To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Decision making in adolescense.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Decision making in adolescense'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Decision making in adolescense.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Escalante-Mead, P. R. "Developmental mechanisms influencing decision-making." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/680.
Full textAbstract:
The main aim of this thesis was to investigate decision making from a broad developmental perspective to clarify the role of the underlying mechanisms influencing it. Problem solving and cognitive inhibitory capacity were chartered initially through the use of hypothetical vignettes depicting socially relevant situations and through the use of the Stroop task, to tap into automatic inhibitory capacity. Initial assumptions that prefrontal cortical refinement would denote enhanced social problem ability were not confirmed. Experience emerged as distinct factor in problem solving/decision-making, with the youngest participants equally as effective in producing solutions to situations that they had the most experience in. A shift in development is observed with maturation denoting greater experience and this being applied directly to problem solving and decision-making situations. Education was identified as a possible contributory factor in decision-making and this was explored in a cross-cultural study that tapped into a non-schooled population. The results reinforced the centrality of experience in shaping decision-making. Decision-making in regards to the use of experience was then looked at through real life decision-making situations, where adolescents were asked to provide their knowledge or experience of situations where risk was involved. Adolescents possessed the necessary knowledge to distinguish between optimal and sub-optimal decisions in terms of the consequences that risk behaviours carried with them. However, many still chose to engage in risky behaviours. This paradox could also be explained by actual experience, with the suggestion that positive experience in a peer group was serving as a pool from which adolescents drew to make future decision-making. If risk behaviours were not experienced adversely, the likelihood of their repetition was high. Taken together the findings suggest that adolescents are well equipped with the cognitive skills to make decisions. Compared to younger children, they have more experience of a greater range of situations from which to extrapolate responses from. They also have a great deal of knowledge and information about the negative consequences associated with a range of challenging situations and risk-taking behaviours. However, when faced with decisions in the social domain, the behaviour of friends and perceptions of what other people are doing are powerful influences on adolescent decisions.
2
Escalante-Mead, Paul R. "Developmental mechanisms influencing decision-making /." St Andrews, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/680.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, March 2009.Roman pagination differs from that of the electronic version in the Digital Research Repository. Electronic version restricted until 17th March 2011.
3
Hoag, Jennifer M. "Adolescent loneliness and moral decision-making." Virtual Press, 2001. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1244865.
Full textAbstract:
The high school to college transition may be especially influential in creating feelings of social loneliness in adolescents. Failure to establish social structures may lead to feelings of loneliness and an increased need for social approval from their peers in the new environment. It was therefore predicted that the more lonely a student is, the more likely he/she would look for approval from others and the more likely he/she would acquiesce to a decision to participate in unethical actions proposed by peers. This prediction was tested in a sample of 158 female and 133 male college students. The evidence suggests that participants who were the most lonely were most likely to report a willingness to engage in unethical behaviors when encouraged by others. However, contrary to expectations, the need for approval did not mediate the relationship between loneliness and unethical behavior. Gender differences were found in the endorsement of unethical behaviors. Male participants were more likely to report a willingness to engage in unethical acts than were female participants.Department of Psychological Science
4
Burnett, S. "Decision making and social neurocognition during adolescence." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2010. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/19288/.
Full textAbstract:
Adolescents show a tendency to engage in risky activities, such as dangerous driving and unsafe sex. This has led to the suggestion that adolescents are poor decision-makers, and are risk-seeking in general. The first two chapters of this thesis describe studies investigating adolescent decision-making using probabilistic decision-making tasks. In Chapter 2, the tendency to seek risk, and the ability to integrate probability and reward information to make an optimal decision, is investigated in child, adolescent and adult participants. The emotional response to outcomes was also investigated. In Chapter 3, a computational approach is adopted to investigate the role of positive and negative performance feedback (wins and losses) in a probabilistic decision-making task in adolescents and in adults. The role of social-emotional factors in decision-making was also investigated. Adolescence is characterised by social and emotional development, as well as development in the functional brain correlates of social-emotional processing. Therefore, Chapters 4 to 6 focus on adolescent social-emotional processing using behavioural and functional neuroimaging methods. In Chapter 4, results are presented from a study of self-reported social and basic emotions across adolescence, where social emotions (e.g. embarrassment) are defined as emotions that require an awareness of others’ mental states (e.g. emotions, opinions, desires). In Chapter 5, the neural correlates of social and basic emotion processing are investigated in adolescents and in adults, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Finally, in Chapter 6, these fMRI data are reanalysed using a technique known as psycho-physiological interaction (PPI) analysis, to look at age-associated changes in effective connectivity. Results are discussed in the context of social cognition and neuroanatomical development.
5
Killackey, Eoin Joseph, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "The development of a model to explain the sexual beliefs, intentions and behaviours of adolescents and young adults." Deakin University. School of Psychology, 2000. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20050728.112619.
Full textAbstract:
In the last thirty years there have been many research studies which have examined the reasons why adolescents and young adults engage in sexual behaviours. Most of these studies have lacked a theoretical basis, Consequently there are many links made between variables, but no consistency across studies, or attempts to develop an underlying theory to explain the results. However, there have been theoretical models developed to explain adolescents and young adults sexual decision making. Unfortunately, many of these models have not been empirically validated. This thesis attempts to address these deficiencies in the literature by utilising a theory of behaviour and applying it to adolescent and young adult sexual decision making. This theory is the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Two longitudinal studies were conducted to examine the utility of an adaptation of the TPB to sexual decision making among adolescents and young adults. In the first study 58 adolescent males, aged between 14 years and 18 years participated in a longitudinal study using a questionnaire adapted from the Depth of Sexual Involvement Scale. In the second study, 194 young adults (156 female, 38 male) aged between 18 years and 21 years participated in a similar study. The first study found that intention to engage in behaviour was well predicted, although some of the variables in the model, did not in fact, contribute significantly to the prediction. The prediction of behaviour was less strong than that of intention. Study two found that intention to engage in behaviours was well predicted by the model. However, the degree to which intention led to behaviour was not well predicted. Overall, the results of these studies suggest that the TPB is a good theoretical basis from which to launch a systematic and theoretically informed explanation of adolescent and young adult sexual decision making. However, other factors may need to be added to the model to fully describe the decision making process and accurately predict behaviour. Suggestions are made for future research, as well as interventions that may arise as more knowledge is gathered using this paradigm.
