Promoting Health and Wellness in African American Males through Rites of Passage Training |
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| Authors: | Theresa M Okwumabua Jebose Okwumabua Courtney Peasant Andrea Watson Kristin Walker |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA Tokwumab@memphis.edu;3. Department of Health and Sport Sciences, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA;4. Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA;5. Federal Bureau of Prisons, Lawton, Oklahoma, USA;6. Shelby County Schools, Memphis City Schools, Memphis, Tennessee, USA |
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| Abstract: | The current work presents exploratory research findings related to the effectiveness of Let the Circle Be Unbroken, an African-centered “rites of passage” training program, to promote health and well-being in a sample of high-risk, African American males. An abbreviated version of the ADPRC-TADPOLE questionnaire was administered to 39 African American boys, between the ages of 8 and 16 years, who were participating in a community-based “rites of passage” training program. Findings suggest that the Let the Circle Be Unbroken training program is a viable program for improving self-esteem among young African American males. The implications of this research are relevant to the reduction of some health disparities observed among underrepresented populations, especially African American males. |
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| Keywords: | African American youth life skills training health behaviors rites of passage “at-risk” youth risk behaviors positive youth development programs |
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