An examination of the effects of stress, hardiness, and health beliefs on the health risk-taking behaviors of Black adolescents.
Item
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Title
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An examination of the effects of stress, hardiness, and health beliefs on the health risk-taking behaviors of Black adolescents.
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Identifier
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AAI9207117
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identifier
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9207117
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Creator
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Ridgeway Stevens, Celeste Amanda.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Irwin Katz
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Date
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1991
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Social
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Abstract
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This study explored the effects of stress, hardiness, and health beliefs on health risk-taking behaviors. The focus was economically disadvantaged minority youth (mostly Blacks) 12-15 years of age. It investigated in this population the extent to which stress, hardiness and health beliefs influenced their health behaviors. Two groups of Black adolescents were administered a questionnaire. One group was designated as not adjusted based on attendance record and teacher identification of behavioral problems in the classroom. The comparison group consisted of students who had good attendance and were not identified as behavioral problems by teachers. The effect of these variables on the health risk-taking behaviors of Black adolescents has not been previously assessed in the literature.;Prior research suggests that these three variables are significant factors in whether or not one engages in health risk-taking behaviors. Two types of stressors are noted in the literature with regards to Black adolescents, peer pressure and mundane extreme environmental stress. Peer pressure is associated with various normative developmental stages and tasks that are typical during adolescence. Mundane extreme environmental stress refers to the stress Blacks face as a result of living in a racially disadvantaged environment. Racism creates stressful living environments that include crowding, disease, crime, and personal injury, prevalence of substance abuse, and high incidence of adolescent pregnancy.;The results revealed the Black adolescents who were designated as not adjusted differed significantly from the adjusted group on all health risk behavior indicators with the exception of crack cocaine use. The not adjusted group engaged in more cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use and sexual risk behaviors. Black female adolescents in the not adjusted group held significantly riskier sexual, cigarette and drug use beliefs. Environmental stress interacted with health beliefs to facilitate cumulative alcohol risk. Over 75 percent of the sample was found to be low in the proposed hardiness construct. Sex differences in hardiness indicated that Black female adolescents were hardier than Black male adolescents. Future research should be directed toward the development and refinement of a hardiness instrument for adolescents as well as the further identification of environmental factors indicative of mundane extreme environmental stress.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
