TY - JOUR
T1 - The Protective Effects of Sense of Community, Multigroup Ethnic Identity, and Self-Esteem Against Internalizing Problems Among Dominican Youth
T2 - Implications for Social Workers
AU - Garcia-Reid, Pauline
AU - Peterson, Christina Hamme
AU - Reid, Robert J.
AU - Peterson, N. Andrew
PY - 2013/5
Y1 - 2013/5
N2 - This study examined the risk and protective factors associated with internalizing problems among Dominican adolescents (N = 500; 58% female) attending high school (grades 9-12) in a Northeastern, high poverty, urban community. Using a path analysis, this study found that depression and anxiety are complex mental health constructs and there are many factors that contribute to their developmental trajectory. Findings revealed that greater disorganization in one's neighborhood, perception of availability of drugs and handguns in one's community, and overall drug use and violent behaviors were linked with depression and anxiety. Conversely, higher levels of sense of community, which was linked to positive multigroup ethnic identity, and higher levels of self-esteem had a protective effect against depression and anxiety. Implications for social workers are discussed.
AB - This study examined the risk and protective factors associated with internalizing problems among Dominican adolescents (N = 500; 58% female) attending high school (grades 9-12) in a Northeastern, high poverty, urban community. Using a path analysis, this study found that depression and anxiety are complex mental health constructs and there are many factors that contribute to their developmental trajectory. Findings revealed that greater disorganization in one's neighborhood, perception of availability of drugs and handguns in one's community, and overall drug use and violent behaviors were linked with depression and anxiety. Conversely, higher levels of sense of community, which was linked to positive multigroup ethnic identity, and higher levels of self-esteem had a protective effect against depression and anxiety. Implications for social workers are discussed.
KW - Latino youth
KW - alcohol use
KW - anxiety
KW - depression
KW - drug use
KW - multiethnic identity
KW - self-esteem
KW - sense of community
KW - social disorganization
KW - youth violence
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84876324985&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15332985.2013.774923
DO - 10.1080/15332985.2013.774923
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84876324985
SN - 1533-2985
VL - 11
SP - 199
EP - 222
JO - Social Work in Mental Health
JF - Social Work in Mental Health
IS - 3
ER -
