This study examined the relationships between social physique anxiety (SPA) and physical activity and sedentary behaviours among older adolescents. The research was grounded in self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985). Three hundred and eighty one males and females completed scientifically-supported questionnaires. Multivariate and univariate analyses of variance revealed that male adolescents reported lower SPA and higher competence, relatedness, self-determined motivation, and physical activity levels compared to females. Regression analyses supported the integration of SPA in SDT, and the main tenets of SDT were maintained. Specifically, the basic psychological needs were important correlates of motivation, and motivation was a positive correlate of PA behaviour and a negative, albeit weak, correlate of sedentary behaviour. Collectively, these findings suggest that SPA experiences can be understood within a motivational framework that explains the functional role played by SPA on health behaviour.

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Much-needed research on Thai adolescents (age 15-19), the fastest growing group of AIDS victims in Thailand, this study differentiates risk behavior among classes, unlike most AIDS research in Thai society, and focuses on how gender and economic factors among adolescents influence their risk-behavior patterns leading to the contraction of HIV/AIDS. Using ethnographic methods focusing on class and gender, I identified several risk-taking behaviors. Each class in Thai society tends to be at-risk from a different level of sexual relationships and drug use. The lower class seems to be the most at risk because of having many sexual partners, having unprotected sex, and sharing needles while, those in the middle class use only personal screening for their sexual partners and also sharing needles. Although the higher class is less at risk compared with other classes, a few do visit prostitutes and consume drugs. Class is also correlated to the level of knowledge and education about AIDS. Although each received the same health education provided through the same source and same health text, adolescents in each class catch the message differently. My research data showed that adolescents of the higher class showed a more complete knowledge about AIDS. There are also many patterns of HIV/AIDS risk-taking behaviors that correlate to cultural gender differences. Although all classes appear to adhere to the ideal norm of virginity being the best sexual-practice, in reality, this only applies to members of the upper class. The middle and, especially, the lower classes do not apply this norm to themselves at all: They practice premarital sex, even though they may verbalize the ideal norm. Other studies have focused on gender relations according to this ideal Thai norm; however, this ideology does not match the reality. In conclusion, with the lack of research in this area, Thai adolescents are being placed at greater risk. Thus, I make recommendations for further research and prevention methods. For example, health education should be more up-to-date and explain to adolescents the connection between sexual relationships and AIDS rather than focusing primarily on the reproductive process. Further, parents, schools, and teenagers themselves can visit with health professionals at the hospitals and anonymous clinics to learn more about STDs, especially, HIV/AIDS. If put into practice, these recommendations will positively reduce the spread of AIDS in Thailand. / Graduation date: 1999

This study considers the influence of social structural variables upon perceived parental control of adolescents. Specifically, it examines the effects of gender, race, educational level of the parents, residential location, and religion, as each influences parental control. Using the 1984 data of the Monitoring the Future Project, conducted by Jerald G. Bachman, Lloyd D. Johnston, and Patrick M. O'Malley, this study uses the perspective of differential socialization to predict variance in perceived parental control within each of the social structural categories. Unlike previous research, this study investigated parental control during late adolescence. Through zero-order correlations, means, and multiple regression analyses, the study found that the gender of the adolescent and educational level of the parents showed the only significant effects. It is concluded that parental control diminishes during late adolescence and is perceived accordingly. / M.S.

by Mok Yui Ting. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-171). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1 --- The Research Problem --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2 --- Background of the Study --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research Objectives p --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.17 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1 --- Traditional Strain Theories and General Strain Theory --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- Other Important Theories for Explaining Adolescent Deviant Behavior --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Hirschi´ةs Social Bonding Theory (1969) --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Sutherland and Cressey's Differential Association Theory (1978) --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Becker´ةs Labeling Theory (1963) --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3 --- Adolescent Delinquency Studies in Hong Kong --- p.40 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Analytical Framework --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1 --- General Strain Theory --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2 --- Social Bonding Theory --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3 --- Differential Association Theory --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4 --- Labeling Theory --- p.69 / Chapter 3.5 --- The Hypotheses --- p.74 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Methodology --- p.75 / Chapter 4.1 --- Data and Sample --- p.75 / Chapter 4.2 --- Measurements of Variables --- p.81 / Chapter 4.3 --- Method of Data Analysis --- p.107 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Results --- p.109 / Chapter 5.1 --- Bivariate Analysis --- p.109 / Chapter 5.2 --- Multiple Regression Analysis --- p.116 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Multiple Regression of Adolescent Deviant Behavior on Strain Variables --- p.117 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- "Multiple Regression of Adolescent Deviant Behavior on Strain, Social Bonding, Differential Association and Labeling Variables" --- p.119 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Reduced Model --- p.122 / Chapter 5.3 --- Verification of Hypotheses --- p.128 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Summary and Discussion --- p.129 / Chapter 6.1 --- The Study --- p.129 / Chapter 6.2 --- Summary of Findings --- p.131 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Relevance of the Theories on Adolescent Deviant Behavior in Hong Kong --- p.132 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Social Correlates of Adolescent Deviant Behavior in Hong Kong --- p.145 / Chapter 6.3 --- Theoretical Implications --- p.147 / Chapter 6.4 --- Practical Implications --- p.151 / Chapter 6.5 --- Limitations and Suggestions for Future Research --- p.152 / Bibliography --- p.157

