2-028 - Future Orientation as a Predictor of Beliefs about Aggression, School Connection, Delinquency and Violence Exposure in Urban Youth

Session Type: Paper Discussion Symposium

Integrative Statement

Violence exposure, a pervasive element of poverty stricken urban communities, is one of the most significant public health epidemics facing American youth today (Listinbee et al., 2012). Specifically, African American youth residing in low-income, urban communities are disproportionately exposed to violence and often vulnerable to a range of negative psychosocial outcomes (Buka et al., 2001; Solberg et al., 2007). The current symposium will address the ways in which prevention efforts can be maximized for urban youth by identifying predictors associated with positive school, social, and perceptual outcomes. Future orientation, a multi-dimensional construct that encompasses personal thoughts, expectations, aspirations, plans and hopes for the future, may be a particularly relevant asset for youth in these communities (Stoddard, Zimmerman, & Bauermeister, 2011). Research has found that positive future expectations act as a protective factor that buffers environmental risk for children raised in urban, impoverished environments (McCabe & Barnet, 2000). The three presentations in this symposium examine the relationship that orientation to the future has with violence victimization, delinquent behavior, beliefs about aggression, school bonding, and student-teacher connectedness. Investigations of these factors reveal that improving future aspirations may be a valuable tool for minimizing the negative impact of violence on youth living in low-income communities. Our discussant, Marc Zimmerman, will bring his extensive research background to create a better understanding of the meaning of future expectations to low income youth.

Sub Unit

• Aggression and Conduct Problems

Chair

• Maryse Richards, Loyola University Chicago

Individual Presentations

• Predicting Violence Victimization in Urban Males - Presenting Author: Amanda Burnside, Loyola University Chicago; Noni Gaylord-Harden, Loyola University Chicago; Gabriel Brown, Loyola University Chicago

• Future Expectations and Beliefs About Aggression in a Cross-Age Peer Mentoring Program for Low-Income Urban African American Youth - Cara M DiClemente, Loyola University Chicago; Presenting Author: Jason A Pica II, Loyola University Chicago; Catherine M Rice, Loyola University Chicago; Dakari Quimby, Graduate Student; Jolai Michel, Loyola University Chicago; Darrick Scott, Loyola University Chicago; Maryse Richards, Loyola University Chicago; Katherine Tyson McCrea, Loyola University Chicago

• Future Orientation and School Connectedness among African Americans in Low-Income Urban Communities - Presenting Author: Suzanna So, Loyola University Chicago; Noni Gaylord-Harden, Loyola University Chicago; Dexter R Voisin, University of Chicago; Felix So, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Discussant

• Marc Zimmerman, University of Michigan