-face questionnaires. The sample of the study consisted of 186 nursing students. The data were obtained using a descriptive information form, which consists of questions regarding the descriptive characteristics of the nursing students, and the risky behaviors form, created by the researchers, to evaluate the effect of fasting during Ramadan on nursing students' risky behaviors. According to the findings of the research, it has been determined that the students who always fast during Ramadan have regular sahur. When the students' level of religious faith and fasting and having sahur status were compared with their risky behaviors, the mean scores of exercise and nutrition increased significantly, and the mean scores of interpersonal relationships decreased significantly. It was determined that the majority of students had a high level of religious faith, fasted and had sahur during Ramadan. Consequently, while Ramadan fasting negatively affected students' physical activity, nutrition and sleep patterns, it positively affected their interpersonal relationship status.

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Background and Aims: Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are among the most common infections globally. However, the sexual behavioral factors and sexual history of people visiting STI clinics have only been surveyed in a few studies. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the patients visiting the open STI clinic. Methods: This is a prospective observational study performed in the STI clinic in the premises of Department of Dermatology, Oulu University Hospital. All individuals (n = 775) attending the STI clinic between February and August 2022 were included to the study and the profile of the patients was evaluated. Results: We found that the majority of the STI clinic attendees (58.5%) were female. Mean age of the study population was 28.9 years, with females being significantly younger than males (p < 0.001). Only one-third (30.6%) of the patients reported having symptoms at the time of attending. Most commonly, patients had had one sex partner in the last 6 months. However, one-fifth (21.7%) reported several sex partners (over four). Almost half of the patients (47.6%) reported using a condom only randomly. Those with heterosexual orientation had fewer multiple-sex partners (p < 0.001) than those with homo- or bisexual orientation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It is important to increase knowledge about the profile of STI clinic visitors to effectively target STI prevention on the groups at the highest risk of STIs.