Risk of school failure as an early indicator of other health risk behaviour in American high school students

Abstract

The present study assesses the value of educational risk factors as indicators of other risk behaviour in the adolescent age group. The authors analyzed anonymous questionnaire data from 6224 school-based adolescents collected in a Midwest state in the US in 1989. Seven behaviours were labeled 'educational risks' impacting on students' classroom behaviour and/or performance (that is skipping school, alcohol or marijuana use during school hours, purchasing alcohol or drugs on campus). The statistical analyses examined the relationship between educational risks and health risks such as delinquency and sexual activity. The findings suggest that health risk exposure increases with increased educational risk. In addition, educational risk behaviours are a significant predictor of experience of other health risk behaviours when grade level, gender, ethnicity, and average grades are held constant. An important 'window of opportunity' may exist in the school setting facilitating early identification and intervention with at risk youth.

Keywords:

• Education
• Youth
• Risk
• Taking
• Delinquency