i ABSTRACT Sense of purpose is strongly associated with positive health behaviors and academic achievement (Turner-Musa & Lipscomb, 2007, Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics FIFCFS, 2010). The purpose of this qualitative research study was to develop grounded theory by the exploration of sense of purpose by describing and interpreting attitudes, beliefs, and practices among Black American families participating in an outreach program in Southern, IL. Grounded theory was used to explain the phenomenon of sense of purpose, and the relationship among optimism, faith, hope, spirituality and sense of meaning. A non probability purposive sample was used for the study. The sample consisted of 10 families, which were comprised of 26 individual, seven Black American mothers, one Black American father, one Black American grandmother, one Caucasian guardian and 16 children. Data collection included audio-taping first order narratives derived through individual interviews, field notes and observations in the homes of the participating families. Findings included identifying common and less common categories. The common categories were God, relationships, education, communication, financial security, autonomy and independence, leadership qualities, perseverance, self efficacy, life lessons, cooperation and opportunities. Less common categories, appearing in at least one family, were discipline and structure, and celebration of life. The central category linking all the categories and constructs together was identified as communication. Some causal affects influenced the prevalence of certain categories and how they were connected to the five constructs. These causal affects were poverty, parental education levels, and illness.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / The experience of children and adolescents is increasingly mediated by information and communication technologies. Yet, the trajectory for literacy education in U.S. schools continues to prioritize print literacy. As a result, students often lack the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to ‘read and write’ in the digital world of the twenty-first century. Concerned by the influence of media to empower or exploit young people, educators at many levels are discovering media literacy as an augmentation to traditional literacy. The purpose of this research was to investigate how teachers implemented media literacy in practice. The following subquestions were also examined: (1) How do teachers define 'media literacy'? (2) Why do teachers teach media literacy? (3) What are the outcomes of media literacy teaching? (4) What are the challenges, limitations, and opportunities teachers experience when implementing media literacy? To answer these questions, a case study was conducted of three teachers as they collaborated in implementing a media literacy curriculum at the middle level. The results suggest that teachers who implement media literacy were motivated by awareness and knowledge of childhood and adolescent development, particularly related to increases in media use and the extent to which media shape the choices of children and teens. Media literacy practice was constructivist, embodying a student-centered approach where teachers served to guide students' media literacy learning, facilitating active learning, co-viewing , critical inquiry and reflection in a classroom climate where students' analysis and interpretations of media messages were respected and valued. Teachers worked to preserve students' enjoyment of media, acknowledging popular media as a valuable part of adolescent culture and identity, while encouraging critical inquiry. Media literacy activities consisted of viewing, labeling, and discussing commercial media that was relevant, accessible, and meaningful for students . Learning outcomes included: (a) increased awareness of all media messages as constructed; (b) the development of vocabulary to analyze and deconstruct media messages; (c) skill building in critical inquiry; and (d) empowerment via video production as assessment. Despite findings related to effective teaching practices, the results also indicate that curricular placement for media literacy continues to be a challenge for interested teachers and administrators. / 2031-01-02

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / This study attempts to demonstrate the process of diminishing egocentricity, which appears to be central to the individual's evolving capacity to be in relation to the other, in the developing early-to-middle adolescent. It examines the widely accepted developmental theories that view egocentrism and cognitive maturation as being functions of subject-object differentiation. While egocentrism is acknowledged among developmental psychologists to occur, this study attempts to describe the still unarticulated understanding of the change process of diminishing egocentricity, its particular constitutive parts, their nature and function. As the field of developmental psychology has been by itself insufficient to the task of illuminating these processes, a psycho-philosophical mixed study is undertaken in a secondary analysis of A.C. Petersen's (1998) Adolescent Mental Health Study, 1978-1990 longitudinal data collected on early adolescents and followed-up in late adolescence and early adulthood. Existential phenomenology and G.W.F. Hegel's (1977) dialectical method inform the