Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
05:52
Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
Risk behavior in a community sample of children and adolescents
A J Flisher1, R A Kramer, C W Hoven
1Columbia University, USA. aflisher@curie.uct.ac.za
Summary
Adolescent risk behaviors like substance use and suicidality are interconnected. Early identification of these behaviors and associated factors like stress is crucial for intervention.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescent risk behaviors represent a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the interplay between various risk behaviors and their correlates is vital for effective prevention and intervention strategies.
- Previous research has indicated potential links between different risk behaviors in youth, but comprehensive community-based data is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the covariation among multiple risk behaviors, including suicidality, in a community sample of children and adolescents.
- To determine the association between a composite index of risk behavior and selected potential correlates in this population.
Main Methods:
- The study utilized data from the Methods for the Epidemiology of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders (MECA) Study, interviewing 1,285 youths aged 9–17 and their caretakers.
- Key risk behaviors assessed included marijuana smoking, alcohol use, sexual intercourse, fighting, cigarette smoking, and suicidal ideation/attempts.
- Statistical analyses involved odds ratios to describe relationships between risk behaviors and linear regression to assess correlates of a risk behavior index.
Main Results:
- Significant relationships were found between all pairs of assessed risk behaviors, indicating a tendency for these behaviors to co-occur.
- The overall index score for risk behavior was significantly associated with increased stressors, lack of resources, family psychiatric history, psychopathology, and functional impairment.
- These findings suggest a clustering of risk behaviors and their strong association with adverse psychosocial factors.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians should be vigilant for the presence of multiple risk behaviors in children and adolescents.
- The presence of one risk behavior should prompt screening for others, particularly suicidal ideation/attempts.
- Factors such as stressors, limited resources, functional impairment, and psychopathology are important indicators that warrant clinical attention in at-risk youth.
Related Concept Videos
02:01Group Design
The most basic experimental design involves two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The two groups are designed to be the same except for one difference— experimental manipulation. The experimental group gets the experimental manipulation—that is, the treatment or variable being tested—and the control group does not. Since experimental manipulation is the only difference between the experimental and control groups, we can be sure that any differences between the two are due to...
02:04Bullying
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is bullying.
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
01:24Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial personality disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by persistent patterns of disregard for the rights and well-being of others. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder exhibit behaviors that include deceitfulness, impulsivity, irresponsibility, aggression, and a profound lack of empathy. These traits often manifest early in life and persist into adulthood, leading to significant personal, social, and legal consequences.
Behavioral Characteristics and...
Behavioral Characteristics and...
01:28Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...