Citation

Komro KA, Williams CL, Forster JL, Perry CL, Farbakhsh K, Stigler MH. J. Child Adolesc. Subst. Abuse 2000; 9(2): 13.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J029v09n02_02

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Longitudinal and cross-sectional relationships between alcohol use, psychological risk (as measured by four MMPI-A scales), and delinquent and violent behaviors were analyzed using self-reported data from eighth and ninth grade students from a rural and small town population. Alcohol use and acknowledgement of alcohol and drug-related problems were statistically associated with delinquent and violent behaviors, even after adjusting for personality and behavioral risk. These results suggest that alcohol use is an independent risk factor for delinquent and violent behaviors among young people. Violence prevention efforts among adolescents, therefore, should recognize and address alcohol use. Alcohol use prevention efforts among adolescents should evaluate the effects of reducing alcohol use on subsequent violent behaviors.