Students, Elementary ; Students, High School ; Risk Taking Behavior -- Evaluation -- In Adolescence ; Health Behavior -- Evaluation -- In Adolescence

Questionnaires; Surveys; Cross Sectional Studies; Correlational Studies; California; Healthy People 2000; Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory; Pearson's Correlation Coefficient; Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient; Comparative Studies; Child; Adolescence; Male; Female; Human

The purpose of this one time cross-sectional correlational study of 980, 5th, 8th and 11th grade students in a semi-rural central California K-12 school district was to: determine if heath/risk behaviors of one domain correlated with other behavior domains, establish baseline data for evaluations of comprehensive health education programs, and determine baseline rates of risk-taking behaviors based on the National Health Goal, 2000 objectives. The behavior domain categories (Physical Activity, Injury Behavior, Dietary Behavior, Tobacco Use, Alcohol and Other Drug Use, and Sexual Behavior) were selected because they relate to adolescent behavior resulting in morbidity and mortality. These domains also relate to the same general topics as the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) developed by the CDC, and the National Adolescent Student Health Survey, which focus on the 21 National Health Goals, 2000 objectives related to adolescents. The Comprehensive YRBS was administered. Standard scores were developed for each item responses, behavior domain score mean scores were computed, and behavior categories of low, moderate and high risk were assigned. Pearson and Spearmen rho correlational coefficients were computed. The literature review focused on the research about: the effectiveness of K-12th grade comprehensive health education; reducing risk-taking behavior; enhancing protective factors and resiliency; Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, Hawkins' Social Development Model, and Mill's Health Realization Model; and progress toward attainment of the Health People 2000 National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives Prevention Objectives. The results of this study suggested there were predictable and statistically significant relationships between tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, injury behavior and sexual behavior, of this sample 5th, 8th and 11th grade population, regardless of age, ethnicity or gender. Comparison with national baseline rates suggested that educational and prevention programs in the domains of dietary behavior (bulimia and anorexia behaviors) intentional and unintentional injury (especially suicide prevention), alcohol and other drug use, and sexual behaviors are ineffective as currently delivered. The areas for priority review include: age and developmental timing of initiation of prevention education; content and instructional strategies employed; time dedicated to comprehensive health education at each grade level; teacher's fidelity to the curriculum; and trustee and administrative leadership to identify health as a core subject, provide adequate funding for staff development activities, and clearly communicate accountability for quality health education instruction, programs and services. The results of the study reflect a challenge for health education leaders to influence system-wide understanding, and support for health realization.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)

UMI Order PUZ9613133

19990701

20150923

109873260