La Rue House is a collection of short fictional stories set in and around a homeless shelter for adolescents.

Susceptibility to smoking has been widely measured in an effort to detect those teens who lack of a firm commitment to not smoke. This measure, however, has not been applied to Chinese-Canadian adolescents. The overall goal of this study was to understand susceptibility to smoking among Chinese-Canadian non-smoking teens. The dissertation includes three papers, each of which has addressed one of the three primary aims of this study. The first paper aims to document the prevalence of susceptibility to smoking among a sample of non-smoking teens in British Columbia, Canada, and to examine the factors that explain the variation in susceptibility to smoking. I employed a quantitative secondary analysis of data from the BC Youth Survey of Smoking and Health. More than one quarter of the respondents were found to be susceptible. The Chinese-Canadian adolescents appeared to have a similar rate of susceptibility to smoking as their White/Caucasian counterparts, even though the smoking prevalence was lower among Chinese-Canadian group than in White/Caucasian group. In the second paper, I explored non-smoking Chinese-Canadian adolescents’ views about the protective factors and the risk factors that might lead them to be susceptible to smoking. In this paper I report an analysis of four qualitative focus groups which included 24 Chinese-Canadian participants. Negative attitudes toward smoking, befriending non-smoking teens, being peer pressured not to smoke and a collectivist cultural perspective were identified as protectors that helped Chinese Canadian teens remain tobacco free in their adolescence. The teens argued that authoritarian parenting had both positive and negative effects on Chinese teens’ susceptibility to smoking. These findings enhanced our understanding of the role that an ethnic group’s culture might play in adolescent smoking. In the third paper, I use Chinese-Canadian teens’ perspectives to reconsider the operationalization of the measure of susceptibility to smoking. Avoiding absolute answers was viewed by the participants as a unique cultural style among Chinese-Canadian teens. They also commented on the ambiguity of using the term “smoking” in the smoking susceptibility measure. Further research is needed to gain a better understanding of the operationalization of the measure in this cultural group.

Susceptibility to smoking has been widely measured in an effort to detect those teens who lack of a firm commitment to not smoke. This measure, however, has not been applied to Chinese-Canadian adolescents. The overall goal of this study was to understand susceptibility to smoking among Chinese-Canadian non-smoking teens. The dissertation includes three papers, each of which has addressed one of the three primary aims of this study. The first paper aims to document the prevalence of susceptibility to smoking among a sample of non-smoking teens in British Columbia, Canada, and to examine the factors that explain the variation in susceptibility to smoking. I employed a quantitative secondary analysis of data from the BC Youth Survey of Smoking and Health. More than one quarter of the respondents were found to be susceptible. The Chinese-Canadian adolescents appeared to have a similar rate of susceptibility to smoking as their White/Caucasian counterparts, even though the smoking prevalence was lower among Chinese-Canadian group than in White/Caucasian group. In the second paper, I explored non-smoking Chinese-Canadian adolescents’ views about the protective factors and the risk factors that might lead them to be susceptible to smoking. In this paper I report an analysis of four qualitative focus groups which included 24 Chinese-Canadian participants. Negative attitudes toward smoking, befriending non-smoking teens, being peer pressured not to smoke and a collectivist cultural perspective were identified as protectors that helped Chinese Canadian teens remain tobacco free in their adolescence. The teens argued that authoritarian parenting had both positive and negative effects on Chinese teens’ susceptibility to smoking. These findings enhanced our understanding of the role that an ethnic group’s culture might play in adolescent smoking. In the third paper, I use Chinese-Canadian teens’ perspectives to reconsider the operationalization of the measure of susceptibility to smoking. Avoiding absolute answers was viewed by the participants as a unique cultural style among Chinese-Canadian teens. They also commented on the ambiguity of using the term “smoking” in the smoking susceptibility measure. Further research is needed to gain a better understanding of the operationalization of the measure in this cultural group.

The media is a social factor influencing suicide clusters. As a result, the AFSP and the CDC established guidelines for journalists in order to prevent suicide contagion and imitation. Compliance has been inconsistent. However, researchers have failed to explore the qualitative nature of how media reports are framed. Furthermore, research has not examined how online news reports may include features unique to the digital environment. One must also consider how other social factors affect the development of suicide clusters. Family, affluence, peers, and education may influence suicide clustering, especially amongst teens and young adults. Psychological factors, like imitation and contagion, should also be considered. This research examined online media reports and appended comments pertaining to three point suicide clusters involving teens and young adults (Cornell University 2009-2010 and Palo Alto, CA 2009-2010/2014-2015). Eighty-two online news articles and 2,500 comments were analyzed. The researcher conducted discourse analysis and a comparative case study using domains and themes derived from the data. Articles were checked for compliance to the preventative guidelines, and the qualitative nature of violations was explored. Descriptive statistics and timing of publication were used to describe the relationship between media framing and the development of suicide clusters. Comments were examined for both reflexive and oppositional responses to media frames. Data was also open coded for the consideration of other domains and themes. Findings suggested that while the media often failed to adhere to prevention guidelines, the online news reports do not seem to be a large factor in the growth of the point clusters under investigation. Instead, findings suggested that these online reports offer protective features including hyperlinks to prevention resources and scientific facts, as well as public comment spaces for coping and the creation of a collective will. Findings also suggested that other social factors including the affluent family, peer groups, and education might be equally influential. These factors alter levels of social integration and normative regulation, sometimes in an interactional manner. The researcher argued that social factors might lead community members to experience egoistic, fatalistic, and/or anomic suicidal tendencies. Furthermore, both imitation and contagion may be at play.

