Mrc/Cso Sphsu, University of Glasgow, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB
Mr Robert Young
- Senior Investigator Scientist (MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit)
- Honorary Research Fellow (Institute of Health and Wellbeing)
telephone: 01413537569
email: Robert.Young@glasgow.ac.uk
Biography
Robert is a Senior Researcher at the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit working in the Social Relationships and Health Improvement programme. His work focuses on the multiple ways different aspects of social relationships influence health. His research explores the influence of parenting, peer groups, peer victimisation, peer identity and social networks on adolescent mental health, particularly social influences on self-harm. His past work investigated school effects and identity based peer networks on young people’s mental health using a longitudinal causal framework. His current work has expanded to look at the influence of online networks, online culture and social media on self-injury and suicidal behaviours from both social contagion and social support perspectives. He is also involved in research examining cross-cultural and contextual differences in self-harm. A key theme of his research is to elucidate the underlying causes of self-harm in order to guide the development of effective community-based treatments.
Research interests
Research Interests: parenting styles, peer group, psychiatry, sexual harassment, peer victimisation, peer identity, social networks; gender identity disorder; adolescent mental health, suicide, self-harm, Nonsuicidal self-injury; school effects; Social network analysis, peer crowds, online social networks, computerised psychiatric assessment, stress, status, hate crime, violence, cross-cultural differences in psychopathology, human values.
Expertise: Quantitate methods, social network analysis, structural equation modelling.
Grants
Grants and Awards listed are those received whilst working with the University of Glasgow.
- Cutting Edge #socialcontagion: An Analysis of Virtual Social Networks in Non-Suicidal Self Injury
Volkswagen Stiftung
2016 - 2016
Teaching
Robert is a lecturer on the Global Health MSc. He organises talks and workshops on non-suicidal self-injury, both internationally and nationally.
Publications
2017
Brown, R.C., Fischer, T., Goldwich, A.D., Keller, F., Young, R. and Plener, P.L. (2017) #cutting: non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) on Instagram. Psychological Medicine, (doi:10.1017/S0033291717001751) (PMID:28705261) (Early Online Publication)
2016
Parkes, A., Sweeting, H. , Young, R. and Wight, D. (2016) Does parenting help to explain socio-economic inequalities in children’s body mass index trajectories? Longitudinal analysis using the Growing Up in Scotland Study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 70(9), pp. 868-873. (doi:10.1136/jech-2015-206616) (PMID:27056682) (PMCID:PMC5013155)
Dahlqvist, H. Z., Landstedt, E., Young, R. and Gådin, K. G. (2016) Dimensions of peer sexual harassment victimization and depressive symptoms in adolescence: a longitudinal cross-lagged study in a Swedish sample. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45(5), pp. 858-873. (doi:10.1007/s10964-016-0446-x) (PMID:26910524) (PMCID:PMC4826406)
Young, R., Dagnan, D. and Jahoda, A. (2016) Leaving school: a comparison of the worries held by adolescents with and without intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60(1), pp. 9-21. (doi:10.1111/jir.12223) (PMID:26420749)
2014
Mannion, N. M. et al. (2014) The RNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 controls innate immune responses to RNA. Cell Reports, 9(4), pp. 1482-1494. (doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2014.10.041) (PMID:25456137) (PMCID:PMC4542304)
Young, R., Sproeber, N., Groschwitz, R. C., Preiss, M. and Plener, P. L. (2014) Why alternative teenagers self-harm: exploring the link between non-suicidal self-injury, attempted suicide and adolescent identity. BMC Psychiatry, 14(137), (doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-137)
2013
Young, R., Macdonald, L. and Ellaway, A. (2013) Associations between proximity and density of local alcohol outlets and alcohol use among Scottish adolescents. Health and Place, 19, pp. 124-130. (doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2012.10.004)
Young, R. and Van Beinum, M. (2013) An assertive outreach intervention does not reduce repeat suicide attempts compared with usual care. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 16(1), p. 20. (doi:10.1136/eb-2012-101042)
2012
Young, R. (2012) Can neds (or chavs) be non-delinquent, educated or even middle class? Contrasting empirical findings with cultural stereotypes. Sociology, 46(6), pp. 1140-1160. (doi:10.1177/0038038511435059)
Young, R., Lennie, S. and Minnis, H. (2012) Children’s perceptions of parental emotional neglect and psychopathology. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 52(8), pp. 889-897. (doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2011.02390.x)
