Key factors that protect against health risks in youth: Further evidence

Objective: To test the consistency of the findings from the Add Health proj ect that are related to the primary protective / risk factors in adolescent s. Methods: Statistical analysis strategies that were similar to the Add He alth project were applied to data collected from a representative sample of high school students in a suburban district in the southeast United States . Results: Findings related to family and school contexts, and individual c haracteristics generally supported those in the Add Health report. Conclusi on: Although factors in the larger society may influence health-related beh aviors, the importance of parents and schools should not be underestimated. Both play an important role in "immunizing" young people from high risks.