Negative Adult Influences and the Protective Effects of Role Models: A Study with Urban Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 227396
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 38 Issue: 6 Dated: July 2009 Pages: 777-789
• Author(s): Noelle M. Hurd; Marc A. Zimmerman; Yange Xue
• Date Published: July 2009
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether having role models (individuals whom adolescents admired) contributed to the positive adaptation (resilience) of adolescents who were exposed to negative nonparental adult influences.

Abstract

Collectively, the findings show that having positive role models as a reference for behaviors and attitudes contributed to the resilience of African-American adolescents who were exposed to negative nonparental adult behaviors. The study found that exposure to negative adult behavior was linked to the adolescents' increased externalizing (problem acting-out behaviors), internalizing (problem emotional states), and substance-using behaviors, as well as more negative school attitudes and behavior; however, adolescents with positive role models experienced protective effects against externalizing and internalizing behaviors and negative effects on school outcomes. Seventy-eight percent of the sample (513 participants) reported having 2 role models; 121 reported having only 1 role model; and 25 reported having no role models. Female role models consisted primarily of female family members; and male role models were composed primarily of male family members. The sample of 659 African-American adolescents (51-percent female) were enrolled in ninth grade in the fall of 1994. The sample was selected from 2,000 ninth-grade students attending the 4 main public high schools in the second largest school district in Michigan. Participants were asked to identify one male and one female figure they "looked up to." Fourteen items were used to assess negative adult influences, excluding parents or adults living with the youths. Participants were also asked about their personal involvement in violent and nonviolent delinquent behavior, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory. Several measures assessed school-related outcomes. Cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use were assessed by measuring the frequency of use within the past month. Control variables pertained to socioeconomic status, residence with mothers and/or fathers, and parental support. 3 figures, 2 tables, and 52 references