The effect of resilience on the mental health of Haitian-American adolescents

Material Information

Title:
The effect of resilience on the mental health of Haitian-American adolescents
Series Title:
Barry University Theses -- College of Arts and Sciences – Psychology
Creator:
Samuel, Martha
Place of Publication:
Miami, Fla.
Publisher:
Barry University
Publication Date:
Language:
English
Physical Description:
43 leaves ; 2019

Thesis/Dissertation Information

Degree Disciplines:
Psychology

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Child mental health ( lcsh )
Haitian Americans -- Mental health ( lcsh )
Haitian American youth ( lcsh )
Resilience (Personality trait) ( lcsh )
Genre:
Academic theses ( lcsh )

Notes

Abstract:
The relationship between resilience and mental health has been an area of the study of psychology of adolescents. Resilience refers to the ability to overcome life’s challenges with a sense of self-determination, mastery, and well-being. Adversity has been defined as disturbances to the function or viability of a system, any experiences that might threaten adaptation or development of an organism. Adolescence is a developmental period where emotional changes can become overwhelming and cause adjustment difficulties. Previous studies have suggested that resilience improves mental health indicators during this sensitive stage of life. The Haitian population has tremendous shame attached to mental illness and to the decline in the level of functioning that comes with it. Families are usually embarrassed and ashamed to acknowledge the illness and seek help. They often experience the common symptoms of depression such as insomnia, low energy, and poor appetite, but do not report it or seek proper psychological help due to their cultural stigma on mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of resilience and mental health among Haitian-American adolescents. It was hypothesized that global aspects of resilience can be identified and interplayed between individuals and their contexts. Resilience was expected to predict lower levels of anxiety and depression, and higher levels of self-esteem in the studied population. Participants consisted of 78 adolescents obtained from the Haitian Empowerment and Literacy Project (H.E.L.P.) 2015 summer program. H.E.L.P. was an arts-based literacy program for adolescent of Haitian descent ages 11-15 years old. The program was created with the goal of mentoring Haitian youth in their path to college. The program excelled in helping adolescents explore and value their sense of identity by providing opportunities to discover their cultural connections. Linear regression analyses were performed on the data with depression, anxiety, and self-esteem as the dependent variable. The regression model for depression was significant, F (1, 75) = 14.70, p = .000 with an R2 of .166. Additionally, the regression model for anxiety was significant as well, F (1, 76) = 5.46, p = .000 with an R2 of .066. Lastly, the regression model for self-esteem was significant F (1, 76) = 24.33, p = .000 with an R2 of -.245. The hypotheses were all supported. Resilience was found to be a significant predictor of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem in the studied population. In conclusion, resilience could be seen as the process of, capacity for, or outcome of successful adaptation in the face of challenging or threatening circumstances. Resilient children and adolescents may have within themselves protective factors that help to buffer them from everyday life.
Thesis:
Thesis (M.S.)--Barry University, 2019.
Bibliography:
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-39).

Record Information

Source Institution:
Barry University
Holding Location:
Barry University Archives and Special Collections
Rights Management:
Copyright Martha Samuel. 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:
RJ499.S36 2019_SamuelMartha ( BU-Local )
Classification:
RJ499.S36 2019 ( lcc )

BUDC Membership

Aggregations:
Barry University
Theses and Dissertations