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PubMed2006

Alcohol and suicidal behavior in adolescents.

This review describes epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, treatment and prevention of suicidal behavior in adolescents. As one of the leading causes of death of young adults, adolescent suicide has become a public health problem and an increase in the adolescent suicide rate has been observed over the past several decades. One important risk factor thought to contribute to the recent rise in suicidal behavior among young adults is increasing alcohol abuse among adolescents. The link between alcohol and suicide in adolescents is complicated and multiple risk factors are important in explaining and understanding suicidal behavior among adolescents. Comorbid psychopathology, which is common among adolescent alcohol abusers, substantially increases the risk for suicide behavior. Availability of alcohol and guns at home may also contribute to suicide risk in adolescents. Studies of stress hormones, brain neurotransmitters, hereditary factors, behavioral measures and gender differences shed light in understanding this complex phenomenon. Ideally, treatment of adolescents who receive a diagnosis of an alcohol use disorder and co-occurring suicidality should follow an integrated protocol that addresses both conditions. Future studies of psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of suicidality in adolescents with alcohol and/or substance abuse are merited.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Adolescents with asthma: learning needs and internet use assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To identify particular learning needs among adolescents with asthma and explore the potential utility of the Internet in addressing adolescents' expressed learning needs. METHODS: In 2004 and 2005, 6 gender-specific and age-specific focus groups were conducted among adolescents, ages 12-18 years, with mild intermittent to severe persistent asthma. Thematic analysis of participants' statements from transcribed group sessions were conducted by the research team, who compared field notes, reviewed focus group transcripts, and validated emerging and final themes. RESULTS: The majority of participants denied previous experience with formal asthma education. Participants reported their limited knowledge of asthma and its management. Health-care providers were recognized as the most credible source of asthma information. Compared to the older adolescents, the younger adolescents expressed stronger motivation to learn about asthma. The participants identified asthma learning needs for others, including peers, teachers, and parents. The importance of socialization, support, and information-sharing with other adolescents with asthma was perceived by participants in all age and gender groups. Participants discussed their Internet use and articulated suggestions regarding potential uses of the Internet to assist in adolescent asthma management. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the necessity of an early intervention to take advantage of younger adolescents' greater interest in learning about asthma, and highlights the importance of incorporating peer dynamics in designing interventions for adolescents. Our findings also illustrate the variety of ways that the Internet may be useful in developing a technology-driven intervention for adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Substance use by pregnant adolescents.

Alcohol and other drug use by adolescents and adolescent pregnancy are both considered to be major problems in the United States. The risk-taking behaviors of early sexual activity and substance use are associated and are part of a larger problem behavior constellation. Although substance use by adolescents and adolescent pregnancy have both been well documented and studied, substance use by pregnant adolescents is just beginning to be studied systemically. Current studies show significant substance use both by self-report and objective testing among pregnant adolescents, with self-report alone underestimating use. Early risk profiles show several significant risk factors for alcohol and drug use by pregnant adolescents. Future directions for work with substance abuse with pregnant adolescents include changes in practice behavior by physicians and other health providers, and family education and support regarding sexuality and substance use. Further research is needed to determine prevalence of substance use among pregnant adolescents, how better screening and early intervention can be implemented, and the long-term effects of substance use on the adolescent and her baby.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The values and value stability of emotionally handicapped and normal adolescents.

