Adolescent problem behavior in Nairobi's informal settlements: applying problem behavior theory in sub-Saharan Africa.
Adolescent involvement in problem behaviors can compromise health, development, and successful transition to adulthood. The present study explores the appropriateness of a particular theoretical framework, Problem Behavior Theory, to account for variation in problem behavior among adolescents in informal settlements around a large, rapidly urbanizing city in sub-Saharan Africa. Data were collected from samples of never married adolescents of both sexes, aged 12-19, living in two Nairobi slum settlements (N = 1,722). Measures of the theoretical psychosocial protective and risk factor concepts provided a substantial, multi-variate, and explanatory account of adolescent problem behavior variation and demonstrated that protection can also moderate the impact of exposure to risk. Key protective and risk factors constitute targets for policies and programs to enhance the health and well-being of poor urban adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.
Ndugwa
Robert P
RP
Centre for Population Studies, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. robert.ndugwa@lshtm.ac.uk
Kabiru
Caroline W
CW
Cleland
John
J
Beguy
Donatien
D
Egondi
Thaddeus
T
Zulu
Eliya M
EM
Jessor
Richard
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency; D007630:Kenya; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult