This article presents findings from a study that examined risks to youth in oil-impacted communities in the Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana, using qualitative data collected from a larger mixed-methods study.
Oil booms, which bring economic advantages, also bring risks, because basic infrastructure is not in place to accommodate the needs of burgeoning populations. The current study identified some of these risks, including domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, problems in meeting basic needs, behavioral health issues, and limited access to services. (publisher abstract modified)