NCJ Number
215098
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2006 Pages: 425-444
Date Published
August 2006
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study examined self-reported levels of distress in adolescents caused by completing sensitive survey questions about drug abuse, suicidal behavior, and physical and sexual abuse.
Abstract
Results indicated that a small percentage of participants across the samples reported feeling upset while completing the survey. Only a small minority (4.4 percent across all samples) reported being upset “often” while completing the survey. Participants reporting a history of maltreatment, drug abuse, or suicidal ideation reported greater levels of distress than participants without these experiences. Age, race, gender, and data collection strategy were not significantly related to participant distress. The findings suggest that while only a minority of youth experience distress while completing surveys on sensitive topics, many youth might not be providing accurate information due to concerns over confidentiality. Participants were a cross-sectional sample of 1,540 youth recruited over a 3-year period from high schools and middle schools as well as from juvenile justice settings in a southeastern State. Rates of participation varied widely across recruitment settings, with the highest level of participation gained from high school settings using a passive parental consent procedure. Participants completed a self-report packet that contained a large number of measures assessing family history, current functioning, and ongoing deviant behavior. Statistical data analysis included the use of multiple regression models. Future research should continue to focus on the factors that influence participant distress. Tables, references