RAND Research Topic: Adolescents 2012-05-24T14:05:17Z Copyright (c) 2012, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation http://www.rand.org/topics/adolescents.html Influence of Peers and Friends on Children's and Adolescents' Eating and Activity Behaviors http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201200114.html Jun 1, 2012 Jun 1, 2012 In this article, we synthesize the empirical literature on the influence of peers and friends on youth's eating and physical activity. Concurrent Mental Health Therapy Among Medicaid-enrolled Youth Starting Antipsychotic Medications http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20120033.html Apr 1, 2012 Apr 1, 2012 The authors of this study examined the extent to which youths being prescribed antipsychotic medications were receiving concurrent mental health therapy. A Matrix of New Media Use Measures and Brief Media Survey http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1172.html Mar 19, 2012 Mar 19, 2012 There is a lack of data that address new media use and its potential relationship with adolescent sexual risk behavior and sexual health. The authors developed this matrix of measures to summarize the state of measurement in this arena and set the stage for further research. The measures were extracted from studies of media use, media effects, and interventions that employ new media to improve sexual health. Several new items are also included. Web-Based Tool for Parents of Children with Flu-Like Symptoms Piloted at DC-Area Hospitals http://www.rand.org/news/press/2012/03/15.html Mar 15, 2012 Mar 15, 2012 Researchers from the RAND Corporation and other institutions have begun pilot-testing a web-based tool designed to help parents and adult caregivers determine whether to seek urgent medical attention for a sick child with flu-like symptoms. The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program Proves to Be Cost-Effective http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1193.html Mar 1, 2012 Mar 1, 2012 The ChalleNGe program seeks to alter the life course of high school dropouts ages 16-18. A rigorous evaluation has shown that the program has positive effects on educational attainment and employment. A cost-benefit analysis supports public investment in the program as currently operated and targeted. Resisting Smoking When a Best Friend Smokes: Do Intrapersonal and Contextual Factors Matter? http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201100222.html Feb 29, 2012 Feb 29, 2012 The strong link between having a best friend who smoked and increased adolescent smoking isn't affected by individual factors such as self-esteem, depressing and access to cigarettes. Meeting the Challenge: The Economic Return on Investment in the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9641.html Feb 28, 2012 Feb 28, 2012 A cost-benefit analysis of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program, a program serving high school dropouts, indicates that every dollar invested in the program yields $2.66 in social benefits, an estimated return on investment of 166 percent. Voluntary After-School Program Can Reduce Alcohol Use Among Middle School Children http://www.rand.org/news/press/2012/02/08.html Feb 8, 2012 Feb 8, 2012 If prevention researchers build programs with developmentally relevant content, and provide this content in an engaging, confidential, and non-judgmental way, it can help middle school-aged children avoid alcohol. Does Neighborhood Food Environment Predict Youth Diets? http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20120028.html Feb 29, 2012 Feb 29, 2012 It's widely assumed that living near fast-food restaurants and convenience stores encourages overconsumption, while supermarkets encourage healthier diets. However, an analysis found no robust link between food environment and consumption in youths, indicating a more complicated relationship than some theories suppose. Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Patterns of Evolving Care During the First Treatment Episode http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20120025.html Feb 1, 2012 Feb 1, 2012 This study sought to better understand factors associated with different patterns of treatment among children starting treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research Gaps and Measurement Challenges for Studying the Influence of New Media on Adolescent Sexual Health http://www.rand.org/pubs/conf_proceedings/CF292.html Jan 24, 2012 Jan 24, 2012 An expert panel was convened to develop a working knowledge base about the use of new media (such as the Internet, social networking sites, cell phones, online video games, and MP3 players) among adolescents and the potential impact on their sexual health and also to identify appropriate measures for assessing this use, thus setting the stage for future research and intervention. Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (Japanese translation) http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR675z1.html Jan 13, 2012 Jan 13, 2012 Japanese translation of <em>Support for Students Exposed to Trauma</em>, including a series of teacher- or school counselor–led lessons aimed at reducing distress for middle school students who have been exposed to a traumatic life event. The program includes skill-building techniques geared toward changing maladaptive thoughts and promoting positive behaviors. Social Distance and Homophily in Adolescent Smoking Initiation http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20120067.html Jan 1, 2012 Jan 1, 2012 The association between peer smoking and adolescent smoking initiation appears to be due to both peer selection and direct influence. Voluntary After-School Program Can Reduce Alcohol Use Among Middle School Children http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20120042.html Feb 8, 2012 Feb 8, 2012 If prevention researchers build programs with developmentally relevant content, and provide this content in an engaging, confidential, and non-judgmental way, it can help middle school-aged children avoid alcohol. Targeting Anti-Smoking Messages: Does Audience Race Matter? http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201200107.html Jan 1, 2012 Jan 1, 2012 This study examined whether an adolescent's self-identified race moderates the perceived effectiveness of anti-smoking messages. Take-up of Public Insurance and Crowd-Out of Private Insurance Under Recent CHIP Expansions to Higher Income Children http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20120099.html Jan 1, 2012 Jan 1, 2012 The CHIP expansions to children in higher income families were associated with limited uptake of public coverage. Romantic Attraction and Adolescent Smoking Trajectories http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201100188.html Nov 30, 2011 Nov 30, 2011 This analysis examines smoking behaviors across sexual orientation groups by describing how same- and opposite-sex romantic attraction, and changes in romantic attraction, are associated with trajectories of smoking over six years. Reducing the Impact of Children's Exposure to Violence: Results of the National Evaluation of Safe Start Promising Approaches http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9575.html Sep 13, 2011 Sep 13, 2011 RAND's evaluation of Safe Start Promising Approaches identified program successes and challenges in implementing programs for children exposed to violence. The evaluation results, though largely inconclusive, can inform similar efforts going forward. Multisite Cost Analysis of a School-Based Voluntary Alcohol and Drug Prevention Program http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201100179.html Aug 31, 2011 Aug 31, 2011 The large cross-school variation in the cost of implementing Project CHOICE (a voluntary after-school prevention program for adolescents) highlights the importance of collecting cost information from multiple sites. Dropping Out, Imprisoned or Killed: Disparities in Outcomes Faced by Young African American Men http://www.rand.org/commentary/2011/08/26/PBS.html Aug 26, 2011 Aug 26, 2011 Boys and men of color&mdash;in particular, young African American men&mdash;are particularly vulnerable to racial and ethnic disparities. That such disparities exist should surprise no one. Nor should the fact that such disparities diminish the life chances of those affected, writes Lois M. Davis.