The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62020

Regina P. Lederman, PhD, School of Nursing, University of Texas at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-1029, 409 772 6570, rlederma@utmb.edu, Wenyaw Chan, PhD, School of Public Health, University of Texas - Houston, 1200 Herman Pressler, Houston, TX 77030, and Cindy Roberts-Gray, PhD, Resource Network, 3002 Avenue O-1/2, Galveston, TX 77550-6858.

Purpose: To evaluate health risk attitudes and behaviors as predictors of middle school youths’ educational aspirations. Method: Male and female students of Black (n=222), Hispanic (n=317), White (n=216), and Asian or other heritage (n=85) ages 12-14 participated in a survey of attitudes regarding sexual and other health-risk behaviors, perceptions of their parents’ disapproval of such behaviors, amount of discourse with parents about risk behavior, and self-reported experiences with drugs and sex. Analyses were performed for three factors with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients that exceeded 0.70—youths’ attitudes, discourse with parents, and parents’ disapproval of risk behavior—and three single items asking about use of alcohol, use of marijuana, and sexual behavior. General Linear Modeling evaluated the contribution of these measures as predictors of educational aspirations for students of different heritage and gender. Results: Race/heritage (p<.001), attitudes toward health risk behaviors (p<.01), extent to which youth talked with parents about use of drugs and other health risk behaviors (p<.05), and perceptions of their parents’ disapproval of risk behavior (p<.05) each made significant contributions in predicting educational aspiration. Gender did not contribute to prediction of educational aspirations nor did self-report of actual risk behavior. Conclusions: Youths’ interactions with parents regarding health risk behaviors is a significant area worthy of further exploration in the development of interventions to reduce adolescent health risks and increase educational aspirations.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify health risk attitudes and parental interactions that predict educational aspirations of young adolescents.
• Develop hypotheses regarding differential results for students of different heritage.
• Discuss implications for focusing on youths' interactions with parents as a strategy for reducing health risks and increasing educational aspirations.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Risky Behaviors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.