Teen Risk-Taking: A Statistical Portrait

Abstract:
This booklet provides a statistical portrait of teen participation in 10 of the most prevalent risk behaviors. It focuses on the overall participation in each behavior and in multiple risk-taking. The booklet presents the overall incidence and patterns of teen involvement in the following risk behaviors: regular alcohol use, regular tobacco use, other illegal drug use, weapon carrying, suicide attempts, regular binge drinking, marijuana use, fighting, suicidal thoughts, and risky sexual activity. The data and discussions are based on analyses of three recent national surveys, and the booklet covers three aspects of risk behaviors among teens including: changes in risk taking over the past decade, incidence and patterns of multiple risk taking among teens, and extent and pattern of involvement of multiple risk takers involved in activities and organizations. Overall, the data suggest that teens' involvement in risk taking has declined during the past decade (except among Hispanics), with fewer teens engaging in multiple risk behaviors.

Author(s): L. Duberstein Lindberg, S. Boggess, L. Porter, S. Williams


Date Published: 1/1/2000

Pages: 35

Comments:
This report is available on the Urban Institute Web site or by calling the Urban Institute Office of Public Affairs at 202/261-5709.

Location Code: 8375