Prevalence of, and factors associated with, adolescent physical fighting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Purpose: To determine: (a) the prevalence of physical fighting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and (b) the associations among demographic factors, other risk behaviors, and physical fighting while under the influence of substances.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) 1994-1995, a school-based, nationally representative survey of 6504 7th to 12th graders. The dependent outcome variables of interest were: "The most recent time you got into a fight, had you been drinking?" and "Have you ever gotten into a fight when you had been using drugs?" Independent variables included: demographics, adolescent characteristics and risk behaviors, home environment, and peer substance use.

Predictors for emotionally distressed adolescents to receive mental health care.

Purpose: To determine predictors for emotionally distressed adolescents from different racial/ethnic groups to receive psychological counseling.

Methods: This study used secondary database analysis of the restricted-use National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, using predictor variables from Wave 1 and the outcome variable from Wave 2. Adolescents scoring in the top third of an emotional distress scale (n = 3963) were analyzed by race/ethnicity.

Demographic, intrinsic, and extrinsic factors associated with weapon carrying at school.

Background: Recent incidents of school violence have heightened the need to identify societal, interpersonal, and adolescent characteristics that contribute to weapon carrying.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of weapon carrying at school and to determine associated risk factors for adolescent males and females.

Design: A cross-sectional study using the 1994-1995 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health data.

Prevention and risk of adolescent substance abuse. The role of adolescents, families, and communities.

Adolescents as young as 12 to 14 years of age are engaging in substance use [16]. Those who use substances are at risk for immediate and future consequences that affect morbidity and mortality. The theoretical models of substance use in adolescents provide a framework for understanding risk and protective factors.