The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64665

Roy F. Oman, PhD¹, Sara K. Vesely, PhD², Cheryl Aspy, PhD³, Kenneth R. McLeroy, PhD⁴, and Christi Luby¹. (1) Department of Health Promotion Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, P.O. Box 26901, Rm. 369, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, 405-271-2017 x46752, Roy-Oman@ouhsc.edu, (2) Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, PO Box 26901, CHB, Room 309, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, (3) Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 900 NE 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, (4) School of Rural Public Health, 3000 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 310, Bryan, TX 77802

Recently, there has been a substantial increase in the study of youth development as a model for reducing youth risk behavior. Evaluation data from some youth development programs are now available. The Enhanced Evaluation of the HEART of OKC project (Healthy, Empowered, And Responsible Teens of Oklahoma City) is one such program. A primary goal of the evaluation was to asses the association between nine youth assets (e.g., family communication, community involvement, role models) and several risk behaviors. Data were collected from inner-city youth (Mean age =15.4 years; 52% female; 49% white, 23% African American, 19% Hispanic, 10% Native American) and their parents using in-home, in-person interviews (N=1,350 youth/parent paired interviews). The purpose of the proposed session is to report on the: 1) cumulative effects of specific youth assets on tobacco, alcohol, and drug use; 2) specific assets that were protective from several risk behaviors for youth residing in 1-parent households; 3) impact of youth school-related attitudes on risk behaviors; 4) specific youth assets related to drug and alcohol use) The presentations will provide session attendees with an understanding of youth assets and their role in preventing problem behaviors as well as strategies for developing asset-based youth development programs.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Develop prevention programs involving multiple assets that have positive effects on decreasing youth tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.
• Design informed asset-based youth programs for teens living in 1-parent families.
• Understand the impact that youth school-related attitudes have on risk behavior.

Keywords: Adolescents, Risky Behaviors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.