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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Carole A. Hanks, DrPH, RN, Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Baylor University, 5804 Westlawn, Waco, TX 76710, 254-772-7811, Carole_Hanks@baylor.edu

Background: This longitudinal study of 361 low income families with children in a large Southern city provides data on family and neighborhood context from the child's birth to age 13 and on peer context at age 13. Objective: To describe risky early adolescent behaviors and their predictors. Methods: Linear regression and multi-level regressions using variables constructed from (1) Survey interviews of the mother (or other custodian) and child at age 13, including a neighborhood safety scale, as well as data on the child's and his or her friends' risk-taking behaviors; (2) Crime rates by census tracts created from crime counts by police wards for violent and total crime; and (3) Census data describing demographics and SES of census tracts. Results: The percentages of persons above poverty, married couples raising their own children, and persons aged 25 or more with high school diplomas predict neighborhood crime rates. Both Mothers'and children's perceptions of neighborhood safety are significantly correlated to actual crime rates. Rates of crime in the current neighborhood predict risky behavior, but not as well as previous exposure to crime at age 9. While parenting style predicts risky behavior, particularly for females, peer risk behavior has a much stronger influence overall. Familiarity with the neighborhood is protective for males. Conclusions: Family, peer, and neighborhood factors all contribute to early adolescent risk behavior. Intervention to decrease risky behavior must take account of all these contexts.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List five predictors of early adolescent risk behaviors.
• Articulate the relative strength of family, peer, and neighborhood predictors.
• Identify possible interventions to decrease early adolescent risk behaviors.

Keywords: Risky Behaviors, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation