Author : Brenda M. Frye
Release : 2003
Genre : Asian American teenagers
Kind : eBook
Book Rating : /5 ( reviews)
Book Synopsis Ethnic Identity Development and Adolescent Health Related Decision Making by : Brenda M. Frye
Download or read book Ethnic Identity Development and Adolescent Health Related Decision Making written by Brenda M. Frye. This book was released on 2003. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "An objective of this study was to explore the relationship of ethnic identity development, among a group of adolescents in the Bay area, self-esteem, and health risk behaviors. Past research has mixed findings with regard to whether ethnic identity development is a protective factor to adolescents engaging in risky behaviors such as, drinking, drug use, smoking, and sexually risky behaviors. Some research has indicated that ethnic identity does serve as a protective factor among some groups of adolescents when drug use is concerned. An additional objective of this study was to better understand the relationship of self-esteem, ethnic identity, and health related decision-making. Gender, age, and ethnic group membership were also looked at as they related to health risk behavior among adolescents in this sample. Four hundred and seventy seven ethnically diverse adolescents between the ages of 13-18 from local Bay area high schools voluntarily participated in this investigation. This study contained a sub-sample of 124 Latino adolescents, and 88 Asian adolescents. Results supported the role that ethnic identity has as a protective factor to health risk behaviors among some groups of adolescents. Ethnic identity and self-esteem were found to be positively correlated in this study. Furthermore, self-esteem was found to be a protective factor to engaging in health risk behaviors among those adolescents who were not Caucasian when compared with Caucasian adolescents. Finally, gender differences were found on the Affirmation and Belonging subscale of the MEIM in terms of health risk behaviors. Findings from this study have implications for designing preventive programs for adolescents from diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, these findings point to the importance of considering ethnic identity, ethnicity, and self-esteem in the prediction of health risk behaviors"--Leaves ii-iii.