title: School-related assets and youth risk behaviors: alcohol consumption and sexual activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Two risk behaviors, alcohol consumption and early initiation of sexual intercourse (ISI), can have devastating consequences for youth. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of school connectedness and school-related behaviors (eg, academic performance, skipping school, getting into trouble at school) with these 2 risk behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Youth Asset Survey (YAS) was administered to 1117 youth/parent pairs in their homes using Computer-Assisted Personal/Self-Interviewing (CAPI/CASI). The YAS measures 17 youth assets and risk behaviors including alcohol consumption and sexual activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the sample was 14.3 years; 53% were female; and 70% were from 2-parent homes. Five school-related behaviors were positively associated with no ISI. Four school-related behaviors were positively associated with reporting no alcohol consumption in the past 30 days, including the School Connectedness asset (only among 12- to 13-year-olds), not skipping school (only among non-Hispanic Caucasians), staying out of trouble, and paying attention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  School is very much a part of the lives of youth and therefore the relationship they have with their school experience is important and may influence their involvement in risk behaviors. Feeling connected to school is a positive asset that can protect youth from such risky behaviors as sexual initiation and alcohol consumption.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 900 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Cheryl-aspy@ouhsc.edu
authors.forename: Cheryl B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Aspy
authors.forename: Sara K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Vesely
authors.forename: Roy F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Oman
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tolma
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodine
authors.forename: LaDonna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Janene
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fluhr
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012574:Schools; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012931:Social Environment; D012941:Social Responsibility; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires