Jennifer Allen

Bio: Jennifer Allen is an academic researcher from Michigan State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Psychology & Educational attainment. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 12 publications receiving 15 citations.

Gender Differences in Healthy and Unhealthy Food Consumption and Its Relationship with Depression in Young Adulthood

Abstract: This study explores the relationship between the consumption of healthy and unhealthy foods and depression among young adults and the moderating effect of gender on these relationships The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 for Children and Young Adults (NLSY79 CY) was used A total of 2983 young adults were selected for the final sample Logistic Regression Analysis and Ordinary Linear Regression were conducted to examine the research questions Young men were overall more likely than young women to engage in negative eating habits The consumption of healthy foods, which included fruits and vegetables, had a significant inverse relationship with depression An interaction effect was found, indicating that gender moderated the relationship between fruit consumption and depression among young adults Young males need to be taught more about the importance of good eating habits Eating more fruits and vegetables (healthy foods) is more important than avoiding fast food or soft drinks (unhealthy foods) for young adults' mental health The gender differences in the effect of fruit consumption implies that increased fruit consumption may be critical to reduce young females' depression

Effects of Learning Attitudes and COVID-19 Risk Perception on Poor Academic Performance among Middle School Students

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of middle school students’ learning attitudes and risk perception toward COVID-19 on their poor academic performance since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This study limited the sample to middle school students who responded that their academic performance was an A or B grade during the last academic year in 2019. For this study, 268 respondents were selected and logistic regression was employed. Self-motivated studying time and positive attitudes toward online learning predicted consistent academic performance since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Middle school students’ preference toward an in-person classroom format was related to poor academic performance since the COVID-19 pandemic began. A risk perception toward COVID-19 was related to poor academic performance since the COVID-19 pandemic began. It is imperative to provide educational programs which help students develop self-motivated studying habits to maintain their academic performance during COVID-19. Policymakers in schools should consider providing in-person options for students who are more academically successful in such an environment.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Intimate Partner Violence Victimization, and Self-Perceived Health and Depression among College Students

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships among adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, and three adulthood health outcomes—perceived physical and mental health and depression—among college students. We analyzed the direct effects of a subset of ACEs including community violence, peer victimization, child abuse and neglect, exposure to domestic violence, and other physical and sexual victimization and a subset of IPV victimization including threats, physical, sexual, technological, and psychological violence on health, and the indirect effect of IPV victimization on the relationships between ACEs and health. We analyzed 3,535 college students from seven universities who reported information about major variables of interest. Results: Findings from structural equation modeling indicate that ACEs are positively associated with poorer perceived physical health (β = .37, p < .001), poorer mental health (β = .64, p < .001), and higher levels of depression (β = .40, p < .001). IPV victimization is positively associated with poorer perceived physical health (β = .36, p < .001), poorer mental health (β = .23, p < .001), and higher levels of depression (β = .16, p < .001). In addition, IPV victimization partially mediates the impacts of ACEs on perceived physical health (β = .06, p < .001), mental health (β = .28, p < .001), and depression (β = .10, p < .001). ACEs influenced adulthood health outcomes both physically and mentally via IPV victimization. This study suggests a life-course perspective and trauma-informed approach that incorporates the long-term effect of ACEs and IPV victimization on adulthood well-being.

The natural experiment.

Abstract: Seemingly Irrelevant Events Affect Economic Perceptions and Expectations: The FIFA World Cup 2006 as a Natural Experiment Prominent economic theories have emphasized the role of commonly held perceptions and expectations for determining macroeconomic outcomes. A key empirical question is how such collectively held beliefs are formed. We use the FIFA World Cup 2006 as a natural experiment. We provide direct evidence that seemingly irrelevant events (the outcomes of soccer matches) can systematically affect individual perceptions about economic prospects, both on a personal and economy-wide level. JEL Classification: D8, D0, E0

Risk Perception towards COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis

Abstract: Several studies have attempted to identify how people’s risk perceptions differ in regard to containing COVID-19 infections. The aim of the present review was to illustrate how risk awareness towards COVID-19 predicts people’s preventive behaviors and to understand which features are associated with it. For the review, 77 articles found in six different databases (ProQuest, PsycInfo, PubMed, Science Direct, SCOPUS, and Web of Science) were considered, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was followed, and data synthesis was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. The results indicate that a high-risk perception towards COVID-19 predicts, in general, compliance with preventive behaviors and social distancing measures. Additionally, risk awareness was found to be associated with four other key themes: demographic factors, individual factors, geographical factors, and timing. Therefore, gaining a greater understanding of individual and cultural differences as well as how people behave could be the basis of an effective strategy for raising public risk awareness and for countering COVID-19.

Socioeconomic differences in food habits among 6- to 9-year-old children from 23 countries—WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI 2015/2017)

Abstract: Background Socioeconomic differences in children's food habits are a key public health concern. In order to inform policy makers, cross-country surveillance studies of dietary patterns across socioeconomic groups are required. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and children's food habits. Methods The study was based on nationally representative data from children aged 6-9 years (n = 129,164) in 23 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. Multivariate multilevel analyses were used to explore associations between children's food habits (consumption of fruit, vegetables, and sugar-containing soft drinks) and parental education, perceived family wealth and parental employment status. Results Overall, the present study suggests that unhealthy food habits are associated with lower SES, particularly as assessed by parental education and family perceived wealth, but not parental employment status. We found cross-national and regional variation in associations between SES and food habits and differences in the extent to which the respective indicators of SES were related to children's diet. Conclusion Socioeconomic differences in children's food habits exist in the majority of European and Asian countries examined in this study. The results are of relevance when addressing strategies, policy actions, and interventions targeting social inequalities in children's diets.