The initiative takes three approaches to understanding, predicting, and preventing adolescent health risk:
(1) investigation of family and relationship dynamics (i.e., parent-child relationships, peer relationships, sexual and romantic relationships) that affect and provide the contexts for adolescent decision-making or risk-taking;
(2) investigation of psychobiological mechanisms involved in behavior in adolescence; and
(3) development and implementation of prevention/intervention strategies for youth who are marginalized or living in high-risk settings.
Prevention of Substance Abuse (SA) and HIV for At-Risk Racial/Ethnic Minority Subpopulations Cooperative Agreements. The link between AIDS and substance use is well documented, and Mexican descent youth in Pima County, near the U.S./Mexico border, have higher than average rates of substance use and earlier initiation rates. This study seeks to create and sustain culturally appropriate and evidence-based substance use and HIV prevention practices for Mexican descent adolescents, including community led health classes at 6 charter high schools in Tucson, Arizona, field trip with local public health officials to a STD/HIV clinic, and distribution of vouchers for STD/HIV testing. Andrea J. Romero, Ph.D.; Sally Stevens, Ph.D.; Stephen Russell, Ph.D.; Michele Orduña, Project Director; Kali Van Campen, Graduate Research Assistant; and Tom Clarke, Graduate Research Assistant
The Family Acceptance Project. This study examines data from the Family Acceptance Project, a study of 245 White and Latino gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) young adults. We are studying the role of family relationships in adolescence, including family acceptance and rejection of youths’ LGBT status, and the well-being of LGBT young adults. Stephen T. Russell, Ph.D. and Russell Toomey, Graduate Research Associate
Preventing School Harassment. This study will extend the Preventing School Harassment Survey to include focused attention on the contexts and content of school curriculum that is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity. The goal is to identify educational strategies that promote a safe and healthy school climate. Stephen T. Russell, Ph.D. and Tom Clarke, Graduate Research Associate
Explaining the Sexual Orientation Disparity in Adolescent Suicide Risk. This study seeks to explain the sexual orientation disparity in suicide ideation and suicide attempts among U.S. adolescents through the examination of risk and protective factors that characterize the important contexts of adolescents’ lives: individual emotional and behavioral health and risk, family and peer relations and the school environment. Stephen T. Russell, Ph.D.; Russell Toomey, Graduate Research Associate; and Tom Clarke, Graduate Research Associate
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