6
Siwundla, Lundi. "Identity-related decision-making among multicultural adolescents." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/319.
Full textAbstract:
This present study investigated South African Afrikaans-, English- and Xhosa-speaking male and female urban secondary school adolescents‟ (N = 1301) perception of the relative importance of identity-related domains by investigating the choices that they carried out in relation to meaningful identity-related areas of their lives. Consequently a structured questionnaire consisting of 14 domain particular areas was used. In Eriksonian terms, one could say that the South African society is in a psychosocial crisis. Almost all the domain-specific items were regarded as relevant “Very important” or “Fairly important” by a notable or significant majority of participants. All fourteen of the domains were regarded as “Very important” by at least 35 percent of the participants from two cultural groups, namely African and Coloured sub cultural groups; while twelve of the domains were regarded as “Very important” by at least 50 percent of the African subgroup and thirteen domains were regarded as “Very important” by 40 percent of the Coloured subgroup. “Leisure and recreational activities”, “Friendships with members of the same sex peer group”, “My political views and convictions” and “Friendships with members of the opposite sex peer group” were however, still regarded as “Fairly important” by 56 percent, 53 percent, 58 percent and 52 percent of the total research group respectively. It should also be noted that generally females in the sample were more inclined to evaluate domains that had a bearing on interpersonal relationships as significantly more important than the males namely: Friendship with members of the same-sex peer group, What kind of person I want a permanent relationship with, What kind of person I want to marry, and How I should act as husband or wife. The males tended to evaluate the domains, Sexual matters and Friendship with members of the opposite sex more significantly important than the females did.
7
Grace, Marcus Matthew. "Adolescent decision-making about biological conservation issues." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.419202.
Full text
8
Curry, Laura Anne. "Affect, decision making, and adolescent risk behavior." [Gainesville, Fla.] : University of Florida, 2004. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/UFE0007760.
Full text
9
Lauharatanahirun, Nina. "Neuroeconomic Predictors of Adolescent Risky Decision-Making." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/89669.
Full textAbstract:
Adolescence is a critical developmental period characterized by neurobiological changes and exposure to novel experiences. According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 70% of adolescent deaths in the United States are due to risky behaviors such as reckless driving and risky sexual behavior (Kann et al., 2016). In order to better understand what drives adolescent risk-taking, the current studies utilized an interdisciplinary approach, which combined behavioral economic models and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to understand neurobehavioral mechanisms of risky choice. The focus of the current studies is to investigate the extent to which neurobehavioral mechanisms of risky choice change across adolescence, and to identify individual differences that explain real-world risky behavior. In Study 1, we show that behavioral sensitivity to risk and neural correlates of risk processing change across a critical period of adolescence. Importantly, our results indicate that individual differences in neural, not behavioral risk sensitivity are predictive of future engagement in health risk behaviors. In Study 2, we examined the relation between inter-individual differences in adolescent expectations of valued rewards and self-reported risky behavior using an adapted behavioral economic model. Implications and future directions for adolescent risky decision-making are discussed.Ph. D.
10
Andres, Shandi D. "Parental influences on adolescent sexual decision making." Kansas State University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/6988.
Full textAbstract:
Master of ScienceDepartment of Family Studies and Human Services
Rick J. Scheidt
This M.S. report provides an evaluative review of research on parental influences on adolescent sexual decision-making. Data show that a significant proportion of never-married female and male teens (ages 15-19) have had sexual intercourse at least once. Adolescent decisions on sexuality and possible consequences such as pregnancy or sexually-transmitted diseases may have profound personal and social impacts. Theoretical and empirical domains of parental influence are reviewed, including communication, morality, family structure and context, parental control, as well as the role of media. This review shows that adolescent sexuality has changed over time due to socio-historical factors and that parents continue to have an influence on their children’s decision-making abilities. Implications for applied professionals and researchers are discussed.
11
Charles, Anthony. "Young people's participation in everyday decision making." Thesis, Swansea University, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.678348.
Full text
12
Riley, Tennisha N. "Adolescent Emotion Expression, Emotion Regulation, and Decision-Making in Social Context." VCU Scholars Compass, 2018. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/5494.
Full textAbstract:
Adolescents engage in risk behaviors at an alarming rate, and particularly when they are with peers. Despite efforts to develop prevention and intervention programs, rates of risk-taking among adolescents is still relatively high. Adolescents continue to engage in physical fights and aggressive behavior, use substances such as alcohol and illicit drugs, and make decisions that impact driving and motor vehicle incidents. The regulation of emotions plays a significant role in adolescents’ decisions to engage in such risk behaviors.Examining adolescents’ emotion expression and regulation is therefore critical to identifying ways to support positive development.
This dissertation project explored important regulatory mechanisms that underlie adolescents’ behavior in 108 adolescents, by examining synchrony between emotion expression and physiological arousal (change from baseline heart rate to tasking heart rate)during a risk-taking task. The study also assessed the extent to which the social context of peers shifts emotion expression and physiological arousal, and whether this is associated with adolescents’ behavioral and social outcomes, and if these associations vary by gender.
Study results suggest that the presence of a peer influences adolescents’ emotion expression. Specifically, adolescents showed greater expression of emotion when completing a risk-taking task in the presence of a peer, than when they completed the task alone. Additionally, adolescent girls are generally more expressive than their male counterparts and equally expressive alone and with a peer, but adolescent boys express more when they are with a peer than when they are alone. Synchrony between emotion expression and physiological arousal was not evident, however results of supplemental analyses suggest that physiological arousal (change from baseline heart rate to heart rate during the task)plays a moderating role in the association between emotion expression and social competence.
