Description

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS-86) is a survey designed to assess behaviors and practices that may affect the health and well-being of adolescents. According to the available material, the survey examines risk-related behaviors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, drug use, sexual behavior, and other practices that may influence young people’s health.

The YRBS can be used as an epidemiological monitoring tool to document the prevalence of different risk behaviors and to explore factors associated with them.

Aim

The primary aim of the YRBS is to better understand risk behaviors among young people so that appropriate prevention strategies and public health interventions can be developed. More specifically, the survey seeks to assess trends in risk behaviors, identify factors associated with these behaviors, and promote the health and well-being of adolescents.

Analysis and Use of Data

Data are collected through questionnaires administered in schools or other educational settings. Participants respond to questions concerning their habits and behaviors.

Statistical analysis may include descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and regression analyses in order to identify trends and relationships among different behaviors. Data may also be compared across different time periods to monitor changes in youth risk behaviors.

The findings can be used to support the development of public policies and prevention programs, evaluate health interventions, and conduct research into the causes and consequences of risk behaviors among young people.

Scoring and Psychometric Evaluation

The psychometric evaluation of YRBS data includes assessment of the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Statistical methods may be used to examine the accuracy and consistency of the items, while the questionnaire may also be revised to better meet the needs of specific research contexts.

Interpretation of the findings should take into account the characteristics of the population, the social context, and the sampling procedures used in each application.

References

Brener, N. D., & Kann, L. (2002). The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System: A brief review. Journal of School Health, 72(7), 282–288.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (1986). Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

Eaton, D. K., et al. (2008). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2007. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 57(SS-4), 1–131.

Kann, L., et al. (2004). Health-risk behaviors among adolescents who do and do not attend school. Journal of School Health, 74(6), 203–209.