Trends In Adolescent
Risk Taking Behaviors
Shannon Bailey
Dakota County Public Health
Adolescent Health Coordinator
Phone: 651-554-6164
shannon.bailey@co.dakota.mn.us
1
Adolescent
Morbidity
and
Mortality
2
Adolescent Health
Compromising Factors
•An immature brain
•A thrill seeking brain
•Hormones
•Lack of life experiences
3
2010 Dakota County MN Student Survey
• Surveys 6th, 9th and 12th grade MN students
in public schools every three years
• Survey data is analyzed by the MN Dept. of
Education and sent to the school
superintendents
• Significance: 3% change
4
Substance Abuse
•56% of males and 58% of females reported
student use of alcohol or drugs is a problem at
their school
•69% of 9th graders reported no use of alcohol or
drugs in the past year, a 5% increase from 2007
•Among 9th graders only 14% of males and 9% of
females reported using tobacco in the past 30
days; however among 12th graders 44% of males
and 22% of females reported using tobacco
5
Marijuana Use
9th Grade
12th Grade
10% Males
30% Males
8% Females
17% Females
• 9th grade use was unchanged from 2007
•12th grade male use increased by 6%
•12th grade female use was unchanged from 2007
6
Health Mental
Feel stress or pressure quite a bit or almost
more than they can take
9th Grade
12th Grade
24% Males
37% Males
38% Females
51% Females
7
Health Mental
Feel so discouraged or hopeless that you
wondered if anything was worthwhile
9th Grade
12th Grade
11% Males
11% Males
16% Females
11% Females
8
Suicide (Thoughts & Attempts)
Thoughts of suicide
9th Graders
19% Males
30% Females
Suicide attempts
9th Graders
5% Males
8% Females
9
Self Injury
6th Graders
23% Males
10% Females
9th Graders
12% Males
25% Females
12th Graders
12% Males
23% Females
10
Seat Belt Usage
• Wearing seat belts while riding in a car
increased in all grades for all students
• This behavior prevents the leading cause of
adolescent fatalities
• Always wear a seat belt while riding in a car
9th Grade
12th Grade
69% Males
70% Males
73% Females
79% Females
11
Sexual Activity
Ever had sexual intercourse
9th Grade
12th Grade
20% Males
55% Males
15% Females
49% Females
12
Sexual Activity
Always use a condom
9th Grade
12th Grade
59% Males
51% Males
51% Females
48% Females
13
Dakota County Births to Minors
• 74 births to minors, 4% increase from
2008
• Youngest - 15-years-old (4)
• 32% of the fathers were 17-years-old
or younger
• A sexually active teen who doesn’t
use contraception has a 90% chance
of getting pregnant within one year
14
Dakota County STDs
• 990 cases of STDs were reported among
Dakota County residents in 2009
• Chlamydia – 883 cases, 146% increase
from 2000-2009, 67% among 14-24 yearolds
• Gonorrhea – 91 cases, 67% increase
among 14-24 year-olds
15
Violence in School
• Bullying experiences peak in 6th grade
• Among 6th graders, 57% of males and 38%
of females report they had been pushed,
shoved, or grabbed at school
• Gang activity is a problem in their school
20% Males
15% Females (9th graders)
16
Video Games, Texting, On-line
Played video games 6 hours+/week
43% Males
5% Females
Texting/Phone 6 hours+/week
38% Males
59% Females
On-line 6 hours+/week
22% Males
36% Females
9th Graders
17
What Does This All Mean?
•More Dakota County youth are
engaging in pro-social behaviors
•Risk taking significantly increases
between 9th and 12th graders
•Decreases in percentages of use does
not necessarily mean the level of use is
acceptable
18
Connectedness
The super protector!
19
Parents
Can talk to dad about problems
Male 71%
Female 60%
Can talk to mom about problems
Male 80%
Female 90%
Parents talked to me about alcohol and drugs
Male 50%
Female 56%
20
Parents: You’re Not Alone!
• Get to know other parents
• Connect with your school prevention
coordinators, nurse, guidance counselors
• Talk with your family physician
21
Your Influence Matters!
• Everyone makes decisions, not always
good ones. No mater your age.
• Provide all of the information they need to
make good decisions.
• Be there to help them work through the
pros and cons of their decisions.
• Give them safe and positive ways to
practice and experience decision making.
22
Dakota County Curfew
Under 12
Sunday – Thursday
Friday & Saturday
9:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.
10:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.
Age 12-14 years
Sunday – Thursday
Friday & Saturday
10:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.
11:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.
Age 15-17 years
Sunday – Thursday
Friday & Saturday
11:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.
Midnight - 5:00 a.m.
23
Have you clearly stated your
expectations?
Or have you implied them?
If you want to know for sure,
ask them.
24
Dakota County Crisis Response Unit
•Phone: 952-891-7171 24/7
•Available to come to schools or to
homes
•Available for
consultation &
intervention
25
Data Source:
Minnesota Student Survey
http://education.state.mn.us
Search: MN Student Survey
26