Susceptibility to smoking has been widely measured in an effort to detect those teens who lack of a firm commitment to not smoke. This measure, however, has not been applied to Chinese-Canadian adolescents. The overall goal of this study was to understand susceptibility to smoking among Chinese-Canadian non-smoking teens. The dissertation includes three papers, each of which has addressed one of the three primary aims of this study. The first paper aims to document the prevalence of susceptibility to smoking among a sample of non-smoking teens in British Columbia, Canada, and to examine the factors that explain the variation in susceptibility to smoking. I employed a quantitative secondary analysis of data from the BC Youth Survey of Smoking and Health. More than one quarter of the respondents were found to be susceptible. The Chinese-Canadian adolescents appeared to have a similar rate of susceptibility to smoking as their White/Caucasian counterparts, even though the smoking prevalence was lower among Chinese-Canadian group than in White/Caucasian group. In the second paper, I explored non-smoking Chinese-Canadian adolescents’ views about the protective factors and the risk factors that might lead them to be susceptible to smoking. In this paper I report an analysis of four qualitative focus groups which included 24 Chinese-Canadian participants. Negative attitudes toward smoking, befriending non-smoking teens, being peer pressured not to smoke and a collectivist cultural perspective were identified as protectors that helped Chinese Canadian teens remain tobacco free in their adolescence. The teens argued that authoritarian parenting had both positive and negative effects on Chinese teens’ susceptibility to smoking. These findings enhanced our understanding of the role that an ethnic group’s culture might play in adolescent smoking. In the third paper, I use Chinese-Canadian teens’ perspectives to reconsider the operationalization of the measure of susceptibility to smoking. Avoiding absolute answers was viewed by the participants as a unique cultural style among Chinese-Canadian teens. They also commented on the ambiguity of using the term “smoking” in the smoking susceptibility measure. Further research is needed to gain a better understanding of the operationalization of the measure in this cultural group. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

Research shows that teens (Generation Z) are not as information literate as required to function effectively in an information society. Yet many teens are gamers and succeed at game-related tasks that require information literacy skills. This thesis examines the potential that the online game Minecraft, and one of its related affinity spaces, may have in the development of information literacy skills in teens. This case study unfolded in three phases: a video game analysis of Minecraft, a discussion forum analysis and an interpretive report of interviews with eight teen gamers. Findings suggest that Minecraft’s design induces players to seek out game related information in affinity spaces, select appropriate sources, evaluate the information shared by fellow gamers and decide what best satisfies their information need. Further research could determine whether the specific information literacy skills in this gaming context can be generalized to other gaming environments and to non-gaming contexts.

OBJECTIVE: To examine Teen Oral Health-related Quality of Life (TOQL) for use in adults receiving orthodontic treatment and assess validity and reliability by age-group. METHODS: Teenagers ages 10-18 years and adults 18 years and over completed surveys at the Orthodontic Clinic at Boston University. The survey consisted of sociodemographic information, dental behavior questions, and the TOQL instrument. (Wright, Spiro, Jones, & Rich, n.d.) Malocclusion severity was assessed using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). RESULTS: 161 teens and 146 adults participated; teens had a mean age of 13 years and adults 32 years. Subjects represented both genders and diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. In general, scores overall and by domains were higher for adults than for teens, signifying a greater effect on the quality of life. Mean TOQL scores were worse (17.55) in adults than in teens (11.92, p<0.01); emotional and social domains scores were higher for adults (p<0.001).Construct validity was supported by strong association of TOQL scores with self-reported oral health (p<0.0001). Cronbach’s alpha was higher in adults (0.75 in adults compared to 0.68 in teens) and for all the domains. CONCLUSION: Adults who come for orthodontic treatment report that they are more affected by their malocclusion as compared to teens. Total TOQL score and the emotional and social domains are significantly higher for adults than teens. The project suggests that TOQL is a valid and reliable way to measure impact of malocclusion in quality of life in both adults and teens.