Findings from the proposed study may inform intervention and policy efforts to understand and promote positive development among adolescents. In particular, results may shift how adults understand and respond to adolescent behavior in social contexts such as classrooms.
13
Karaman, Rowan. "Conduct disorder and decision-making in adolescent girls." Connect to resource, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1811/6561.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Honors)--Ohio State University, 2006.Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages: contains 31 p.; also includes graphics. Includes bibliographical references (p. 21-24). Available online via Ohio State University's Knowledge Bank.
14
Raghuram, Pillai Preethi. "Decisional conflict among adolescents and parents making decisions about genomic results." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1553528736920897.
Full text
15
Mavrou, Lyons Evanthia. "Everyday decision making in adolescence : a socio-cognitive approach." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 1989. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10019717/.
Full text
16
Dahl, Mindy J. "Adolescent decisions in situations of uncertainty the impact of risky choice framing an decision making competency /." Laramie, Wyo. : University of Wyoming, 2005. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1044399551&sid=3&Fmt=2&clientId=18949&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
Full text
17
Ellermann, Caroline Rae. "Starting and stopping: Adolescents' decision-making about drug use." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/279865.
Full textAbstract:
Use of alcohol, tobacco and other addictive drugs (ATD) is a well-recognized public health concern and one of society's greatest problems. Evidence indicates that some youth begin and end drug use during adolescence. A grounded theory methodology was used to explore adolescents' views of their experience of beginning and ending ATD use. A Basic Social Psychological Process, Starting and Stopping, was identified from 12 interviews. Informants were age 14 to 18, had tried drugs at least 6 times and abstained for at least 6 months. Decision making about drug use was described. Three stages of use that led to decision points were found. If adolescents did not stop use during the beginning stage, Exploratory Use, the adolescents had the potential to progress through two additional stages of use, Purposeful Use and Intentional Use. The intensity of use increased with each stage. Each stage had identifiable triggers and barriers that had the potential to influence continued ATD use. Curiosity was a strong stimulus for beginning drug use and then exploring never-used-before drugs. An intervening dramatic event moved adolescents more quickly toward stopping. Future orientation was present as informants stopped drug use. Decisional points were characterized by the integration of what adolescents felt were benefits of use (friend relationships, liking the experience, learning about drugs, getting relief from perceived problems) and barriers to continued use (no continued interest, not liking the experience, goals obtained, effect on relationships, effect on future, dramatic event). A Basic Social Structural Process was beginning to emerge. The structural process included drug availability, peer drug use and societal environment. The theory of adolescent decision-making about ATD use provides an opportunity for health professionals to better understand adolescent drug use.
18
Barber, Lindsay L. "Decision making styles associated with adolescent risk taking behavior." Connect to this title online, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1811/340.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Honors)--Ohio State University, 2005.Title from first page of PDF file. Document formattted into pages: contains, 32 p.; also includes graphics. Includes bibliographical references (p. 23-26). Available online via Ohio State University's Knowledge Bank.
19
Rudisill, A. Caroline. "Decision-making under risk : the case of adolescent smoking." Thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), 2009. http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/2190/.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis examines decision-making about risks under conditions of uncertainty. Research specifically studies adolescents and smoking to uncover which information sources play influential roles in forming smoking risk perceptions. Findings aim to offer policy-related, theoretical and methodological meaning This study looks at two key issues. First, it links risk perceptions to smoking decisions to highlight the motivation for understanding the predictors of risk perceptions. Second, research investigates how individuals use information sources (ex. parents, doctors, peers, health warning messages) employing a Bayesian decision-making model. This thesis performs empirical analysis using The Canadian Youth Smoking Survey (2002) (19,018 respondents, 10-15 years) and The U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2004) (18,294 respondents, 12-17 years). Across both datasets, adolescents' risk perceptions and likelihood of having never smoking a cigarette were found to be positively related. However, smoking behaviors were never found to significantly predict risk perceptions once controlling for endogeneity between risk perceptions and behaviors. This suggests that adolescents rely on exogenous information sources about smoking risks rather than personal experiences to form perceptions of smoking risks. From a policy perspective, medical professionals talking with adolescent patients about smoking, parents' smoking, societal smoking prevalence (more than peers' smoking), awareness of tobacco package warning labels and knowledge of school smoking rules (but not the rules themselves) were found to predict adolescents' risk perceptions. From a theoretical perspective, this thesis alters the Bayesian model to include environmental and social effects. It also finds support for the role of affect heuristics in decision making involving risks. Findings also point to evidence of principal-agency relationships between medical professionals and adolescents. Analysis also highlights how spatial proximity impacts the credibility adolescents attach to behavioral examples and opinions regarding smoking. From a methodological standpoint, evidence suggests that adolescents' expressions of their assessment of risk depend upon elicitation methodology used and that work focusing on predictors of risk perceptions should include direct (ex. parents discussing risks) and indirect (ex. societal smoking prevalence) sources of information.
20
Mitchell, Dorothy J. "Parent and adolescent perceptions of adolescent participation in family decision making /." The Ohio State University, 1998. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487951907957138.
Full text
21
Luna, Bernal Alejandro César Antonio, and Arocena Francisco Augusto Vicente Laca. "Decision-making patterns and self-confidence in high school adolescents." Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, 2014. http://repositorio.pucp.edu.pe/index/handle/123456789/100530.
Full textAbstract:
The present study aimed to analyse the factor structure of the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (DMQ-II), and to examine the relationships between the factors identified and Self-confidence, in order to conceptualize the decision-making process in adolescents under the Conflict Model of Decision Making. Participants were 992 Mexican high-school students, aged between 15 and 19 years. The three factors were identified as decision-making patterns in adolescents: a) Vigilance, b) Hipervigilance/Procrastination and c) Buck-passing. The Self-confidence showed a positive effect on Vigilance, and a negative effect on theother two patterns. Results are discussed considering the literature on decision making in adolescence.El presente estudio se propuso analizar la estructura factorial del Cuestionario Melbourne sobre Toma de Decisiones, y estudiar las relaciones entre los factores identificados y la Autoconfianza, con la finalidad de conceptualizar la toma de decisiones de los adolescentes en elmarco del Modelo de Conflicto de Decisión. Los participantes fueron 992 estudiantes mexicanos de bachillerato con edades entre 15 y 19 años. Se identificaron tres factores interpretados como patrones de toma de decisiones en adolescentes: a) Vigilancia, b) Procrastinación/Hipervigilancia y c) Transferencia. La Autoconfianza resultó tener un efecto positivo sobre Vigilancia, y un efecto negativo sobre los otros dos patrones. Se discuten estos y otros resultados considerando la literatura sobre toma de decisiones en la adolescencia.
