Adolescent motor vehicle crashes: the relationship between behavioral factors and self-reported injury.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relative importance of demographic and behavioral factors, as well as alcohol use, in motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related injuries in an adolescent sample.


METHODS
Data were collected from two samples of adolescents. In Study 1, a total of 1576 9th through 12th graders from three different high schools provided information on risk-taking behavior and injuries experienced during the previous six months. Study 2 involved a more fine-grained analysis of behavioral factors related to MVC-related injuries. A sample of 573 adolescent males from an all-boys parochial high school completed questionnaires assessing risk-taking, attention and behavior problems, alcohol use, driving behavior, and self-reported injury.


RESULTS
Rates of self-reported MVC-related injuries for a 6-month period were consistent across the two studies, ranging from 10% in the mixed-gender sample to 16% in the all-male sample. Consistent with previous findings, males reported more frequent MVC-related injuries and higher rates of risk-taking behavior. In Study 1, age and risk-taking behaviors were predictive of injuries while riding or driving in a car. In the all-male sample, risk-taking behavior and conduct problems were significant predictors of MVC-related injuries.


CONCLUSIONS
Risk-taking is a consistent predictor of both general and MVC-related injuries. Intervention efforts with adolescents may be targeted at increasing safe driving strategies as well as decreasing risk-taking behaviors.
Jelalian
E
E
Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Alday
S
S
Spirito
A
A
Rasile
D
D
Nobile
C
C
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology