CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Ethnic minority groups are a substantial part of U.S. society. Currently, Hispanics and African Americans represent approximately 12% and 13% of the U.S population, respectively (U.S Census Bureau, 2000). This is equivalent to over 32 million people in each group. There is also little empirical knowledge about the mental health problems of nonwhite adolescents (Grisso & Barnum, 2000). Therefore, it is critical for nurses and other health professionals to include issues relevant to these groups in their research. In addition, adolescent mental health is a growing concern for all ethnic groups. More than half of early adolescents have had at least one physical fight in the last year (Fetro, Coyle, & Pham, 2001; DuRant, Smith, Kreiter, & Krowchuk, 1999). More than half of middle-school students have tried alcohol and more than 17% have tried marijuana (Fetro et al.; DuRant et al.). By the time adolescents reach high school, their rates of clinical depression reach adult levels with over 20% of adolescents being affected (Lewinsohn, Rohde, & Seeley, 1998). Problem Research is needed that examines the relationships between individual and social factors and mental health outcomes in adolescents. This area of research has typically neglected factors that are relevant to ethnic minorities. Discovering what attributes or strengths specifically may protect minority adolescents from emotional and behavioral problems is an understudied area of research. More research also is needed that focuses