Purpose of the Paper: To present research findings that identify the prevalence of health risk behaviors among depressed and suicidal adolescents and non-depressed and non-suicidal adolescents. Protective factors that buffer adolescents from depression and suicide will also be presented.
Design and Methods: In this paper the data analyzed will be from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The sample in this paper will be a convience sample of high school students from a suburban/rural school district. Chi square statistics will be used to present the prevalence of health risk behaviors among depressed and suicidal adolescents and non-depressed and non-suicidal adolescents. Logistic regression will be used to identify the protective factors that increase resiliency in adolescents to depression and suicide. In particuliar the protective effects of participation in sports, extracurricular activities, working at a job and access to a caring adult will be examined.
Conclusion: Results of the research findings will discuss the increased prevalence of health risk behaviors among the depressed and suicidal adolescents as compared to the non depressed and non suicidal adolescents as well as the significance of protective factors. Limitations of the study and recommendations for prevention programming will be addressed.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify and prioritize the health risk behaviors that correlate to depression and suicide in adolescents. 2. Identify three protective factors that increase resiliency in adolescents to depression and suicide. 3. Analyze data using chi square and logistic regression 4. Recognize the importance of developing prevention programs that emphasize increasing protective factors in adolescents as a means to reducing depression and suicide.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Risk Taking Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.