Problem behaviors in adolescents.

A fifth or more of a nationally representative sample of school-attending adolescents report engaging in problem behaviors such as skipping school, using alcohol, fighting, shoplifting, and stealing. A smaller but significant number of adolescents report engaging in risky sexual behaviors. All of these behaviors have potentially serious consequences for adolescents, their family and friends, their school, and society. Nurses are in a unique position to help identify these behaviors in adolescents, educate school personnel about the behaviors, educate adolescents about the risks they face when they engage in these behaviors, and assist parents to access the resources they need to help children who may be engaging in these problem behaviors.