Secondary analysis of one State's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) data by Individualized Education...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Children with disabilities are often at a higher risk for engaging in health-risk behaviors.
• Understanding these risks is crucial for developing effective support systems and interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if Individualized Education Program (IEP) status is a risk factor for youth engaging in health-risk behaviors.
• To assess the association between IEP status and specific behaviors including substance use, bullying, and sexual activity.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of Connecticut Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) data from 2013-2019.
• Included 9,243 students, with 850 reporting IEP status, identified by receipt of special education services.
• Logistic regression analysis was employed, accounting for the YRBSS sample design.

Main Results:

• IEP status significantly predicted increased likelihood of being bullied (OR=1.81) and cyberbullied (OR=1.49).
• Students with an IEP were also more likely to engage in other drug use (OR=1.65).
• No significant association was found between IEP status and engaging in sexual activity.

Conclusions:

• High school students with disabilities in Connecticut, as indicated by IEP status, exhibit increased risk for specific health-risk behaviors.
• Findings underscore the vulnerability of students with disabilities to bullying, cyberbullying, and substance use.
• Limitations include the lack of a national YRBSS item to measure special education or disability status, hindering broader comparisons.