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The current study aims to fill the existing research gaps by investigating the role of teacher care in protecting African American adolescents in under-resourced neighborhoods from negative outcomes of adverse life events. The study included 638 adolescents from four under-resourced neighborhoods in Chicago's Southside who were assessed to determine the moderating role of caring teachers on the relationship between adverse adolescent experiences and risky sexual behaviors, substance use, bullying perpetration, and violent behaviors. Caring teachers had a significant moderating effect on the association between adverse experiences and both bullying perpetration and violent behaviors. Adolescents who perceived their teachers as caring showed lower tendencies towards bullying and violence, even if they had adverse experiences. These results highlight the crucial role of teacher care in supporting African American adolescents from under-resourced neighborhoods who have experienced adverse life events. It emphasizes educators' role in shaping our youth's future, especially those facing adversity and at a crossroads in their lives. Plain language summary: Despite adverse life events, adolescents who perceived their teachers as caring were less at risk of engaging in bullying and violence. Caring teachers are especially important for African American adolescents in under-resourced neighborhoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contextual risk factors, such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), have a significant impact on the mental health of Black youth. Surprisingly, few studies focus efforts specifically on Black youth. The present study investigates the influence of ACEs on psychological distress among Black youth. Additionally, guided by social cognitive theory, this study highlights emotional self-control as a protective mechanism against the negative consequences of ACEs. Our findings show that ACEs (T1) predicted psychological distress among Black youth a year later (T2). Emotional self-control emerged as a significant buffer of ACEs on the association with psychological distress. Thus, to prevent negative mental health outcomes for Black youth, it is imperative to focus prevention efforts on the crucial risk factors that affect healthy development. By working to increase emotional self-control among Black youth who suffered adverse childhood experiences, negative mental health outcomes over time can be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explores variations among racially/ethnically diverse adolescents regarding parents' role in mitigating internalizing problems. Adolescents with a higher level of parental awareness, ease of talking to parents, and parental support were less likely to show internalizing problems. Parental awareness was negatively associated with internalizing problems among Whites and Hispanics. The ease of talking to parents was significant for all groups except for American Indians/Alaska Natives. These findings can inform culturally relevant treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to identify protective factors that buffer the effect of caregiver mental illness on adolescent delinquency. Specifically, we test whether (a) caregiver mental illness will be associated with adolescent's delinquent behavior; (b) community affiliations will moderate the relationship between caregiver mental illness and adolescent's delinquent behavior; (c) teacher support will moderate the relationship between caregiver mental illness and adolescent's delinquent behavior, and (d) religious affiliation will moderate the relationship between caregiver mental illness and adolescent delinquent behavior. The study sample consisted of 509 African American adolescents in Chicago's Southside, 12 to 17 years of age, who reported delinquent behaviors. Analyses for the study included descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and hierarchical multivariate regression. The study found a positive association between caregiver mental illness and adolescents' delinquent behavior. Community affiliation was also positively associated, while teacher support was negatively associated with delinquent behaviors. The association between caregiver's mental illness and adolescent delinquency was buffered by teacher support. Teacher support is an important protective factor that is impactful for adolescents in low-resourced and dangerous communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study tests a conceptual framework guided by the social disorganization theory, which examined whether neighborhood deterioration was correlated with perceived hopelessness, and coping strategies (i.e., defending behavior and a display of a tough demeanor). We also examined whether, within the context of social disadvantage, some coping strategies were correlated with aggressive behavior, which might be associated with peer victimization. The study sample consisted of 502 African American youths in low‐resource communities in Chicago's Southside. Results indicated that neighborhood deterioration was positively associated with hopelessness (B =.138, p =.006), tough demeanor (B =.137, p =.042), and peer victimization (B =.158, p =.011). Also, hopelessness was positively associated with peer victimization (B =.109, p =.025). Defending behavior was positively associated with physical aggression (B =.110, p =.009) and verbal aggression (B =.047, p =.019). Moreover, tough demeanor was also positively associated with physical aggression (B =.217, p <.001) and verbal aggression (B =.169, p <.001). Furthermore, verbal aggression was found to be positively associated with peer victimization (B =.766, p =.019). Overall, findings point to a more nuanced and complex relationship between neighborhood conditions and peer victimization among urban African American youth. An understanding of the coping strategies of urban adolescents in dealing with peer victimization encounters can shed light on the complexities of adolescent peer dynamics in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined how adverse family events (i.e., adult family incarceration, adult family substance use, and adult family mental illness) were associated with adolescent bullying perpetration. More specifically, this study examined whether levels of future orientation mediated the link between adult family incarceration, substance use, and mental illness and bullying perpetration. A sample of 637 African American adolescents from the Southside of Chicago was used for this study. Adult family incarceration, substance use, and mental illness were all found to be positively associated with bullying perpetration. Also, adult family substance use and mental illness were positively associated with low levels of future orientation, which was significantly related to bullying perpetration. These findings demonstrate the importance of understanding how adverse family events are related to adolescent bullying. Implications for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present short essay discusses the impact COVID-19 has had on college students. As universities work to build supportive learning environments during these unprecedented times, it is important for practitioners to consider how mental health and student identity impact student success. The framework proposes that empathy, university belonging, and an intersectional approach to academic support can contribute to a student's mental health, identity, and emotional well-being as they transition back to academic life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Investigators have examined the moderating effects of young people's relationships with parents, teachers, and peers on victimization and on adverse outcomes such as drug use. However, the moderating influence of religious affiliation on the association between peer victimization and illicit drug use, the focus of this paper, has seldom been examined. Method: Participants were 638 low-income African American youth ages 12–22 (mean age = 15.8; 54% female and 46% male) in Chicago, IL. We conducted hierarchical logistic regression analyses to examine the moderating effect of religious affiliation on the relationship between peer victimization and illicit drug use. Results: Youths who had been victimized by peers were at elevated risk for illicit drug use. Victimized peers who reported a religious affiliation or who attended religious services were less likely to use illicit drugs than other youths. Involvement in prayer or meditation per se did not influence the relationship between peer victimization and illicit drug use. Conclusions: Affiliation and participation in religious services may be important intervention points in efforts to prevent or reduce illicit drug use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]