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The goal of this study was to examine the effect of resiliency and family support on depression symptoms among 110 indigent adolescents attending a family planning clinic in a large urban city in southwestern USA. Findings suggested that several of the resiliency domains, on the Individual Protective Factors Index, as well as family support measured by the Family Support Scale, were associated with depression symptoms. Scores on the self-concept and positive outlook dimensions of the Personal Competence domain, the confidence and assertiveness dimensions of the Social Competence domain, and family support correlated with depression symptoms. The findings also suggested that 16.4% of the teens in this clinic would be classified as clinically depressed and as needing further evaluation. It seems reasonable to conclude that resilient adolescents may possess characteristics, beliefs, and supports which enable them to cope with life stressors more effectively and avoid depressive symptoms than those who are not as resilient. Given the prevalence and extent of depression among adolescents, it is important to develop interventions to foster attachment and enhance individual protective factors in primary prevention programs as such interventions may ameliorate the effects of high-risk environments.

33 young males attending a family-planning clinic were asked about the consequences of child abuse as it affects behavioral problems of teens and their interest in programs that deal specifically with these problems. Nine reported they had been victims of abuse. Most believed that drug and alcohol misuse and suicide were the major consequences of child abuse. Fifteen were interested in programs for prevention of child abuse but not for specific problems such as substance misuse and smoking cessation. This study's findings suggest that family-planning clinics with services for males must address their behavioral as well as medical needs.This study examines how males view the consequences of child abuse in terms of behavioral problems and how receptive they might be to prevention programs. The participants were 33 young males (mean age, 18.4 years) attending a family planning clinic in a county hospital in the US. This group was composed of 21 African Americans, 9 Hispanics, and 3 European-Americans. They were asked seven questions related to the contribution of child abuse to later problems of teens, such as school dropout, crime, drugs, alcohol, prostitution, suicide, and teenage pregnancy. Additional information about their interest in specific programs was also elicited to address these behavioral problems, and personal experience with abuse. Findings show that 9 males reported that they had been victims of abuse. Most believed that drug and alcohol misuse and suicide were the major consequences of child abuse. About 15 males were interested in general programs for child abuse prevention; 12 were interested in smoking cessation programs, 10 in substance abuse programs, and 6 in suicide prevention programs. Moreover, 19 believed that child abuse is a problem in their communities. The findings of this study indicate that family planning clinics with services for males must address their behavioral as well as their medical needs.

The aim of the study was to investigate behavioral and sociodemographic characteristics of a sample of 45 male adolescents with sexually transmitted diseases who attended family planning clinics. Low rates of compliance with follow-up care were noted. Only 13 (28.9%) males returned to the clinic for their scheduled appointments. Neither behavioral nor sociodemographic variables were related to compliance.