This study addresses two basic questions: (1) Do the value rankings of conduct-disorder, anxiety-withdrawal, and normal adolescents differ? (2) Are the value rankings of the two groups of emotionally handicapped adolescents less stable than the value rankings of the normal group? Value stability was viewed in relation to the broader concepts of identity and psychopathology. While a number of studies have examined value differences among different groups of adolescents, few studies have examined the value stability of adolescents. A total of 148 15- to 18-year-old adolescents were administered the Rokeach Value Survey on two separate occasions (3-week interval) to measure value differences and value stability. The two groups of emotionally handicapped adolescents were classified using the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist. Results revealed that all three groups shared similar values; very few value differences across groups were found on both testings. All three groups shared moderate to low levels of value stability. The findings suggest that both types of emotionally handicapped adolescents are similar to normal adolescents in their stated values and the stability of those values. Results are discussed in terms of possible explanations of the findings, and implications for those who work with adolescents and for future research on adolescent values.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Adolescent gestational weight gain and birth weight.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship among maternal age, prepregnancy weight, gestational weight gain, and birth weight in 141 low-income black adolescents and their infants. STUDY SAMPLE: One hundred forty-one consecutively enrolled, low-income, black adolescents who entered prenatal care prior to their 23rd week of gestation, were free of chronic diseases, took no regular medications, had no known uterine anomalies, and gave birth to one live neonate. RESULTS: After controlling for prepregnancy weight and other potentially confounding variables, we found a significant relationship between gestational weight gain and infant birth weight among younger adolescents (< 16 years old at conception), but not among older adolescents (16 through 19 years old at conception); younger adolescents contributed more of their gestational weight gain to their fetuses than did older adolescents. Among younger adolescents the rate of maternal weight gain during the entire gestation was significantly correlated with birth weight (r = .40; P < .01), whereas for older adolescents only maternal weight gain during the second half of gestation was significantly correlated with birth weight (r = .25, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The data do not support the thesis that younger/adolescents compete with their fetuses for nutrients; in fact, younger study adolescents transferred more of their gestational weight gain to their fetuses than did older adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Adolescents as victims of family violence. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association.

Adolescents experience maltreatment at rates equal to or exceeding those of younger children. Recent increases in reported cases of maltreatment have occurred disproportionately among older children and adolescents. However, adolescents are less likely to be reported to child protective services and are more likely to be perceived as responsible for their maltreatment. Adolescent girls are reported as victims more often than boys, especially in sexual abuse. However, boys may be less likely to be identified or reported and often are abused by nonfamily members. Parents of adolescent victims have higher average income and educational levels and are less likely to have a parental history of abuse than parents of younger children. A wide range of serious adolescent risk behaviors is associated with maltreatment. These include increased risk of premature sexual activity, unintended pregnancy, emotional disorders, suicide attempts, eating disorders, alcohol and other drug abuse, and delinquent behavior. Incarcerated youth, homeless or runaway youth, and youth who victimize siblings or assault parents have been shown to have high rates of prior maltreatment. Signs of maltreatment are often ambiguous for adolescents. Screening questions have been effective in prompting self-disclosure of abuse. Adolescents also experience problems in the child welfare system that offers fewer and less appropriate services for this age group. Recommendations are made regarding screening of adolescents for maltreatment, the development of better services for adolescents, research on parenting to prevent maltreatment, and training of school staff to identify and refer victims of maltreatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Parent influences on adolescent peer orientation and substance use: the interface of parenting practices and values.

This study examines how experiences in the family domain may magnify or mitigate experiences in the peer domain, and how processes in both milieus may influence adolescent substance use. The data derived from 666 European American mother-adolescent dyads and 510 European American father-adolescent dyads. Consistent with individuation-connectedness theory, mothers' responsiveness lessened their adolescents' orientation to peers, which, in turn, reduced adolescent substance use. This process was moderated by maternal values regarding adolescent alcohol use; that is, the relation of maternal responsiveness to adolescent substance use depended on the extent of maternal approval or disapproval of adolescent alcohol use. Among fathers, closer monitoring was directly associated with less adolescent substance use, with stronger effects among fathers who held more disapproving values regarding adolescent alcohol use. Theoretical, methodological, and pragmatic implications are given.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Health care information sources for adolescents: age and gender differences on use, concerns, and needs.

