SECONDARY-SCHOOL, FAMILY, AND EDUCATIONAL RISK - COMPARING AMERICAN-INDIAN ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR PEERS

Adolescent self-reports of family connectedness, educational commitmen t, and education-related risk-taking behavior were examined from a sam ple of over 6,000 public school students, with a focus on American Ind ians. Findings indicate that low family connectedness is associated wi th decreased educational commitment and an increased risk of absenteei sm, substance use before and during school hours, and the purchase of alcohol or drugs on campus. American Indian youth report lower levels of connectedness to family and poorer educational performance than Afr ican American and Caucasian peers and engage in higher rates of risk t aking. American Indian adolescents residing outside of the reservation may be vulnerable to increased familial stress and encounter cultural conflicts in mainstream educational settings.