Examined relationship of role models among African American ninth-graders to substance use, delinquency, academic engagement, and psychological well-being. Found that males without male role models and females identifying brothers as role models reported the most problem behavior. Adolescents with paternal role models had most positive school outcomes. Adolescents with maternal role models reported the least distress. Adolescents without female role models had lowest grades and most negative school attitudes. (Author/KB)