Browsing by Subject "Child Psychology"
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Item Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action to Female Adolescent Sexual Behavior(2000-05-01) Gilbert-Cronen, Vanessa S.; Rene, Antonio; Goldfarb, Ronald H.; Urrutia-Rojas, XimenaGilbert-Cronen, Vanessa S., Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action to Female Adolescent Sexual Behavior. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), May, 2000, 143pp., 25 tables, 8 illustrations, references, 170 titles. Objectives. This study evaluated the Theory of Reasoned Actions for its effectiveness in the prediction of the sexual intercourse intentions of a group of female high school adolescents. An expanded model which included a self-esteem measure was also assessed for its contribution to the model. Additionally, six-month follow up data was used to determine whether sexual intercourse intention predicted reported sexual behavior at follow-up. Methods. Data from the National Urban Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program (NUAPPP), a longitudinal study conducted in 1997 and 1998 was used for this study. Tenth grade adolescent high school females (n=235) from two sites in Texas were selected to conduct a partial test of the Theory of Reasoned Action. The TRA model constructs attitudes and subjective norm were operationalized so that beliefs about sexual intercourse, attitudes towards pregnancy, perceived sexual beliefs about friends and parental communication beliefs were evaluated for their individual and combined effectiveness in the prediction of sexual intercourse intention. Results. Logistic analysis of individual model components showed significant associations between sexual beliefs (OR=5.75; 95% CI = 2.75, 11.98), pregnancy attitudes (OR=3.14; 95% CI=1.53, 6.44) perceived friend’s beliefs (OR=3.97; 95% CI = 1.57, 10.04) and sexual intercourse intention. When combined as a model, only sexual beliefs remained a significant predictor of intention (OR=4.02; 95% CI=1.79, 9.04). Evaluation of external variables showed past behavior to be a significant predictor of sexual intercourse intention (OR=32.59; 95% CI=12.56, 84.53). Conclusions. This study found the Theory of Reasoned Action to be inadequate in the prediction of adolescent female sexual intercourse intentions. The facts that individual constructs were significant predictors indicates a need for further research to understand the relationships between attitudes, beliefs, intention and behavior.Item Body Image, Depressed Mood, Weight Concerns, and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Female Adolescents(2006-05-01) Marshall, Khiya J.Marshall, Khiya J., Body Image, Depressed Mood, Weight Concerns, and Risky Sexual Behaviors among Female Adolescents. Doctor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), May 2006, 75 pp., 17 tables, bibliography, 90 titles. Adolescence is a time of self-discovery and growth, both emotionally and physically, particularly for adolescent females. The literature lacks specific research pertaining to female adolescent females. The literature lacks specific research pertaining to female adolescent’s body image and other concerns and their association with risky sexual behaviors. Using secondary data from the 2003 Dallas Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS; 9th-12th grade), this study explored the relationship between body image, having a depressed mood, and weight control behaviors and how these may translate into risky sexual behaviors among Dallas Independent School District (DISD) adolescent females. Most respondents were African American and Hispanic. The main hypotheses were: a) African American and Hispanic adolescent females will be more likely to have a depressed mood, an unrealistic body image, or weight control behaviors compared to Caucasian adolescent females; and b) Adolescents with unrealistic body image, depressed mood, and weight control behaviors will be more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, regardless of race or ethnicity. As hypothesized, more African American and Hispanic adolescents had a depressed mood, and more Hispanics had an unrealistic body image compared to Caucasians. The hypothesis that depressed mood and unrealistic body image would be significant predictors of engaging in risky sexual behaviors was corroborated only for depressed mood. Engaging in weight control, although hypothesized as not a significant predictor, was a significant predictor for using alcohol/drugs before his last sexual intercourse. School-based sexual education programs that target adolescent females in DISD should focus on abstinence or consistent condom use if sexually active, weight control behaviors, and depressed mood and its implications.Item Evaluation of Mental Health Association of Tarrant County's School Based Mental Health Curriculum: Focus Group and Results(2005-04-01) Nanji-Bhai, Anila K.; Sue Lurie; Claudia S. Coggin; Kristine LykensNanji-Bhai, Anila K., Evaluation of Mental Health Association of Tarrant County’s School Based Mental Health Curriculum: Focus Group and