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School Engagement Among Urban Adolescents of Color: Does Perception of Social Support and Neighborhood Safety Really Matter?

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Abstract

In this study we examined the effects of risk factors (perceived neighborhood crime/delinquency problems, neighborhood incivilities) and protective factors (teacher support, family support, peer support) on the school engagement of 123 urban adolescents of color. Age and gender were also examined to determine if different ages (younger or older) or genders (male or female) significantly modified the relationship between the risk factors and school engagement. Results indicated that perceived neighborhood incivilities was uniquely predictive of school engagement. Contrary to hypotheses, different levels of the perceived social support variables did not modify the effects of risky neighborhood conditions on adolescent’s perceived school engagement. Age, but not gender, significantly modified the relationship between perceived family social support and perceived neighborhood crime on adolescents’ reported levels of school engagement. The implications of the results for prevention and intervention programs that address school engagement among early adolescents of color are considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Temple University, 3307 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Brian P. Daly

  2. Counseling and Human Services, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Richard Q. Shin

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Charu Thakral

  4. Counseling Center, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Michael Selders

  5. Department of Leadership, Foundations, and Counseling Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Elizabeth Vera

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Daly, B.P., Shin, R.Q., Thakral, C. et al. School Engagement Among Urban Adolescents of Color: Does Perception of Social Support and Neighborhood Safety Really Matter?. J Youth Adolescence 38, 63–74 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-008-9294-7

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