Margaret Lombe

Do Adolescents Who Regularly Attend Religious Services Stay Out of Trouble? Results From a National Sample

The relationship between religious service attendance and adolescent externalizing behavior is well established in the aggregate, but little is known about what behavioral and psychosocial differences may or may not exist among adolescents who regularly attend religious services. Using a nationally representative sample of frequent religious service attending adolescents (N = 26,765), latent class analysis and multinomial regression were used to examine the relationships between latent externalizing classes and protective factors related to self-control. Results revealed a four-class solution comprised of a normative class (66.52%) as well as three externalizing classes: substance users (17.17%), fighters (12.65%), and severe offenders (3.66%). Compared with the normative class, members of the externalizing classes were significantly less likely to benefit from individual, parental, and academic protective factors related to self-control. Findings suggest that regular religious service attendance is relevant to externalizing behavior, but that it does not function as a panacea.

Environmental Correlates of Depressive Symptoms Among African American Adolescents Living in Public Housing

Abstract Using a sample of 238 African American adolescents living in public housing, this study assesses the prevalence of depressive symptoms and examines the relationship between depressive symptoms and neighborhood characteristics. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 34. Males (M = 20) reported significantly higher depressive symptoms than females (M = 16). Results show a significant relationship between ambient risk and depressive symptoms. The relationship between ambient risk and depressive symptoms was exacerbated by exposure to delinquent peers. Parental factors and attitude towards deviance buffered the relationship between ambient risk and depressive symptoms. These findings may have important implications for social policy and suggest that interventions to prevent depression among African American adolescents, living in public housing developments, must not only focus on reducing neighborhood risk factors but also on enhancing the protective factors available to the youth.

Understanding tobacco use among urban African American adolescents living in public housing communities: a test of problem behavior theory.

This study was guided by Jessor and Jessors problem behavior theory (PBT) to test the relative effects of personality, perceived environment and behavior system variables on urban teen tobacco use. A sample of 518 urban African American youth residing in public housing communities in three large U.S. cities was utilized. Our results provide partial support for PBT in this study. Personality system variables (i.e., positive attitudes toward tobacco use, and depressive affect, cause and outcome indicators) and behavior system variables (i.e., delinquent behaviors) significantly predicted adolescent tobacco use. Depressive effect and cause indicators were stronger than depressive outcome indicators in predicting the extent of tobacco use. Additionally, age positively moderated the impact of positive attitudes about tobacco use on the extent of adolescent tobacco use. However, perceived environment system variables (e.g., exposure to delinquent peers) did not predict such use. This study suggests that PBT may aid in understanding adolescent tobacco use. Implications for practice and future inquiry are discussed.

Effects of Participating in an Asset-Building Intervention on Social Inclusion

ABSTRACT The United States is arguably one of the richest countries in the world. However, poverty is still an issue of great concern. This observation suggests the need for more innovative interventions to reduce severe need and create terms for meaningful participation of vulnerable individuals in economic, political, and social exchange. Using a sample of Individual Development Account (IDA) program participants (N = 840) randomly assigned to a control and experimental group, we explore the relationship between participating in an IDA program and social inclusion. Findings reveal a significant relationship between the two variables. Although modest, these results provide a useful framework for examining factors that may affect an individuals capacity to move from vulnerability into enhanced economic, political, and social participation. They also point to a role for asset-building programs in an effort to empower vulnerable individuals.

Microcredit Self-Help Groups for Widowed and Abandoned Women in South India: Do They Help?

ABSTRACT Results are presented from a study on a microcredit program with self-help groups implemented for widowed and abandoned women in Tamil Nadu shortly after the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Data were collected from 109 participants measuring the womens investment patterns, loan amounts, demographics, and overall well-being (psychological, economic, communal, and familial). Results indicate that loan amounts and investment patterns were not significantly related to the womens well-being. Length of group participation and having children were negatively related to the womens well-being. These findings are discussed in relation to social and cultural contexts. Suggestions for programs for this population of vulnerable women and other marginalized groups are proposed.

