Publication year
2006
Citation Title
Evaluating risk-taking behaviors of youth in military families.
Journal Name
Journal of Adolescent Health
Journal Volume
39
Issue Number
6
Page Numbers
927-928
DOI
10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.05.015
Summary
It is often assumed that military youth face greater stressors than civilian youth, which may increase risk for problematic behavior; however, that may not necessarily be the case. Youth risk behaviors were compared between a sample of adolescent patients at two military clinics (i.e., Army, Air Force) and a national sample of youth completing a risk behavior survey. Military youth in this sample engaged in lower levels of risk taking behaviors (e.g., sexual activity, use of alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes) compared to youth from the national survey.
Key Findings
The prevalence of risk taking behavior (i.e., sexual intercourse, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, marijuana use) among military youth in the sample was significantly lower than for students in a large national survey.
Thirty-one percent of this sample reported a history of sexual intercourse (compared to 47% nationally); this rate was significantly lower across all grades, gender, and ethnicities of youth.
Current alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use were consistently and significantly lower in military youth than the national survey; the only exception was for marijuana use among 12th grade students, which was lower among military youth but not significantly different from civilian youth.
Implications for Program Leaders
Educate Service members and their families about the lower rates of risk-taking behaviors among military youth than other groups of adolescents, emphasizing how the supports available in military culture may help young people make positive lifestyle choices
Continue to support health and well-being among military youth by offering peer support groups, opportunities for socializing (e.g., summer camps), information about health promotion and wellness, and access to prosocial activities (e.g., recreation centers)
Provide health screenings for military adolescents and refer adolescents to extra supports or resources for problematic risk-taking behavior
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to support programs that address health problems and improve the health of Service members' families
Encourage the development and maintenance of programs and facilities that afford military youth heathy environments in which to socialize and improve well-being
Promote further research regarding the health and risk behaviors of Service members' children
Methods
Adolescents who presented to two military youth clinics in Texas (one Army, one Air Force) between May and June 2004 were recruited for participation.
Adolescents completed a survey with questions regarding demographic information and risk behavior
Participants' rates of risk-taking behavior were compared to a 2003 national survey of American adolescents.
Participants
Participants included 477 high school-aged adolescents (61% female) in military families who presented to one of two military clinics.
Participants were drawn from grades 9 (24%), 10 (25%), 11 (30%), and 12 (21%).
Adolescents were 42% White, 21% Latino, 20% Multiracial or another race, and 16% Black.
Limitations
This study sampled a population who utilized healthcare, which may differ from youth as a whole.
The method of collecting data and the questions were different in the military youth survey and the national survey, making direct comparisons difficult.
Participants included only children of Service members in the Army or Air Force, and results may not generalize to other military branches.
Avenues for Future Research
Compare youth risk behaviors between military youth and a national youth sample using the same questions and methodology
Examine factors that may contribute to the finding of less risk-taking behavior among military youth (e.g., access to services, military culture, frequent relocation)
Explore whether levels of risk behavior among military youth differ between military branches or children of Active Duty versus National Guard or Reserve members
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Component
Abstract
This study assessed risk-taking behavior in a unique adolescent population: family members of active and retired military personnel. Significantly fewer adolescents in our group engaged in at-risk behaviors compared with national statistics, demonstrating the need for further research.
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