The research proposal, """"""""Transitions in Emerging Adulthood among Minority Youth,"""""""" is designed to enhance the applicant's academic career opportunities in the field of Human Development by identifying three broad objectives: 1) Develop proficiency in qualitative data analysis and mixed-methods techniques; 2) Advance conceptual knowledge related to the transition from adolescence to early adulthood for minority youth; and 3) Build a record of publications. These objectives will be fulfilled through work on an ongoing longitudinal ethnographic investigation focusing on family, community, and cultural factors related to high-school academic achievement and the post-high school transition to adulthood. The present proposal focuses primarily on the follow-up research study focusing on the transition to adulthood among 81 youth from working and lower-middle class families in three ethnic groups living in the U.S.: African-American, Belizean Creole, and Belizean Gadfuna. The applicant will analyze a large body of in-depth interviews using qualitative methods and write four research articles to achieve the following aims: 1) Describe developmental pathways across the study sample and investigate familial, cultural, and community factors related to pathway choices in emerging adulthood; 2) Examine commitment versus exploration in the transition process, both in work/career development and in personal relationships, and associations with mental health indicators; 3) Examine the role of family emotional and instrumental support in the pursuit of employment and educational goals and in promoting mental health and well being; 4) Examine effects of employment during high school on the post-high school transition.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32HD042893-01A1
Application #
6793792
Study Section
Community-Level Health Promotion Study Section (CLHP)
Program Officer
Clark, Rebecca L
Project Start
2004-09-16
Project End
Budget Start
2004-09-16
Budget End
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$48,928
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095