scholarly journals Evaluation of African American Adolescent Health Status With Gender Comparison

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy L. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Health Status ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Healthy People ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
African American Adolescent ◽  
Healthy People 2010

The goals of Healthy People 2010 are to increase the quality of life and life expectancy, and eliminate health disparities. There is no clear picture, however, if these goals are being addressed by African American adolescents. This study was conducted to evaluate health status of African American adolescents aged 13-19 in Florida’s Big Bend Region. Healthy People 2010 objectives were consulted for the evaluation. Responses from a convenience sample of 35 participants (63% female, 34% male) who completed a survey comprised of questions based on Likert scale are summarized here. The results show that the African American adolescents are engaging in some physical activity; however, only about half of them reported maintaining a healthy body weight. The majority of the adolescents reported avoiding smoking, but fewer adolescents reported avoiding drinking alcohol. Only a small percentage of the adolescents reported that their friends carried a gun or knife to school within the last 30 days; the percentage increased when the adolescents were asked if their friends got into a fist fight within the last 30 days. The adolescents sampled in this study have only achieved the Healthy People 2010 objectives in one of the health concern areas examined herein. It is also important to note that there are substantial gender-based disparities. In order to meet all Healthy People 2010 objectives, health education and promotion must be increased. Future research should explore different aspects of health status of adolescents in general, and further examine gender disparities and contributing factors.

Differences in Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Three Racial Groups

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-178
Author(s):  
Brooke A. Ammerman ◽  
Martha K. Fahlgren ◽  
Kristen M. Sorgi ◽  
Michael S. McCloskey
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Assessment Procedures ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

Abstract. Background: Despite being a major public health concern, it is unclear how suicidal thoughts and behaviors differentially impact separate racial groups. Aims: The aim of the current study was to examine the occurrence of nonlethal suicide events, in addition to suicide attempt characteristics and factors contributing to suicide attempts. Method: A final sample of 7,094 undergraduates from a large northeastern university, identifying as members of three racial groups (White [67.30%], Black [17.30%], and Asian [15.40%]), completed online questionnaires. Results: White participants reported increased likelihood of endorsing lifetime suicidal ideation and plan, whereas Black participants reported decreased likelihood of these events; no differences were found in rates of lifetime suicide attempts. Black participants' suicidal behavior may involve greater ambivalence of intent. A higher proportion of Asian participants endorsed interpersonal factors as contributing to their suicide attempts, whereas a greater percentage of White participants reported internal contributing factors. Limitations: Findings are limited by the sample size and assessment of lifetime suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Conclusion: The findings present a more nuanced look at attitudes and actions related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors that may inform future research and risk assessment procedures.

scholarly journals Parental Support, Mental Health, and Alcohol and Marijuana Use in National and High-Risk African-American Adolescent Samples

2015 ◽  
Vol 9s1 ◽  
pp. SART.S22441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Maslowsky ◽  
John Schulenberg ◽  
Lisa M. Chiodo ◽  
John H. Hannigan ◽  
Mark K. Greenwald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
African American ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Parental Support ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
African American Adolescent ◽  
Protective Processes

African-American adolescents experience disproportionate rates of negative consequences of substance use despite using substances at average or below-average rates. Due to underrepresentation of African-American adolescents in etiological literature, risk and protective processes associated with their substance use require further study. This study examines the role of parental support in adolescents’ conduct problems (CPs), depressive symptoms (DSs), and alcohol and marijuana use in a national sample and a high-risk sample of African-American adolescents. In both samples, parental support was inversely related to adolescent CPs, DSs, and alcohol and marijuana use. CPs, but not DSs, partially mediated the relation of parental support to substance use. Results were consistent across the national and high-risk samples, suggesting that the protective effect of parental support applies to African-American adolescents from a range of demographic backgrounds.

Identity Development for Black Adolescents in Predominately White Rural Communities

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah L. McGriff
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Black Adolescents ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Predominately White ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
American Students

Research on identity development of African American adolescents in predominantly White rural settings is virtually nonexistent. This article examines current literature on the developmental tasks of adolescents and issues of ethnic congruence for African American students in predominately White rural communities. In addition, it calls for critical conversations on this overlooked population. Recommendations for future research using Critical Race Theory is presented.

scholarly journals Influence of Parent Stressors on Adolescent Obesity in African American Youth

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Allport ◽  
MinKyoung Song ◽  
Cindy W. Leung ◽  
Kellye C. McGlumphy ◽  
Rebecca E. Hasson
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Adolescent Obesity ◽  
Community Safety ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Individual Parent

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between individual parent stressors (financial, legal, career, relationships, home safety, community safety, medical, housing, authority, and prejudice) and adolescent obesity in African American adolescents. Methods. Data were from a cross section convenience sample of 273 African American parent-child dyads (ages 11–19) from Washtenaw County, Michigan. A subset of 122 dyads who completed parent and child questionnaires were included in this analysis. Parent stressors were assessed using the Crisis in Family Systems Revised (CRISYS-R) questionnaire. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured by trained staff; height and weight were converted to BMI. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the relationships between individual parent stressors and adolescent BMI and waist circumference. Results. Parental exposure to stressors related to safety in the community was positively associated with adolescent BMI (β = 1.20(0.47), p=0.01) and waist circumference (β = 2.86(1.18), p=0.02). Parental appraisal of stressors related to safety in the community as “difficult to get through” was positively associated with adolescent BMI (β = 0.39(0.14), p=0.006) and waist circumference (β = 1.00(0.35), p=0.005). These relationships remained significant when adjusting for behavioral and psychosocial covariates. There were no significant relationships observed between other parent stressors and adolescent BMI or waist circumference. Conclusion. These findings suggest parents’ exposure and appraisal of stressors related to community safety are associated with increased adolescent obesity in African American youth. Longitudinal, larger-scale studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms by which community safety may increase obesity risk in this ethnic minority pediatric population. This trail is registered with NCT02938663.

