Risk taking in first and second generation Afro-Caribbean adolescents: an emerging challenge for school nurses.
School nurses are well positioned to address risk-taking behaviors for adolescents in their care. The purpose of this mixed-method exploratory study was to explore risk taking in Afro-Caribbean adolescents in South Florida, comparing first- to second-generation adolescents. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from an immigrant group using the adolescent risk-taking instrument to evaluate risk-taking attitudes, behaviors, and self-described riskiest activities. One-hundred and six adolescents participated; 44% were first generation Afro-Caribbean. Data analysis included analysis of variance, frequencies, and content analysis. There were no differences in risk-taking attitudes; smaller percentages of first generation Afro-Caribbean adolescents reported sexual activity, substance use, and violence. Over one third of the sample, regardless of generational status, reported alcohol use, but did not note alcohol or other health-compromising behaviors as "riskiest" activities. It is important to better understand Afro-Caribbean adolescents' perspectives about risky behaviors, and school-based venues offer the best promise for reaching these adolescents.
1Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
Kim
K
Jolly
Cynthia
C
Archibald
Patricia
P
Liehr
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000208:ethnology; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012573:School Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
Afro-Caribbean; adolescents; behaviors; risk