title: Using correlational analyses to improve prevention strategies based on survey data from youth.
abstract: Community coalition prevention models often select interventions based on the types of risk factors (outcome predictors) that are elevated. Variances and correlations between predictors and targeted behaviors also may vary between communities and provide information to improve the selection of interventions. Community differences in risk factor levels and correlations between predictors and problem behaviors were examined using a child self-report computer assessment (ALEXSA); prevention.psu.edu/people/ALEXSA.htm). Three school-based subsamples of children were studied. Means, prevalences, and correlations differed significantly between samples. Discussion addresses developmental considerations and illustrates how correlations between predictors and problem behaviors might improve the selection of interventions. This study is preliminary and should be replicated with larger community samples, more indicated/selected sample, and in more communities.
authors.affiliation: Center for Education and Drug Abuse Research, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Terrace Street, 711 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15621, USA. tar27@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Ty A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ridenour
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Feinberg
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D019058:Community Networks; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006265:Health Care Coalitions; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods; D011594:Psychometrics; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014504:Urban Health