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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Nursing
Notes
- Abstract:
- Background: Risk-taking behaviors such as excessive alcohol use in adolescence may become destructive habits in adulthood and pose major health problems. For aged-out foster care teenagers (AOTs), the behaviors are especially increased. Purpose: The study purpose was to determine the incidence of alcohol use among AOTs in South Florida and to test four hypothesis measuring the variables of self-perceptions (self-esteem), risk perceptions (costs/benefits), social/environmental perceptions (peer influence), peer group characteristics (peer values), and risk-taking behaviors that would predict alcohol use among AOTs living in South Florida. Theoretical Framework: The biopsychosocial model of adolescent risk-taking behaviors was utilized. This theory provides an integrated framework of antecedents and outcomes culminating in the likelihood of an adolescent participating in risk-taking behaviors. The theory was used for AOTs’ alcohol use. Methods: A nonexperimental, explorative, descriptive and correlational design was utilized to test the relationships and predictive power of selected constructs of the biopsychosocial model of adolescent risk-taking behaviors. A convenience sample of AOTs (N = 74) was recruited from local south Florida agencies that serve AOTs in the community. Results: Hypothesis 1 was not supported. This sample of AOTs in South Florida did not indicate high consumption of alcohol use. Hypothesis 2 was not supported. A significant correlational relationship was found between the scores for the perception of self-esteem and those for the risk perception of costs/benefits regarding AOTs’ consumption of alcohol. Hypothesis 3 was not supported. A significant contribution was found, uniquely or as a linear composite, between the predictor variables of the perception of self-esteem and peer influence toward the scores for peer values/attitude regarding the behavior of alcohol use among AOTs. Hypothesis 4 was not supported. Significance was found between the predictor variables of risk perception of costs/benefits regarding alcohol use and the peer group characteristic of peer values toward alcohol use and the risk-taking behavior of alcohol use among AOTs. Conclusions: This study found moderately strong support for the biopsychosocial theory of adolescent risk-taking behaviors. Study results should prompt additional research and contribute to nursing knowledge and nursing science for AOTs.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2010.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-111).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Elizabeth Levine. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- HV5135.L48 2010_LevineElizabeth ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- HV5135.L48 2010 ( lcc )
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