Bullying Victimization and STIs: Parental Communication and Parental Sexual Communication as Moderators

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973152110348
Author(s):  
Jun Sung Hong ◽  
Dong Ha Kim ◽  
Junior Lloyd Allen ◽  
Moses Okumu ◽  
Jane J. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Sexual Communication ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Bullying Victimization ◽  
Parental Communication ◽  
Bully Victimization ◽  
Communication About Sex

Purpose: Informed by attachment theory, the current study explores whether the association between bullying victimization and STIs acquisition among African American youth is moderated by general parental communication or parental communication about sex. Method: Data were collected from 546 African American adolescents in four neighborhoods in Chicago’s South Side. Univariate analyses, Spearman’s rank-order correlation analyses, and hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: A positive association between bullying victimization and STIs acquisition was found. General parental communication did not moderate the association between bullying victimization and STIs acquisition. However, parental communication about sex did moderate the association between bullying victimization and youth STIs acquisition. Discussion: The study has important implications for developing interventions to address the adverse consequences of bully victimization that emphasize parental communication about sex as a major component.

scholarly journals Condom Use Self-Efficacy Among Younger Rural Adolescents

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiarney D. Ritchwood ◽  
Dolly Penn ◽  
Courtney Peasant ◽  
Tashuna Albritton ◽  
Giselle Corbie-Smith
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Sexual Communication ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
Rural Adolescents ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Communication About Sex

This study examines the role of condom use knowledge and attitudes, and parent-teen communication about sex and relationship quality on reports of condom use self-efficacy among rural, African American youth. Participants were 465 North Carolinian youth (10-14 years). Results indicated that greater condom use self-efficacy was predicted by greater knowledge of condom use (β = .206; p < .001), more favorable attitudes toward condom use (β = −.20; p < .0001) and parent-teen communication about sex (β = .13; p < .05), and actual parent-teen communication about sex and dating (β = .14; p < .05). There was low agreement between parents and youth on measures related to parent-teen communication about sex. Findings call for interventions targeting improvement of condom use knowledge among early adolescents, as well as parent-teen communication about sex. In addition, given the low parent-teen agreement regarding sexual communication, parent-teen sexual communication is an important point of intervention.

scholarly journals The Moderating Effects of the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss Intervention and Parenting Factors on Family Mealtime in Overweight and Obese African American Adolescents

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1745
Author(s):  
Dawn K. Wilson ◽  
Allison M. Sweeney ◽  
Mary Quattlebaum ◽  
Haylee Loncar ◽  
Colby Kipp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
African American ◽  
Parenting Styles ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Motivational Strategies ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Parental Feeding Practices ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
Parental Feeding

Few studies have integrated positive parenting and motivational strategies to address dietary outcomes such as frequency of family mealtime. The Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss trial was a randomized group cohort trial (n = 241 dyads) testing the efficacy of integrating a motivational plus family weight loss (M + FWL) intervention for healthy eating and weight loss in overweight and obese African American adolescents. The current study tested the interaction of parenting styles (responsiveness, demandingness) and parental feeding practices (restriction, concern about child’s weight, pressure to eat) and the FIT intervention on frequency of family mealtime over 16 weeks. Multilevel modeling demonstrated significant interactions between the group-based treatment and responsiveness (p = 0.018) and demandingness (p = 0.010) on family mealtime. For the group-based M + FWL intervention, increased responsiveness and reduced demandingness were associated with increased frequency of family mealtime from baseline to 16 weeks. There was also a negative association between parental restriction and frequency of family mealtime, but a positive association between parental concerns about their adolescent’s weight and frequency of mealtime. These findings are the first to demonstrate that an authoritative or nurturing parenting style moderated intervention effects for improving the frequency of family mealtime in overweight and obese African American adolescents.

“Broken windows”: Relationship between neighborhood conditions and behavioral health among low-income African American adolescents

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dexter R Voisin ◽  
Dong Ha Kim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
African American ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Broken Windows ◽  
Neighborhood Conditions

This study explored the association between neighborhood conditions and behavioral health among African American youth. Cross-sectional data were collected from 683 African American youth from low-income communities. Measures for demographics, neighborhood conditions (i.e. broken windows index), mental health, delinquency, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors were assessed. Major findings indicated that participants who reported poorer neighborhood conditions compared to those who lived in better living conditions were more likely to report higher rates of mental health problems, delinquency, substance use, and unsafe sexual behaviors. Environmental factors need to be considered when addressing the behavioral health of low-income African American youth.

