Reservation Neighborhoods and Schools: The Important Role of Apache Adolescent Sense of Safety

• Other Authors: Nalls, A. Mercedes (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Social sciences
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2778

The role of neighborhood and school environments in adolescent development has been explored over the years, yet few have examined these relationships with an American Indian sample. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of Apache adolescents' sense of safety in their neighborhood and school environments and how this relates to their experience of depressive symptoms and alcohol/marijuana use. This study utilized the 2006 Arizona Youth Survey of 148 adolescents from the San Carlos Apache and Fort Apache Reservations. The findings indicated that neighborhood safety, especially the presence of crime and drug sales, was the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms and alcohol/marijuana use. Implications for future research and work with this population are discussed. === A Thesis submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. === Summer Semester, 2008. === June 18, 2008. === Neighborhood, American Indian, Depression, Drug Use, School, Context, Safety === Includes bibliographical references. === Ronald L. Mullis, Professor Directing Thesis; Patrice Iatarola, Outside Committee Member; Ann K. Mullis, Committee Member.