study's theoretical reframing of the problem of diminishing egocentricity in early-to-middle adolescence. The study utilizes CAQDAS, close reading method, grounded theory, and hermeneutical analysis to examine the narrative responses of 45 subjects to Petersen's (1998) study's Self-Image Questionnaire for Young Adolescents (SIQYA) in the qualitative analysis. The quantitative portion of the study makes use of Individual Growth Modeling (IGM) to analyze Petersen's (1998) full sample of SIQY A respondents as confirmation or refutation of the qualitative analysis. In addition to successfully arriving at a phenomenology of diminishing egocentricity that demonstrates the importance of a more authentic and integrated dialectical methodology than previously used in developmental research, the study's findings promote a critical retooling of concepts believed to be essential to our understanding of cognitive development generally and shown here to be relevant to diminishing egocentricity in particular, including abstract and concrete thinking qualities/capacities, object permanency, object relations, and subject-object-differentiation. The reframing of the current youth crisis in this more fully developed and unified theoretical (psychological/philosophical) system suggests that a greater emphasis on distinctively social experiential education/opportunities and skills-based activities in schools and therapeutic settings may provide one course for meaningful corrective action. Further study to create an integrated approach to experiential opportunities that promote social cognition is recommended. / 2031-01-02

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a long-term inflammatory arthritis which starts before the age of 16; 60% of those with JIA continue to have symptoms into adulthood. There are wide variations in experiences of adolescents with JIA, including the effects of the condition on social and intellectual development, self-management, psychological and physical functioning. Individual differences may be due to differences in how adolescents conceptualise JIA. Leventhal's Common Sense Self-regulatory Model (CS-SRM) has been used to theorise adults' experiences of illness, however, this has rarely been used with adolescents. The CS-SRM has three components, mental representations (component 1) that drive coping procedures and illness behaviours (component 2) which are then evaluated and appraised (component 3). A review of studies with adolescent cohorts that applied the CS-SRM found no evidence-base with which to justify application of an adult theory with children or adolescents. Thus the applicability of the theory and the use of the associated questionnaire, the Revised Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (IPQ-R), with adolescents are problematic. Aims: The aims of this PhD were first to assess the suitability of the CS-SRM for adolescents with JIA by investigating the three components of the model, and second, to develop a questionnaire for use with this population. Methods: To investigate the first two components of the CS-SRM, twenty-one participants aged between 11-16 years were recruited from a national cohort of JIA patients. Data collection was undertaken using cognitive interviewing. Framework analysis of the data was used to identify domains used by adolescents to conceptualise their JIA and content analysis to further investigate the suitability of the IPQ-R to assess beliefs. Transcripts were analysed identifying problems or inconsistencies with IPQ-R use. Adolescents' ways of coping with JIA were investigated using the somatic experience module of a computer-based interview, 'In My Shoes' (IMS). To evaluate the third component of the CS-SRM, quantitative data were used in a longitudinal mediation analysis to investigate the extent to which emotional representations and pain predicted physical behaviour (n= 50). To address the second aim of this PhD, Version 1 of the Pain Perception Questionnaire for Young People (PPQ-YP) was devised and sent to 18 healthy adolescents (11- 16) to assess linguistic validity and face validity of the items using a recent pain to answer items and provide feedback on language and length. The psychometric properties of a revised version were tested with 76 adolescents with JIA. Results: Adolescents' responses to having JIA were driven by their emotional and cognitive responses to symptoms (in this case pain) rather than illness beliefs per se. Thus, it is important to assess pain beliefs rather than broader illness representations. The need to preserve their social identity as 'normal' was a coping goal shared across the sample, however different strategies were identified, either to focus on maintaining normal activities or to attend to pain directly. Adolescents who focused on their pain held a more negative emotional representation, reported higher pain and lower functionality compared to adolescents who tried to maintain normality. Based on these results, longitudinal mediation models investigated the role of emotional representations and pain in predicting physical behaviour. Pain mediated 44% of the relationship between emotional representations and physical behaviour. Conclusions: Modifications to the model are recommended to take into account the role of social identity in the process of developing illness behaviours as well as the importance of a symptom driven conceptualisation of the condition.

