Exploring avenues toward activism: Using a Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST) to examine the perceptions of black youth engaged in community-focused, media skills training.

Format:

Book

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Wilson, Shaunqula A.

Contributor:

University of Pennsylvania.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mass media.

Black people--Research.

Black people.

Art--Research.

Art.

0273.

0325.

0708.

Local Subjects:

0273.

0325.

0708.

Physical Description:

121 pages

Contained In:

Dissertation Abstracts International 70-10A.

System Details:

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

text file

Summary:

Over the last decade, media-based projects have experienced increasing popularity in programs designed to encourage healthy exploration among youth. In particular, activities that call for the effort of more than one person to produce various types of media have been touted for their effectiveness in promoting group work, identity exploration, and social consciousness Despite the increasing popularity of media-based curricula in programs serving youth, particularly ethnic minority youth, few ecological theories have been used to examine youths' perceptions of context-linked experiences and attitudes regarding peer collaborations, racial identity, and activism. The present study is a pilot investigation that incorporates an identity-focused, cultural ecological framework called Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST) to explore the experiences of African-American youth engaged in a community-focused, media skills course called SIGHT & SOUND. The study's sample includes twenty-eight self identified African-American teenagers in a North Texas city. Sixteen of the teenagers participated in SIGHT & SOUND (treatment group) and 12 teenagers were part of the control group. This study utilizes both quantitative and qualitative research methods to investigate the interplay of ecological factors, participation in SIGHT & SOUND, and attitudes toward peer collaboration, racial identity, and activism. Responses from pre-program and post-program surveys were analyzed to assess program impact and the relationships between participants' attitudes regarding racial identity, peer collaborations, and activism. Specifically, three PVEST factors (e.g., Net Vulnerability, Net Stress Engagement, and Reactive Coping) were explored for their presence in participants' context-linked perceptions and for their usefulness in demonstrating nuanced relationships among variables in the study. Detailed findings and an examination of whether the data supports PVEST as a useful tool for this type of intervention are discussed.

Notes:

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-10, Section: A, page: 3734.

Adviser: Howard Stevenson.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Pennsylvania, 2009.

Local Notes:

School code: 0175.

ISBN:

9781109431308

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.