Young, R., Sweeting, H. and West, P. (2012) Associations between DSM-IV diagnosis, psychiatric symptoms and morning cortisol levels in a community sample of adolescents. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 47(5), pp. 723-733. (doi:10.1007/s00127-011-0374-8)
Karvonen, S., Young, R., West, P. and Rahkonen, O. (2012) Value orientations among late modern youth – a cross-cultural study. Journal of Youth Studies, 15(1), pp. 33-52. (doi:10.1080/13676261.2011.617734)
Markham, W.A., Young, R., Sweeting, H., West, P. and Aveyard, P. (2012) Does school ethos explain the relationship between value-added education and teenage substance use? A cohort study. Social Science and Medicine, 75(1), pp. 69-76. (doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.02.045)
2011
McArdle, P., Young, R., Quibell, T., Moseley, D., Johnson, R. and LeCouteur, A. (2011) Early intervention for at risk children: 3-year follow-up. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 20(3), pp. 111-120. (doi:10.1007/s00787-010-0148-y)
Hunt, K., Sweeting, H., Sargent, J., Lewars, H., Young, R. and West, P. (2011) Is there an association between seeing incidents of alcohol or drug use in films and young Scottish adults' own alcohol or drug use? A cross sectional study. BMC Public Health, 11(259), (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-259)
Sweeting, H., West, P., Young, R. and Kelly, S. (2011) Dimensions of adolescent subjective social status within the school community: Description and correlates. Journal of Adolescence, 34(3), pp. 493-504. (doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.06.001)
Young, R., McCafferty, E., Metcalfe, J. and Van Beinum, M.A. (2011) Evaluating the Glasgow adolescent self-harm service: a seven-year retrospective investigation: final report. Technical Report. Chief Scientist Office, Glasgow, UK.
Young, R. and McDonald-Smith, L. (2011) Lisbeth Salander and the ‘truth’ about goths. In: Rosenberg, R. and O'Neill, S. (eds.) The Psychology of the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Smart Pop: Dallas, TX, USA. ISBN 9781936661343
Young, R., Riordan, V. and Stark, C. (2011) Perinatal and psychosocial circumstances associated with risk of attempted suicide, non-suicidal self-injury and psychiatric service use: a longitudinal study of young people. BMC Public Health, 11(875), (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-875)
Young, R., Sweeting, H. and Ellaway, A. (2011) Do schools differ in suicide risk? The influence of school and neighbourhood on attempted suicide, suicidal ideation and self-harm among secondary school pupils. BMC Public Health, 11(874), (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-874)
2010
Sweeting, H., West, P., Young, R. and Der, G. (2010) Can we explain increases in young people’s psychological distress over time? Social Science and Medicine, 71(10), pp. 1819-1830. (doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.08.012)
West, P., Sweeting, H., Young, R. and Kelly, S. (2010) The relative importance of family socioeconomic status and school-based peer hierarchies for morning cortisol in youth: an exporatory study. Social Science and Medicine, 70(8), pp. 1246-1253. (doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.12.006)
Young, R. (2010) Trauma, attempted suicide, and morning cortisol in a community sample of adolescents. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 23(2), pp. 288-291. (doi:10.1002/jts.20516)
West, P., Sweeting, H. and Young, R. (2010) Transition matters: pupils' experiences of the primary-secondary school transition in the West of Scotland and consequences for well-being and attainment. Research Papers in Education, 25(1), pp. 21-50. (doi:10.1080/02671520802308677)
Young, R. and West, P. (2010) Do 'good values' lead to 'good' health-behaviours? Longitudinal associations between young people's values and later substance-use. BMC Public Health, 10, 165. (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-165) (PMID:20346109) (PMCID:PMC2864210)
2009
Sweeting, H., Young, R. and West, P. (2009) GHQ increases among Scottish 15 year olds 1987–2006. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 44(7), pp. 579-586. (doi:10.1007/s00127-008-0462-6)
2008
Kelly, S.J., Young, R., Sweeting, H., Fischer, J.E. and West, P. (2008) Levels and confounders of morning cortisol collected from adolescents in a naturalistic (school) setting. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 33(9), pp. 1257-1268. (doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.06.010)
Sweeting, H., West, P. and Young, R. (2008) Obesity among Scottish 15 year olds 1987–2006: prevalence and associations with socio-economic status, well-being and worries about weight. BMC Public Health, 8(1), p. 404. (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-8-404)
Young, R., Sweeting, H. and West, P. (2008) A longitudinal study of alcohol use and antisocial behaviour in young people. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 43(2), pp. 204-214.
