Online Program

335312
Mental health and educational experiences among Black youth


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 3:10 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Theda Rose, PhD, University of Maryland: School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD
Nadine Finigan-Carr, PhD, Ruth Young Center - School of Social Work, University of Maryland - Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
For Black adolescents, educational success remains a continued challenge. Though many factors have been found to influence educational outcomes, the relationship between mental health and the educational experiences of Black adolescents has not been well investigated. Furthermore, research suggests that to comprehensively assess mental health, indicators of both psychosocial wellness and problems need to be considered. Using nationally representative data from the National Survey of American Life-Adolescent (NSAL-A), the current study investigated the relationship between profiles of mental health and educational outcomes among Black adolescents, ages 13-17. The NSAL-A is a part of the NSAL, which provides extensive data on mental disorders and the mental health of adult Americans of African ancestry.  To identify distinct profiles of youth mental health, latent profile analysis was conducted using the mean scores of self-esteem, mastery, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Then, bivariate relationships between most likely group membership and youth demographics and educational experiences (i.e., school bonding, grades) were compared. A two-profile mental health model best fit the data resulting in a high depressive-stress group and a high self-esteem-mastery group. Significant differences in income level, school bonding, and grades were observed between the two groups. Results support the importance of better mental health to improved educational experiences among Black adolescents, as youth in the high self-esteem mastery group had better grades and connections to school.  Findings have implications for a more comprehensive view of mental health in the development of interventions that target better educational experiences for Black youth.

Learning Areas:

Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Describe protective and risk factors of adolescents relevant to their transition into young adulthood, specifically as these factors relate to obesity, sexual reproductive health, teen dating violence and positive mental health. Identify and frame the needs of adolescents transitioning to young adulthood within a socio-ecological framework, specifically the social determinants of health. Discuss policies relevant to healthy adolescent development as it relates to the four papers to be presented. This abstract is one of four abstracts relevant to the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults which should be considered as a roundtable presentation with these combined learning objectives.

Keyword(s): Adolescents, Child/Adolescent Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My research includes a focus on the influence of psychosocial problems and mental wellness on educational outcomes among Black adolescents, and the conceptualization and measurement of mental health. I currently work on projects that explore these areas. This coupled with past research experiences has allowed me to lead and contribute to mental health research publications and presentations via studies that examined factors related to better mental health (publications) and education outcomes (presentations) among adolescents.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.