22
Vermeulen, Sandra C. A. "Legal knowledge and decision-making in adolescents, plea decisions and competency to waive Charter cautions." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/nq24359.pdf.
Full text
23
Crock, Rosemary J. "Abortion decision-making attitudes of adolescents attending Roman Catholic schools." Diss., Manhattan, Kan. : Kansas State University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/379.
Full text
24
Frisco, Michelle Lynn. "Adolescents' future opportunity : family, sexual decision-making, and academic achievement /." Access restricted to users with UT Austin EID Full text (PDF) from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International, 2001. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/fullcit?p3031598.
Full text
25
Ross, Jessica M. "Risky Sexual Behavior and the Role of Decision-making." FIU Digital Commons, 2016. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3463.
Full textAbstract:
Risky sexual behavior (RSB) is the number one transmission method of HIV among adolescents. Reducing the rates of HIV among adolescents is of dire importance considering the rises in rates during the last several years. Minority adolescents are disproportionately affected by HIV, and a majority of the individuals living in Miami-Dade County (location of the proposed project) are minorities. RSB, externalizing disorders and cannabis use commonly occur together, such that both greater externalizing disorder symptoms and greater amounts of cannabis use have predicted engagement in more RSB. In addition, decision-making (a neurocognitive function) has found to be associated with cannabis use, externalizing disorders, and RSB. Little research has been conducted on these factors among adolescents. No study has evaluated externalizing disorders, cannabis use and decision-making together to determine the unique contribution of each factor to RSB among a sample of adolescents.
The current study used the infrastructure and participants of an existing project examining how decision-making abilities and memory performance are impacted by cannabis use during adolescence. Structural equation modeling and multiple linear regression were used to analyze how externalizing disorders, cannabis use, and decision-making predict RSB. Results suggest that externalizing symptoms, cannabis use and some decision-making tasks predict RSB. Several interactions effects emerged between externalizing symptoms and decision-making tasks, cannabis use and decision-making tasks as well as externalizing symptoms and cannabis use to predict RSB. The results of the study will help future prevention and intervention efforts such that interventions can be tailored to address the areas that contribute the most to RSB among adolescents. Furthermore, cognitive skill building is one possible intervention that may be beneficial to adolescents with poorer decision-making performance.
26
Ogg, Siri A. "Exploring the infant-feeding decisions of adolescent mothers." Oklahoma City : [s.n.], 2009.
Find full text
27
Henein, Nancy S. M. Ed M. A. "Psycho-legal decision making among children and adolescents: A developmental perspective." Xavier University / OhioLINK, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1383575692.
Full text
28
Lea-Wood, Sandra S. "Factors influencing the vocational decision making of high-ability adolescent girls /." Connect to thesis, 2003. http://eprints.unimelb.edu.au/archive/00000591.
Full text
29
Ratcliffe, Mary. "Adolescent decision-making about socio-scientific issues, within the science curriculum." Thesis, University of Southampton, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.242414.
Full text
30
Ng, Lily, and 伍莉莉. "Family involvment and residential care: decision making about adolescents with behavioural problems." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1994. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31249905.
Full text
31
Ng, Lily. "Family involvment and residential care : decision making about adolescents with behavioural problems /." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 1994. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B2066588X.
Full text
32
Albert, William Dustin. "Neurodevelopmental Substrates of Peer Influences on Adolescents' Choice Evaluation and Decision Making." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2011. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/206744.
Full textAbstract:
PsychologyPh.D.
Prior research suggests that adolescents are drawn to the temptations of immediate rewards to a greater degree than adults, particularly when making decisions in the company of their peers. Dual-systems models of adolescent decision making posit that this immediate reward bias derives from a developmentally normative imbalance in the neural dynamics characterizing the adolescent brain. At a time when the brain's "top-down" cognitive control system is still developing the processing efficiency and functional integration thought to support mature self-regulation in adulthood, changes in "bottom-up" dopaminergic functioning imbue adolescents with heightened sensitivity to environmentally salient rewards. The resulting bias toward under-controlled, reward-driven behavior may be further accentuated by the presence of peers, who are hypothesized to prime incentive processing circuitry to respond to opportunities for immediate rewards. The present study utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine age- and context-related differences between adolescents and adults in neural activity and choice behavior corresponding to the comparative evaluation of sooner-smaller and larger-later rewards in an intertemporal choice task. Half of the participants were scanned in a standard "alone" condition, and half were scanned in a "peer" condition, wherein two same-sex, same-age peers informed the participant that they would be observing task performance from the scanner control room. Although behavioral results did not support the hypothesis that peer presence would accentuate adolescents' bias toward immediate rewards, they confirm that, even when making decisions alone, adolescents are more inclined than adults to sacrifice the added value of a larger future reward in order to receive a smaller reward immediately. Furthermore, fMRI results demonstrate at least three important differences between adolescents and adults in neural activity corresponding to the comparative evaluation of rewards. First, adolescents evince stronger activation than adults in regions implicated in incentive processing (including bilateral caudate), consistent with a bias toward reward-driven behavior. Second, adolescents show stronger functional connectivity between a region in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) whose activity is correlated with impulsive choice and a region in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) shown by prior research to represent the value of decision options. This stronger OFC-vmPFC connectivity among adolescents is consistent with greater affective (OFC) influence on choice valuation and behavior (vmPFC). Finally, adolescents show stronger deactivation of regions implicated in cognitive control (including anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) when evaluating rewards with relatively longer delays, consistent with a failure to carefully consider the value of future rewards. Together, results suggest that neurodevelopmental theories of adolescent decision making would be improved by more explicit modeling of age differences in the neural processes underlying evaluation of the temporal properties of rewards.