Results. Master of Public Health (Community Health), April 2005, 31 pp., references. There are presently numerous research findings that indicate the need for mental health education among the adolescent population within the United States. In the last decade, tragedies such as the Columbine school shooting, and most recently the Red Lake school shootings in Minnesota point to the fact that adolescents are facing mental pressures and need assistance. In this study, a mental health curriculum, developed by the Mental Health Association of Tarrant County, was examined through the use of focus groups. The group was asked to analyze and comment on the curriculum, as to the age-appropriateness, the “appeal,” and to suggest improvements or revisions. The qualitative data that was gathered was analyzed using NVivo. Results showed a strong opposition to this type of program being brought into the school setting. As the focus group sessions continued however, the curriculum was adapted based on the participants’ comments and suggestions. In the end, the curriculum was accepted by the participants as a program that would be welcomed in schools. Conclusions were that when the proposed curriculum was modified according to the focus group participants’ comments and suggestions; particularly concerning TEKS objectives, the curriculum became more acceptable and a viable opportunity for the school districts.Item Hispanic Female Adolescents at Risk for Suicide and the Use of Illicit Drugs(2006-10-01) Luncheon, CecilyLuncheon, Cecily. M.D., M.P.H. Hispanic Female Adolescents at Risk for Suicide and the Use of Illicit Drugs. Doctor of Public Health, Fall 2006, 88 p.p., 31 tables, bibliography, 77 titles. This study examines the hypothesis that Latina adolescents in high school who were at risk for suicide are more likely to use illicit drugs than Non-Latinas in high school who are at risk for suicide. Data was analyzed from the 2003 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavioral Survey. A national sample of 9th-12th grades students participated in a self-administrated questionnaire at school. The study who conducted based on 6,826 Hispanic/Latinas, black, non-Hispanic and white, non-Hispanic female adolescents. Three at risk for suicide, nine frequent illicit drugs and three controlling variables were chosen to conduct the study. Chi-square test assessed the significant of difference between races and binary logistic regression models were utilized to estimate the association between at risk for suicide and drug use. Among the three race/ethnicities who were at risk for suicide, Hispanic/Latinas had the highest drug use prevalence. The first logistic regression model that seriously consider attempting suicide were associated with Latinas (OR= 1/0.68 [95% CI, 1/0.53-1/0/87]), suburban youth (1.28 [1.02-1.63]), marijuana (1.79 [1.49-2.16]), inhalants (2.58 [1/46-3.28]), and steroids without MD’s prescription (1.98 [1.32-2.99]). The second logistic regression model established that those who made a suicide plan were associated with Latinas (OR=1/0.66 [95% CI, 1/0.48-1/0.91]), marijuana (1.40 [1.00-1.95]), inhalants (3.18 [2.05-3.79]), methamphetamines (2.21 [1.42-3.76]), and used a needle to inject any illegal drug (4.24 [1.29-12.66]). While the third logistic regression model found that attempted suicide were associated with Latinas (OR= 1/0.67 [95% CI, 1/0.48-1/0.94]), 11th and 12th grades (0.66 [0.46-0.94]) and (0.40 [0.27-0.60]), marijuana 2.50 [1.99-3.16]), cocaine (1.67 [1.09-2.58]), inhalants (2.69 [1.89-3.82]), methamphetamines, taken steroids without MD’s prescription (1.95 [1.12-3.40]) and used a needle to inject any illegal drug (4.30 [1.16-15.87]). Greater awareness about the physical and mental health status of Latinas are needed to ensure that good mental health programs are available for Latina adolescents.Item Maternal Depression as Predictor of Repeat Child Unintentional Injury(2004-12-01) Webster Krause, Lisa Ruth; Lurie, Sue; Gonzalez, AdelaWebster Krause, Lisa Ruth, Maternal Depression as Predictor of Repeat Child Unintentional Injury. Master of Public Health (Community Health), December 2004, 39 pp., 4 tables, references 28 titles. Current literature supports maternal depression as a predictor of child unintentional injury. There have been conflicting results concerning mediating and other risk factors. This study aims to reexamine the link between maternal depression and the occurrence of repeat child unintentional injury in the home. Using the NHIS 2002 data maternal depression was found to predict child repeat unintentional injury in this national sample. It was found that the most predictive model of repeat unintentional injury in this national sample. It was found that the most predictive model of repeat child unintentional injury consisted of maternal depression and low-income. Since maternal depression and low-income have been identified as underlying determinants of child unintentional injury, they should be a priority in prevention efforts so as to more effectively reduce the occurrence of repeat unintentional injury among children in the home.