2007
West, P., Sweeting, H. and Young, R. (2007) Smoking in Scottish youths: personal income, parental social class and the cost of smoking. Tobacco Control, 16(5), pp. 329-335.
Young, R., Van Beinum, M., Sweeting, H. and West, P. (2007) Young people who self-harm. British Journal of Psychiatry, 191(1), pp. 44-49. (doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.106.034330)
2006
Young, R., Sweeting, H. and West, P. (2006) Prevalence of deliberate self harm and attempted suicide within contemporary Goth youth subculture: longitudinal cohort study. British Medical Journal, 332, pp. 1058-1061. (doi:10.1136/bmj.38790.495544.7C)
Pearson, M., Sweeting, H., West, P., Young, R., Gordon, J. and Turner, K. (2006) Adolescent substance use in different social and peer contexts: A social network analysis. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, 13(6), pp. 519-536. (doi:10.1080/09687630600828912)
Sweeting, H., Young, R., West, P. and Der, G. (2006) Peer victimization and depression in early-mid adolescence: A longitudinal study. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 76(3), pp. 577-594. (doi:10.1348/000709905X49890)
Turner, K., West, P., Gordon, J., Young, R. and Sweeting, H. (2006) Could the peer group explain school differences in pupil smoking rates? An exploratory study. Social Science and Medicine, 62(10), pp. 2513-2525. (doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.11.017)
West, P., Sweeting, H., Young, R. and Robins, M. (2006) A material paradox: socioeconomic status, young people's disposable income and consumer culture. Journal of Youth Studies, 9(4), pp. 437-462. (doi:10.1080/13676260600805739)
Young, R., Sweeting, H. and West, P. (2006) Self harm in Goth youth subculture: authors' reply. BMJ, 332(7553), p. 1335. (doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7553.1335-a)
2004
Young, R. and Sweeting, H. (2004) Adolescent bullying, relationships, psychological well-being, and gender-atypical behavior: a gender diagnosticity approach. Sex Roles, 50(7/8), pp. 525-537. (doi:10.1023/B:SERS.0000023072.53886.86)
Turner, K.M., Gordon, J. and Young, R. (2004) Cigarette access and pupil smoking rates: a circular relationship? Health Promotion International, 19(4), pp. 428-436. (doi:10.1093/heapro/dah404)
2001
Karvonen, S., West, P., Sweeting, H., Rahkonen, O. and Young, R. (2001) Lifestyle, social class and health related behaviours - a cross cultural comparison of 15 year olds in Glasgow and Helsinki. Journal of Youth Studies, 4(4), pp. 393-413. (doi:10.1080/13676260120101879)
Articles
Brown, R.C., Fischer, T., Goldwich, A.D., Keller, F., Young, R. and Plener, P.L. (2017) #cutting: non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) on Instagram. Psychological Medicine, (doi:10.1017/S0033291717001751) (PMID:28705261) (Early Online Publication)
Parkes, A., Sweeting, H. , Young, R. and Wight, D. (2016) Does parenting help to explain socio-economic inequalities in children’s body mass index trajectories? Longitudinal analysis using the Growing Up in Scotland Study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 70(9), pp. 868-873. (doi:10.1136/jech-2015-206616) (PMID:27056682) (PMCID:PMC5013155)
Dahlqvist, H. Z., Landstedt, E., Young, R. and Gådin, K. G. (2016) Dimensions of peer sexual harassment victimization and depressive symptoms in adolescence: a longitudinal cross-lagged study in a Swedish sample. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45(5), pp. 858-873. (doi:10.1007/s10964-016-0446-x) (PMID:26910524) (PMCID:PMC4826406)
Young, R., Dagnan, D. and Jahoda, A. (2016) Leaving school: a comparison of the worries held by adolescents with and without intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60(1), pp. 9-21. (doi:10.1111/jir.12223) (PMID:26420749)
Mannion, N. M. et al. (2014) The RNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 controls innate immune responses to RNA. Cell Reports, 9(4), pp. 1482-1494. (doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2014.10.041) (PMID:25456137) (PMCID:PMC4542304)
Young, R., Sproeber, N., Groschwitz, R. C., Preiss, M. and Plener, P. L. (2014) Why alternative teenagers self-harm: exploring the link between non-suicidal self-injury, attempted suicide and adolescent identity. BMC Psychiatry, 14(137), (doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-137)
Young, R., Macdonald, L. and Ellaway, A. (2013) Associations between proximity and density of local alcohol outlets and alcohol use among Scottish adolescents. Health and Place, 19, pp. 124-130. (doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2012.10.004)
Young, R. and Van Beinum, M. (2013) An assertive outreach intervention does not reduce repeat suicide attempts compared with usual care. Evidence-Based Mental Health, 16(1), p. 20. (doi:10.1136/eb-2012-101042)