Background: Compassion Focused Therapy aims to reduce shame through the development of compassion towards the self (Gilbert & Proctor, 2006). In a recent meta-analysis, MacBeth & Gumley (2012), identified self-compassion as a good predictor of mental wellbeing in adult populations. In addition, Werner et al (2012) provided preliminary evidence that difficulties with self-compassion may contribute to the development and maintenance of social anxiety. Despite wide recognition that social anxiety arises in adolescence and can be a pre-cursor to the development of other psychological disorders, the relationship between self-compassion and social anxiety is yet to be explored in younger populations. Objective: The following portfolio aims to add to the current literature by firstly, completing a systematic review to examine whether the association between shame and social anxiety is supported by empirical research and secondly, examining the relationship between self-compassion and social anxiety in an adolescent community sample. The role of recognised cognitive factors of social anxiety i.e. fear of negative evaluation, self-focused attention and cognitive avoidance in mediating the relationship between self-compassion and social anxiety and the role of possible confounders i.e. depression and generalised anxiety were also examined. Method: A systematic review of studies that assess the association between shame and social anxiety symptomology was undertaken. The empirical study comprised a cross-sectional design in which 414 community based adolescents, aged 14-18, were recruited from 4 local schools to complete 7 validated psychometric questionnaires: Self-compassion Scale (Neff, 2003), The Social Phobia Inventory (Connor et al, 2000), the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (LaGreca, 1998), The Cognitive Avoidance Questionnaire (Gosselin et al, 2002), the Self Consciousness Scales (Fenigstein et al, 1975), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (Birmaher et al, 1995) and the Short Mood and Feeling Questionnaire (Angold et al, 1995). Systematic Review Results: Twenty one studies met the inclusion criteria of the systematic review and demonstrated a positive association between shame and social anxiety symptomology. Methodological factors, depression and gender were found to impact on the power of this association. Empirical Project Results: Self-compassion was found to be inversely related to social anxiety, r=-.551, p < .0001, 95%CI[-.62, .48], with both fear of negative evaluation and cognitive avoidance, but not self-focused attention, partially mediating this relationship. Self-compassion was found to be a unique predict of social anxiety, explaining additional variance when depression and generalised anxiety were controlled for. Conclusions: The above studies extend existing literature on the relationship between shame, social anxiety and self-compassion. In particular the use of an adolescent sample provides evidence of the usability and applicability of self-compassion concepts with younger populations. Similarly, the above studies expand our understanding of the concepts underlying social anxiety, specifically in adolescents, for whom social anxiety is extremely prevalent. It is hoped that the above research may highlight associations in need of further investigation, in particular with clinical samples, and inform the development of compassion focused adaptations or interventions for this population.

Magister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES) / Physical inactivity is increasing among adolescents worldwide and may be contributing to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity. South African adolescents are physically inactive and obesity has become an alarming trend. Physical activity behaviours have multiple levels of influence that include predisposing factors, reinforcing factors and enabling factors. This study aimed to identify the predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors of physical activity and which ones were the strongest predictors of physical activity participation among adolescents in the Western Cape. The study sample was conveniently selected from two schools in the Metropole South Education District. Using the children’s physical activity questionnaire and the children’s physical activity correlates questionnaire, a sample of 348 participants completed the questionnaires. Demographic variables were analysed using descriptive statistics which included means and standard deviations. Pearson correlation and regression analysis were performed to determine the relationship between the variables and to determine the strongest predictors of physical activity overall. Parental influence (r=0.236, p<0.01), peer influence (r = 0.012, p<0.05), perceived physical activity self-efficacy (r=0.212, p<0.05) and perceived physical activity competence (r = 0.192, p < 0.05) were all strong predictors of PA. However, parental influence was the strongest predictor overall (r=0.236, p<0.01). Adolescents are more likely to participate in physical activity if their parents encourage, support and participate in physical activity with them.

