Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103358

Lauren Hess, BA, Salvatore Libretto, PhD, Mim Landry, BA, and Susanna Nemes, PhD. Danya International, Inc., 8737 Colesville Road, Suite 1200, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-565-2142, lhess@danya.com

The AMA Guidelines for Adolescent Prevention Services (GAPS) state youth should be screened annually for eating disorders, sexual activity, alcohol and other drug use, tobacco use, abuse, school performance, depression, and suicide risk. The GAPS also recommends screening for comorbid risk behaviors in these domains. Despite the emphasis on screening, many intervention professionals do not routinely screen for risk behaviors that affect youth. The lack of age-appropriate and efficient tools for identifying problem behaviors is a barrier to screening youth. A multi-domain screening system for youth 11 to 19 was developed to determine clients' risk behaviors and problems associated with substance use; school; abuse; victimization; emotional distress; suicide risk; sexual activity; family functioning; violence; unhealthy weight control; physical activity; motor vehicle occupant injuries; and peer relations and social skills. A literature review was conducted to identify screening questions relevant to these problem behaviors. Based on the review a screening system was developed. The system was then modified according to expert panel input, resulting in a set of prescreening and screening questions for each domain. A pilot test was conducted to elicit information on usability, information organization, and implementation. Nine youth intervention professionals read through the screening system, and conducted an administration of the tool. Participants were asked to identify areas in which the client would need further assessment. All participants correctly identified the areas that needed further assessment. The participants stated the screening system addressed pertinent problem behaviors among youth and elicited information that suggested the need for further assessment.

Learning Objectives:

• List the prominent risk behaviors associated with adolescent development and describe their interconnectedness.
• Recognize the need to screen youth for multiple problem behaviors within several life domains.
• Describe the process behind developing a multi-problem screening system for youth ages 11 to 19.

Keywords: Adolescents, Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.