ACQUISITION OF HIGH-RISK BEHAVIOR BY AFRICAN-AMERICAN, LATINO, AND CAUCASIAN MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENTS

The purpose of this study was to measure the stages of acquisition of selected high-risk health behaviors in 768 randomly selected 7th- and 8th-graders in a Florida school district. Specific high-risk health be haviors included use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, fighting and weap on carrying, and suicide ideation. Analysis indicated few behaviors th at were significantly different when African-American and Latino stude nts mere compared with Caucasian students. The most weapon carrying wa s reported by Latinos. Fewer Caucasian students than their minority pe ers used inhalants. Knowledge of stages of acquisition among small div erse samples may assist school personnel to intervene during the incul cation process with appropriate responsive programs.