NCJ Number
231035
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 39 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2010 Pages: 541-562
Date Published
May 2010
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study investigated potential subgroups of youth based on responses to a series of questions pertaining to risky behaviors.
Abstract
Theories and prior research have outlined a constellation of adolescent risk behaviors that tend to co-occur, reflecting a general pattern. Although their generality has largely been supported, there is some question about how to best study and portray the relationship among these behaviors. This study used data from a survey administered to high school youth (n = 2,549, 38 schools). The general population sample comprised an even split between boys and girls, averaged roughly 16 years of age, and was 59 percent White and 10 percent Hispanic/Latino. Using latent class analysis, four subgroups, comprised of varying types and degrees of risky behavior, were identified. Specifically, there were two groups that "abstained" and "experimented" with risky behaviors and two others that had higher, but somewhat distinct, patterns of such activities. These groups were then examined in relation to youth characteristics (e.g., mental and physical health, school performance) and socio-environmental factors (e.g., social support, parental monitoring) that may be useful for better understanding "problem behavior syndrome" and development of prevention strategy. Tables, appendix, and references (Published Abstact)