Abstract
The syndrome of problem behaviors (problem drinking, illicit drug use, delinquent-type behavior and precocious sexual intercourse) has been demonstrated among older adolescents and college students. To determine if this complex of behaviors is present in early adolescence, 709 junior high students were surveyed. 50 % were male; the mean age was 13.5 yrs. 77 % were white. All Hollingshead socioeconomic groups (SES) were represented. The prevalence of health damaging behaviors increased with age (p<.001), e.g. 23 % of 12 yr olds and 71 % of 15 yr olds reported intercourse. Principal axis factor analysis with varimax rotation confirmed the presence of 2 behavioral clusters: (1) problem behaviors (PROB) and (2) psychological symptoms (PSYCH). Both factors were independent of race and SES. PSYCH were more common among girls (p<.001) and PROB were more common among boys (p<.001). Self-esteem and PSYCH (r=-.412;p<.001) but not PROB were significantly correlated. This data confirm that the syndrome of problem behaviors is a stable construct among young adolescents and suggest that lowered self-esteem is not etiologically involved in the origin of health damaging behaviors.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Orr, D., Brack, C. & Rauck, S. STRUCTURE OF PROBLEM BEHAVIORS IN YOUNG ADOLESCENTS. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 176 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00061
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00061