DSpace Repository :: Browsing by Author "Bolland, John M."

Browsing by Author "Bolland, John M."

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Associations of Adolescent Hopelessness and Self-Worth With Pregnancy Attempts and Pregnancy Desire
(American Public Health Association, 2014) Fedorowicz, Anna R.; Hellerstedt, Wendy L.; Schreiner, Pamela J.; Bolland, John M.; University of Minnesota Twin Cities; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Objectives. We examined the associations of pregnancy desire (ambivalence or happiness about a pregnancy in the next year) and recent pregnancy attempts with hopelessness and self-worth among low-income adolescents. Methods. To evaluate independent associations among the study variables, we conducted gender-stratified multivariable logistic regression analyses with data derived from 2285 sexually experienced 9- to 18-year-old participants in the Mobile Youth Survey between 2006 and 2009. Results. Fifty-seven percent of youths reported a desire for pregnancy and 9% reported pregnancy attempts. In multivariable analyses, hopelessness was positively associated and self-worth was negatively associated with pregnancy attempts among both female and male youths. Hopelessness was weakly associated (P = .05) with pregnancy desire among female youths. Conclusions. The negative association of self-worth and the positive association of hopelessness with pregnancy attempts among young men as well as young women and the association of hopelessness with pregnancy desire among young women raise questions about why pregnancy is apparently valued by youths who rate their social and cognitive competence as low and who live in an environment with few options for material success.
Bidirectional Relationships Between Parenting Processes and Deviance in a Sample of Inner-City African American Youth
(Wiley-Blackwell, 2017) Harris, Charlene; Vazsonyi, Alexander T.; Bolland, John M.; Miami University; University of Kentucky; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This study assessed bidirectional relationships among supportive parenting (knowledge), negative parenting (permissiveness), and deviance in a sample (N=5,325) of poor, inner-city African American youth from the Mobile Youth Survey over 4years. Cross-lagged path analysis provided evidence of significant bidirectional paths among parenting processes (knowledge and permissiveness) and deviance over time. Follow-up multigroup tests provided only modest evidence of dissimilar relationships by sex and by developmental periods. The findings improve our understanding of developmental changes between parenting behaviors and deviance during adolescence and extend current research of the bidirectionality of parent and child relationships among inner-city African American youth.
Change in Age-Specific, Psychosocial Correlates of Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Youth: Longitudinal Findings From a Deep South, High-Risk Sample
(Springer, 2014) Ritchwood, Tiarney D.; Howell, Rebecca J.; Traylor, Amy C.; Church, Wesley T., II; Bolland, John M.; University of North Carolina; University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The current study examined psychosocial predictors of change in intercourse frequency and number of sexual partners among youth within a socio-ecological framework and assessed whether these determinants vary by stage of adolescent development. Longitudinal data were derived from a large, community study of adolescent risky behavior among predominantly high-risk, African American youth. Significant predictors of intercourse frequency for early adolescents included age, gender, self-worth, and familial factors; for older youth, age, gender, self-worth, curfews, and sense of community exerted significant effects. Among early adolescents, age, gender, self-worth, familial factors, and sense of community predicted change in the number of sexual partners in the previous year, while age, gender, self-worth, parental knowledge, curfews, and sense of community were predictive of change in the number of sexual partners in the previous year among older youth. Study implications and future directions are discussed.