Temple University--Theses
33
Derman, Sarah Jane. "The experience of medical decision-making for adolescents with a progressive neuromuscular disease." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/4085.
Full textAbstract:
Progressive Neuromuscular Diseases (PNDs) are relentless, debilitating, incurable
diseases that cause nerves and muscles to atrophy. A large portion of the population who
experience PNDs are adolescents. These adolescents progressively lose physical abilities
and increasingly rely on caregivers at a time in their life when, paradoxically, normative
adolescent development prescribes a move towards independence and autonomy. There is
little research examining this experience from the adolescents’ perspectives.
The purpose of this interpretive phenomenology study was to understand the
experience of adolescents with PNDs when making decisions in relation to their health.
Data collection consisted of 10 semi-structured interviews with 5 adolescents, 16-19
years of age, who were living with a PND (two interviews with each of the 5
participants). These interviews lasted an average of 60 minutes.
Data were analysed using interpretive strategies, including the development of
themes using exemplars, and paradigm cases. Findings revealed that the adolescents
separated health decisions into two distinct categories, Big and Small, based upon level
of perceived risk and physician involvement. Big referred to high-risk decisions, included
physicians, and involved a medical/surgical procedure or intervention. Small referred to
lower risk decisions, did not include physicians, and involved personal care. An expert
emerged with each category of decision. In Big Decisions, the physician was perceived as
the expert who made recommendations, provided information, and introduced the
decision. In Small Decisions, the adolescent perceived himself as the expert. With Big
Decisions, the physician expertise was typically respected, and the recommendations
were followed. With Small Decisions, parents typically respected adolescent expertise. However, the adolescents commonly experienced not having their expertise respected by
health professionals.
In the context of Big and Small decisions, the theme Joint Ownership captured the
sense that with the progressive loss of abilities and resulting dependence, the physical
disability and illness were not experienced solely by the adolescent but by the adolescent
and his parent(s). As the parent(s) and adolescent shared these experiences, the decisions,
ownership of the physical body, and the responsibility for the care of the body also
became shared.
The findings suggest that health care professionals need to include the adolescents
in the Small Decisions, and also acknowledge that adolescents may desire parental
involvement in Big Decisions.
34
Commendador, Kathleen. "The Relationship Between Female Adolescent Self- Esteem, Decision Making and Contraceptive Behavior." Diss., University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10125/22050.
Full textAbstract:
Context
Adolescence is a period of transition that involves biological, cognitive, psychological and social changes. During the vulnerable transition period of adolescence, decisions relating to contraception may occur. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between female adolescent self-esteem, decision making and contraceptive behavior. Understanding the relationship between female adolescent self-esteem, decision-making and contraceptive behavior has contributed to the knowledge base about female contraceptive behavior. Gaining further insight into these relationships will help health care professionals provide counseling and health care to female adolescents.
Methods
Using a descriptive cross sectional survey design, data were collected from a convenience sample of 98 female adolescents aged 14-17 who came to 5 different clinics in Hawaii for health care. Along with a brief demographic questionnaire, global self esteem was measured by Rosenberg's SelfEsteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), decision making was measured by the Flinders Adolescent Decision Making Questionnaire (Mann, Harmoni, Power, Beswick & Ormond, 1988) and sexual activity and contraception use was measured by a Sexual History and Contraceptive Use Questionnaire developed for this study. The conceptual framework for this study was Janis and Mann's (1977) conflict theory of decision-making. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression and correlations were used to analyze associations and correlations between age, global self esteem, decision self esteem, decision coping (vigilant and maladaptive) and contraceptive use for sexually active female adolescents.
Results
No significant associations or correlations were found between age, global self-esteem, decision self esteem, decision coping (vigilance) and their decision to use contraception in sexually active adolescent females. There was, however, significant negative correlation (p<.OS) between maladaptive decision-making and contraceptive use in sexually active female adolescents. This suggests that sexually active adolescent females with higher maladaptive scores are less likely to use contraception. There was also significant association (p<.OS) between maladaptive decision-making in contraceptive use and sexually active female adolescents. For every one unit
increase on the maladaptive scale, the odds of using contraception were estimated to decrease by 7% meaning those who scored higher on the maladaptive scale were less competent or poor decision makers and less likely to use contraception.
Conclusions
Adolescents who score higher on the maladaptive decision-making scale are less competent in decision-making and are less likely to use contraception. Interventions focused on improving decision-making skills and stimulating thinking around not only sexual issues, but also relationship and communication in adolescent issues, may facilitate more competent decision-making.
35
Michero, Emily. "Master Therapists' Decision Making Process Concerning Adolescent Confidentiality: A Grounded Theory Approach." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2016. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc849705/.
Full textAbstract:
Ethical codes and laws provide counselors with guidance for how to approach confidentiality, but there is a gap in the literature surrounding counselors' process of decision-making when managing confidentiality with adolescent clients. This study explored the decision-making process of master therapists concerning adolescent clients. I conducted semi-structured interviews with peer identified master therapist (N=10), all of whom were licensed professional counselors with 15 or more years of counseling experience and whose case load contained 25% or more adolescent clients. Participants included seven females and three males; nine participants identified as Caucasian, and one participant identified as Hispanic. Participants ages ranged from 39-61. I analyzed the data, along with two research partner, according to Grounded Theory (GT) methodology. Through constant comparative analysis, a grounded theory emerged from the data in which participants converged understanding of client safety, relationships, clinical intuition in a process of integrated experience and consultation. With the exception of mandated reported and mortal danger, ethical guidelines and laws did not seem to factor into participants' decision making. Implications for counseling practice, preparation, and research are provided.