Young, R. (2012) Can neds (or chavs) be non-delinquent, educated or even middle class? Contrasting empirical findings with cultural stereotypes. Sociology, 46(6), pp. 1140-1160. (doi:10.1177/0038038511435059)
Young, R., Lennie, S. and Minnis, H. (2012) Children’s perceptions of parental emotional neglect and psychopathology. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 52(8), pp. 889-897. (doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2011.02390.x)
Young, R., Sweeting, H. and West, P. (2012) Associations between DSM-IV diagnosis, psychiatric symptoms and morning cortisol levels in a community sample of adolescents. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 47(5), pp. 723-733. (doi:10.1007/s00127-011-0374-8)
Karvonen, S., Young, R., West, P. and Rahkonen, O. (2012) Value orientations among late modern youth – a cross-cultural study. Journal of Youth Studies, 15(1), pp. 33-52. (doi:10.1080/13676261.2011.617734)
Markham, W.A., Young, R., Sweeting, H., West, P. and Aveyard, P. (2012) Does school ethos explain the relationship between value-added education and teenage substance use? A cohort study. Social Science and Medicine, 75(1), pp. 69-76. (doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.02.045)
McArdle, P., Young, R., Quibell, T., Moseley, D., Johnson, R. and LeCouteur, A. (2011) Early intervention for at risk children: 3-year follow-up. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 20(3), pp. 111-120. (doi:10.1007/s00787-010-0148-y)
Hunt, K., Sweeting, H., Sargent, J., Lewars, H., Young, R. and West, P. (2011) Is there an association between seeing incidents of alcohol or drug use in films and young Scottish adults' own alcohol or drug use? A cross sectional study. BMC Public Health, 11(259), (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-259)
Sweeting, H., West, P., Young, R. and Kelly, S. (2011) Dimensions of adolescent subjective social status within the school community: Description and correlates. Journal of Adolescence, 34(3), pp. 493-504. (doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.06.001)
Young, R., Riordan, V. and Stark, C. (2011) Perinatal and psychosocial circumstances associated with risk of attempted suicide, non-suicidal self-injury and psychiatric service use: a longitudinal study of young people. BMC Public Health, 11(875), (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-875)
Young, R., Sweeting, H. and Ellaway, A. (2011) Do schools differ in suicide risk? The influence of school and neighbourhood on attempted suicide, suicidal ideation and self-harm among secondary school pupils. BMC Public Health, 11(874), (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-874)
Sweeting, H., West, P., Young, R. and Der, G. (2010) Can we explain increases in young people’s psychological distress over time? Social Science and Medicine, 71(10), pp. 1819-1830. (doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.08.012)
West, P., Sweeting, H., Young, R. and Kelly, S. (2010) The relative importance of family socioeconomic status and school-based peer hierarchies for morning cortisol in youth: an exporatory study. Social Science and Medicine, 70(8), pp. 1246-1253. (doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.12.006)
Young, R. (2010) Trauma, attempted suicide, and morning cortisol in a community sample of adolescents. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 23(2), pp. 288-291. (doi:10.1002/jts.20516)
West, P., Sweeting, H. and Young, R. (2010) Transition matters: pupils' experiences of the primary-secondary school transition in the West of Scotland and consequences for well-being and attainment. Research Papers in Education, 25(1), pp. 21-50. (doi:10.1080/02671520802308677)
Young, R. and West, P. (2010) Do 'good values' lead to 'good' health-behaviours? Longitudinal associations between young people's values and later substance-use. BMC Public Health, 10, 165. (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-165) (PMID:20346109) (PMCID:PMC2864210)
Sweeting, H., Young, R. and West, P. (2009) GHQ increases among Scottish 15 year olds 1987–2006. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 44(7), pp. 579-586. (doi:10.1007/s00127-008-0462-6)
Kelly, S.J., Young, R., Sweeting, H., Fischer, J.E. and West, P. (2008) Levels and confounders of morning cortisol collected from adolescents in a naturalistic (school) setting. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 33(9), pp. 1257-1268. (doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.06.010)
Sweeting, H., West, P. and Young, R. (2008) Obesity among Scottish 15 year olds 1987–2006: prevalence and associations with socio-economic status, well-being and worries about weight. BMC Public Health, 8(1), p. 404. (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-8-404)
Young, R., Sweeting, H. and West, P. (2008) A longitudinal study of alcohol use and antisocial behaviour in young people. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 43(2), pp. 204-214.
