The Development of Risky Driving in Adolescence

The driving attitudes and self-reported behaviors of New Zealand adolescents in Year 10 of school (n = 168, mean age = 14.2 years) were compared with students in Year 12 (n = 109, mean age = 16.4 years). School year group differences were found for three out of the eight measures of risky attitudes and behaviors, with the older students having riskier responses in each case. Gender differences were found for four of these measures, with males consistently demonstrating riskier attitudes. Suggestions are made about appropriate interventions and the timing of these.     

Opinions of 12 to 13-year-olds in Austria and Australia on the concern,cause and imminence of climate change

Early adolescence (12–13 years old) is a critical but under-researched demographic for the formation of attitudes related to climate change. We address this important area by exploring adolescent views about climate change. This paper presents opinions collected from surveys of 463 1st-year secondary school students (12–13 years old) in public secondary schools in inner-urban centres in Austria and Australia on whether climate change is (1) something about which to worry, (2) caused by humans and (3) happening now. Eligible respondents in both countries showed similar levels of agreement that climate change was probably or definitely something we should (1) worry about (84.6% Austria, 89.1% Australia), which is significantly higher than either country’s adult population. Eligible respondents agreed that climate change probably or definitely is (2) caused by humans (75.6% Austria, 83.6% Australia) and that climate change is probably or definitely something that is (3) happening now (73.1% Austria, 87.5% Australia). Their response differed from the respective adult populations, but in opposite directions. Our results suggest that socio-cultural worldview may not have as much influence on this age group as it does on the respective adult populations and suggests that this age group would be receptive and ready for climate science education and engagement initiatives.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-020-01356-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Substance use and functional impairment among adolescents directly exposed to the 2001 World Trade Center attacks

The relationship between exposure to the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks, increased substance use, functional impairment and mental health service use, controlling for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, was assessed through an in-school survey of directly exposed students (N = 1040) attending the five middle and five high schools nearest the WTC. The survey was conducted 18 months after the attacks. Students with one WTC exposure risk factor had a five-fold increase in substance use, while those with three or more exposure risks had a nearly 19-fold increase. Increased substance use was associated with impaired school work, school behaviour and grades. Students reporting increased substance use were nearly twice as likely to want help but were no more likely than asymptomatic students to receive services. Adolescents reporting increased substance use, without co-morbidity, were less likely to receive psychological services than others. Attention to the needs of substance-using adolescents exposed to disaster is needed.     

重庆大气环境质量与儿童肺功能的前瞻性研究

在两年半期间内 ,对污染程度不同的两地进行了 5次青春期前期儿童 (7～ 1 2岁 ) 4 57例肺功能 (FVC,FEV1 ,PEFR,FEF2 5～ 75 )生长速率的观测及生长状况的比较分析得出 ,两地儿童身高和体重的生长曲线无明显差异 ,而肺功能的生长速率则有明显的差异 ,勿论男女、同年龄的儿童肺功能增长速率污染区要低于对照区