Browsing by Subject "adolescent"

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Adolescent Impulsivity: A Mediator between Parental Monitoring and Adolescent Psychosocial Outcomes
(2014-08-04) Ramos, Ashley M
Previous research has established a robust relationship between characteristics of authoritative parenting as well as adolescent impulsivity on adolescent psychosocial outcomes. The current study was the first to expand upon this literature and examine the relationship between parenting characteristics and impulsivity, as well as the potential role for impulsivity as a mediator between perceived parenting characteristics and adolescent psychosocial outcomes. Results indicated that parental acceptance/involvement was positively related to the experiential discounting task (EDT; R^(2)= .122, F (1, 49) =7.474, p = .043) and negatively related to the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS; R^(2)= .122, F (1, 49) =7.474, p= .008). PSI Psychological Autonomy Granting was only found to be significantly positively related to the DDQ (R^(2)= .096, F (1, 49) =5.751 p = .020). Parental monitoring was only negatively related to the BIS (R^(2)= .072, F (1, 49) =4.195, p = .045). Mediation models revealed that adolescent performance on the DDQ fully mediated the relationship between psychological autonomy granting and both DSM-IV Hyperactive Symptoms and ADHD Symptoms Total. The BIS was a partial mediator in the relationship between parental acceptance/involvement and family problems and the ADHD Index. All other mediation models were not significant. Implications of the current findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Adolescents' academic self perceptions in disciplinary alternative education programs: the impact of a self-affirmation intervention program
Armstrong, Shanice Nicole
Hope as a Strategy for Improving Student Achievement and Dissuading Repeat Pregnancy in Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents
(2011-08-08) McNeill, Elisa Hutson
This dissertation examines the construct of hope and its ability to be taught to pregnant and parenting adolescents as a strategy to improve academic achievement and dissuade repeat adolescent pregnancy. A systemic review of the literature examined fourteen (n=14) empirical studies to ascertain if a relationship existed between achievement and the construct of hope. With 92% of the studies reporting a positive correlation between hope and achievement, one can answer yes to the question of an existing relationship between hope and achievement. A manuscript is presented to summarize the development and implementation of a curriculum, designed to develop requisite skills among adolescent mothers to elevate their levels of hope. The Helping Optimize Planning Efforts (HOPE) curriculum presents specific methods for adolescent mothers to enhance skills related to goal setting, goal attainment and the use of positive self-talk as a mechanism for developing hope or increasing existing levels of hope. The study attempted to assess the ability of the HOPE curriculum to enhance the adolescent mother?s level of hope with the underlying assumption that increasing levels of hope might decrease the probability of a repeat adolescent pregnancy. Findings suggested there was a significant difference in the scores for the Dispositional Trait Hope Scale (DTHS) pre-test (M = 68.5, SD = 7.0) and the DTHS post-test scores (M = 73.2, SD = 5.61) (t(11) = 3.18, p = .009) indicating an increase in global hope. A significant difference was also found in between the State Hope Scale (SHS) pre-test scores (M = 39.0, SD = 4.84) and SHS post-test scores (M = 41.5, SD = 5.21) (t(11) = 4.19, p = .002) indicating an increase in the students point in time level of hope. The evaluation of the curriculum indicated that adolescent mothers can be taught to increase their levels of hope using the HOPE curriculum. Data collected during the evaluation of the HOPE curriculum was further analyzed to identify the constructs that contribute to the building of hope in adolescent mothers. The data suggests that two distinct components, agency and pathway, contribute to increase the level of hope. Examination of the subscales within the DTHS, showed there was a significant difference between the pre-test agency (M = 25.42, SD = 5.81) and the post-test agency scores (M = 27.85, SD = 3.65) (t(11) = 2.83, p = .017). Also, among the DTHS pathway subscale, a significant difference was found between the scores on the pre-test (M = 25.08, SD = 3.58) and the post-test score (M = 26.67, SD = 2.35) (t(11) = 2.22, p = .048). These findings suggest that the increased level of hope on the DTHS for was a reflection of the improvements in components, agency and pathway. These findings suggests that adolescent mothers can be taught to be more hopeful when the components of agency and pathway are developed.
I'm Too Young for This: Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship
(2014-07-25) Vollmer Dahlke, Deborah
As of January 1, 2012, an estimated 13.7 million cancer survivors were alive in the United States. The number of cancer survivors is expected to reach 18 million by the year 2022. Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer survivors, ages 15-39, are a population that experiences disparities in care, including a lack of evidence for increased survival. This thesis presents three papers, each using different methods. The first, an analysis of AYA breast cancer survivors? risk factors including access to clinical trials, uses geographic information systems to map patients? distance to trials and logistic regression to analyze demographic and clinical risk factors. The second paper applies quantitative and qualitative analyses in an evaluation of a public and professional education project on AYA survivorship. The third paper uses qualitative methods and a theory-based taxonomy to assess the use of behavior change theories in mobile health (mHealth) applications for cancer survivorship. The results demonstrate the multifactorial elements that impact AYA cancer survivorship, and suggest the need for interventions and expanded research. Additional research is needed to understand the unique physical and biological characteristics of AYAs, in particular those of AYA breast cancer survivors. The thesis illuminates the challenges AYA survivors experience with late effects?physical, psychosocial and financial?and the need for ongoing education for healthcare professionals. In considering the potential of mHealth applications for health behaviors change among AYAs and other cancer survivors, the study articulates concerns about the limited use of theory in the majority of mHealth apps, and suggests the need for intervention designers to reflect more deeply on theoretical models. This thesis contributes to the field of AYA survivorship research in its evidence assessing risk factors including distance to cancer trials for AYA breast cancer patients, by identifying ongoing educational needs for both survivors and providers and by assessing lack of theory and potential for improvement among mHealth interventions. It offers suggestions for future research, policies, and program changes, including the use of emerging mobile technology and sensors to engage AYA survivors both as participants and designers of research that could improve their quality of life and wellbeing.
