Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Factors Associated With Physical Activity Behaviors Among Rural Adolescents, Kenli A. Urruty

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The "obesity epidemic" in the United States is a current health concern that has sparked research interest in physical activity as a means of weight management. However, little research has examined the physical activity behaviors of rural adolescents. The goal of the current study was to use a biopsychosocial framework to examine the physical activity behaviors of a sample of rural adolescents, and explore factors associated with physical activity participation.

A sample of 162 ninth- and tenth-grade students in a rural, western community were recruited for this study. Generally, the sample reported levels of physical activity for both genders that …

Adolescent Interest In Alcohol Responsibility Messages: The Message Matters, Kevin Kimball John

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents are especially vulnerable to image-based messages, which place them directly in line with the lifestyle messages presented in numerous alcohol advertisements. Research has shown that teenagers encounter alcohol advertisements from a variety of sources, prompting concern over the consequences of exposure and the risks associated with teen drinking. Warning messages contained within these alcohol advertisements are often vague in their wording and targeted to promote responsible drinking among adults, making them wholly inadequate for teen deterrence. This thesis explores the problems with current alcohol responsibility messages when dealing with teens, and proposes the development of new, modified messages, that …

Incarcerated Male Adolescent Suicide In Utah: A Case Study, Kristy Straubhaar

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescent suicide has been described as a major public health problem calling for the aid of researchers willing to better identify factors related to suicide risk. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds. Despite the fact incarcerated adolescents act in self-destructive ways, minimal research has focused on suicide behavior among incarcerated adolescents. Existing data indicates that suicide among adolescent males is especially prevalent in the juvenile justice system. Several variables have been identified as risk factors for suicidal behavior, including interpersonal relationship dysfunction, substance abuse, and psychological variables such as depression and dichotomous thinking. …

Self-Image In Adolescent Foster Youth Who Have Had Multiple Out-Of-Home Placements, Sarah Cartier

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of data collection from adolescents in foster care. Additionally, how do adolescent foster youth who have had multiple placements perceive their self-image and is it comparable to the self-image of an adolescent population not in foster care? Adolescent foster youth who have had multiple placements are at higher risk for negative personal, familial, environmental, communal, and societal relations. Areas of self-image identified as positive should be supported and areas identified as reflecting a lower self-image should be addressed both clinically and pragmatically. Adolescent foster youth in the custody of the Department of …

Women Among Men : The Experiences Of Female Staff In Residential Facilities For Adolescent Males, Jessica Rose Donahue

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory study was undertaken to examine women's experiences working in residential treatment facilities for adolescent males, and to better understand the existing gender dynamics in this particular setting. The research questions guiding this study were: How do gender stereotypes affect women's experiences working in residential treatment with adolescent males? How do women feel that they are perceived by co-workers and residents? Thirteen women participated in this qualitative study. Six women performed clinical roles, three were direct care staff, three were case managers, and one was a teacher. Through structured interviews, the participants provided narratives about their agency/job requirements or …

Making Healthy Choices: Adolescent Preference Ratings Of School-Based Health Interventions, Nicholas Glover Baird

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated the effect of a Making Healthy Choices lesson on junior high school students' preference rankings of items used to motivate students to increase academic performance. Results indicated that the lesson resulted in increased ranking scores on healthy items. This study used an assessment procedure that may be used to identify healthy rewards that may motivate students to increase academic performance as well as practice healthy decision making to prevent obesity.

Relative Sensitivity To Change Of Psychotherapy Outcome Measures For Children And Adolescents: A Comparison Using Parent- And Self-Report Versions Of The Cbcl/6-18, Basc-2, And Y-Oq-2.01, Debra Theobald Mcclendon

Theses and Dissertations

This repeated-measures study evaluated the relative sensitivity to change of the Child Behavior Checklist/6-18 (CBCL/6-18), the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2), and the Youth Outcome Questionnaire-2.01 (Y-OQ-2.01). Participants were recruited from Valley Mental Health, a community outpatient clinic in Salt Lake City, UT. There were 178 participants for 136 cases, with 134 adults and 44 adolescents. Participants provided two through five data points for a total of 548 data points. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was conducted for three major comparisons: adult informants, adult and adolescent dyads, and adolescents. Results indicated the Y-OQ-2.01 was the most change sensitive, while the …

The Relations Among Parental Monitoring And Warmth, And Adolescent Externalizing And Internalizing Distress: The Effects Of Parent And Adolescent Perception Of Neighborhood Danger, Jonathan Goldner

Dissertations

Parental monitoring and warmth have traditionally been studied in the context of white, middle-class families. This paper adds to recent research that has begun to explore what levels of these parenting behaviors are optimal for the prevention of adolescent psychopathology in impoverished, urban high crime areas. It also takes into account parent and child perceptions of neighborhood danger. This study employs a longitudinal design, with data collected at two times points one year apart, among a sample of 240 African American young adolescents and their parents in urban, high crime neighborhoods. It aims to study parental monitoring, parental warmth, parent …

Exploratory Factor Analysis Of A Relational Aggression Self-Report, Kimberly S. Carlson

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Relational aggression (RA) represents a distinct form of bullying and refers to behaviors that harm others through damaging their friendships, their inclusion in social groups, and their feelings of acceptance. RA has been recognized as a significant problem, which has psychosocial and academic consequences for perpetrators, victims and bystanders. This study evaluated a self-report inventory that examined RA in 219 females ages 10 through 18 from Central Pennsylvania. Inter-item correlations revealed that none of the scale’s items were highly correlated and therefore repetitive. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with an oblique rotation was used to identify the factors within the …

Adolescents With Aspergers Syndrome And Self-Perceived Social Competence, Shawn M. Mullen

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study explored the self- perceived social competence of adolescents with Aspergers Syndrome (AS). The study's participants were 14 adolescents (11 male, 3 female) between the ages of 10 and 17 years old who were diagnosed with AS. The participants were questioned, using a scripted set of seven questions involving their own perceptions of their interactions with their peers; the study also involved what adults (parents and teachers) think of their ability to get along with peers. The answers to these questions were analyzed qualitatively, and six common themes that the participants found important to them or to their peers' …

Program Evaluation : The Clinical Programming Of An Adolescent Psychiatric Residential Program And Adherence To Clinical Best Practice Guidelines, Michael K. Colbert

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The structure and delivery of clinical services at an adolescent psychiatric community residential program (PCR), located in New Jersey, was evaluated and compared to national clinical guidelines in order to determine the effectiveness of the services being delivered. A multitude of demographic and clinical variables were examined through the review of 70 closed medical records over a 5-year period. An exploration of the history, rationale, and effectiveness of residential treatment services for adolescents is also presented, along with recommendations for the delivery of more effective clinical services.

The Social Problem-Solving Approach Of Adolescent Females Diagnosed With An Eating Disorder :Toward A Greater Understanding Of Control, Roger K. Mcfillin

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The current study examined social information processing variables, social problem solving skills, and interpersonal assertiveness in adolescent females diagnosed with an eating disorder. A total of 114 adolescent females between the ages of 14-17 participated in the study. Fifty girls currently in treatment for a diagnosed eating disorder were compared to 64 healthy nonclinical controls. When presented with vignettes depicting ambiguous social dilemmas, the eating disorder group demonstrated a more hostile attributional bias, experienced a significantly greater intensity of negative emotions, and relied upon more avoidant coping strategies when compared to the nonclinical control group. Specifically, the eating disorder group …

Determinants Of Increased Safety Belt Use By High School Students In Motor Vehicles: The Influence Of Parents And Peers And Implications For Virginia's Graduated Driver Licensing Laws, Georjeane Linley Blumling

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of injuries and fatalities for persons 15-19 years of age in the United States. The higher fatality rate is caused in part from the lack of driving experience and the increased risk taking behaviors of adolescent drivers. Graduated driver licensing laws have been enacted in most states to address the risks associated with inexperience by adding restrictions on nighttime driving and limiting the number of teen passengers in the vehicle for novice drivers.

Inconsistent use or non-use of a safety belt when riding in a motor vehicle is a prevalent risk taking …