Does it really matter which drug you choose? An examination of the influence of type of drug on type of risky sexual behavior
(Pergamon, 2016) Ritchwood, Tiarney D.; DeCoster, Jamie; Metzger, Isha W.; Bolland, John M.; Danielson, Carla K.; Medical University of South Carolina; University of Virginia; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This study investigates whether certain types of substances are differentially related to certain risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) within the same population and determines whether combination substance use (SU) has additive, redundant or antagonistic effects on RSBs. African-American youth aged 9-19 participated in a large, community-based survey assessing substance use and sexual behaviors. Multilevel modeling was used to predict the differential influence of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine use on condom use measured in the past 90 days and at last intercourse, sex while drunk/high, and number of sexual partners. Tests of the within-participant relations showed that participants increasing their SU over time concurrently increased their RSBs, establishing a strong link between the two behaviors (alcohol: condom beta = 0.045, sex while drunk/high beta = 0.138, sex partners beta = 0.102; marijuana: condom beta = - 0.081, sex while drunk/high beta = 0.255, sex partners beta = 0.166; cocaine: condom beta = - 0.091, sex while drunk/high beta = 0.103, sex partners beta = 0.031; all p's < 0.01). Tests of the between-participant relations showed that, generally, youth reporting less SU across their teenage years were also more likely to report fewer RSBs over this period (alcohol: condom beta = - 0.128, sex while drunk/high beta = 0.120, sex partners beta = 0.169; marijuana: condom beta = - 0.170, sex while drunk/high beta = 0.638, sex partners beta = 0357; cocaine: condom beta = - 0353; all p's < 0.05). Moreover, the combination of some substances has unique redundant or antagonistic effects on RSB. Such findings support the consideration of type of SU, and particular combinations of substances, on RSBs in intervention development. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
An examination of social capital as a delinquency protective factor for youth living in impoverished neighborhoods
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2015) Hopkins, Julie Taylor; Church, Wesley T.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This research utilized the Mobile Youth Study (MYS), a community-based multiple cohort longitudinal study of at-risk behaviors of youth living in the Mobile, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The extent that social capital serves as a protective factor in deterring juvenile delinquency for youth living in impoverished neighborhood was examined. Social capital included neighborhood connectedness, routine activities, attachment to school, hope, caring, attachment to friends, and warmth toward mother. Juvenile delinquency included gun carrying, knife carrying, weapon brandishment, and weapon use. Using multiple linear regression, within the Granger Causality framework, this study explored social capital as a protective factor in deterring juvenile delinquency. Results indicate a juvenile was more likely to carry a knife or gun depending on their age and if they identified their birth mother as the person most like a mother to them. Social capital factors of attachment to school and hours spent weekly hanging out with friends serve as a protective factor in deterring juveniles to brandish a weapon. Social capital factors of caring about others, hours spent working at a paid job, and attachment to school serve as protective factors in deterring juveniles from using a weapon. Implications for social work practice in schools, families, and communities are discussed in light of social capital factors deterring juvenile delinquency.
Exploring Condom Use Behaviors Among African American Adolescent Boys in the Deep South
(Sage, 2021) Chambliss, Jessica Thames; Evans, Retta; Bolland, Anneliese; Wingate, Martha S.; Bolland, John M.; University of Alabama Birmingham; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Risky sexual behaviors among adolescents can increase adverse outcomes including unplanned pregnancy or contraction or transmission of disease. Adolescents who engage in risky sexual activities are at increased risk for adverse health and social outcomes compared to those who do not engage. Despite declines in adolescent pregnancy and birth rates, the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is steadily increasing among adolescents. Moreover, African American adolescent boys in the United States, specifically in the southeastern region are disproportionally at greater risk for STIs, and STI diagnosis within this population has increased over time, compared to their white counterparts. This study sought to identify factors associated with condom use among adolescent boys in the Deep South. Using data from the Mobile Youth Survey, a longitudinal adolescent community-based survey, this study assessed the relationship between personal, behavioral, and environmental factors and condom use among African American adolescent boys (14-19 years). Younger participants (14-15 and 16-17) were more likely to use a condom during the last sexual intercourse compared to older participants (18-19 years). High positive attachment to boy/girlfriend was associated with increased condom use. The number of sexual partners, age at their first sexual encounter, recent sexual behavior, and having an STI were also associated with increased condom use among participants. The study provides further insights into factors associated with condom use among African American adolescent boys and results can inform the development of sexual health interventions.
Family environment and adolescent hopelessness in low-income, urban African American families
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2012) Wimberly, Joshua Charles; Simon, Cassandra E.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Literature on the subject of adolescent development in high-risk, low-income neighborhoods has detailed negative consequences for mental health outcomes. These neighborhoods not only affect adolescents, but can increase stress and strain on families. Urban, African American families who reside in high-risk, low-income neighborhoods are not immune from the potential hazards of economic stress, strained familial relationships, social disorganization, and other negative consequences which impact optimal family functioning. Utilizing HLM techniques, this study examined the relationship between dimensions of the family environment and adolescent feelings of hopelessness. In general, a more supportive family environment resulted in lower scores of adolescent hopelessness. However, higher conflict in families also resulted in lower scores of adolescent hopelessness, indicating a need to further explore the nature of conflict in families who reside in high-risk neighborhoods. Directions for future research and implications for social work practice are outlined.