OBJECTIVES: To assess adolescents' sources of health care information, explore beliefs about topics which health care providers should address and about those which have been addressed, and identify topics that are embarrassing for adolescents to discuss with providers. METHODS: Participants included a nationally representative sample of 3153 boys and 3575 girls in 5th through 12th grades who completed the Commonwealth Fund survey. Data were analysed by inspection of percentages and bivariate associations. RESULTS: Boys (41.7%) and girls (58.4%) identified their mother as the primary resource for health care information. Younger boys and girls (grades five and six) were more likely than older boys and girls (grades 10 to 12) to ask their mother first about health issues (boys 54.4% vs. 35.2%; girls 71.7% vs. 46.4%). Doctors, nurses, or school nurses were also frequently identified as the first person asked about health issues (boys 23.9%, girls 18.2%). Most adolescents indicated that providers should address the following topics: drugs (65.0%); smoking (58.5%); sexually transmitted diseases (61.4%); alcohol use (56.2%); and good eating behaviors (56.8%). However, fewer adolescents reported that providers have actually discussed these issues with them; only 23.1% to 34.2% of adolescents reported having discussed the first four topics with them. Many youth noted that it would be embarrassing for them to discuss these issues with their providers. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents report that parents and health care providers are key sources of health-related information. Although adolescents may be embarrass having discussions with their health care providers, adolescents do believe that these topics should be addressed. Adolescents' embarrassment about discussing sensitive health topics highlights the importance of providers initiating and facilitating these discussions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Lactational performance of adolescent mothers shows preliminary differences from that of adult women.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to characterize milk production, milk composition, and the lactational behavior of adolescent mothers, and to compare their lactational performance with that of adult females. METHODS: Twenty-two lactating mothers, 11 adolescents and 11 adults, were studied at 6-week intervals between 6 and 24 weeks postpartum. Milk production was determined by the test-weighing procedure. Milk nutrient composition was determined by standard chemical analyses. Frequency and duration of nursing and the use of supplemental formula and complementary foods were recorded. RESULTS: The amount of milk adolescents produced at 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks postpartum ranged from 37-54% less (P < .05) than that of the adults and resulted in a 45% weaning rate at 18 weeks postpartum in the younger group. Milk nutrient concentrations were not significantly different between groups, with the exception of significantly higher sodium concentrations during early lactation in the adolescents' milk. Lactational behavior differed significantly between the adolescent and adult groups; however, with the exception of the lower frequency of daytime nursing and the tendency toward the early introduction of supplemental formula in the adolescent group, these behavioral differences were the result of the racial and ethnic differences between the two groups. The differences in lactational behavior did not contribute to the differences in milk production between the adolescents and adult mothers. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that milk production was reduced in adolescent mothers compared with adult females. Although behavioral strategies that increase the frequency of daytime nursing and reduce the frequency of supplemental feedings may enhance the milk production of adolescent mothers, other biological factors may account for their poorer lactational performance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Psychosocial predictors of pregnancy among low-income African-American adolescent females: a prospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively identify psychosocial predictors of pregnancy among African-American adolescent females. METHODS: African-American females, 14-18 yrs old, were recruited from schools and health clinics in low-income neighborhoods. Adolescents completed an in-depth survey and provided urine specimens for pregnancy testing at baseline and 6-month intervals for 1.5 years. Selected problem behaviors, demographic, and psychosocial variables were tested for bivariate and multivariate significance relative to biologically confirmed pregnancy during the follow-up period. Only adolescents who initially tested negative for pregnancy were included (n = 241). RESULTS: About 26% (n = 63) of the adolescents became pregnant over the follow-up period. Although a broad spectrum of variables achieved bivariate significance, few retained significance in the multivariate model. Multivariate predictors of pregnancy were