Assessing the Moderating Effects of Anxiety Sensitivity on Antisocial Behavior among Urban African American Youth

African American adolescents are a vulnerable population, overrepresented in the juvenile justice system and underserved by mental health providers. Consequently, a disproportionate number of African American youth in the juvenile justice system have diagnosable mental health problems. This study investigates whether, among African American adolescents, the effects of attitude towards deviance, self-efficacy, and exposure to delinquent peers on antisocial behavior are moderated by anxiety sensitivity. A sample of 238 African American adolescents ages 13–19 from 3 public housing developments participated in this study. Results indicated that 40% of the adolescents reported no involvement in antisocial behaviors. Gender, anxiety sensitivity, and attitudes towards deviance were significant correlates of antisocial behavior. Interaction effects indicate that the relative impact of attitudes towards deviance and exposure to delinquent peers on antisocial behaviors is contingent upon adolescents’ level of anxiety sensitivity. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Asset ownership among households caring for orphans and vulnerable children in rural Zimbabwe: The influence of ownership on children's health and social vulnerabilities

Abstract The high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome in sub-Saharan Africa has resulted in a dramatic increase in orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) over the past decade. These children typically rely on extended family networks for support, but the magnitude of the crisis has resulted in traditional familial networks becoming overwhelmed and more economically and socially vulnerable. Previous research consistently demonstrates the positive influence of household asset ownership on childrens well-being. Using data from impoverished households caring for OVC in rural Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe, this study explores the influence of household asset ownership on OVC health vulnerability (HV) and social vulnerability (SV). Findings indicate that asset ownership is associated with significantly lower SV, in terms of school attendance and birth registration. Yet, assets do not emerge as a direct influence of OVC HV as measured by disease and chronic illness, although having a chronically ill adult in the household increases HV. These findings suggest that asset ownership, specifically a combination of fixed and movable assets, may offset the influence of other risk factors for childrens SV.

Assessing Effects of Food Stamp Program Participation on Child Food Security in Vulnerable Households: Do Informal Supports Matter?

The Food Stamp Program (now the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is one of the largest federal welfare initiatives undertaken to address the problem of hunger and nutrient intake among households in poverty. We build on previous research by examining the effects of participating in the program on food security among children in vulnerable households using data from the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement for 2003. We also explore the moderating effects of informal food assistance. Our results suggest that food stamp take-up and informal food assistance are important in understanding child food security in vulnerable households. Further, we note that a number of individual and household characteristics are associated with child food security. Implications for practice and scholarship are presented.

Global Poverty and Hunger: An Assessment of Millennium Development Goal #1

A considerable number of people worldwide live in conditions of dire poverty. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals are a global policy initiative undertaken to address vulnerability by setting benchmarks for United Nations member-states to follow. This article focuses specifically on Millennium Development Goal #1, which targets poverty and hunger. Using a systematic review of the literature, the authors examine progress, or lack thereof, that regions have made toward the goal. Four case studies are used: Colombia, Indonesia, Jamaica, and Uganda. Policy recommendations are provided to facilitate realization of Millennium Development Goal #1.

Urban African American Adolescents and Adultification

Historically, African American adolescents have experienced higher rates of victimization and disenfranchisement compared to other subgroups in contemporary American society. Several theories exist that attempt to explicate factors that differentiated youth with positive adaptations from those with negative adaptations. Using a sample of African American youth living in urban public housing (N = 238), we contribute to this body of research by assessing whether or not adultification and community cohesion buffer the effects of exposure to deviant peers and neighborhood hazard on depressive symptoms. Results suggest that adultification and perceived community cohesion moderate the effects of delinquent peers and neighborhood risk on depressive symptoms in this vulnerable population of urban youth. Implications for policy, social work practice, and future inquiry are discussed.