%0 Journal Article %J Family & community health %D 2007 %T Ecological influences on health-promoting and health-compromising behaviors: a socially embedded approach to urban African American girls' health. %A Cooper, Shauna M %A Guthrie, Barbara %K Adolescent %K Adolescent Behavior %K Adolescent Psychology %K African Americans %K Cross-Sectional Studies %K Female %K Health Behavior %K Humans %K Interviews as Topic %K Logistic Models %K Risk-Taking %K Urban Population %K Women %N 1 %P 29-41 %R 10.1177/0193945910382242 %V 30 %X An ecological framework provides the underpinnings for the examination of factors associated with the health-promoting and health-compromising behaviors of African American adolescent females (N=137). Findings indicate that more positive family, peer, and neighborhood factors were associated with less engagement in health-compromising behaviors and increased engagement in health-promoting behaviors. Also, more positive family interactions buffered the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and adolescents' engagement in health-compromising behaviors. Overall, the findings suggest that the health-related behaviors of African American adolescent females are best understood in the context of their social relationships and environmental contexts. %8 2007 Jan-Mar