biologically confirmed marijuana use (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 12.4, P = 0.0003) and perceiving that the sex partner desired pregnancy (AOR = 1.27, P = 0.01). A protective effect was observed for adolescents who reported that a family member received welfare benefits; these adolescents were about 60% less likely to become pregnant (AOR = 0.38, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians and other health professionals who participate in community efforts to prevent first and subsequent adolescent pregnancies may benefit from recognizing that marijuana use and pregnancy may be co-occurring problems. Adolescents' perceptions of their boyfriends' level of desire for conception may also be an important predictor of pregnancy risk. The findings also suggest a possible protective effect of receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) benefits; adolescent recipients of these programs may be more vigilant in their pregnancy prevention practices than those who are not recipients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The effects of childhood sexual abuse on minority adolescent mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence and effects of childhood sexual abuse experiences on the lives of adolescent mothers who were Mexican American and African American. Specifically, the personality characteristics of the adolescent mothers who experienced sexual abuse as assessed using the Millon Adolescent Personality Inventory were compared with those of minority adolescent mothers who were not abused sexually. DESIGN: An exploratory descriptive design. SETTING: Four public agencies caring for adolescent mothers in two urban centers in Texas. PARTICIPANTS: Mexican American and African American adolescent mothers (N = 124), ages 13-20 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Millon Personality Inventory, the Life Event Scale-Adolescents, the Childhood Sexual Experience Survey, and a demographic data sheet. RESULTS: Forty-four percent (n = 54) of the respondents reported childhood sexual abuse experience. Data from 111 subjects (two groups, abuse and nonabuse) were analyzed by MANCOVA techniques. Significant differences were found between the two groups when the effect of the Life Event Scale-Adolescents was controlled (Multivariate F[12, 97] = 3.055, p = 0.001). Univariate F tests (df1, 108) showed significant differences in self-concept (F = 18.434, p < 0.000), personal esteem (F = 8.819, p = 0.004), body comfort (F = 10.442, p = 0.002), sexual acceptance (F = 9.918, p = 0.002), peer security (F = 10.412, p = 0.002), family rapport (F = 9.801, p = 0.002), academic confidence (F = 5.764, p = 0.018), social conformity (F = 4.552, p = 0.035), scholastic achievement (F = 19.991, p < 0.000), and attendance consistency (F = 10.009, p = 0.002). The mothers in the abuse group had consistently poorer scores than those in the nonabuse group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that childhood sexual abuse may be related to vulnerability for adolescent motherhood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Abortion: behaviour of adolescents in two districts in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: In Kenya the reported high rates of unwanted pregnancies (more than 90%), among adolescents have subsequently resulted in unsafely induced abortions with the associated high morbidity and mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adolescents' behaviour regarding induced abortion. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, prospective study done from July 1995 to June 1996. SETTING: Schools and health facilities in Kiambu and Nairobi districts in Kenya. PARTICIPANTS: Interviews were conducted among adolescents aged 10-19 years in schools at the two districts and selected using a multi-stage random sampling procedure, as well as adolescent girls at two hospitals and two clinics in the immediate post-abortion period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of adolescents health programmes, aimed at reducing the dangers of unsafely induced abortion, which are designed and subsequently implemented. DATA COLLECTION: Demographic and health data, as well as data on behaviour regarding induced abortion were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The study sample comprised 1820 adolescents. These were 1048 school girls (SG), 580 school boys (SB) and 192 post-abortion (PA). Many adolescents were aware of abortion dangers, with the awareness being significantly lower among the SB whose girlfriends (GF) had aborted than those whose GF had not (p < 0.01). The practice of abortion was reported among 3.4% SG, 9.3% SBs' GF and 100% PA. Direct and indirect costs of abortion were heavy on the girls. Knowledge of the abortion dangers had no influence on the choice of the abortionist. Abortion encounter positively influenced approval by the adolescents, of abortion for pregnant school girls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Despite the costs and awareness of abortion dangers by adolescents, they will take risks.