Hope and Despair: Diverse Voices of Hope from Urban African American Adolescent Gang Members

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 50-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edith J. Morris, ◽  
Judith Fry-McComish,
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Gang Members ◽  
African American Adolescent ◽  
Specific Support ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Suicide Plan ◽  
Urban African American Adolescent

The Center for Disease Control (2010) found that 9.8% of African American adolescents reported having a suicide plan compared to 10.9% of all youth surveyed. Hope emerged as a caring construct in a study of african american adolescent gang members and may be a factor in the prevention of depression and suicide. Before age 12, adolescents were hopeful about their future, but shortly after their thirteenth birthday, they expressed feelings of hopelessness and despair. Interventions for promoting health and well-being in African American gang members include nonjudgmental listening, forming age-specific support groups, and offering strategies for achieving life goals.

scholarly journals Adverse Life Events and Depressive Symptoms in African American Youth: The Role of Control-Related Beliefs

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yadira M. Sanchez ◽  
Sharon F. Lambert ◽  
Nicholas S. Ialongo
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Adverse Life Events ◽  
And Gender

The association between experiences of adverse life events and adolescent depressive symptoms has been well documented. However, this association is not consistently observed in urban and low income African American youth. In addition, mechanisms linking life event stress and African American adolescents' depressive symptoms have received little attention. This study examined past year violent and nonviolent life events assessed in 6th grade as predictors of 7th grade depressive symptoms among a community epidemiologically defined sample of 447 (47% girls) urban African American adolescents. Depressive symptoms were assessed twice, at a 1-year interval, and initial depressive symptoms were controlled in the analyses. Control-related beliefs were examined as mediators of the association between life events and depressive symptoms, and gender was examined as a moderator of the association between control-related beliefs and depressive symptoms. Associations among study variables were examined in a series of models, from general to more specific. A model in which nonviolent and violent life events were examined separately and control and contingency beliefs examined as one latent variable was the most informative about the etiology of depressive symptoms in a sample of urban, African American youth. Implications of the findings for preventive interventions and future research are discussed.

Status of U.S. Military Retirees and Their Spouses toward Achieving Healthy People 2010 Objectives

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 334-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amii M. Kress ◽  
Michael C. Hartzell ◽  
Michael R. Peterson ◽  
Thomas V. Williams ◽  
Nancy K. Fagan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy People ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Military Retirees ◽  
Healthy People 2010

Purpose. To assess the status of U.S. military retirees and their spouses 38 to 64 years of age relative to select Healthy People 2010 objectives and to identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with select health behaviors. Design. Cross-sectional analyses with self-reported standardized measures from the U.S. Department of Defense Population Health Survey, 2003. Setting. The continental United States. Subjects. U.S. military retirees and their spouses 38 to 64 years of age. Measures. Data for this study were self-reported responses to the Population Health Survey. Dichotomous variables were created to indicate whether each Healthy People 2010 objective had been met. Each objective was measurable with the survey by using the definitions set forth in Healthy People 2010. These objectives included healthy weight and obesity based on body mass index (height and weight); daily fruit, vegetable, and grain-product consumption; physical inactivity, moderate physical activity, and vigorous physical activity; binge drinking; cigarette use; and smoking-cessation attempts. Results. The study population did not meet any of the Healthy People 2010 objectives included in this study. Sociodemographic characteristics that were associated with this result included being male, not having a college degree, and a less-than-excellent self-reported general health status. Conclusion. Health-promotion interventions are needed to improve the health status of this population and to achieve the goals set forth in Healthy People 2010.

scholarly journals Academic Identity: A Longitudinal Investigation of African American Adolescents’ Academic Persistence

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 714-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheretta T. Butler-Barnes ◽  
Fatima Varner ◽  
Amber Williams ◽  
Robert Sellers
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
Academic Identity ◽  
Academic Persistence ◽  
African American Adolescents ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
African American Adolescent ◽  
Cultural Assets ◽  
Study Results

Adolescence is a vulnerable period for the development of academic identification and academic persistence, particularly among African American adolescents. The present study investigated how cultural assets (i.e., private regard and racial centrality) and academic assets (i.e., academic curiosity and academic self-esteem) influence African American adolescent boys’ ( n = 109) and girls’ ( n = 153) academic persistence over time. Additionally, we explored whether oppositional academic identity mediated the relationships between academic and cultural assets and academic persistence. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional longitudinal study. Results indicated significant direct effects of academic assets on academic persistence at Times 1 and 2 for boys and at Times 1, 2, and 3 for girls. Furthermore, oppositional academic identity mediated the relationship between boys’, but not girls’, cultural assets and academic persistence at Time 1. These findings have implications for understanding the role of assets in the lives of African American youth.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document