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Simple Screening Can Help Decrease Teen Risk Behaviors |
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From EurekAlert! - Breaking News: Research shows that adolescents who engage in one form of risky behavior, like drug or alcohol use, are likely to engage in other risky behaviors like self-harm, or having unprotected sex, but often times these behaviors are not discussed during a medical or mental health exam. Now, a new study shows that a simple and brief screening measure called the adolescent risk inventory (ARI) can quickly identify the broad range of risk behaviors found among adolescents. "This constellation of behavior problems is really the thing we are trying to avoid. So, identifying early that a teen is engaging in a risky behavior may prevent that behavior from being the gateway to further risky behaviors," says lead author Celia Lescano, PhD with the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. This study appeared in the April 2007 issue of the journal Child Psychiatry and Human Development. The authors note that risk behaviors among teens are prevalent and can lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs, so identifying and dealing with problematic issues as they arise can help teens be safer and healthier. "Given that the ARI is brief and broad in it assessment of behaviors, these barriers can be overcome and allow pediatricians, family doctors and mental health professionals to make referrals based on the information they get from the teen," explains Lescano.
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