36
Ncitakalo, Nolusindiso. "Socio-cultural influences in decision making involving sexual behaviour among adolescents in Khayelitsha, Cape Town." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2011. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_8419_1307434451.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of the study was to explore the socio-cultural influences in decision making involving sexual behaviour among adolescents in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Cultural beliefs associated with adolescents&rsquo
decision to become sexually active were explored, as well as the social norms influences involved in adolescents&rsquo
sexual behaviour. The theoretical framework used for the study was Bronfenbrenner&rsquo
s ecological systems theory of development. The results indicated that adolescent pregnancy was perceived as unacceptable behaviour although found widespread in communities. Social influences such as peer influence, low socioeconomic status, alcohol use and lack of parental supervision were found to play a role in adolescents&rsquo
risky sexual behaviour. Cultural beliefs, cultural myths and social norms were identified as socio-cultural influences that endorsed issues such as gender disparities, which made adolescent mothers vulnerable. Findings from this study suggest that female adolescents are faced with sexual behaviour complexities.
37
Flournoy, John. "Adolescent Social Motives: Measurement and Implications." Thesis, University of Oregon, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/24216.
Full textAbstract:
The study of decision making during adolescence has received considerable attention throughout the history of developmental psychology, justifiably, given the marked increases in morbidity and mortality that belie otherwise robust health. Although the dominant theories invoked to help explain decision-making during adolescence acknowledge the existence of motivations that are thought to be central to this developmental period, there is little work that investigates the effects of these motives, per se. In particular, motivations toward developing sexual and romantic relationships, as well as toward navigating peer status hierarchies have both been acknowledged as especially relevant for this period of development. Almost all research in this area focuses on self-report, and is heavily weighted toward the domain of status and popularity. A major gap in this literature is an understanding of how adolescent-relevant motivations affect basic behavioral processes, and of the consequences of individual differences in motivations.
The current investigation uses reinforcement learning to examine the effects of social motives on stimulus salience. This may allow both indirect, behavioral measurement of motivations, and is itself a potential mechanism by which motivations affect behavior via experience of the environment, and learning. Adolescent (N = 104) and college student (N = 230) participants learned four social-motive-relevant, and two baseline face-word associations. Learning was characterized using both proportion of optimal responses in the last half of the learning task, and a Rescorla-Wagner-like computational model. Results showed greater learning, and higher learning rates, in the social-motive conditions.
In order to explore the validity of behavior on the task as a measure of particular motivations, individual learning differences between social and baseline conditions were compared with developmental indices, self-report traits, and self-report health-relevant behaviors. Older participants were better at the learning task, but social-motive learning enhancement was constant across development. Measures of social-motive effects on learning did not correlate with self-reported traits or health-related behaviors. The effects of motive-relevant words on learning may be due to factors unrelated to motivation, but research design may also be problematic. Self-report trait instruments performed well, but a more comprehensive taxonomy of motivational constructs and measures would be beneficial.
38
Weiss, Virginia. "Effect of Social Peers on Risky Decision Making in Male Sprague Dawley Rats." UKnowledge, 2015. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/psychology_etds/78.
Full textAbstract:
Adolescence is a time associated with increased risk taking and peer relations. Research has shown that adolescents are more vulnerable to peer pressure compared to adults, leading to exacerbated risk taking. Preclinical research suggests that these findings may also be applicable to adolescent rodents, which find social interaction rewarding and are prone to risky behavior. There is, however, little research on the effect of social interaction on rodent models of risky decision-making. This thesis utilized social chambers, which consisted of adjacent operant chambers separated by wire mesh. Adolescent rats performed a risky decision-making task in which they had a choice between a small and large reward (associated with a mild footshock, which increased in probability across the session). Experiment 1 determined if the presence of peer altered performance on the task after stability. Experiment 2 determined if the presence of a peer altered performance on the task during acquisition. Results of Experiment 1 revealed no significant changes. Results from Experiment 2 revealed a significant increase in preference for the risky reward in the group of rats that had daily exposure to a social peer. These results provide evidence that social influence on risk taking can be modeled in rodents.
39
Lenders, Suzette René. "The role of family functioning in the decision-making styles of adolescents in the Overberg area." University of the Western Cape, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/4721.
Full textAbstract:
Magister Artium (Social Work) - MA(SW)Adolescence has been regarded as a particularly important stage for the continued development of young adults as they start to make their own life’s decisions and engage in a variety of activities that will influence the rest of their lives. One of the important goals of adolescence is the development of decision-making skills as independence increases, requiring more independent decisions. When an adolescent makes decisions, it is important that s/he has the skills to make confident ones. Various studies identify factors that could affect adolescent decision-making, such as the family environment and family-member relationships, but information pertaining to this subject is still relatively limited. This study examines the role of family functioning in the decision-making styles of adolescents. The theoretical framework used for this study is based on the Family Systems Theory, of which the McMaster Model of Family Functioning (MMFF) is a component. The MMFF is one variation that underlies the family system model, be it nuclear or extended families discussed within chapter 2. A quantitative methodological approach was employed in this study with a cross-sectional correlational research design. The sample consisted of 457 Grade 9 learners from schools in the Overberg area. The data was collected using a self-reported questionnaire that included the Demographic Information, the Family Assessment Device and the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire, as part of the quantitative methodology. The data was then analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences V22 (SPSS). The results were provided using descriptive and inferential statistics. Participation in this study was voluntary after being well informed, while confidentiality and anonymity was maintained throughout the study. The main results for family functioning indicated the assumption that the participants might have ineffective functioning on all the family functioning variables. The main results for decision-making styles showed an assumption that the vigilant decision-making style was the highest and the Buck-passing decision-making style, the lowest.