La pratique d’une activité sportive est associée à une meilleure santé mais elle peut être également liée à des troubles du comportement chez les adolescents (consommation de produits psychoactifs, anxiété, troubles alimentaires). Il est donc nécessaire de cerner ce qui influence ces problèmes de santé. Afin de répondre à cette question, cinq axes d’analyses ont été développés à travers l’évaluation de la motivation sportive (intrinsèque et extrinsèque) et des buts d’accomplissement (de maîtrise, d’approche et d’évitement de la performance). Une proposition de modélisation de l’influence de ces variables sur la consommation de produits psychoactifs chez les adolescents sur une période de 20 mois a été réalisée. Cette recherche a été menée auprès de 526 adolescents âgés de 12 à 24 ans. L’analyse des données a permis de mettre en évidence le rôle essentiel de la motivation sportive et des buts d’accomplissement dans les troubles de la conduite à l’adolescence. Prendre en compte l’orientation motivationnelle que l’adolescent met en place dans la pratique sportive, devrait permettre d’améliorer les interventions en milieu sportif et son bien-être. / The practice of a sporting activity is associated with better health but it can also be linked to health disorders among adolescents (substances use, anxiety, eating disorders). It is therefore necessary to identify what influence these health problems. To answer this question, five lines of analysis have been developed through the evaluation of the sport motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and achievement goals (mastery, performance approach and avoidance). A proposal for modelling the influence of these variables on the substances use among adolescents over a period of 20 months was achieved. This research was conducted among 526 adolescents aged 12 to 24 years. Data analysis has identified the essential role of sport motivation and achievement goals in the health disorders during adolescence. Take into account the motivational guidance that the young person sets up a sport, should improve interventions in sport and his well-being.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents has increased dramatically over the past few decades. This increase is associated with a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The "R.U.A. Healthy Kid?" program was created to target modifiable risk factors related to development of T2DM. This study specifically focuses on the influence of snacking habits. Researchers have documented an increase in snacking occasions and preference for low-nutrient snacks among adolescents. Many adolescent diabetes prevention programs target dietary behaviors, but none have used the Stages of Change as a theoretical framework to promote behavior change. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a three month community-based intervention on snack consumption and snacking habits of adolescents with risk factors for T2DM. Additionally, it explored the use of the Stages of Change model to understand how the intervention impacted adolescents' movement through the stages, and if reported stage was related to reported snack consumption and snacking habits. At completion of the study, the majority of participants reported forward progress in stages of change, indicating they were actively making changes in regards to high-nutrient (healthy) snacking. There was also a decrease in low-nutrient (unhealthy) snack consumption, and a significant improvement in overall snacking score. Participants reported several factors influenced their snack choice including hunger, taste, and availability. These findings are important to the development of appropriate programs to encourage healthy dietary behaviors at a young age.

The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of adolescents with disabilities who identify as a sexual or gender minority within four ecological domains of self, school, family, and community and of how those experiences shape identity, sense of self, and beliefs about the future. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews, this research was conducted with an intersectionality framework that examined how the intersection of markers of difference inform individual reality and lived experiences for young adults with disabilities who identify as a sexual or gender minority. The sample included eight adolescents in high school across the state of Oregon who had a 504 plan or an Individualized Education Program and identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or queer. A multiple-phase data analysis led to in-depth descriptions of each individual's experiences as well as consistent cross-case themes. Key themes in the individual context included: identity development, positive beliefs about identity, navigation of identity labels, strategies for facing discrimination, and relationships. Experiences in the home context that shaped identity focused on the key areas of support, rejection, and religion. Concerning the school social context, the themes that emerged were the overlap of queerness and disability in the schools, Gay Straight Alliances and extracurricular clubs, and desired staff characteristics for an adult ally in school. No consistent themes were identified in the community domain. These findings contributed to the participants' descriptions of their beliefs about the future, focusing on independent living, postsecondary education, and employment. Analysis extends the limited research available for this subgroup, shedding a light on the importance of inclusive research. In addition, findings support implications for changes in how we work with students with disabilities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, queer, transgender, or intersex as well as how we train and support our teachers to work with all students and engage in anti-discriminatory practices.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between sociopolitical development, autonomous motivation, and educational and career outcomes among low income Latino and non-Latino high school students and to explore the socioeconomic and ethnocultural differences among these relationships. This study is informed by Sociopolitical Development Theory (SPD) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Both SPD and SDT are frameworks that have been applied to the educational experiences of low-income and ethnocultural minority students in previous research. In this study, I tested a model to examine the relationship of sociopolitical development and career and educational outcomes for a diverse sample of high school students as mediated by autonomous motivation, a key feature of SDT. Structural equation modeling was used to test whether the data from a diverse sample of high school students (N = 1196) fit the proposed model. Differences in model fit for subsamples of Latino and non-Latino participants and for lower and higher SES participants also were explored. Results suggest that high school students' sociopolitical development predicts career and educational outcomes, and this relationship was partially mediated by autonomous motivation. Model fit did not vary as a function of SES or ethnicity. Results lend confidence to the utility of SDT and SPD in predicting educational and career outcomes for high school students. Interventions that promote SPD and autonomous motivation are described. Strengths and limitations of the study are discussed.