Abortion, Illegal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Seasonal variation in adolescent conceptions, induced abortions, and late initiation of prenatal care.

The monthly distribution of conceptions among adolescents and the proportion of adolescent pregnancies that are voluntarily terminated by induced abortion by month of conception are the objects of this study. Additionally, seasonal variations in the timing of initiation of prenatal care services by adolescents are investigated. Vital records files of single live births, fetal deaths, and induced terminations of pregnancy to residents in the State of South Carolina, 1979-86, were aggregated to estimate conceptions. There was a significant difference between adolescents and adults in the monthly distribution of conceptions. The peak month of adolescent conceptions coincided with the end of the school year. Pregnancies of adolescents occurring at this time further demonstrated later access of prenatal care services than conceptions occurring at other times of the year, most notably during the school term. These findings suggest that there is considerable opportunity for improving the availability of reproductive health care services for adolescents. The results specifically suggest the potential benefit of increasing adolescent pregnancy prevention efforts prior to high-risk events and increasing the availability of and access to health care and counseling services to adolescents during the school recess months of the summer.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed2000

Adolescent obesity in a low-income Mexican American district in South Texas.

BACKGROUND: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994(NHANES III) revealed that 11.5% of adolescents were obese. The NHANES III sample size for Mexican Americans was small. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of adolescent obesity in a South Texas population that is preponderantly low-income Mexican Americans. DESIGN: Cross-sectional prevalence study. SETTING: All secondary school campuses of one rural independent school district with a low-income Mexican American population. SUBJECTS: Four thousand three hundred seventy-five students, aged between 12 and 17 years, enrolled in 4 secondary school campuses of 1 Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, independent school district for academic year 1998-1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body mass index (BMI) was calculated for all 4375 students using weights and heights measured by school nurses on enrollment. Each student's BMI was then plotted on a sex-specific chart and the percentile range for age was determined. Those within the 85th to the 95th percentile were classified as at risk for obesity and those above the 95th percentile were classified as obese. RESULTS: Of 2149 adolscent girls and 2226 adolescent boys, 18% were at risk for obesity and 22. 1% were obese. A total of 40.1% had a BMI at the 85th percentile or higher for age and sex. The prevalence of obesity also continues to rise even after puberty more markedly in adolescent girls than adolescent boys. Furthermore, the mean BMI progressively increases with age and is generally at the 85th percentile or higher. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed a much higher prevalence rate of obesity in this adolescent Mexican American population than the rate obtained in NHANES III. It is even higher than the rate specific for Mexican American adolescents in NHANES III. The NHANES III significantly underestimates the prevalence of adolescent obesity in preponderantly impoverished Mexican American adolescents. This consequently leads to underestimation of the public health risks as well as the present and future cost of health care associated with obesity in this population. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2000;154:837-840

