Used data from 1,775 urban youth collected in 1986 to examine fear of crime and defensive actions taken by youth. Results revealed that only 11% reported having taken no defensive actions as result of fear of crime. Nearly three-fifths took precaution of having escort at night. Learning self-defense techniques was reported by 19%; 10% indicated…

Broken free of any semblance of family control or community restraints, thousands of American youth roamed entirely at will throughout the cities of 19th-century America and supported themselves alternately from the legitimate street trades and from outright thievery. The invention of modern adolescence was partially a response to this neglected…

Obtained qualitative data from 374 urban high school dropouts during interviews. Female and male respondents from five ethnic groups answered questions concerning their dropout history, reasons for leaving school, feelings about various aspects of high school experience, past and present activities, academic and general future plans, reflections…

Examines urban female teenagers' (N=185) best and worst encounters with physicians. Results show a preference for physicians who comfort, use humor, are understanding, and explain procedures. Physicians who rush, behave rudely, or are "too personal" were viewed negatively. Concludes that relational communication skill development must be a…

Examines sociodemographic, family, and health factors associated with repeat pregnancy in a clinical sample of urban, first-time mothers. Results indicate that postpartum contraceptive method was associated with repeat pregnancy at year one; contraceptive use, maternal age, history of miscarriages, and postpartum contraceptive method were…

Developed pilot instrument to examine differences between adolescents who have attempted suicide and others. An 86-item questionnaire was administered to 25 suicide attempters and 57 nonsuicide attempters. Found significant differences for each of 3 domains (family environment, social environment, self-perceptions) and for 55 questions. Used…

Explored adolescent seat belt use and psychosocial risk factors in urban minority population (n=541). Found seat belt use reported by 49 percent of respondents. Those reporting no or intermittent seat belt use were significantly more likely than seat belt users to feel down, have decreased home support, have problems with school and the law, and…

Adolescent girls from an urban-based clinic participated in a longitudinal study about psychosexual development and risk of STD acquisition. The girls were asked about their perceptions of loci of control (parents, internal control) as it relates to STD acquisition. Responses to locus of control correlated over time but variations were not found…

One factor leading to the "invention" of modern adolescence was what the reformers saw as the corruption of youth by the city. The plight of youth set the stage for a child-saving movement during the last century, taking youth off the streets, putting them in schools, and stretching out the home-leaving age from 14 to 18. (Author/KS)

Explored the level of scientific knowledge regarding sexuality and contraception of Black and Hispanic inner-city adolescents. Results indicated that Hispanic males were the most knowledgeable, Hispanic females the least, and Black males and females were intermediate. A cultural basis for this difference is considered, and the need to design…

Examined self-reported depressive symptoms of inner-city adolescents (n=966) coming to health center for routine care. Thirty-eight percent indicated never being depressed. Of 573 who reported some depression, 78% reported infrequent symptoms, and 22% reported symptoms at least weekly. Explored relationships between frequently feeling depressed…

Characterizes subcultural differences within an inner-city street youth population. Used brief, structured interviews (N=752), targeting youth living on the streets for two or more consecutive months. Results demonstrate unique patterns with respect to places stayed/slept, means of financial support, and use of available services according to peer…

Oberle's (1974) research examined the role model preferences of black and white youth and found that young blacks had different role models from white students; however, he did not examine whether place of residence was related to role model preference. This study extends Oberle's research by analyzing the relationship between place of residence…

Studies students in an urban junior high school about their attitudes toward cigarette advertising, their perception of the harmful effects of cigarette smoking, and their sources of information. Approximately 27% believed cigarette advertising significantly influenced their classmates or themselves, and 90% recognized that smoking was seriously…