This study explored associations between adolescents' perceived health, socioeconomic status (SES), and food insecurity, and examined the potential mediating roles of psychological resilience and self-esteem these associations. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,000 adolescents aged 14-17 in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey, using multistage stratified sampling. Data were collected through a researcher-developed SES form, the Children's Food Insecurity Experiences Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Child and Youth Resilience Measure. Generalized Linear Models were used for mediation analysis. Lower SES and higher levels of food insecurity were associated with poorer perceived health. The association with perceived health was generally more negative at higher levels of food insecurity severity. Higher psychological resilience was associated with better perceived health, while lower self-esteem was linked to poorer health perceptions. Significant negative indirect associations through both variables were found between SES/food insecurity and perceived health. Findings highlight the role of psychosocial resources in helping to explain differences in perceived health associated with structural disadvantage during adolescence.
Consanguineous marriage remains a culturally embedded practice in many parts of India. This study examines the spatial distribution and socio-demographic correlates of consanguineous marriage across districts in India. Data were derived from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), conducted in 2019-2021. Moran's Index and Univariate Local Indicator of Spatial Association (LISA) were used for analysis. The prevalence of consanguineous marriage decreased from 14.4% in 1992-93 to 10.8% in 2019-21. Out of 707 districts, 97 districts have high consanguineous marriages above 20 percent; among these, the top five districts are from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The regression model revealed that education, caste, religion, place of residence, and wealth index have a significant association with consanguineous marriage in India. Consanguineous marriage exhibits strong spatial clustering across India, driven by underlying socio-demographic characteristics.
In 2020, the total fertility rate in Puerto Rico was estimated at 0.93 children per woman, one of the lowest in the world. While fertility decline preceded the new millennium, little is known about whether the onset of the 2006 economic crisis influenced its pace. Using birth counts from the Puerto Rico Vital Statistics System and population estimates, we calculate fertility measures for 1990-2020. Regression models estimated by ordinary least squares, with Newey-West standard errors, were fit to estimate the overall annual percent change (APC), and to compare the periods before and after the onset of the economic crisis (1990-2005 and 2006-2020). The pace of decline changed for eight of the nine indicators: accelerating for seven, while the ASFR for women aged 40-44 years declined at a slower pace. Stratified models show that all fertility measures and the share of women aged 15-44 declined significantly in both periods, with a faster decline observed in the post-crisis period for six of the nine. A significant acceleration in fertility decline was observed in the age-specific fertility rates for women under 35 years. In Puerto Rico, findings suggest that fertility decline accelerated after the onset of the economic crisis.
While many studies find that received social capital matters for childbearing on the individual level, few studies have investigated how regional social factors relate to fertility rates. In the current study, we used data from 299 municipalities in Finland to examine how different measures of social capital are associated with total fertility rates at the regional level. Data for social indicators were derived from a large national survey (n = 100 750), and data on fertility and covariates were derived from population registries. We applied spatial autoregressive error models to account for spatial autocorrelation between neighboring municipalities. Regions with higher social support and more frequent social contacts had higher total fertility rates, whereas trust, community participation, cultural activities or loneliness were not associated with fertility. These associations were particularly pronounced for fertility rates among individuals aged 20-39 than in other age groups. Moreover, no association was found for regional socio-economic composite score. The results suggest that community-level social capital may be relevant for fertility trends.