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Quality of life in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To examine health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), compared with healthy adolescents, and to determine whether clinically observed or self-perceived severity of illness affects their HRQL. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study of female adolescents conducted at an urban, hospital-based adolescent medicine clinical practice. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-seven adolescent patients with PCOS and 186 healthy patients who were seen for care between October 15, 1999, and March 2, 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Health-related quality-of-life scores as determined by the Child Health Questionnaire-Child Self-Report Form. RESULTS: Adolescents with PCOS scored lower on subscales measuring general health perceptions, physical functioning, general behavior, and limitations in family activities because of illness. Patients scored higher on the change in health in the last year subscale, and most had been diagnosed and initiated treatment for PCOS in the last year. Patients who had higher self-perceived severity of illness also scored lower on the general health perceptions subscale, but clinical severity was not associated with differences in HRQL. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with PCOS experience lower HRQL compared with healthy adolescents. Polycystic ovary syndrome and perceived severity of illness negatively affect HRQL in adolescents. This study suggests a need to develop interventions to reduce the distress that patients with PCOS may face as adolescents and young adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Associations of weight-based teasing and emotional well-being among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Verbal harassment, such as bullying and hate speech, has received considerable attention recently, but less is known about weight-based teasing and its potential harmful effects on young people's psychosocial well-being. OBJECTIVE: To determine the associations of weight-based teasing and body satisfaction, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts using a large sample of adolescents. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of survey and anthropometric data. SETTING: Ethnically and socioeconomically diverse communities in the urban and suburban school districts of the Minneapolis/St Paul metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: A school-based sample of 4746 adolescents in grades 7 to 12 at 31 public middle schools and high schools. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight-based teasing from peers or family members, body satisfaction, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. RESULTS: Of the eligible students, 81.5% participated; 30.0% of adolescent girls and 24.7% of adolescent boys were teased by peers, and 28.7% of adolescent girls and 16.1% of adolescent boys were teased by family members. Approximately 14.6% of adolescent girls and 9.6% of adolescent boys reported teasing from both of these sources. Teasing about body weight was consistently associated with low body satisfaction, low self-esteem, high depressive symptoms, and thinking about and attempting suicide, even after controlling for actual body weight. These associations held for adolescent boys and girls, across racial, ethnic, and weight groups. Furthermore, teasing from 2 sources was associated with a higher prevalence of emotional health problems than either teasing from a single source or no teasing. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians and other health care providers should recognize the importance of weight-based teasing for young patients. Policy, programs, and education should focus on increasing awareness of what constitutes weight-based teasing, its potentially harmful effects on adolescents' emotional well-being, and reduction of this behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Sexual activity among adolescents in romantic relationships with friends, acquaintances, or strangers.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of preexisting social ties between romantic partners (ie, knowing the partner as a friend or acquaintance before a relationship was considered "romantic" by the adolescent) on sexual risk behaviors among adolescents. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: By using data from 6658 adolescents from Wave II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we examined associations between preromantic social ties between partners and several sexual risk behaviors using logistic regression analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Whether the couple had intercourse, and if they did have intercourse, whether the couple talked about contraception or sexually transmitted infections and whether one of them used some method of birth control every time they had sexual intercourse. RESULTS: Knowing one's partner as a friend (vs being acquaintances) before a romantic relationship was protective against engaging in sexual intercourse for male and female adolescents (odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, 0.66 [0.51-0.86] and 0.76 [0.62-0.94], respectively). For female adolescents, sexually active relationships with partners they had not known before the romantic relationship began were less likely to include discussions of sexually transmitted infections or contraception, and were less likely to include consistent use of birth control (odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, 0.37 [0.22-0.62] and 0.62 [0.39-0.99], respectively). Preromantic social ties did not play a statistically significant role for these outcomes among male adolescents (odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of friends and of those who had not met, respectively, are 0.85 [0.60-1.18] and 0.90 [0.50-1.63] for talking about sexually transmitted infections or contraception and 0.93 [0.66-1.30] and 1.17 [0.71-1.96] for always using birth control). CONCLUSION: The existence and nature of an adolescent's prior relationship with a future romantic partner have significant implications for an adolescent couple's later sexual decisions, but patterns differ for male and female adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Parent and adolescent perceived need for parental consent involving research with minors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess parents' and adolescents' perceived need for parental consent for minor adolescents to participate in minimal risk research studies based on procedural invasiveness (anonymous surveys, interviews, and blood or urine testing) and sensitivity of the topics (sexuality, drug and alcohol use, and sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]). METHODS: An anonymous self-report questionnaire was administered to 100 adolescent-parent pairs at 2 clinical sites (urban and suburban) of Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. RESULTS: By invasiveness of the research procedure, the proportions of parents and adolescents who perceived a need for parental consent were as follows: face-to-face interviews, 62% vs 48%; telephone interviews, 72% vs 46%; blood or urine testing, 77% vs 62%; and blood testing for HIV status, 78% vs 59%. These differences were only significant for telephone interviews and HIV blood testing. For anonymous surveys, a minority of parents (33%) and adolescents (26%) reported that parental consent was needed. Based on sensitivity of the research topics, the proportions of parents and adolescents who perceived a need for parental consent were as follows: sexuality, 60% vs 34%; drug and alcohol use, 56% vs 44%; contraception, 62% vs 46%; and sexually transmitted diseases and HIV testing, 56% vs 52%. These differences were only significant for sexuality. Parents with higher education believed that teens could give their own consent (P < .05). Fifty-seven percent of parents and their teens agreed that parental consent for anonymous surveys was not necessary. For more invasive procedures and more sensitive topics, the percentage of disagreement ranged from 28% to 55.5%. CONCLUSIONS: There is a greater perceived need for parental consent to adolescent participation in research studies among parents than among teens for more invasive procedures and more sensitive topics. These results suggest the need for sensitivity to differing adolescent and parental perceived need for parental consent for a minor adolescent to participate in such studies. Further studies with larger samples are needed to determine what factors influence diverse parent and adolescent opinions.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