Examined scenes taken from eight seasons of prime-time television programs beginning in 1976 which depicted incidents involving youth and drinking. Scenes were evaluated as to their appropriateness with respect to youth and alcohol. Results indicated that young people were seldom seen drinking, with the exception of troubled youths. Suggestions…

Investigated relationship between alcohol use and misuse and personality in 347 high school students. Students completed measures of alcohol involvement and personality. Results demonstrated that as adolescents increasingly became involved with alcohol, the more their personality characteristics differed from those of adolescents not involved or…

Examined African-American adolescents' use of alcohol and their perceptions of their family environments. Alcohol-using adolescents (n=71) completed Family Environment Scale (FES). Analyses of data revealed that females differed significantly from males on 4 of 10 FES subscales. Findings support view that alcohol affects perception of family…

Examined 43 unplanned pregnancies in 14-21 year olds. Explored alcohol use, amount of alcohol consumed, use of other drugs, planning of intercourse, nonuse of contraception, demographics. Findings suggest that drug or alcohol use may have been factor in pregnancy risk taking for some subjects; that women may be more psychologically vulnerable to…

Fifteen techniques to limit or stop alcohol consumption were rated by 94 adolescents, aged 12 to 19, and their parents. Factor analysis of effectiveness ratings demonstrated consistency in appraisal of adult options for coping strategies, but significant differences in adolescent and parent views of how teenagers should cope with drinking…

Studies characteristics of 70 adolescents who affiliate with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Participants completed in-patient treatment and were contacted as part of follow-up survey. Half had affiliated with AA. Used discriminant analysis to predict affiliation. Found affiliators were more likely to have had prior treatment, friends who did not use…

Administered Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test to subjects over age 18. Among late adolescents (aged 18 to 20), lonely females had highest mean scores, indicating higher degree of alcoholism risk than lonely males and nonlonely subjects. For males, loneliness appeared to increase alcoholism risk, not in late adolescence, but during early…

Assessed 237 seventh and eighth graders for drug/alcohol use, extracurricular activities, peer influence, and personal attitudes. Substance abusers reported little involvement in extracurricular activities, spent more time with friends than with family, and identified friends as using drugs and alcohol. Nonabusing adolescents tended to be highly…

Compared 15 male prostitutes and 15 nonprostitutes from same cohort. Found heavier drug and alcohol use, more limited vocational success and aspirations, and greater alcohol use among family members of male prostitutes. Male prostitutes were also more likely to identify themselves as drug or alcohol addicted. No significant differences were found…

Individuals from substance-abusing family environments have been found to suffer from low self-esteem, depression, anger, and a variety of acting-out behaviors. An investigation of the differences between incarcerated juveniles from substance-abusing families and those from non-substance-abusing families indicates significant differences in family…

Studied large national sample of U.S. adults, finding that almost one-half recalled having been corporally punished during adolescence. Data analysis revealed that children who experienced corporal punishment in adolescence had increased risk later in life of depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, alcohol abuse, physical abuse of children, and…

Reviewed records of 183 adolescents attending family planning clinic. Forty-one percent had first sexual experience between ages 12 and 13. Over 7 percent admitted having been sexually abused or raped; additional 19 percent described situations in home or exhibited symptoms associated with history of sexual abuse. Found evidence of family…

Investigated association between 87 adolescents' music preferences and psychosocial turmoil. Adolescents who preferred heavy metal and rap music had higher incidence of below-average school grades, school behavior problems, sexual activity, drug and alcohol use, and arrests. When gender was controlled, only below-average school grades and history…

Examined risk factors leading to adolescent substance abuse so as to provide greater understanding of their influence. Divided risk factors into four categories: demographic, social, behavioral, and individual. Separated each category into its respective components, including ages of susceptibility and gender differences. Offers information on…

Compares alcohol use among Mexican-American and White non-Hispanic school dropouts, and among students in good academic standing. Results indicate that dropouts are at a higher risk for alcohol use and misuse. Discusses implications in terms of prevalence and prevention. (Author/GCP)