Open Journal of Psychology https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/ojp <p>Open Journal of Psychology (OJP) is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancements in psychology. The goal of this journal is to provide a platform for doctors and academicians all over the world to promote, share, and discuss various new issues and developments in psychology related problems.</p> en-US editor@scipublications.com (Robert Williams) editor@scipublications.com (Robert Williams) Thu, 16 Jan 2025 03:06:54 +0000 OJS 3.3.0.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Puberty Onset and Positive Urgency Explain Diminished Returns of Family Income on Tobacco and Marijuana Use https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/ojp/article/view/1141 <p><strong>Background: </strong>Puberty is a crucial developmental milestone that involves significant physiological, emotional, and behavioral changes. Early puberty onset, influenced by both biological and social factors, is associated with an increased risk of engaging in substance use, such as tobacco and marijuana. While high family income is generally linked to delayed puberty onset and lower behavioral risks, these benefits may not be equally protective for Black youth due to the phenomenon of Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs). MDRs suggest that higher family income does not offer the same protective effects for Black youth as it does for White youth, potentially leading to earlier puberty and increased substance use among high-income Black adolescents. <strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to investigate whether early puberty onset and associated positive urgency (impulsivity) mediate the relationship between family income and the initiation of tobacco and marijuana use over a six-year follow-up period among adolescents. Additionally, the study examined whether the effects of family income on early puberty onset differ by race, testing the hypothesis that high-income Black youth would experience earlier puberty onset compared to their high-income White peers. <strong>Methods: </strong>Data were sourced from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Participants were 9-10-year-old adolescents at baseline, followed over a period of six years. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess whether early puberty onset mediated the effects of family income on substance use behaviors. Interaction terms between race and family income were included to test whether the impact of family income varies by race. <strong>Results: </strong>Early puberty onset and associated positive urgency partially explained the relationship between family income and the initiation of tobacco and marijuana use. High-income Black youth showed earlier puberty onset compared to their White counterparts. Earlier puberty onset then predicted higher positive urgency. These factors, in turn, were linked to higher rates of tobacco and marijuana initiation. <strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides additional evidence that the benefits of high family income do not extend equally to Black adolescents, particularly regarding delaying puberty onset and its consequences for substance use.</p> Shervin Assari, Babak Najand, Hossein Zare Copyright (c) 2025 Open Journal of Psychology https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/ojp/article/view/1141 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Diminished Returns of Educational Attainment on Welfare Receipt of American Indian/Alaska Native People: National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2023 https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/ojp/article/view/1149 <p><strong>Background: </strong>Educational attainment is generally associated with reduced reliance on Social Security and disability benefits; however, the Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs) theory suggests that the socioeconomic benefits of education are weaker for minoritized populations. This study investigates the relationship between educational attainment and welfare receipt among American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) and White adults in the United States. <strong>Objective: </strong>Using the MDRs framework, we analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2023 to examine how educational attainment impacts welfare receipt among AIAN and White adults. <strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed a nationally representative sample of AIAN and White adults from the NHIS 2023 dataset. Welfare receipt was assessed as the receipt of any public assistance or welfare payments from state or local welfare offices. Educational attainment was categorized into three levels: less than high school (reference), high school diploma to some college, and college degree or higher. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between educational attainment and welfare receipt, with separate analyses for AIAN and White adults to evaluate differential effects. <strong>Results:</strong> Higher educational attainment (high school diploma to some college and college degree or higher) was associated with lower odds of welfare receipt across both groups. However, the protective effect of a college degree was significantly weaker for AIAN adults compared to White adults. Consequently, AIAN adults remain at a higher risk of welfare reliance even with higher education, consistent with the Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs) framework. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Although educational attainment generally reduces welfare reliance, this protection is less pronounced for AIAN adults than for White adults. This discrepancy suggests that structural factors, segregation, and social stratification may undermine the economic and health benefits of education for racialized groups in the U.S. Addressing these disparities requires policy interventions that extend beyond education, emphasizing quality job opportunities, healthcare access, and reduced labor market discrimination for individuals with advanced educational credentials, regardless of race.</p> Shervin Assari, Amanda Sonnega, Hossein Zare Copyright (c) 2025 Open Journal of Psychology https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/ojp/article/view/1149 Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000