The Preteen Digest
The Preteen Digest is a summary of recent news and research about
preteens.
September 2004
Topics:
News & Research
A
Different View of Bullies
“To be popular” is one of the most common reasons for becoming
a bully, according to a KidsHealth study of 1,200 preteens. A related
UCLA study found that many bullies are psychologically stronger than their
peers and enjoy high social status, calling into question the notion that
bullies are children with low self-esteem. The researchers suggest that
educators focus more on preventing the popularity of bullying, rather
than reacting to the actions of bullies.
See also: New
resources for youth, families, and educators on cyberbullying
How to
Recognize Quality Youth Programs
A new study by Public/Private Ventures proposes benchmarks for quality
youth programs, and highlights strategies for overcoming common challenges
in such programs. The two-year study assessed the grantmaking program
of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, which funds
services to promote the emotional and behavioral health of preteens.
Early
Puberty Linked with Substance Abuse
Early puberty is a stronger factor in influencing children to use and
abuse tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana than age or school grade, according
to a study of nearly 5,800 preteens reported in the journal Pediatrics.
The finding supports prevention strategies, and suggests that targeting
anti-substance abuse messages to younger children may be effective.
A
Scientific Approach to Delinquency
A new report from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
offers policy implications from its 17-year longitudinal study of youth
in three cities. The study, the largest, most comprehensive investigation
of the causes and correlates of delinquency ever undertaken, finds that
youth who start their delinquency careers before age 13 are at a higher
risk of becoming serious and violent offenders than those who start later.
While this suggests that early intervention may be helpful, the authors
say that great care is needed in the design of intervention programs for
aggressive children, as some programs may lead to later problems.
The
Younger the Better
A May 2004 bulletin from Building Partnerships for Youth makes the case
that youth development programs should focus particularly on preteens,
ages 9-13. The bulletin cites research that shows that positive youth
development programs that help preteens build confidence and competencies
are among the most effective.
See also: More resources
and studies
related to preteen youth development
Youth
Suicide Patterns from 1999-2001
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the ways children
ages 10-14 commit suicide have changed since 1997, with suffocation (usually
hanging) becoming more common than firearms. The study also notes that
students who attempt suicide are more likely to get in fights at school,
and that suicide rates for Latino youth are among the fastest growing
in the nation. The study is part of an initiative to use research to increase
knowledge about the risk and protective factors associated with suicidal
behavior. (For online edition, scroll to issue of June 11.)
Events
October
is the Month of the Young Adolescent
This national effort involving education, health, and youth-oriented organizations
will focus on promoting four key messages related to children ages 10-15.
These include the need for parents to be actively involved in their kids'
lives, and an understanding that it's important to focus on both healthy
bodies and healthy minds.
Facts & Figures
Depression
Starting Earlier
Depression, already the leading cause of disability in the United States,
now occurs earlier in life, according to a compilation of research assembled
by the Health Behavior News Service. Up to 3 percent of children ages
6 to 12, and 7 percent of teenagers, are affected by depression.
Specific findings:
- Age: A study of 61,424 children found that depression scores for
girls stay steady from ages 8 to 11, then increase between ages 12 and
16. Boys’ scores peaked at age 12.
- Ethnicity: Latino youth had significantly higher depression scores
than other groups.
- Puberty: Once puberty begins, girls are twice as likely as boys to
become depressed. Close attention to pubescent girls could prevent depression
or facilitate intervention.
The Preteen Alliance
The community-based Preteen Alliance, formed by the Lucile Packard Foundation
for Children's Health, seeks to promote the emotional and behavioral health
of preteens in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Membership is open
to all. Alliance members will be kept informed of news and data related
to preteens, and will have opportunities to participate and share information
at periodic convenings.
Join
the Preteen Alliance
More
about the Preteen Alliance
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