TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2000//
TI  - Adolescent motor vehicle crashes: the relationship between behavioral factors and self-reported injury
JO  - Journal of Adolescent Health
A1  - Jelalian, E.
A1  - Alday, S.
A1  - Spirito, Anthony
A1  - Rasile, D.
A1  - Nobile, C.
SP  - 84
EP  - 93
VL  - 27
IS  - 2
N2  - PURPOSE: To examine the relative importance of demographic and behavioral factors, as well as alcohol use, in motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related injuries in an adolescent sample. METHODS: Data were collected from two samples of adolescents. In Study 1, a total of 1576 9th through 12th graders from three different high schools provided information on risk-taking behavior and injuries experienced during the previous six months. Study 2 involved a more fine-grained analysis of behavioral factors related to MVC-related injuries. A sample of 573 adolescent males from an all-boys parochial high school completed questionnaires assessing risk-taking, attention and behavior problems, alcohol use, driving behavior, and self-reported injury. RESULTS: Rates of self-reported MVC-related injuries for a 6-month period were consistent across the two studies, ranging from 10% in the mixed-gender sample to 16% in the all-male sample. Consistent with previous findings, males reported more frequent MVC-related injuries and higher rates of risk-taking behavior. In Study 1, age and risk-taking behaviors were predictive of injuries while riding or driving in a car. In the all-male sample, risk-taking behavior and conduct problems were significant predictors of MVC-related injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Risk-taking is a consistent predictor of both general and MVC-related injuries. Intervention efforts with adolescents may be targeted at increasing safe driving strategies as well as decreasing risk-taking behaviors.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1054-139X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -