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This thesis examines the trends in the societal factors that influence adolescent parenting in the African American community. Analysis of the existing with a decline of societal intervention and involvement, particularly during the late teen years. Post analytical conclusions suggest an urgent need for familial guidance and community-based programs beginning with preteen adolescents. Additional investigation is warranted due to the lack of data provided on African American adolescent fathers, and other societal factors that influence African American adolescent mothers.

This thesis examines substance use and abuse in the context of precipitating factors. In particular, it shows how substance abuse can be triggered by certain variables such as stress. The thesis also shows different "struggles" encountered by African American students that have been found to impact the use of various illicit substances. Additionally, the thesis discusses the role of the church and its impact on the structure of the African American family as it deals with youth and drugs. Drug categories included in this study are cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. The study shows, through an historical perspective, how drugs entered the African American community and why they still remain. The primary data source used was a set of summarized surveys administered to schools from forty states compiled by PRIDE. Recommendations are made for various initiatives and programs designed specifically to aid in reducing substance abuse among African-Americans.

Fifty African American graduate students, attending a historically black university in the Southeast, participated in a survey designed to identify common stressors in their lives. The study is based on the Koeske and Koeske (1991) model that is predicated on the notion that individuals perceive certain situations as stressful and can suffer adverse effects due to their stress response. The study’s primaly finding shows that African American students report a high level of stress when dealing with certain life events. Included among these events are divorce, death of loved ones, and career decisions. Despite a high level of stress encountered in dealing with specific events, the study found that the African American graduate students surveyed were able to effectively cope with most of the stressful situations in their lives. Although generalizability is precluded due to the size and composition of the sample, the study suggests that stress is prevalent among graduate students on historically black university campuses. An important implication of the study is the need for programs that counteract stressors leading to attrition. Additionally, the study points to the need for programs that teach stress management and coping skills for African American graduate students attending historically black universities.

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