Genes involved in stress response and alcohol use among high-risk African American youth
(Routledge, 2016) Goyal, Neeru; Aliev, Fazil; Latendresse, Shawn J.; Kertes, Darlene A.; Bolland, John M.; Byck, Gayle R.; Mustanski, Brian; Salvatore, Jessica E.; Dick, Danielle M.; Virginia Commonwealth University; Baylor University; University of Florida; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Northwestern University; Feinberg School of Medicine
Background: Genetic and environmental factors influence substance use behaviors in youth. One of the known environmental risk factors is exposure to life stressors. The aim of this project is to study the interaction between NR3C1 and CRHBP, genes thought to be involved in stress pathways, exposure to stressful life events, and adolescent alcohol use/misuse. Methods: The sample included 541 African American individuals (ages 13-18) from the Genes, Environment, and Neighborhood Initiative, a subset of the Mobile Youth Survey sample from whom DNA and more extensive phenotypic data were collected. Participants were selected from high-poverty neighborhoods in Mobile, Alabama, with potential exposure to a variety of extreme life stressors. Results: A measure of stressful life events was significantly predictive of alcohol use/misuse. In addition, this association was significantly dependent upon the number of putative risk variants at rs1715749, a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in CRHBP (P .006). There was no significant interaction between NR3C1 and stressful life events with respect to alcohol use/misuse, after taking into account multiple testing. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CRHBP variants are potentially relevant for adolescent alcohol use/misuse among African American youth populations being reared within the context of stressful life events and warrant replication.
A model of hopelessness, belongingness, engagement, and academic achievement
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2014) Alverson, James Ryan; Robinson, Cecil D.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
A path model of hopelessness, belongingness, engagement, and academic achievement was created using variables from Mobile Youth Survey (MYS) data and school records. A sample of 490 African-American students, 49% female and 51% males, were used in data analysis. Sub-samples of 203 stable and 287 transitioning students were used in answering the third research question. Three research questions were addressed (1a) what is the relationship among hopelessness, belongingness, and engagement? (1b) Do hopelessness and belongingness in one year predict hopelessness and belongingness in the subsequent year? (2a) How do hopelessness, belongingness, and engagement affect achievement? (2b) How does achievement affect later hopelessness, belongingness, and achievement? (2c) Does Engagement mediate the relationship between hopelessness and achievement, and between belongingness and achievement? (3) How does the path model of hopelessness, belongingness, engagement, and achievement affect stable versus transitioning students? Analysis was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) software. Results indicated that hopelessness negatively affected engagement, as measured by absences. Hopelessness and belongingness directly affected achievement, as measured by reading and math SAT-10 scores, and absences partially mediated the effect of hopelessness on achievement. For the total sample, hopelessness in 2006 predicted hopelessness in 2007, and belongingness in 2006 predicted belongingness in 2007 and hopelessness in 2007. In testing the model with stable students and transitioning students, group differences existed with respect to the significant effect of absences on achievement for transitioning students, the significant relationship between reading achievement and hopelessness for stable students, and the significant cross-effect from hopelessness in 2006 to belongingness in 2007 for transitioning students. A discussion of the results and implications for educational practice and future research follows the findings.
Neighborhood and school contextual factors: longitudinal outcomes in a high-poverty adolescent population
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Hitchcock, Shannon Marie; Bolland, John M.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Research framed by Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, suggests that neighborhood and school contextual factors greatly influence adolescent outcomes. While this research examines the multiple contexts that impact adolescent development, missing from the literature is an assessment that uses multiple data sources. Therefore, the present study used adolescent survey, school records, and Census data to examine the effects of perceived and structural neighborhood and school factors longitudinally. Additionally, many neighborhood-level studies treat demographic variables as covariates. But since poverty can be structurally portrayed in various ways, neighborhood-level population density was included as a predictor variable. The present study examined the effects of neighborhood and school context on adolescent achievement, attendance, and school violations. It was hypothesized that population density, perceived neighborhood connectedness, safety, and school belonging would predict poorer student academic outcomes. A linear mixed model was used for the analyses. The study's sample came from the Mobile Youth Survey (MYS), a fourteen-year longitudinal research project conducted in the low-income and public housing neighborhoods of Mobile, Alabama. The sample was over 99% African American and participants were between the ages of 10 to 18. To assess participants longitudinally four waves of MYS data (2006-2009) were paired with subsequent academic years. Results indicated that school context explained a greater amount of the variance in the outcome variables in comparison to neighborhood context. Results also indicated that adolescent perceptions of neighborhood connectivity predicted higher reading achievement and increased school violations. Further, higher perceptions of school belongingness predicted increased reading and math achievement and lower rates of school violations and absences. High neighborhood-level population densities predicted increased student absences. Additionally, non-African American students had higher rates of absences. Lastly, students who qualified for free lunch had more school violations. Consistent with Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, the present study highlights the importance of examining multiple contexts when assessing adolescent outcomes. The results reiterate the complex nature of adolescent development. In future MYS and neighborhood-based studies, it may be favorable to compare different school-based policies and examine the influence of adolescent peer pressure.