Exploring Psychosocial Task Resolution and Self-Concept among African-American Adolescents

1996 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 803-810
Author(s):  
Craig C. Brookins
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Family Relations ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Developmental Task ◽  
Multiple Components ◽  
Highly Correlated

Developmental task resolution and self-concept of adolescents were examined for a sample of 110 African-American youth. The Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory was used to measure Erikson's stages of psychological development and the Bronstein-Cruz Child/Adolescent Self-concept and Adjustment Scale was used to measure multiple components of the self-concept. Scores for Self-concept and Resolution of Identity stages were highly correlated although scores on Resolution of Identity, commonly seen as the primary psychosocial task of adolescence, were not related to scores on either Emotional Well-being or Family Relations. The results are discussed in terms of improving understanding of relationships between processes in development, identity, and other salient psychosocial variables.

The Moderating Effects of Culture on Peer Deviance and Alcohol Use among High-Risk African-American Adolescents

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aashir Nasim ◽  
Faye Z. Belgrave ◽  
Robert J. Jagers ◽  
Karen D. Wilson ◽  
Kristal Owens
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Ethnic Identity ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Heavy Alcohol ◽  
Cultural Variables

African-American adolescents have lower rates of alcohol consumption than White youth. However, African-American youth suffer disproportionately more adverse social, mental, and physical health outcomes related to alcohol use. Affiliating with negative peers is a risk factor for alcohol initiation and consumption. Cultural variables have shown moderating effects against other risk factors for African-American youth and therefore were the focus of this study. Specifically, we tested whether three culturally-relevant variables, Africentric beliefs, religiosity, and ethnic identity were promotive or protective for alcohol initiation and use within the context of negative peer affiliations. The sample consisted of 114 at-risk African-American adolescents whose ages ranged from 13 to 20. Participants were administered a questionnaire with measures of alcohol initiation and use, peer risk behaviors, ethnic identity, Africentric beliefs, religiosity, and demographic items. Peer risk behaviors accounted for significant percentages of the variance in age of alcohol initiation, lifetime use, and current and heavy alcohol use after adjusting for age and gender. Cultural variables showed both promotive and protective effects. Africentric beliefs were promotive of delayed alcohol initiation, whereas both Africentrism and religiosity moderated peer risk behaviors effect on alcohol initiation. Africentric beliefs were also inversely related to lifetime alcohol use revealing a promotive effect. Moreover, there were significant protective effects of ethnic identity and religiosity on heavy alcohol consumption. One implication of these findings is that prevention programs that infuse cultural values and practices such as Africentrism, ethnic identity, and religiosity may delay alcohol initiation and reduce use especially for youth with high risk peers.

scholarly journals “You’ve Gotta be Careful”: Familial Messages Regarding Sexual Behavior and Sexual Relationships among African American Adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1146
Author(s):  
Gary Harper ◽  
Darnell Motley ◽  
April Timmons Tyler ◽  
Donald Tyler ◽  
Joseph Catania ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
African American ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
Family Members ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Sexual Decision Making

Background: Research on the sexual behaviors of African American youth has primarily focused on associated risks, with a dearth of studies examining a fuller representation of African American adolescents’ sexual lives. This study explored the range of messages African American adolescents receive from family members regarding sexual behavior and sexual relationships. Methods: Participants were 52 sexually experienced African American youth (male = 32, female = 20) between the ages of 15 and 17 recruited from community-based organizations in the United States. Youth participated in individual in-depth qualitative interviews, and data were analyzed using a phenomenological framework. Results: Participants received a variety of messages about sexual behavior and sexual relationships from a range of family members including parents, siblings, grandmothers, aunts/uncles, and cousins. Types of messages clustered into three domains: sexual decision-making, quantity and quality of sexual activity, and sexual health promotion; with themes and sub-themes emerging within each area. Conclusion: Gender differences in the types of messages received are explored, and applications of the findings to the development of family-involved community interventions that promote sexual and reproductive health are discussed.

