The effects of race/ethnicity, income, and family structure on adolescent risk behaviors

TLDR

The study examined how race/ethnicity, income, and family structure individually and jointly predict adolescent cigarette smoking, alcohol use, violence involvement, suicidal thoughts or attempts, and sexual intercourse. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the authors analyzed a nationally representative sample of 10,803 White, Black, and Hispanic 7th‑12th graders, with in‑home interviews conducted for most adolescents and their parents. Results showed that White teens were more likely to smoke, drink, and attempt suicide, while Black teens had higher rates of sexual intercourse and both Black and Hispanic teens engaged more in violence; however, race/ethnicity, income, and family structure together explained only 10% (younger) or 7% (older) of the variance in these behaviors, indicating limited predictive power.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The study examined the unique and combined contributions of race/ethnicity, income, and family structure to adolescent cigarette smoking, alcohol use, involvement with violence, suicidal thoughts or attempts, and sexual intercourse. METHODS: Analyses were based on the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. A nationally representative sample of 7th to 12th graders participated in in-home interviews, as did a resident parent for 85.6% of the adolescent subjects. The final sample included 10,803 White, Black, and Hispanic 7th to 12th graders. RESULTS: White adolescents were more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and attempt suicide in the younger years than were Black and Hispanic youths. Black youths were more likely to have had sexual intercourse; both Black and Hispanic youths were more likely than White teens to engage in violence. Controlling for gender, race/ethnicity, income, and family structure together explained no more than 10% of the variance in each of the 5 risk behaviors among younger adolescents and no more than 7% among older youths. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that when taken together, race/ethnicity, income, and family structure provide only limited understanding of adolescent risk behaviors.