Abstract
This study examined the longitudinal association between contextual stress and health risk behaviors and the role of protective
factors in a community epidemiologically-defined sample of urban African American adolescents (N = 500; 46.4% female). Structural
equation modeling was used to create a latent variable measuring contextual stress (community violence, neighborhood disorder,
and experiences with racial discrimination). Contextual stress in 8th grade was associated with aggressive behavior and substance
use 2 years later for boys. For girls, contextual stress predicted later substance use, but not aggressive behavior. High
academic competence and self-worth reduced the impact of contextual stress on substance use for boys. Implications for intervention
and directions for future research on health risk behaviors among African American adolescents are discussed.
factors in a community epidemiologically-defined sample of urban African American adolescents (N = 500; 46.4% female). Structural
equation modeling was used to create a latent variable measuring contextual stress (community violence, neighborhood disorder,
and experiences with racial discrimination). Contextual stress in 8th grade was associated with aggressive behavior and substance
use 2 years later for boys. For girls, contextual stress predicted later substance use, but not aggressive behavior. High
academic competence and self-worth reduced the impact of contextual stress on substance use for boys. Implications for intervention
and directions for future research on health risk behaviors among African American adolescents are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-010-9520-y
- Authors
- Nikeea Copeland-Linder, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 200 North Wolfe Street, Suite 2027 Baltimore MD 21287 USA
- Sharon F. Lambert, George Washington University Department of Psychology Washington DC USA
- Yi-Fu Chen, University of Georgia Center for Family Research Athens GA USA
- Nicholas S. Ialongo, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Department of Mental Health Baltimore MD USA
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891