A new study has identified a link between bullying and substance use in adolescent girls, primarily through the mechanism of depression. The research, based on data from a nationally representative sample of 1,495 tenth graders, found that bullying can have serious consequences for young girls.
A study of 1,106 Mexican heritage youth found that perceived ethnic discrimination and acculturation stress increase with age and lead to higher risks of alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use. The study suggests that prevention programs should address discrimination and encourage effective coping strategies for young people.
A new study from Minnesota found that partial bans on smoking in public places have no significant impact on employment in restaurants and bars. Communities with total bans had slightly fewer employees per 10,000 residents compared to those without any ban.
A recent review found that Montana Meth Project's graphic anti-methamphetamine ads were associated with negative outcomes, including increased meth use among teenagers. The study suggests that the campaign's focus on exaggerating risks may have had unintended consequences.
A new study found that college freshmen believe occasional nonmedical use of prescription pain killers and stimulants is less risky than cocaine, but more risky than marijuana. Sensation-seekers are more likely to use these drugs nonmedically regardless of their perceived harm.
Research on 44,751 students from 1979-2004 shows that deviance-prone male youth are more likely to use marijuana when social acceptance is high. In contrast, deviance-prone female teens consistently use marijuana regardless of national trends, suggesting a lack of response to social pressures.
A new study identifies four major motivators for high school senior drinking: experimentation, thrill-seeking, relaxation, and coping with life issues. Students who drink for these reasons show the heaviest and most problematic drinking behaviors, according to the study published in Prevention Science.
A new study by the Society for Prevention Research reveals that many children are starting to drink alcohol as early as 4th grade. The survey data shows a concerning trend among 4th, 5th, and 6th graders who have already begun drinking.