Parenting practices, parents' underestimation of daughters' risks, and alcohol and sexual behaviors of urban girls.

PURPOSE: In urban economically distressed communities, high rates of early sexual initiation combined with alcohol use place adolescent girls at risk for myriad negative health consequences. This article reports on the extent to which parents of young teens underestimate both the risks their daughters are exposed to and the considerable influence that they have over their children's decisions and behaviors. METHODS: Surveys were conducted with more than 700 sixth-grade girls and their parents, recruited from seven New York City schools serving low-income families. Bivariate and multivariate analyses examined relationships among parents' practices and perceptions of daughters' risks, girls' reports of parenting, and outcomes of girls' alcohol use, media and peer conduct, and heterosexual romantic and social behaviors that typically precede sexual intercourse. RESULTS: Although only four parents thought that their daughters had used alcohol, 22% of the daughters reported drinking in the past year. Approximately 5% of parents thought that daughters had hugged and kissed a boy for a long time or had "hung out" with older boys, whereas 38% of girls reported these behaviors. Parents' underestimation of risk was correlated with lower reports of positive parenting practices by daughters. In multivariate analyses, girls' reports of parental oversight, rules, and disapproval of risk are associated with all three behavioral outcomes. Adult reports of parenting practices are associated with girls' conduct and heterosexual behaviors, but not with their alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Creating greater awareness of the early onset of risk behaviors among urban adolescent girls is important for fostering positive parenting practices, which in turn may help parents to support their daughters' healthier choices.

Rethinking the bystander role in school violence prevention.

Public concerns about school shootings and safety draw attention to the role bystanders can play in preventing school violence. Although school violence prevention plans are often required, there is little guidance about whether these should address the roles of bystanders and what actions bystanders should take in different circumstances, from more common instances of bullying and fighting to rare, but potentially lethal, threats and use of weapons. Literature pertaining to bystanders is reviewed and applied to the school setting. The definition of bystander is expanded, including parents, teachers, and other school staff as well as youths and those who have information about potential violence as well as those who witness its occurrence. Barriers preventing bystanders from taking positive actions are discussed. The authors call on health promotion researchers and practitioners to work with school communities to identify norms, attitudes, and outcome expectancies that shape bystander behaviors to inform prevention efforts.

Saving Sex for Later: an evaluation of a parent education intervention.

CONTEXT: Initiation of sexual intercourse prior to high school is prevalent among inner-city black and Hispanic youths, and has multiple negative health and social consequences. A promising strategy for addressing early adolescent sexual activity is parent education that addresses normal pubertal changes and the challenges of becoming a teenager. METHODS: A 2003-2005 randomized trial to test the effectiveness of Saving Sex for Later, a parent education program presented on three audio CDs, enrolled 846 families with fifth- and sixth-grade students in seven New York City schools. Parent and youth surveys were conducted at baseline and three months postintervention. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to assess relationships between youth and parent outcomes and treatment condition. RESULTS: At follow-up, parents in the intervention group were significantly more likely than controls to score high on indexes of communication with children about targeted risk behaviors, self-efficacy to discuss pubertal development and sexuality, and perceived influence over youths' behaviors (odds ratios, 1.9-2.5). Youths in the intervention condition were more likely than controls to report high family support, and reported more family rules and fewer behavioral risks. Family support and rules partially mediate the relationship between treatment condition and behavioral risks. CONCLUSION: Saving Sex for Later is a promising intervention for promoting youths' sexual abstinence. The intervention may also be effective in enhancing positive parenting practices among parents who are typically difficult to reach because of economic hardship, full schedules and complicated lives.

Aggressive behaviors in early adolescence and subsequent suicidality among urban youths.

PURPOSE: To examine the association of aggressive behaviors during early adolescence with subsequent suicidality among inner-city males and females. METHODS: Seven hundred sixty nine African-American and Latino males and females were surveyed about their involvement in aggressive behaviors in 8th grade and again during 11th grade, when suicidality was assessed. Logistic regression was used to examine the influence of middle-school aggression on subsequent suicidality, controlling for demographic and social characteristics and 8th grade depressive symptoms and substance use. At 8th grade, 43% of males and 32% of females reported a recent fight, 33% of males and 19% of females carried a knife, 8% of males and 7% of females used a knife to cut or stab someone, and 15% of males and 4% of females carried a gun. At 11th grade, 24% of males and 29% of females scored high on suicidality, indicating suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt. RESULTS: Females scoring high on aggression were significantly more likely to report suicidality at 11th grade, controlling for demographic and social factors, early depressive symptoms, and substance use. For males, high depressive symptoms and substance use at 8th grade were related to suicidality, but not earlier aggressive behavior. CONCLUSION: Urban girls who engage in physical aggression in middle school are at risk for subsequent inner-directed violence, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors. To address adolescents' mental health needs, attention must be paid to connections between externally and internally directed forms of violence over time, and whether warning signs of suicidality may differ by gender and require different intervention.