Browsing by Subject "African-American"
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Item Career self-efficacy and career decision of African-American, Hispanic, and Anglo students enrolled in selected rural Texas high schools(Texas A&M University, 2006-08-16) Owre, Martha LeonoraThe study was designed to obtain information that would be of value to secondary school personnel who provide career counseling and guidance to high school students preparing for post-secondary education, training, and employment. The study attempted to determine if African-American, Anglo, and Hispanic students varied significantly on characteristics that could potentially inhibit career decision-making. The characteristics investigated included career indecision and self-efficacy. Participants included 74 sophomore and senior students from three rural high schools in South Central Texas. Two research questions were investigated to determine if there were significant differences among Anglo, African-American, and Hispanic students on measures of career indecision and self-efficacy. A third research question was investigated to determine if significant differences existed on measures of career indecision and self-efficacy by ethnicity, gender, and grade level, as well as for the interaction of ethnicity, gender, and grade level. A supplementary analysis of the three research questions was conducted including school as an independent variable. The Career Decision Scale and Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale were administered to the participants and the data were analyzed with ANOVA and MANOVA statistical tests. No significant differences were obtained for the three research questions. When the school variable was included in the data analysis, significant main effects differences were found for grade level on self-efficacy and for school on career indecision. The combination of ethnic groups, genders, and grade levels indicated significant differences for the interaction of gender and grade level on self-efficacy and for the interaction of ethnicity and gender on self-efficacy. Middle to high levels of career indecision were reported by 90% of the seniors and 79% of all students in the study. The researcher recommended that career interventions would be valuable to sophomores and seniors in helping them prepare for post-secondary career choices.Item Colorectal Cancer Screening and Young African-American Men: Male Role Norms, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions(2013-12-05) Rogers, Charles RayOf cancers affecting both men and women, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cancer to kill African Americans in the U.S. Compared to White men, African-American men have CRC incidence and mortality rates 20% and 45% higher, respectively. Owing to CRC?s high incidence and younger age at presentation among African-American men, CRC screening (CRCS) is warranted at age 45 rather than 50. Yet, most studies have focused on men older than 45. The findings of these studies suggest that CRC survival is inversely related to early detection, and advocate the continued need for development, testing, and translating prevention interventions into increase screening behavior. Hence, the two-fold purpose of this study was to (1) conduct a systematic review of the professional literature to assess African-American men?s knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding CRCS; and (2) assess the knowledge, attitudes, male role norms, perceptions of subjective norms, and perceptions of barriers associated with CRCS among young adult African-American men (ages 19-45) employing survey research methodology. Utilizing Garrard?s Matrix Method, the systematic literature review synthesized 28 studies examining African-American men's knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding CRCS. Six factors emerged as associated with CRCS intentions and behaviors: previous CRCS, CRC test preference, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, CRC/CRCS knowledge, and physician support/recommendation. In addition, the mean methodological quality score of 10.9 indicated these studies were, overall, of medium quality and suffered from specific flaws. The second component of this study -- an on-line survey questionnaire -- described the male role norms, knowledge, attitudes, perceived subjective norms, and perceived barriers associated with screening for CRC among a non-random sample of 157 young adult African-American men. Ultimately, family history of cancer, work status, and perceived barriers were the critical factors associated with attitudes in all of our models/analyses. Of these, perceived barriers are the only factors amenable to change through health education efforts. Because this study was narrowly-focused on a specific group of African Americans, it provides a solid basis for developing structured health education interventions to increase young adult African-American men?s intention to screen for CRC.Item Cued up : signaling the African American market(2012-05) Davis, Derrick Lamar; Thomas, Kevin, doctor of advertising; Henderson, GeraldineIn this report, the author investigates the process of encoding cultural cues into advertisements targeting the African American market. More specifically, this study focuses on advertising professional’s perceptions of African American culture, and using them to create relationships between brands and the African American community. While the cues integrated into an advertisement’s message seek to prompt a favorable response from African Americans, they also communicate perceptions of African American identity and culture to society. This report is an analysis of three in-depth case studies, which give insight into the production process of target marketing for the African American market. This process includes learning about culture, generating ideas relevant to the culture, and integrating that knowledge into advertisements intended to influence consumer behavior through mass communication.Item Risk and protective factors in commercially sexually exploited females(2015-08) Brewer, Chelsea Lynn; Tharinger, Deborah J.; Keith, Timothy, 