Predicting Problem Behavior and Self-Esteem among African American Adolescents

The current study investigated the utility of using stress, social support, and racial identity to predict problem behavior and self-esteem among African American adolescents. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to test the predictive ability of the Lazarus and Folkman model. Stressful life events and lack of perceived support from friends were predictive of problem behavior (e.g., drug and alcohol use, delinquent acts) in a sample of 221 African American 9th through 12th-grade adolescents. Strong support from friends attenuated the effects of stress. One racial-identity variable (attitudes toward African Americans) contributed to the prediction ofproblem behavior after other variables were entered into the regression equation. More positive attitudes predicted lower levels ofproblem behavior. Similar results were obtained in a regression analysis using self-esteem as the dependent variable. The current study concluded that stress models are useful with African Americans, particularly if a racial-identity variable is included.