Intergenerational parallelism of self-efficacy: moderating variables, mediating variables, and common antecedents
(Texas A&M University, 2004-11-15) Lin, Cheng-Hsien
A number of theories and studies in sociology and psychology have asserted that self-efficacy is both the consequence and cause of our everyday life experiences. However, there is little empirical evidence to support the existence of intergenerational parallelism of self-efficacy between generations. And if it exists, then the processes by which self-efficacy is transmitted from parents to children is rarely documented in the literature. In addition, it is noteworthy to examine whether such intergenerational transmission of self-efficacy exists among different types of families, genders, or racial groups. In my dissertation, I intend to answer these inquiries by utilizing a longitudinal data set that incorporates information of three generations (grandparents, parents, and grandchildren) reporting their individual age, educational attainment, self-esteem, and self-efficacy, with both parent generation's self-efficacy and child generation's self-efficacy having been collected in the same developmental stage (early adolescence). In addition, parents also reported several aspects of their adulthood conditions and behaviors, including their occupation, substance use, parenting behaviors, educational expectation upon their children, and their self-efficacy in adulthood, which I introduce as mediating mechanisms of the intergenerational transmission of self-efficacy. Finally, I analyzed this model separately in terms of family structure (dual- or single-parent families), child's gender, parent-child gender dyads, and race/ethnicity. The results suggest that there exists intergenerational parallelism of self-efficacy, and parent generation's self-efficacy (in adolescence) is associated with parents' choices of conventional pathways towards adulthood. These conventional pathways that self-efficacious parents choose in turn exhibit a strong influence on the development of the child's self-efficacy. These findings are independent of other influences, e.g. the family's social economic status, race/ethnicity, ages of both generations, and family structure. The implications and contributions of this research are discussed in the last chapter.
Parental use of child feeding practices and outcomes in child and adolescent nutrition
(Texas A&M University, 2005-02-17) Yeley, Genevieve Connors
The incidence of childhood and adolescent overweight in the United States is increasing at an alarming rate and is now considered the most prevalent nutritional disease of children and adolescents in this country. Although much attention has focused on genetic research, and heredity is an unarguable component of obesity, the role of the environment must be considered because genetic changes over entire populations are not likely to occur at such a rapid rate. In observing today?s environment where energy-dense foods abound, restaurant dining has increased, and children are more sedentary than ever, the current trends in child/adolescent weight status are not surprising. This study digs to the heart of worrisome eating habits by exploring the development of these behaviors in the family. Previous studies show that parents? use of child feeding practices is related to their children?s weight status. It is hypothesized that children of parents who utilize highly controlling feeding strategies (pressure, restriction, monitoring) will have nutrient intakes and weight indicators that are either higher or lower than the average for children whose parents exert less control over the eating domain. The objective of this research is to discover if significant relationships exist between parental child feeding strategies and child/adolescent overweight or underweight and nutrient intake. Birch?s model explaining familial resemblances in eating and weight status was tested using her previously validated Child Feeding Questionnaire, standard anthropometric techniques, three days of diet records, and a previously validated child questionnaire. Three-hundred and twelve children/adolescents, 254 mothers, and 245 fathers from the Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area completed interviews, and data was analyzed with the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Results confirmed the validity of Birch?s model and previous studies that found significant relationships between child feeding strategies and children?s nutrition status. Parents who pressured their children to eat (motivated by concern about the child being underweight) were more likely to have children with lower BMI percentiles and skinfolds while parents who monitored or restricted the child?s intake had children with higher BMI percentiles and skinfold thicknesses. No clear relationships were found between feeding styles and nutrient intake.
Peer aggression among adolescents: characteristics of the victims
(Texas A&M University, 2006-10-30) D'Esposito, Susan Elaine
Peer aggression is a significant problem among adolescents; it is relatively common and frequently experienced among adolescents. Recently, there has been growing attention to the occurrence and impact of bullying on adolescent's well being at school. There is still a lot to learn about why certain adolescents are targets for bullying. This study explores how certain personality traits, behaviors, and social status may be predictors for those who are targeted as victims of peer aggression. Students in three middle schools and one junior high school from three different school districts in Texas were asked to participate in this study. The sample consisted of 233 students. Students were both males and females who were attending 6th, 7th, and 8th grade and were between the ages of 12 and 15. Data was aggregated for each participating student from demographic information collected from the Cover Sheet, with participant demographics, Bullying/Victimization Scale (BVS), Behavior Assessment System for Children - Self-Report (BASC-SRP), and Social Support Scale for Children and Adolescents (Social Support - CFS). The data obtained supported the expectation that adolescents who presented with symptoms of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, high external locus of control, low self-reliance, and high sense of inadequacy are more likely to become victims of peer aggression than adolescents who are more socially competent, more psychologically well-adjusted, and who have a higher internal locus of control. Additionally, adolescents who show signs of social stress may also be more likely to become victims of peer aggression. This is an important step in the needed research because the victim is often overlooked when peer aggression is occurring. Identification of potential victims and assistance with development of their social skills may aid them in avoiding acts of peer aggression.
Representations of transgender young adults in multiple medias, or The transgender success story
(2009-05) Smith, Adeline Jocelyn; Carter, Mia; Stone, Allucquere Rosanne
Adolescence is not experienced in the same way by all individuals or communities; individuals who cannot find harmony between their sense of identity and social norms often have a much harder time during this period. In this vein, there is an especially strong need for transgender adolescents to be able to locate themselves in the world around them. I examine current transgender representations available to (and specifically marketed towards) young adults through three venues—literature, television, and the Internet. The amount of material that deals directly with any instance of transgender or transsexual identity is minimal. I will argue at the very least that these representations are important for transgendered adolescents to find someone with whom they can identify but that more than likely, it is important for all adolescents to have exposure to representations of transgender individuals. I closely analyze the young adult novel, Parrotfish (Wittlinger 2007), and the CW television show, America’s Next Top Model, for narratives of success that are applied to transgender subjects. I also briefly analyze three websites and compare them to the previous texts, identifying key similarities and differences. I end with suggestions for future growth in all three areas.
The influence of experiences with serious medical conditions on self-reported health behaviors in older adolescent university students
(Texas A&M University, 2006-08-16) Cooper, Danielle Louise
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of experiences with cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease on self-reported health behaviors in older adolescents/young adults, conceptualized as 17 to 24 years of age. This study utilized a developmental perspective to review models of health motivation and prevention. Pertinent models are discussed, such as the Theory of Planned Behavior, models utilizing the concept of locus of control, the Biopsychosocial model, the Contextual/Social- Ecological model, as well as an Integrated Developmental model. The present study sampled university students to examine the impact on health behaviors of knowledge or experience with serious medical conditions. The overall hypothesis, based on the Integrated Developmental model (Cooper & Heffer, in preparation), was that illness experiences or knowledge influences self-report of health behaviors and health locus of control. Participants (n=459) were administered a demographic questionnaire, the Illness Experiences Questionnaire, the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales. Factor analysis was conducted on the YRBS, yielding three factors: Alcohol Use, Smoking Behaviors, and Sexual Activity. The MHLC is also comprised of three subscores: Internality, Powerful Others, and Chance. The research question examined differences on YRBS factors and MHLC scales by several independent variables. MANOVAs were conducted on the three YRBS factors and on the three MHLC scales by several independent variables. Results did not support the hypothesis that experiences with or knowledge of these illnesses are associated with differences in ratings of health behaviors and reported health locus of control.
Types and Gender Composition of Social Networks: Their Influence on Adolescent Substance Use
(2015-01-22) Jacobs, Wuraola O
This dissertation presents three separate studies designed to examine how the different factors and determinants known to influence adolescent alcohol and tobacco use and the gender compositions of different adolescent network types are associated with alcohol and tobacco use among adolescents. Additionally, the similarities and/or differences in networks of adolescent substance users and non-users are also examined. First, a systematic review of empirical studies (n=48) employing social network analysis to examine adolescents? alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use behavior will be presented discussing: (a) how this body of literature examined gender differences in ATOD use, (b) whether these network studies examine the gender composition of these adolescents? networks, and (c) what network affiliation types are used to characterize adolescent networks. Secondly, descriptive characteristics and network analysis of the social networks of 10th grade substance using and non-using adolescents will be presented. Employing a bounded whole network approach, data was collected from 1,707 10th graders in a school district in Los Angeles, California. The students were asked different network questions in order to generate different network types. The network types elicited from these network questions are: Friendship, Admiration, Succeed, Popularity, and Romantic networks. Attributes and network characteristics of users and non-users across these five different networks are presented and the commonalities and/or differences are described also. Lastly, using data from the same students, a quantitative analysis of the associations between interpersonal (e.g. age, gender) and interpersonal (e.g. parent and sibling substance use) factors, network measures, and gender composition of the networks and their alcohol and tobacco use will be discussed. These associations are then further examined across the five different types of networks mentioned above. Prior to this study, research studies employing social network analysis did not attempt to examine the gender composition of the networks in which adolescents are embedded; and only a few other studies used networks other than friendship networks to characterize adolescent social networks. Thus, this study represents the first step towards addressing these limitations associated with examining how adolescents? social networks facilitate or constrain their substance use behavior and filling these apparent conceptual gaps.