scholarly journals Evaluating Teach One Reach One—An STI/HIV Risk-Reduction Intervention to Enhance Adult–Youth Communication About Sex and Reduce the Burden of HIV/STI

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 465-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurav Dave ◽  
Tiarney Ritchwood ◽  
Tiffany L. Young ◽  
Malika Roman Isler ◽  
Adina Black ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Communication About Sex ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Change In Mean

Purpose: Parents and caregivers play an important role in sexual socialization of youth, often serving as the primary source of information about sex. For African American rural youth who experience disparate rates of HIV/sexually transmitted infection, improving caregiver–youth communication about sexual topics may help to reduce risky behaviors. This study assessed the impact of an intervention to improve sexual topic communication. Design: A Preintervention–postintervention, quasi-experimental, controlled, and community-based trial. Setting: Intervention was in 2 rural North Carolina counties with comparison group in 3 adjacent counties. Subjects: Participants (n = 249) were parents, caregivers, or parental figures for African American youth aged 10 to 14. Intervention: Twelve-session curriculum for participating dyads. Measures: Audio computer-assisted self-interview to assess changes at 9 months from baseline in communication about general and sensitive sex topics and overall communication about sex. Analysis: Multivariable models were used to examine the differences between the changes in mean of scores for intervention and comparison groups. Results: Statistically significant differences in changes in mean scores for communication about general sex topics ( P < .0001), communication about sensitive sex topics ( P < .0001), and overall communication about sex ( P < .0001) existed. Differences in change in mean scores remained significant after adjusting baseline scores and other variables in the multivariate models. Conclusions: In Teach One Reach One intervention, adult participants reported improved communication about sex, an important element to support risk reduction among youth in high-prevalence areas.

Feeling Safe in a Dangerous Place: Exploring the Neighborhood Safety Perceptions of Low-Income African American Youth

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Zuberi
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Low Income ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Neighborhood Safety ◽  
Safety Perceptions ◽  
Perceptions Of Safety ◽  
Perceived Danger

Research shows that neighborhood safety is strongly associated with the health and well-being of adolescents. However, few studies examine what shapes these perceptions of safety, especially for adolescents who grow up in more dangerous neighborhoods. The present study explores what factors shape the neighborhood safety perceptions of a sample of low-income, African American adolescents aged 15 to 19 years ( n = 46) from Baltimore who lived in public housing as children. The study reveals the complexity in how adolescents perceive safety, especially among those living in dangerous neighborhoods. The results highlight the importance of the type of danger (e.g., drug activity vs. gun-related violence) and social connections in shaping neighborhood safety perceptions. Sample youth are more likely to report feeling safe when there is little perceived danger. In more dangerous neighborhoods, youth feel safe where there is low violence, they have protective social ties, and they can avoid perceived danger. However, social connections can also tie youth to violence and victimization, which threatens their perception of safety. This more nuanced understanding of youth perceptions of safety has implications for the ways in which neighborhoods affect adolescents and the role of housing policy in improving the well-being of low-income youth.

Youth Audience Segmentation Strategies for Smoking-Prevention Mass Media Campaigns Based on Message Appeal

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 578-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian S. Flynn ◽  
John K. Worden ◽  
Janice Yanushka Bunn ◽  
Anne L. Dorwaldt ◽  
Scott W. Connolly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Smoking Prevention ◽  
Audience Segmentation ◽  
Media Campaigns ◽  
Prevention Messages ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Media Interventions

Mass media interventions are among the strategies recommended for youth cigarette smoking prevention, but little is known about optimal methods for reaching diverse youth audiences. Grades 4 through 12 samples of youth from four states ( n = 1,230) rated smoking-prevention messages in classroom settings. Similar proportions of African American, Hispanic, and White youth participated. Impact of audience characteristics on message appeal ratings was assessed to provide guidance for audience segmentation strategies. Age had a strong effect on individual message appeal. The effect of gender also was significant. Message ratings were similar among the younger racial/ethnic groups, but differences were found for older African American youth. Lower academic achievement was associated with lower appeal scores for some messages. Age should be a primary consideration in developing and delivering smoking-prevention messages to youth audiences. The unique needs of boys and girls and older African American adolescents should also be considered.

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