Risk of school failure as an early indicator of other health risk behaviour in American high school students

The present study assesses the value of educational risk factors as indicat ors of other risk behaviour in the adolescent age group. The authors analyz ed anonymous questionnaire data from 6224 school-based adolescents collecte d in a Midwest state in the US in 1989. Seven behaviours were labeled 'educ ational risks' impacting on students' classroom behaviour and/or performanc e (that is skipping school, alcohol or marijuana use during school hours, p urchasing alcohol or drugs on campus). The statistical analyses examined th e relationship between educational risks and health risks such as delinquen cy and sexual activity. The findings suggest that health risk exposure incr eases with increased educational risk. In addition, educational risk behavi ours are a significant predictor of experience of other health risk behavio urs when grade level, gender, ethnicity, and average grades are held consta nt. An important 'window of opportunity' may exist in the school setting fa cilitating early identification and intervention with at risk youth.