Zina T. McGee

Community Violence and Adolescent Development An Examination of Risk and Protective Factors among African American Youth

This study measures the degree of exposure to violence through actual attack, witnessing violent events, and delinquent peer associations among500 African American high school students in the state of Virginia. In seeking to account for problem behavior, attention is given to sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to guns and violence as risk factors, and the moderating effects of coping strategies utilized by African American adolescents. Relying on recent research examining the relationship between victimization events and problem behavior, the study examines the development of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems (i.e., delinquency, anxiety, depression) in response to violent victimization and emphasizes the emotional adjustment among African American youth exposed to violence. Findings suggest a linkage between the indicators of exposure to violence, problem behavior, and coping strategy among youth. Implications for future research are addressed.

Health of Gullah Families in South Carolina With Type 2 Diabetes: Diabetes Self-management Analysis From Project SuGar

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe diabetes self-management practices and service utilization among Gullah families in South Carolina. Methods Data were obtained from 1276 persons with type 2 diabetes through interviews using the Family Health History Questionnaire. This was a primary analysis of a project conducted in conjunction with a parent study (Project SuGar) which focused on the molecular aspects of diabetes. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results Diabetes self-management behaviors were not consistent with recommendations from the American Diabetes Association. Over half (55.6%) reported exercising, but only 27.7% reported self-glucose monitoring. Service utilization was poor, less than half, (41.1%) reported referral to a diabetic class/diet, 32.8% reported making yearly visits to the ophthalmologist, 22.3% reported visiting the dentist, and only 12.8% reported visiting the podiatrist. Conclusions Although some self-management behaviors were identified, Gullah family members remain at risk for preventable diabetes complications. Education must reflect behaviors and beliefs valued by Gullah individuals. Culturally appropriate educational programs may increase use of health care services aimed at decreasing preventable complications of type 2 diabetes in the Gullah population.

Impact of Violence on Problem Behavior Among Adolescents Risk Factors Among an Urban Sample

This article measures the effects of exposure to violence on problem behavior (adjustment outcomes) among 306 African American middle and high school students in the state of Virginia. Relying on recent research examining the relationship between violent events and problem behavior, the study uses structural equation modeling to examine internalizing and externalizing behavioral characteristics (i.e., delinquency, depression, negative self-esteem, and avoidance) among African American youth exposed to violence through direct victimization, witnessing violence, and association with delinquent peers. The results show a strong association between victimization experience and adjustment outcomes including internalizing (i.e., self-rejection, depression) and externalizing (i.e., offenses) problem behavior. The results also suggest a linkage between victimization and avoidance as a coping strategy. With regard to gender differences, the findings indicate a greater influence of victimization on offenses, self-rejection, and avoidance among men and a stronger influence of victimization on depression among women in the sample. Implications for intervention and future research are discussed.

Coping Strategies of Family Members of Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients

This exploratory research paper investigated the coping strategies of families of hospitalized psychiatric patients and identified their positive and negative coping strategies. In this paper, the coping strategies of 45 family members were examined using a descriptive, correlational, mixed method research approach. Guided by the Neuman Systems Model and using the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales and semistructured interviews, this paper found that these family members used more emotion-focused coping strategies than problem-focused coping strategies. The common coping strategies used by family members were communicating with immediate family, acceptance of their situation, passive appraisal, avoidance, and spirituality. The family members also utilized resources and support systems, such as their immediate families, mental health care professionals, and their churches.

Delinquent Behavior, Violent Victimization, and Coping Strategies Among Latino Adolescents

Abstract This study examines differences in reported problems such as peer victimization, indirect victimization, direct victimization, internal symptoms, and external symptoms among Latino youth exposed to violence. Findings suggest that female adolescents display higher levels of indirect victimization (i.e., witnessing violence) and internal symptoms (i.e., anxiety and depression) compared to male adolescents, who are more likely to demonstrate higher levels of direct victimization (i.e., actual attacks) and external symptoms (i.e., delinquent behavior). Results also show that among Latino youth, gender is the strongest predictor of peer victimization controlling for family structure and age. Gender is also the best predictor of indirect victimization and direct victimization controlling for family structure and age. The findings also indicate that older adolescents are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior, including the use of crack, cocaine, heroin and alcohol. In light of these findings, it is suggested that future studies continue to examine the linkage between victimization and delinquency and the subsequent impact on Latino youth behavior and development.

Patterns of Violent Behavior and Victimization Among African American Youth

Abstract This study examines differences in reported problems among African American youth exposed to violence and victimization. Results suggest that a substantial number of African American youth are exposed to direct victimization while in transit to and from school, while others are indirectly victimized by way of peer victimization. Additional support is found for the impact of violence on mental health status, in that subjects exposed to violence reported greater post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms compared to youth who were not exposed to violence. In light of these findings, it is suggested that future studies continue to examine the impact of violence on the emotional development of youth.

Treatment programs for incarcerated women and mother–child communication levels

This study surveyed 200 incarcerated mothers to determine if treatment received in prison is related to communication with children. Emphasis is also placed on the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and treatment. Analyses showed that women who received treatment were more likely to be white. Younger women and women with only one child had the most contact with their children. Further analyses suggest that women who had participated in physical and mental illness treatment programs had more contact with their children. This study suggests the need for more treatment options for incarcerated women, and the need to formulate treatment to best fit the different sociodemographic characteristics of incarcerated women. This study further indicates the need to pursue research to determine specific reasons for differences in contact with children and treatment levels among incarcerated women with different sociodemographic characteristics.

Risk, Protective Factors, and Symptomatology Among Urban Adolescents: Findings of a Research Study on Youth Violence and Victimization

Drawing on extant literature on the impact of risk and protective factors on externalizing and internalizing behavior, this research explores the relationship between sociodemographic and family background characteristics, exposure to violence, and victimization as risk factors and the moderating effects of coping strategies as protective factors utilized by 453 African-American adolescents exposed to community violence drawn from a larger sample of survey data on 500 youth. Findings suggest a linkage between the indicators of exposure to violence and victimization, symptomatology, and coping strategy among youth. Implications for future research are addressed.

A multivariate analysis of gun violence among urban youth: The impact of direct victimization, indirect victimization, and victimization among peers

Abstract Research suggests that many adolescents involved in violence as victims become offenders themselves as they are exposed to increased levels of indirect victimization, direct victimization, and peer victimization. While there is a connection between witnessing events, the actual attack with guns, and peer violence, all of which have an effect on delinquent behavior, less is known about whether this relationship differs by age and gender. Survey instruments (e.g. questionnaires) completed by 500 lower socioeconomic African American youth between the ages of 12 and 18 in the state of Virginia were gathered to explain youth delinquency, namely committing a crime with a gun, as an effect of exposure to violence and peer victimization. A hierarchical regression analysis shows that direct exposure as a measure of victimization is the greatest predictor of offending while correlations between victimization and delinquency are all statistically significant. Significant interactions indicate a moderating effect of age, i.e. age has a different impact on behavior of higher and lower risk of peer victimization groups, further suggesting that an increase in age increases the positive effect of peer victimization on gun related delinquency. These understandings of distinct risk factors among urban Black adolescents can be used to explain delinquent outcomes and anti-social behavior. Future studies examining the interrelationship between exposure and violence as a victim and repeated exposure to violence as an offender should address the extent to which these variables differ by age and gender as prevention strategies continue to be implemented.