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December 22, 2004
Decision Making with Parent Associated with Positive Outcomes in
African American Adolescents
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Research demonstrates that
positive outcomes with African American children are related
to parental input in the decisions black teens make during
adolescence. In the study, investigators evaluated the
levels of autonomy of middle-class African-American
teenagers during various points of their adolescence.
Methods
Researchers recruited 76 adolescents and their mothers.
Subjects’ response to twenty issues was evaluated over a
five-year period beginning when the children were thirteen
years old. The issues covered the following areas
conventional (based on societal perceived norms such
manners), prudential (based on the consequences of negative
behaviors), personal (based of physical development and
friends), and multifaceted (based on issues that have common
characteristics with the three areas previously stated).
For each response to an issue, investigators assigned a
value based on a five-point scale. The value of the score
was associated with how decisions were made by the
adolescent.; for example, if a child made a decision
independently or with their parent or if the parent made the
decision alone or with child input.
Results
Findings of the study indicate that adolescent autonomy
increased over time, but at different rates for different
types of issues. For instance on prudent and conventional
matters, parental involvement was high throughout
adolescence. However during middle adolescence there was a
considerable amount of freedom given to the child.
Parental involvement in prudential and conventional matters
was greatly associated with increased self-esteem and fewer
behavior problems during mid-adolescence.
Greater control over personal and multifaceted domains
predicted better behavior and positive social adjustment.
Other findings:
Codecision making was associated with multifaceted domains.
Autonomy in this area increased throughout adolescence.
Most youth made decisions with parental input on personal
issues.
Throughout adolescence youth experienced relative autonomy
on personal matters.
There was continuous parental involvement in prudential and
conventional matters throughout adolescence.
Lower levels of alcohol and drug abuse, violence, truancy
and increased levels of self-esteem were associated with
high parental involvement.
Conclusion
Authors of the study contend that continuous parental
involvement in the lives of African American adolescents is
correlated to positive social and psychological outcomes.
Parental input in the decision making process is beneficial
to this population because it assists in advancing the
healthy development of adolescents.
Complete findings of the study appear in Child Development,
Vol. 75, Issue 5,
Author and inquiries
J.G. Smetana, and N. Campione-Barr, and C. Daddis,
University of Rochester. |
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