Investigating the role of social and emotional competencies as predictors of problem behaviors among a sample of South African youth

Open Access
- Author:
- Rose, Mary Lai
- Graduate Program:
- Human Development and Family Studies
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- November 05, 2012
- Committee Members:
- Edward A Smith, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Linda Marie Collins, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Linda L Caldwell, Committee Member
Michael L Hecht, Committee Member - Keywords:
- adolescent substance use
delinquency
South Africa
social competencies
emotional competencies
co-occurring problem behaviors - Abstract:
- Adolescent substance use and delinquency are important problem behaviors to prevent because they increase the likelihood of future negative outcomes such as criminal activity, risky sexual behaviors, and substance dependence. Although these behaviors are known to co-occur, these behaviors are usually studied separately. Understanding the psychosocial correlates of SU and delinquency, such as social and emotional competencies (SEC), can guide the development of effective preventive intervention programs in high risk contexts. The current study identified patterns of co-occurring SU and delinquency among a South African adolescent sample and examined the roles of gender, age, and social and emotional competencies in predicting these patterns. The current study analyzed survey data collected from the control group sample of a randomized effectiveness trial of the HealthWise: South Africa program (N=1,953; Mage=16.7 years; 55% female, 93.6% Coloured). Latent class analysis (LCA) with covariates and multiple-groups LCA were employed using SAS PROC LCA. Four patterns of SU and delinquency were identified: Abstainers had low probabilities for all SU and delinquency behaviors; those in the Gateway Drugs class reported high probabilities of having used alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana in the past month; those in the Aggressive Gateway Drugs class had high probabilities of past month alcohol and cigarette use and hurting someone; and the Multiple Problems class consisted of those with high probabilities of using gateway drugs and involvement in all delinquency behaviors in the past month. Gender differences were found in the prevalence but not types of patterns. For both genders, older age was associated with an increased likelihood of membership in the Gateway Drugs and Multiple Problems groups and a decreased likelihood of membership in the Aggressive Gateway Drugs group, relative to the Abstainers group. Higher levels of self-reported anger management, decision-making, risk management, and conflict resolution skills were associated with decreased likelihood of membership in all problem behavior groups relative to the Abstainers group, for both genders. Study findings provide a more complete picture of adolescent problem behaviors and highlighted potentially high risk groups. Universal preventive interventions of co-occurring SU and delinquency behaviors should consider utilizing screening protocols to identify adolescents engaging in high risk, multiple problem behaviors for referral to targeted interventions. Helping adolescents develop social and emotional competencies may be a promising way to address co-occurring adolescent problem behaviors, particularly for females.