West, P., Sweeting, H. and Young, R. (2007) Smoking in Scottish youths: personal income, parental social class and the cost of smoking. Tobacco Control, 16(5), pp. 329-335.
Young, R., Van Beinum, M., Sweeting, H. and West, P. (2007) Young people who self-harm. British Journal of Psychiatry, 191(1), pp. 44-49. (doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.106.034330)
Young, R., Sweeting, H. and West, P. (2006) Prevalence of deliberate self harm and attempted suicide within contemporary Goth youth subculture: longitudinal cohort study. British Medical Journal, 332, pp. 1058-1061. (doi:10.1136/bmj.38790.495544.7C)
Pearson, M., Sweeting, H., West, P., Young, R., Gordon, J. and Turner, K. (2006) Adolescent substance use in different social and peer contexts: A social network analysis. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, 13(6), pp. 519-536. (doi:10.1080/09687630600828912)
Sweeting, H., Young, R., West, P. and Der, G. (2006) Peer victimization and depression in early-mid adolescence: A longitudinal study. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 76(3), pp. 577-594. (doi:10.1348/000709905X49890)
Turner, K., West, P., Gordon, J., Young, R. and Sweeting, H. (2006) Could the peer group explain school differences in pupil smoking rates? An exploratory study. Social Science and Medicine, 62(10), pp. 2513-2525. (doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.11.017)
West, P., Sweeting, H., Young, R. and Robins, M. (2006) A material paradox: socioeconomic status, young people's disposable income and consumer culture. Journal of Youth Studies, 9(4), pp. 437-462. (doi:10.1080/13676260600805739)
Young, R., Sweeting, H. and West, P. (2006) Self harm in Goth youth subculture: authors' reply. BMJ, 332(7553), p. 1335. (doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7553.1335-a)
Young, R. and Sweeting, H. (2004) Adolescent bullying, relationships, psychological well-being, and gender-atypical behavior: a gender diagnosticity approach. Sex Roles, 50(7/8), pp. 525-537. (doi:10.1023/B:SERS.0000023072.53886.86)
Turner, K.M., Gordon, J. and Young, R. (2004) Cigarette access and pupil smoking rates: a circular relationship? Health Promotion International, 19(4), pp. 428-436. (doi:10.1093/heapro/dah404)
Karvonen, S., West, P., Sweeting, H., Rahkonen, O. and Young, R. (2001) Lifestyle, social class and health related behaviours - a cross cultural comparison of 15 year olds in Glasgow and Helsinki. Journal of Youth Studies, 4(4), pp. 393-413. (doi:10.1080/13676260120101879)
Book Sections
Young, R. and McDonald-Smith, L. (2011) Lisbeth Salander and the ‘truth’ about goths. In: Rosenberg, R. and O'Neill, S. (eds.) The Psychology of the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Smart Pop: Dallas, TX, USA. ISBN 9781936661343
Research Reports or Papers
Young, R., McCafferty, E., Metcalfe, J. and Van Beinum, M.A. (2011) Evaluating the Glasgow adolescent self-harm service: a seven-year retrospective investigation: final report. Technical Report. Chief Scientist Office, Glasgow, UK.
Mrc/Cso Sphsu, University of Glasgow, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB