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie is adolessente se houdings teenoor bejaardes ondersoek. Die sosiale aard van houdings is beklemtoon en in verband gebring met sosiale afstand. Aspekte van subkulture, Cowgill se fotmulering van die moderniseringsteorie, die ouderdomstratifikasie­ model en Dowd se ruilingsteorie is as teoretiese orientering gebruik. Die doel van die studie is om vas te stel of daar 'n verband is tussen adolessente se houdings teenoor spesifieke bejaardes en adolessente se houdings teenoor bejaardes in die algemeen. Die verband tussen houdings teenoor bejaardes en die volgende is ook ondersoek, adolessente se: geslag, huistaal, hoeveelheid kontak met bejaardes en evaluering van gesprekke met bejaardes. Die ondersoek is deur middel van 'n vraelys onder standerd sewe leerlinge in enkele skole in die Vanderbijlpark-Vereeniging gebied geloods. 'n Verband is tussen adolessente se houdings teenoor spesifieke bejaardes en adolessente se houdings teenoor bejaardes in die algemeen gevind. / In this study adolescents' attitudes towards the elderly were investigated. The social nature of attitudes were highlighted and then linked to social distance. Aspects of subcultures, Cowgill's formulation of the modernisation theory, the age stratification model and Dowd's exchange theory were used as a theoretical base. The aim of the study is to establish whether there is a relationship between adolescents' attitudes towards specific elderly persons and adolescents' attitudes towards the elderly in general. The relationship between attitudes towards the elderly and the following were also examined, adolescents': gender, home language, amount of contact with elderly persons and evaluation of conversations with elderly persons. The study was conducted by way of a questionnaire administered to standard seven pupils in several schools in the Vanderbijlpark-Vereeniging area. A relationship was discovered between adolescents' attitudes towards specific elderly and adolescents' attitudes towards the elderly in general. / Sociology / M.A. (Sosiologie)

The research was undertaken to determine the way in which the Black adolescent forms a pupil identity. Special attention was focussed on the various relationships formed by th~ Black adolescent within and outside the school environment. Literature indicates that pupil-identity is one of a variety of identities formed. Once a positive pupil-identity is established, the adolescent is in a position to actualise himself adequately. The empirical research was undertaken by administering a questionnaire to 555 Black secondary school pupils. The questionnaire comprised four categories namely, the adolescent's relationship with the self, parents, peer-group and the school. It was found that each of the four categories showed a significant positive correlation with pupil-identity formation. As this research project could not cover all aspects of the Black adolescent, recommendations for future research have been made. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (Psychology of Education)

published_or_final_version / Psychiatry / Master / Master of Philosophy

The purpose of this study was to explore the lives of overweight/obese adolescent boys. A qualitative case study focused on depth of understanding. Four boys volunteered to participate in the study. Findings further our understanding of the adolescent boys’ lifescapes; viable and non-viable recruitment strategies among this population; ethical obligations of ending research after establishing trust and rapport; and “Avoidance” as an Idiom of Distress among this sample of boys. Suggestions for future research are addressed in the study. / vi, 102 leaves ; 29 cm

This article investigates the impact of poverty and shocks on adolescents, particularly their role in early school drop-out. Data consisting of 3043 adolescent interviews and 1945 household interviews, from a recent survey entitled Transitions to Adulthood among Adolescents in Durban, South Africa, has been used. While conventional explanations of drop-out acknowledge the role of socio-economic factors, this paper attempts to understand, through an asset-vulnerability framework, the explicit contribution of poverty and shocks to drop-out in the South African context. The results indicate that the poverty-based theory of drop-out put forward, while appealing, does not fully account for drop-out. Instead, it would seem that among poor households the education of their children is seen as an asset that is to be protected. It is proposed that school feeding schemes be reconsidered as a social welfare tool to support poor households in their attempts to keep their children in school. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.