Using data from the Youth Risk Behavioral Survey of more than 11,600 adolescents, risks for a general-risk group, reporting behavior indirectly linked to the disease, and a high-risk group reporting more risky behaviors, are estimated. Results highlight the weaknesses of behavioral-risk studies and the questionable nature of risk groups. (SLD)

This study builds on existing criminological theories and examines the role of life satisfaction and self-control in explaining youth violence. Using data from a stratified cluster sample of 5,414 public high school students who responded to the South Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the study examines the relationship between adolescents'…

A relatively small number of preventable behaviors, such as drinking alcohol and driving, failing to wear seat belts, and engaging in unprotected intercourse, contribute greatly to morbidity and mortality among youth and young adults. An extensive survey of the risk behaviors of one state's youth is described here. A total of 1,538 responses from…

This survey examined the behaviors associated with the six leading causes of death or disability in one state's high school youth. Participants were 2,439 9th-12th grade students. Results identified alcohol as the drug most frequently used by high school students, with over half of students having used alcohol by their senior year and almost half…

This pamphlet on health trends features the results of the 1999 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) on Youth Suicide, which collected demographic and behavioral data from students in 109 Oregon public high schools. The survey asked four questions regarding sadness and suicidal behavior, including whether suicide had been attempted. This report…

Some youth in Mississippi are at risk for violence, sexual activity, tobacco use, and poor nutrition. The Mississippi State Department of Health and the State Department of Education have the shared goal of giving youth the opportunity to become "healthy, educated, and contributing" members of their communities. This document outlines…

Ethnic minority groups such as Asian/Pacific Islanders (APIs) and native populations in Hawaii are seldom studied in the area of intimate relationships. Using the 1999 Hawaii Youth Risk Behavior Survey, this study examined gender and ethnic differences in experiencing physical dating violence and whether drinking (early initiation, binge…

This article systematically reviews evidence for treatment of adolescent suicidality. In all, 10 empirical studies intended to reduce suicidal behaviors (e.g., suicide attempts) or suicidal ideation were reviewed. Each study's intervention was described and evaluated using two sets of independent criteria to assess the degree to which it was…

This report describes the results of a survey on out-of-school youth's health risk behaviors. The behaviors studied include unintentional and intentional injuries; tobacco use; alcohol, and other drug use; sexual behaviors; dietary behaviors that cause health problems; mental well being; and physical inactivity. Seventy-eight percent of all the…

This study examined relationships between high school students' early sexual intercourse and selected risky and preventive behaviors as a function of race and gender. North Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey data indicated that several health-risk behaviors significantly associated with early onset of sexual intercourse, with both racial and…

Mattering is the belief that one makes a difference in the lives of others. We explore the effect of mattering on adolescent suicide ideation. The data source is the 2000 Youth At Risk Survey, composed of interviews with 2,004 youths, age 11-18 and screening interviews with their parents. Our analysis reveals that those who matter more are…

In the United States, nearly two-thirds of all deaths among young people 10-14 years of age result from only five causes: motor-vehicle crashes (22.1%), other unintentional injuries (16.7%), cancer (12.9%), suicide (6.8%), and homicide (4.7%). Leading causes of illness and death in all age groups in the United States are related to the following:…