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Relationship Between Adolescent Alcohol Use and Delinquent and Violent Behaviors

NCJ Number
183562
Journal
Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: 1999 Pages: 13-28
Author(s)
Kelli A. Komro; Carolyn L. Williams; Jean L Foster; Cheryl L. Perry; Kian Farbakhsh; Melissa H. Stigler
Date Published
1999
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Self-reported data from eighth and ninth grade students from a rural and small-town population formed the basis of an analysis of longitudinal and cross-sectional relationships between alcohol use, psychological risk as measured by four MMPI-A scales, and delinquent and violent behaviors.
Abstract
The research was part of a 9-year community trial, Project Northland, designed to reduce alcohol use and alcohol-related problems among a cohort of adolescents in rural northeastern Minnesota. Project Northland's 24 school districts and surrounding communities were randomly assigned to intervention or reference condition. The participants included 937 students who completed surveys in both 1994 and 1995. Alcohol use and acknowledgment of alcohol and drug-related problems were statistically associated with delinquent and violent behaviors, even after adjusting for personality and behavioral risk. Findings suggested that alcohol use is an independent risk factor for delinquent and violent behaviors among young people. Therefore, violence prevention efforts among adolescents should recognize and address alcohol use. In addition, efforts to prevent juvenile alcohol use should evaluate the effects of reducing alcohol use on subsequent violent behaviors. Tables and 21 references (Author abstract modified)