Research shows that adolescents use places in the natural environment much differently from the general population. Research also shows that, when asked, adolescents express environmental preferences that reflect these differences. These differences in use and preference reflect new design challenges. This paper and design project explores how to begin designing places that address the unique needs and preferences of adolescents. / Master of Landscape Architecture

As the largest and fastest growing U.S. minority, the Hispanic market has become an increasingly significant contributor to the nation as a whole. More so than ever, marketers would greatly benefit from reaching out to this demographic, drawing inspiration from the all of the characteristics that make it unique. In seeking to increase the appeal of their products, advertising plans should be developed such that all efforts take advantage of an opportunity such as this without negatively affecting any serious conditions prevalent among the population. In the case of Latino adolescents who are more likely to consume certain products such as sports drinks, but suffer disproportionately from obesity, it is crucial that food and beverage manufacturers like Gatorade approach this target strategically. Gatorade’s strong dedication to improving athletic performance offers the chance to become a positive contributor to the health and well being of Hispanic teens. The analysis and recommendations herein seek to guide Gatorade in addressing Hispanics in light of recent trends and demographic shifts. The tactics considered include the promotion of the many healthy options among Gatorade’s existing product lines, as well as ways to develop new ones targeted at young Latino males. Drawing from current advertising reaching out to the leading sports drink consumers, ‘REPLAY The Series’ would be another method that could be tailored to reach a greater number of this ethnicity. Finally, in recognition of the many advancements in digital technologies such as location based services, and young Hispanics’ greater likelihood to make use of cell phone applications, a mobile component is recommended, focusing on bringing these teens together and facilitating physical activity. With marketing ideas built upon the role sports drinks could play in getting Hispanic adolescents active, Gatorade can continue its dedication to superior athletic performance with further potential to become a role model for the marketing industry as a whole / text

Kiekvienas žmogus save tapatina su tam tikra grupe (socialine, etnine, konfesine). Sava grupė suvokiama priešpriešinant ją kitai, svetimai grupei. Suvokimą supaprastina bendražmogiškas pasaulio pažinimo būdas: suvokiami objektai kategorizuojami ir kiekvienai kategorijai priskiriami tam tikri stereotipiniai įsitikinimai. Sava etninė grupė suvokiama lyginant savo tautą su kitų tautų apibendrintais vaizdiniais – etniniais stereotipais. Priklausymas tam tikrai grupei ypač svarbus paauglystės laikotarpiu, kas įtakoja savęs ir kitų vertinimą. Lietuvai tapus ES nare ir atsivėrus sienoms vis dažniau susiduriama su kitų tautų atstovais, kyla įvairių incidentų dėl stereotipinių kitataučių bei pačių lietuvių vertinimo. Tyrimo objektas. Paauglių stereotipinių vertinimų ypatumai kitataučių atžvilgiu. Tyrimo tikslas. Atskleisti paauglių stereotipinio vertinimo ypatumus kitataučių atžvilgiu. Tyrimo metodika. Norint išsiaiškinti paauglių stereotipinio vertinimo ypatumus kitataučių atžvilgiu, buvo atliktas kiekybinis tyrimas, kuris vyko keturiose Panevėžio rajono vidurinėse mokyklose. Iš viso dalyvavo 250 paauglių, besimokančių 6-oje ir 12-oje klasėse. Tyrimo tikslui pasiekti bei hipotezei patvirtinti / paneigti naudojama anketinė apklausa, literatūros šaltinių analizė. Etniniai stereotipai mokslinėje literatūroje dažnai apibrėžiami kaip neadekvatūs realybei, perdėti apibendrinimai apie tam tikrų grupių narių elgesį ir kitus bruožus. ... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Each person identifies himself with a group (social, ethnic, confessional). Own group is realised by contraposition of the othe group, the forin one. The perception of universal knowledge of the world easier way: perceived objects are categorized and each category includes a number of stereotypical beliefs. Due to their ethnic group is perceived in relation to their own people to other people's aggregated images - ethnic stereotypes. Belonging to a certain group is particularly important during adolescence, which affects self and other assessments. Because of Lithuania joined the EU and the opening of borders is increasingly the case with other nations, there were some incidents on the stereotype of an international character Lithuanian own assessment. Investigation object. Teen stereotypical characteristics of assessments in respect of an international character. Objectives. To reveal the characteristics of adolescent stereotyped assessment in respect of an international character. Ivestigation methods. In order to clarify the assessment of adolescent stereotyped features of an international character, there was a quantitative survey, which took place in four secondary schools in the district of Panevezys. A total of 250 adolescents studying in the 6th and 12th grades participated in survey. The study purpose and hypothesis approve / deny use of a questionnaire survey, literature analysis. Ethnic stereotypes in the scientific literature are often defined as... [to full text]