The relationship between physical activity and mental health among adolescents in six middle-income countries: A cross-sectional study

Physical inactivity and poor mental health are emerging worldwide youth problems. Using the Global School-based Health Survey, this secondary data analysis study examined the link between physical activity and adolescent mental health among 23,372 adolescents between 11 and 17 years of age in six middle-income countries. The authors assessed physical activity by participation in (a) exercise for 60 min and (b) walking/biking in any day of a week in the past 7 days. The authors assessed mental health by the presence of (a) loneliness, (b) anxiety, (c) depression, (d) suicidal ideation, and (e) suicide attempts in the past 12 months. There was a low prevalence of physical activity among the participants. In general, there was a low prevalence of 12-month mental health problems among adolescents. Further research may incorporate physical activity to promote positive youth mental health for possible cost-effective interventions.     

Cheating in high school: A comparison of behavior of students in the college prep and general curriculum

A sampling of 1629 students, from 22 high schools, responded to questions regarding cheating in and outside of school. Of this number, 515 were enrolled in the college prep and 744 in the general curriculum. More similarities than statistically significant differences were found in a comparison of their responses. From 25 to 75% of their peers were estimated to be cheaters. Boys were more often guilty than girls. Cheating in mathematics was most common. Failure was the agreed upon punishment for apprehension—to be administered by the teacher. Neither group would squeal on a cheater. A similar number of each would cheat in a pinch. Both have turned in the work of others. Students in both curricular areas agreed that cheating transferred from school to job. Crime does not pay. Cheating was usually discovered. Breaking a law was a form of dishonesty. However, more college prep students admitted trying to cheat on tests while fewer of them would resort to plagiarism or lie to their parents about school. More general students felt that cheating hurt the cheater and few would trust one.Received ED.D. from Georgia Peabody College for Teachers. Currently is a Professor of Educational Psychology in the College of Education at the University of Georgia, teaching courses in Educational Psychology and Adolescent Psychology. Major research interest is in adolescence.     

The role of universities in the promotion of worker protection: UCLA labor occupational health and safety program as a model for countries with developing economies

ABSTRACT

Protection of the workers’ health in countries with developing economies is increasingly important because of the adverse effects of globalization, along with changing industrial relations, the rise of precarious work and outsourcing, and the decline in unionization. In this study, I examine whether the institutes created by universities might serve as an interface between workers, academia, and state agencies, and provide assistance for both improving workplace conditions and enforcing occupational health and safety rules. I describe the history of one such effort: The Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program (LOSH) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Using a review of written sources along with participatory observation and interviews as methods, I found that the challenges faced by LOSH historically have important parallels in countries with developing economies today. Ultimately, university-based occupational health programs like LOSH need to be followed in other parts of the world and be supported by governments if the mission to reduce workplace injuries and diseases is going to be realized in the United States and in other countries.