The centrality of multitasking in teenagers' lives has triggered vast interest in popular and academic discussion. Due to a large inconsistency in the study and multitasking reporting, we endeavoured to better understand and characterize multitasking behaviors. We researched multitasking patterns, prevalence, types, combinations and gender…

Aim: Adolescent sleep patterns vary between countries, and these differences influence adolescent functioning and well-being. The present study provides data on the sleep and well-being of Australian adolescents. Methods: 385 adolescents aged 13-18 years were recruited from 8 South Australian schools spanning the socio-economic spectrum.…

Objective: To assess the prevalence and frequency of medical marijuana diversion and use among adolescents in substance abuse treatment and to identify factors related to their medical marijuana use. Method: This study calculated the prevalence and frequency of diverted medical marijuana use among adolescents (n = 164), ages 14-18 years (mean age…

Alcoholic beverage consumption among high school students has shifted from beer to liquor. The current longitudinal study examined the effects of beverage-specific alcohol use on drinking behaviors among urban youth. Data included 731 adolescents who participated in Project Northland Chicago and reported consuming alcohol in 7th grade. Logistic…

The study investigates the prevalence, patterns, and correlates of adolescents' abuse, sub-threshold dependence, and dependence on prescription pain relievers (PPRs) in a nationally representative sample. Results show dependence on PPRs can take place without abuse and that sub-threshold dependence could have implications for major diagnostic…

Examined the rate and reasons for suicidal attempts among adolescent Cherokee Indians (N=28). Results indicated a two percent rate of attempted suicides with overdose of medication and body cuts being the most commonly used methods. Behavioral patterns of attempters are discussed as well as implications for intervention. (BL)

This study examined the association of victimization in a physically violent dating relationship with risk behaviors, age of risk behavior initiation, and co-occurrence of risk behaviors among students in grades 9 through 12 in the United States. Data were from the 2003 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Nearly 9% of students reported…

A study of 571 Australian children (ages 4-18) with mental retardation investigated potential behavioral risk factors for injury. Results found the prevalence of potential injury risk behaviors to be higher than for typical children and that the behavioral injury risk patterns reflected those seen in younger aged typical children. (Author/CR)

This report describes a range of adolescent behaviors related to their safety and the safety of others. The behaviors reported here range from ordinary safety precautions such as only swimming in supervised areas and wearing helmets when riding a motorcycle to less talked about behaviors such as using condoms during sexual intercourse and carrying…

This study compared the preinjury and postinjury patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use of 87 persons (ages 16 to 20) with traumatic brain injury. Although an initial follow-up indicated decline in alcohol use, second follow-up (at 28 months postinjury) suggested that drinking quantity and frequency increased over time. Postinjury illicit drug…

Comparison of drug use patterns of 43 secondary school students with behavioral disorders and 43 students without behavioral disorders indicated that 51 percent of students with behavior disorders evidenced high drug use patterns in comparison to 14 percent of the nonhandicapped group. Low drug use was reported by only 28 percent of students with…

This report on adolescent tobacco use in Nebraska focuses on grades 8 and 10. The results presented are based on over time; (2) the changing nature of tobacco use from smoking to use as a chew or snuff; (3) the viewing of smoking and chewing as one health issue of tobacco exposure; (4) definition of a smoker for purposes of this study; (5) data…

This study documented suicidal behavior among 90 children and adolescents with mental retardation and psychiatric disorders in a psychiatric hospital. Suicidality was found in 21% of admissions and was distributed across gender, level of mental retardation, and psychiatric diagnosis. Results indicate that suicidality is an underrecognized but…

This report describes the dieting practices of 796 Nebraskans in grades 8 and 10. The results presented in this report are based on questions from the 1989 National Adolescent Health Survey administered to a total of 1,689 adolescents. These topics are covered: (1) incidence of dieting in adolescent males and females; (2) methods used by dieters…

This report presents information from a survey of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Nebraska adolescents (N=1,240) in grades 9-12 related to the Human-Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Schools were selected at random from each of the six classifications of Nebraska schools, and two or three…