PURPOSE: To examine the relative importance of demographic and behavioral factors, as well as alcohol use, in motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related injuries in an adolescent sample. METHODS: Data were collected from two samples of adolescents. In Study 1, a total of 1576 9th through 12th graders from three different high schools provided information on risk-taking behavior and injuries experienced during the previous six months. Study 2 involved a more fine-grained analysis of behavioral factors related to MVC-related injuries. A sample of 573 adolescent males from an all-boys parochial high school completed questionnaires assessing risk-taking, attention and behavior problems, alcohol use, driving behavior, and self-reported injury. RESULTS: Rates of self-reported MVC-related injuries for a 6-month period were consistent across the two studies, ranging from 10% in the mixed-gender sample to 16% in the all-male sample. Consistent with previous findings, males reported more frequent MVC-related injuries and higher rates of risk-taking behavior. In Study 1, age and risk-taking behaviors were predictive of injuries while riding or driving in a car. In the all-male sample, risk-taking behavior and conduct problems were significant predictors of MVC-related injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Risk-taking is a consistent predictor of both general and MVC-related injuries. Intervention efforts with adolescents may be targeted at increasing safe driving strategies as well as decreasing risk-taking behaviors.
PURPOSE: To examine the relative importance of demographic and behavioral factors, as well as alcohol use, in motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related injuries in an adolescent sample. METHODS: Data were collected from two samples of adolescents. In Study 1, a total of 1576 9th through 12th graders from three different high schools provided information on risk-taking behavior and injuries experienced during the previous six months. Study 2 involved a more fine-grained analysis of behavioral factors related to MVC-related injuries. A sample of 573 adolescent males from an all-boys parochial high school completed questionnaires assessing risk-taking, attention and behavior problems, alcohol use, driving behavior, and self-reported injury. RESULTS: Rates of self-reported MVC-related injuries for a 6-month period were consistent across the two studies, ranging from 10% in the mixed-gender sample to 16% in the all-male sample. Consistent with previous findings, males reported more frequent MVC-related injuries and higher rates of risk-taking behavior. In Study 1, age and risk-taking behaviors were predictive of injuries while riding or driving in a car. In the all-male sample, risk-taking behavior and conduct problems were significant predictors of MVC-related injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Risk-taking is a consistent predictor of both general and MVC-related injuries. Intervention efforts with adolescents may be targeted at increasing safe driving strategies as well as decreasing risk-taking behaviors.
Authors: Rebecca M Cunningham; Maureen A Walton; Stephanie Roahen Harrison; Stella M Resko; Rachel Stanley; Marc Zimmerman; C Raymond Bingham; Jean T Shope Journal: J Emerg Med Date: 2010-02-10 Impact factor: 1.484
Authors: Rebecca M Cunningham; Stella M Resko; Stephanie Roahen Harrison; Marc Zimmerman; Rachel Stanley; Stephen T Chermack; Maureen A Walton Journal: Acad Emerg Med Date: 2010-02 Impact factor: 3.451
Authors: Kevin Loh; Maureen A Walton; Stephanie Roahen Harrison; Marc Zimmerman; Rachel Stanley; Stephen T Chermack; Rebecca M Cunningham Journal: Accid Anal Prev Date: 2010-01-19
Authors: Bruce G Simons-Morton; Marie Claude Ouimet; Zhiwei Zhang; Sheila E Klauer; Suzanne E Lee; Jing Wang; Rusan Chen; Paul Albert; Thomas A Dingus Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2011-06-11 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Rebecca M Cunningham; Maureen A Walton; Abby Goldstein; Stephen T Chermack; Jean T Shope; C Raymond Bingham; Marc A Zimmerman; Frederic C Blow Journal: Acad Emerg Med Date: 2009-11 Impact factor: 3.451
Authors: Bruce G Simons-Morton; Marie Claude Ouimet; Rusan Chen; Sheila G Klauer; Suzanne E Lee; Jing Wang; Thomas A Dingus Journal: J Safety Res Date: 2012-10-12
Authors: Rebecca M Cunningham; Stephen T Chermack; Peter F Ehrlich; Patrick M Carter; Brenda M Booth; Frederic C Blow; Kristen L Barry; Maureen A Walton Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2015-09-07 Impact factor: 7.124