40
Fantasia, Heidi Collins. "Late Adolescents' Perceptions Of Factors That Influenced Their Sexual Decision Making: A Narrative Inquiry." Thesis, Boston College, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/2345/642.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis advisor: Sandra R. MottThe purpose of this research was to address the gap in the literature regarding the lack of first hand accounts of the factors that influence adolescent sexual decision making. Using a narrative approach, I asked a cohort of late adolescent participants to tell their stories about the events surrounding their decision to become sexually active, and how this initial decision affected subsequent decision making. The specific research questions that guided the study were: 1) What are late adolescents' perspectives of the factors that influenced their decision to become and remain sexually active? and 2) What is the effect of sexual decision making regarding coital debut on subsequent sexual activity? To accomplish my research aims I used narrative inquiry to elicit rich information, in the adolescents' own words, about what they perceive to be the most salient factors that contributed to their decisions to engage in sexual activity. I recruited a purposive sample of 11 late adolescents between the ages of 18 and 22 years from a series of family planning and sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics in the Northeastern United States. As their stories unfolded, four main components emerged. These components included the internal and external environmental context, expected social norms, implied sexual consent, and self-reflection and evaluation. The results of this study provide evidence that adolescent sexual decision making is a complex process with multiple layers of influence. Through the stories of my participants, I have constructed a more comprehensive conceptualization of adolescent sexual decision making and related sexual behaviors. This will guide the development of possible interventions to improve health care for this population. These interventions include expanding nursing knowledge to inform the development of theories, practice innovations, research, sexual health education, and policies for addressing adolescents' needs across the continuum of the adolescents' development from childhood to adulthood
Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009
Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing
Discipline: Nursing
41
Slick, Nichole. "Implementing Shared-Decision Making: Factors Present with Adolescents and Young Adults with Blood Disorders." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1619092978581083.
Full text
42
Davids, Eugene Lee. "Factors that influence adolescents condom use decision-making in the Western Cape, South Africa." Master's thesis, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/31550.
Full textAbstract:
This study explores factors that influence condom use decision-making of adolescents from two schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data generated from 16 individual semi-structured interviews. When exploring the factors that influence adolescent’s condom use decision-making, sexual debut and the role that emotion plays in the decision-making process were frequently discussed. The themes which emerged for sexual debut included relationships were about displaying true love which was equated with having sex and respecting parents’ expectations and rules informing decisions not to have sex at this age. When exploring the themes which emerged for condom use decision-making, the adolescents spoke about their concerns for the future and organising their lives. In addition, anticipated fear about falling pregnant, becoming parents and being infected with a disease emerged when exploring adolescent condom use decision-making. Understanding adolescent condom use can assist in aligning sexual and reproductive health (SRH) interventions and supporting healthy SRH decision-making and healthy relationships for adolescents.
43
Polk, Nancy E. (Nancy Elizabeth). "The Relationship of Separation and Attachment Processes of Late Adolescence to Career Decision-Making Obstacles." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1993. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc278818/.
Full text
44
Curen, Valerie. "Coming into intensive psychotherapy for adolescents and young adults : an exploration of clinical decision-making." Thesis, University of East London, 2017. http://roar.uel.ac.uk/7132/.
Full textAbstract:
This qualitative study focused on the process of clinical decision-making when making recommendations for intensive psychotherapy for adolescents and young adults. In order to a) learn about which adolescents and young adults come into intensive treatment and b) how they are chosen, the study was separated into two parts. In Study 1, an audit described the population coming into intensive psychotherapy in an adolescent mental health service in a given time period. In Study 2, a case study explored the clinical decision-making process at intake and assessment in the same service. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), psychoanalytic group theory and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. The study explored how decisions were made from the point of the referral through to the decision regarding which treatment to recommend and it sought to identify determining factors of the clinical decision-making process. The focus on how a clinical judgement is made, aimed to contribute to the learning about the actual process. The study found evidence for an implicit framework for clinical decisionmaking about intensive psychotherapy for adolescents and young people. There was consideration of a developmental dimension to the presenting problem as well as the potential impact of trauma. The patient's state of mind was assessed and their motivation was explored. The level of need for containment and the level of intensity needed to challenge resistance were assessed. The quality and level of support from the environment, including parents and network were explored. The study found that the clinicians were looking for movement in the patient's capacity to engage with the assessment process. The research highlighted idiosyncratic features when working with adolescents: the inherent difficulties in the engagement process, the foci on ambivalence and on parental involvement. The study also showed that clinical decision-making is affected by the clinician's subjectivity, while the team's decisionmaking is affected by case dynamics, the team's own group dynamics and the service's capacity. Acknowledgements I would like to thank Emil Jackson and Nick Midgley for supervising and helping me with this project. I would also like to thank Jocelyn Catty as head of research at the Tavistock for her advice. In addition I would like to thank the intake team and the clinicians who participated in this study, for the time and thought given and for their support and interest in this project. Thank you to my friends Georgina Taylor and Millie Jenkins for their comments and support. Thank you also to Richard Meier for his patient proof-reading. Finally I would like to express my gratitude to the NHS Trust in which this research took place, for their support of this project.
45
Chandler, Rasheeta N. "Communication systems and HIV/AIDS sexual decision making in older adolescent and young adult females." [Tampa, Fla] : University of South Florida, 2008. http://purl.fcla.edu/usf/dc/et/SFE0002492.
Full text
46
Chandler, Rasheeta D. MS ARNP FNP-BC. "Communication Systems and HIV/AIDS Sexual Decision Making in Older Adolescent and Young Adult Females." Scholar Commons, 2008. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/169.
Full textAbstract:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a national priority for several reasons including its endemic/pandemic status and economic demand. Adolescents 15 to 24 years old who are sexually active acquire nearly half of all new Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Recent findings from the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) have documented increased teen birth rates, escalating births to unwed mothers, and STIs ascribed to one in four adolescent females, are reasons to enhance effective prevention efforts.
The specific aim of the study, based on Bandura's social cognitive theory, was to test associations among communication system methods and HIV/AIDS self-efficacy, perceived risk, knowledge, and sexual decision-making among older adolescent females. Communication systems consist of interpersonal relationships, mass and print media. Research questions are: (1) What are the associations among demographic variables (age, race/ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status) in young women and the types of communication systems preferred (media and interpersonal)? (2) What are the associations among the types of communication systems preferred by young women and person factors (HIV/AIDS self-efficacy, perceived risk, and knowledge)? (3) What are the associations among the types of communication systems preferred by young women (media, print, interpersonal) and behavior (sexual-decision making)? (4) What are the associations among young women's person factors (HIV/AIDS self-efficacy, perceived risk, knowledge) and behaviors (sexual decision-making)?
