NCJ Number
185173
Editor(s)
Anita M. Smith
Date Published
June 1999
Length
66 pages
Annotation
Findings from the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health, known as Add Health, briefed on Capitol Hill in June 1999 by the Institute for Youth Development, covered factors involved in protecting adolescents from risks associated with violence and sex.
Abstract
Study data were based on a survey of 90,000 students and interviews with approximately 20,000 interviews with students and 20,000 interviews with parents. Information obtained from both adolescents and parents indicated family characteristics were important in terms of adolescent risk behaviors related to violence and sex. Although family structure had some influence, other family characteristics were much more important, including connectedness with parents and a sense of caring and concern. Issues of spirituality and religiosity were also significant in terms of adolescent and family behavior. Contributors to the briefing, based on findings from the Add Health survey, discussed new research on violence and violence prediction, adolescent sexuality, the influence of the mother, and effects of family structure and family processes on adolescent risk behavior. Tables and figures