Relating racial identity, religiosity and neighborhood conditions to health and life outcomes
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2012) Smith, Gabrielle; McCallum, Debra M.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Racial identity, religiosity and neighborhood conditions were utilized to predict physical/mental health and life outcomes for a low income African American population. Data from 1,181 adult interviews, which were part of the Mobile Youth Survey (MYS) were engaged in a secondary data analysis to answer the research questions. For the analyses, a Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) framework, implemented in SAS PROC MIXED using maximum likelihood (ML) methods was used. From the various models tested, six of the eight potential dependent variables yielded significant results: physical health change and mental health change were not significant. Results suggested that all three of the predictor variables (racial identity, religiosity and neighborhood conditions) are variables that are significant predictors of the dependent variables (health and life outcomes). Interesting patterns arose in relation to the specific scales used to measure each of the independent variables. There were distinct differences in the predictive patterns of the sub-scales for discrimination and racial identity, as well as emerging predictive trends for the sub-scales related to religiosity. Also, there is a discussion regarding future research to help determine whether racial identity, religiosity and neighborhood conditions are exclusive items or inseparable constructs for African American populations.
Sleep Disturbance and Risk Behaviors among Inner-City African-American Adolescents
(Springer, 2011) Umlauf, Mary Grace; Bolland, John M.; Lian, Brad E.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Adolescents tend to experience more problems with sleep loss as a natural consequence of puberty, whereas teens from impoverished urban areas are likely to witness neighborhood violence and/or engage in risk behaviors that may affect sleep. Data from the Mobile Youth Survey, a longitudinal study of impoverished inner-city African-American adolescents (1998-2005; N = 20,716; age range = 9.75-19.25 years), were used to compare paired years of annual surveys elicited by questions about how sleep was affected when bad things happen to friends or family. Using a cross-lagged panel multivariate approach comparing reports for two sequential years and controlling for age/gender plus exposure to traumatic stress and violence, prior sleep disturbance was associated with carrying a knife/gun, brandishing a knife/gun, using a knife/gun, quick temperedness, warmth toward mother, worry, and belief in the neighborhood street code in the latter year. Conversely, seeing someone cut, stabbed, or shot, using alcohol, worry, and internalized anger were associated with sleep disturbance in a latter year. Although a limited measure of sleep disturbance was used, these findings support further research to examine sleep disturbance and risk behaviors among low-income adolescents.
Using an ecological perspective, data integration, and longitudinal modeling as a framework for quantitative analysis in evaluation of juvenile diversion programs
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2015) Moore, Heather M.; Tomek, Sara; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This research presents a framework for quantitative analysis in evaluation of juvenile justice diversion programs using an example diversion program provided by the City of Mobile Police Department in Mobile, Alabama. The framework presented herein combines data integration from multiple sources with longitudinal analysis methods to assess ecologically-based individual-, family-, and school-level outcomes in relation to program participation in the diversion program. This study, demonstrating innovative quantitative methods for enhancing evaluation strategies, offers possibly the first ever example of a repeated-measures longitudinal evaluation design for assessing ecologically-based outcomes in the context of juvenile diversion programing. Combining youth survey data from a larger longitudinal study (the Mobile Youth Survey Project) with official record data from the Mobile County Public School System and the Mobile Police Department provided a rich source of measures used to assess program impact on eight ecologically-based outcomes. Outcome measures included individual behavior and attitude factors, family functioning factors, and school-related outcomes. Using growth curve modeling to examine group differences in developmental trajectories between program-referred youths and similar peers, significant positive effects were found for attitudes about personal violence and school related outcomes. Using discontinuous (piecewise) growth curve models to examine development for program participants prior to and after program participation, significant positive effects were also found for behavioral self-worth, attitudes about personal violence, parental monitoring, and school related outcomes. Gender differences were also found for all outcomes, except school absences. A growth curve analysis comparing program participants who received only an initial contact or less with those who received more than the initial contact indicated no significant differences in outcome measures based on level of services. Results are somewhat consistent with prior research, however, gender differences are rarely reported, and no other published diversion evaluation studies have used growth curve modeling strategies to assess program effects on change over time. Further use of these methods and the application of this framework will tremendously advance the diversion evaluation field and the understanding of what works best on what factors and for whom in juvenile diversion programming.

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Browsing by Author "Bolland, John M."

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