The study used a non-experimental cross sectional design. The sample included 866 females, 18 to 21 years old, attending the the second largest public university or a historically black university in Florida. Data was collected using validated instruments transcribed into an electronic survey program.
Data analysis consisted of frequency distributions, descriptive statistics, and Multiple Regression Analysis. Results indicated that there were associations beween all proposed constructs that constitute the theoretically derived conceptional model. Interpersonal relationships explained the most variance (parents--22%; partners-12%) when associated with other communication systems. Overall, students reported that parents had more influence on their decisions with regards to basic beliefs, value systems, sexuality, dating, and alcohol use.
The communication systems associated with older adolescents' sexual decision-making may assist public health advocates in developing related preventive interventions for young adult females.
47
Allen, Bernice Balzer. "The Experience of Decision Making In Adolescent Females and Young Women With Mobility Limiting Disorders." VCU Scholars Compass, 2005. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/999.
Full textAbstract:
Young women with mobility limiting disorders face many challenges as they move through adolescence into young adulthood. In addition to the challenges of this developmental period, they must consider their disability as they manage their lives. Competent decision making is a foundational skill for self-management and for transition in adulthood. It is also a protective factor for resilience.There is little research on decision making in adolescents with disabilities. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the decision making experiences of female adolescents and young women with mobility limiting disorders. Theoretical underpinnings for the study included Resilience Theory and Phenomenology. Phenomenological methodology guided data collection and analysis. Study participants included six young women between the ages of 16 and 25 who met established inclusion criteria. Participants were interviewed using an interview schedule. Transcripts of the audiotaped interviews were analyzed for themes. An individual profile of decision making in self-management for each participant was developed from analysis of interviews. A composite depiction of the phenomenon of decision making in self-management was developed from analysis of the participant profiles. The following conclusions were drawn from the composite depiction. Decision making in self-management is a dynamic, developmental process that encompasses choices across many dimensions of life activities. Parents' attitudes and expectations can have significant influence on the development of decision making in young women with mobility limiting disorders. Having or taking the opportunity to make decisions may contribute to the development of decisional competence and independence. Barriers, such as social stereotypes and lack of community resources, influence decision making. The ability of the study participants to "see past the disability" creates a broader vision of opportunities for decision making to achieve their goals.The results of this research should be useful to nurses and other health professionals as they collaborate with adolescents with disabilities and their families in fostering and supporting competent decision making in self-management. Future research is recommended on decision making in specific dimensions of self-management such as socialization and, using quantitative and qualitative methods to compare this phenomenon in adolescents with and without disabilities and between genders.
48
Jenkins-Vulgamore, Valerie Jo. "The relationship of home economics instruction and other factors on early adolescents' decision making skill levels." Connect to resource, 1991. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view.cgi?acc%5Fnum=osu1260457602.
Full text
49
Hirst, Mary Yasemin. "Non-Participation in screening for cardiac conditions among adolescents: a systematic investigation of the decision-making." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.665497.
Full textAbstract:
Sudden cardiac death is the second biggest cause of death in the UK and at least 12 young people aged 14 to 35 die each week from undetected cardiac conditions. Cardiac screening, 12-led ECG test, has been speculated to have 90% effectiveness for illness detection. The UK National Screening Committee does not mandate population screening because there is not enough evidence for the cost-effectiveness and psychological costs to the individual. Yet, measuring the effectiveness of a screening relies on its participants. Literature to date offers some explanations for participation and non-participation; however, there is no literature for parents' decision-making processes for cardiac screening for adolescents aged 14-17. Therefore, this research has emerged from the need to understand the cognitive and affective processes that explain the decisions whether or not to take part in cardiac. screening. In pmiicular, Weinstein's (1988) Precaution Adoption Process Model (P APM) is used to identify of the stages of engagement for a non-apparent, a relatively unknown health risk, and investigated role of affect in decision-making. Initially, we explored retrospective accounts of non-pmiicipant families with a qualitative study and found that parents m·e primary decision-makers and organisations providing screening have a fundamental role for communicating credibility, task impOliance and salience under unceliainty. FUlihelIDore, we have explored decision-making with a concurrent think aloud study and found that "feelings-of-risk" provide a first step in engagement with health risk. Collectively, we assessed these findings with a prospective mixed methods study in which parents of adolescents were staged according to P APM. The results indicate that the respondents' trust and confidence in the organisation and the screening procedure provides the first steps from being unaware, unengaged and needing more information whilst "feelings-of-risk" is integral for deciding whether or not to have screening. The reasons for non-pmiicipation is characterised as being unfamiliar (unaware), having low trust in the processes of the organisation (unengaged), low decisional certainty (need info), low concern (not intend) and having practical baniers (non-pmiicipant intenders). The implications ofthe results are considered for theory, research and practice.
50
Austen, Elizabeth. "'Yelling in the face of life' : addressing the concept of risk and risky decision making in adolescence." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2005. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/6076/.
Full textAbstract:
By its very nature, the 'Risk Society' has compelled individuals to consider its implications in a self-preserving manner. Although it is acknowledged that such individual concerns are now generated around the world, further discussion should highlight the notion that certain groups of people may feel and perceive these societal forces in different ways. This thesis will initially address the self-definition and identity of young people as risk takers with specific reference to the gender divide. Furthermore, an investigation into the context of risk behaviour during adolescence in relation to the Risk Society is essential, highlighting the positive consequences of this era of insecurities. Finally, the theoretical foundations behind why and how young people make decisions about risk will be analysed. The central theme running through this discussion is the perception of, and the involvement in the use of cannabis. Conclusions will suggest a critical evaluation of initiatives of intervention, which attempt to de-bias decision making, in light of the risk debate. Empirical data, taken from a small-scale school sample, will support where appropriate.