1952-; Bentley-Edwards, Keisha; Busch-Armendariz, Noel; Awad, Germine; Fernando, April DThe commercial sexual exploitation of female minors is a problem that continues to grow domestically in the United States. Although pathways into exploitation as a minor have been addressed in the current literature, little is known about how to best meet the needs of this elusive and vulnerable population. This dissertation attempted to inform treatment, intervention, and policy for commercially sexually exploited females. The sample consisted of 160 mostly African-American females currently identified as being commercially sexually exploited. Data from the Child Adolescent Needs and Strengths for Commercial Sexual Exploitation version 1.3 were collected by service providers during a initial assessment for mental health and case management services. Resiliency Theory and the Transactional Stages of Change were used to conceptualize risk and resilience for this sample. This study addressed three specific aims. The first described demographics, individual strengths, environmental strengths, and mental health needs of this sample. The second used path analysis to analyze hypothesized relations between risk variables including caregiver risks, abuse history, and living instability, on the outcome variables of mental health symptoms, environmental strengths and individual strengths. The third aim used path analysis to explore hypothesized relations among strength variables, Stockholm Syndrome and exit variables. Two models in aim three explored the outcome variables of exit time and stage of readiness. Results indicated that cultural identity was the greatest individual strength and that the greatest environmental strength was attitude toward education. Adjustment to trauma and depression were rated as the greatest mental health needs for this sample. Age, caregiver risk and abuse history significantly predicted mental health symptoms. Caregiver risk significantly predicted fewer individual and environmental strengths. No variables were found to predict exit time or stage of readiness. However, paths from environmental strengths to Stockholm Syndrome and age of exploitation onset to Stockholm Syndrome were significant in both the exit time and stage of readiness models. These findings suggest the importance of early identification and prevention, and provide support for the construct of Stockholm Syndrome in describing and understanding the exit process. Additional treatment implications are discussed.Item We will always be here(2013-12) Walton, Monique; Schiesari, NancyThis report serves as a first-person account of the conceptualization, pre-production, and post-production phases of my short documentary thesis film. We Will Always Be Here interweaves stories from residents, historians, and grassroots activists in a visual essay about the transforming landscape in the rapidly expanding neighborhood of East Austin. The film explores themes of identity politics and cultural resistance amid the seemingly unstoppable expansion of the city of Austin.Item Weight-related Beliefs, Behaviors, and Social Networks of Obese, Young Adult African- American Women: Implications for Healthy Weight Interventions(2012-12-10) Rollins, Brandy 1982-Obesity is a public health concern that affects over 30% of Americans. Approximately 78% of African-American women are overweight/obese, as compared to 46% of Caucasian women. Obese African-American women are at higher risk for associated morbidities (e.g., hypertension, type II diabetes, select cancers, and early mortality) as compared to non-Hispanic whites. Weight gain after young adulthood (ages 20-35) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems later in life. Research that seeks to explain, predict, or control obesity among African-American women has focused on individual behavior change. Few studies have addressed the social contexts within which these behaviors occur. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the weight-related beliefs, behaviors, and social network characteristics of obese, young adult African-American women. A conceptual framework based on social support and social network theory guided the design of the study. Ten African-American women between the ages of 20 and 35, self-described as ?plus-size? or ?full-figured,? completed initial informal conversations about weight-related issues and concerns and semi-structured, in-depth face-to-face interviews. Five participants were randomly selected to complete social network profiles to identify potential social influences on weight-related beliefs and behaviors. Results of the initial conversations revealed approximately half of the participants were class III obesity (BMI > 40), reported overall good health, and 70% participated in physical activity at least one day a week. Semi-structured interviews results disclosed two primary reasons for unsuccessful long-term weight loss: (a) inconsistent weight loss behaviors and (b) lack of accountability. Weight-related beliefs and behaviors of study participants were similar to those reported for older adult African-American women. Similarities included (a) mixed levels of body satisfaction; (b) the belief that health is not determined by weight; (c) sedentary lifestyles and; (d) social support from family and friends impacts long-term weight loss success. The five social network profiles indicated participants? networks are small, comprised of at least two overweight/obese females, and exhibited positive social support behaviors. Social networks included positive, negative, and non-positive relationships. Social support for weight loss is shared among network members through face-to-face interactions, phone conversations, and use of social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and text messaging. Future healthy weight studies would benefit from comprehensive analyses of the social networks of obese, young adult African-American women, inclusive of interviews with social network members. Culture-based healthier weight interventions that organize social support networks through social media tools are promising strategies for promoting healthy weight management among obese, young adult African-American women.