Shari Schneider - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Shari Schneider

The Foundation Review, 2014

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Feb 1, 2008

The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between the physical availability of of... more The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between the physical availability of off-campus alcohol and drinking outcomes among college students. A multilevel analysis of students (N = 17,051) nested within college campuses (N = 32) was conducted. Four problem-drinking-related outcomes (i.e., average number of drinks when partying, frequency of drunkenness in past 2 weeks, 30-day frequency of drinking, and greatest number of drinks in one sitting) along with individual level covariates of drinking were introduced at the student level. The physical availability of alcohol was assessed as the number of on-premise and off-premise alcohol outlets within 3 miles of campus per 1,000 students enrolled. Higher densities of on-premise alcohol outlets were strongly related to drinking outcomes even after controlling for individual predictors of college drinking. The association indicated that the campus means for the average number of drinks when partying and the number of drinking occasions in the past 30 days were, respectively, 1.13 drinks and 1.32 occasions greater when the outlet density was 2 SDs higher. Off-campus, on-premise outlet density is strongly associated with college-drinking outcomes. Given the limited number of modifiable factors that affect college drinking, on-premise outlet density represents a potential modifiable means of addressing the problem.

Introduction: This study documents the cyberbullying involvements of urban adolescents living in ... more Introduction: This study documents the cyberbullying involvements of urban adolescents living in economically constrained settings where risks of other forms of youth violence are elevated and access to technologies is limited. It also examines the association of parenting practices on youths' reports of cyberbullying victimization and perpetration. Methods: As part of the Healthy Futures study, surveys were conducted with 8th graders in New York City (n=1052); about 80% of youth are Black. Items assessed frequency of cyberbullying victimization and perpetration; cell phone and Internet access; and whether or not parents had rules about media use and social activities. Multivariate analyses examined the association between parenting practices and cyberbullying, controlling for gender, age, cell phone and Internet use. Results: About 20% of youth reported owning a cell phone and 55% went on-line at least several times daily. Youth who owned cell phones reported more household rul...

BACKGROUND: Little is known about bystander behaviors in situations involving cyberbullying. In t... more BACKGROUND: Little is known about bystander behaviors in situations involving cyberbullying. In the digital world, where cyberbullying can be witnessed by hundreds of youth, how often do youth intervene and seek help from trusted adults? METHODS: 24,459 students completed the 2012 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey, a regional census conducted in 26 MetroWest Boston high schools. Students reported cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months, whether they had witnessed cyberbullying, and whether they had intervened as bystanders by: (1) trying to stop the cyberbullying, (2) telling an adult at school, (3) telling a parent/non-school adult. Bivariate analyses examined associations of bystander behaviors with gender and victimization. FINDINGS: 22.0% of students reported being victims of cyberbullying (28.1% of girls, 14.4% of boys). While 41.7% had witnessed cyberbullied, only 15.2% of youth tried to stop the cyberbullying, 8.0% told a parent/non-school adult, and 4.4% told an a...

BACKGROUND: New state legislation decriminalizing marijuana has brought attention to the issue of... more BACKGROUND: New state legislation decriminalizing marijuana has brought attention to the issue of driving under the influence of marijuana. We compared how adolescents' perceptions and behaviors differ regarding driving under the influence of marijuana versus alcohol. METHODS: 24,459 students completed the 2012 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey, a regional census of youth in 26 MetroWest Boston high schools. Students reported perceptions of risk and 30-day passenger behaviors related to riding with a high school driver under the influence of marijuana and alcohol. Bivariate and regression analyses examined associations between perceptions of risk, recent substance use, and passenger behaviors. RESULTS: More students reported riding with a driver who had used marijuana (18.0%) compared with alcohol (10.3%), despite higher recent alcohol use (33.4%) than marijuana use (21.5%). Fewer youth perceived it was very dangerous to ride with a driver who used marijuana (52.0%) versus alco...

Journal of School Health, 2015

Schools are increasingly being called upon to address cyberbullying and its consequences. This st... more Schools are increasingly being called upon to address cyberbullying and its consequences. This study compares cyberbullying and school bullying trends and examines help-seeking among cyberbullying victims. We analyzed self-report data over 4 surveys (2006-2012) from more than 16,000 students in 17 MetroWest Boston high schools. Using generalized estimating equations, we examined school and cyberbullying victimization trends by sex, grade, and sexual orientation. From 2006 to 2012, cyberbullying increased from 15% to 21% (p < .001). In 2006, school bullying was 1.7 times higher than cyberbullying (26% versus 15%); by 2012, school bullying and cyberbullying were similar (23% versus 21%). Cyberbullying increased more among girls (17% to 27%; p < .001) than boys (12% to 15%; p < .001). There was no net increase in school bullying among girls (26% in 2006 and 2012) and a decrease among boys (25% to 18%; p < .001). Sexual minorities were more likely than heterosexuals to be bullied at school and online at every survey. Only 33% of cyberbullying victims told an adult; more victims told parents/non-school adults (29%) than school adults (17%). Despite decreases in school bullying, cyberbullying rose steadily, particularly among girls. Increased attention to sociodemographic differences in bullying could promote help-seeking and positive online behavior.

Background: Lesbian and bisexual (LB) girls, compared to heterosexual girls, are more likely to r... more Background: Lesbian and bisexual (LB) girls, compared to heterosexual girls, are more likely to report psychosocial health problems, multiple sexual partners, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and teen pregnancies. Syndemics, or the co-occurrence and interaction of psychosocial problems that exacerbate outcomes, have explained sexual risk behaviors among sexual-minority boys, but their existence and relationship to sexual health remains unexamined among LB girls. Methods: The 2010 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey was a census of students from 24 high schools in MetroWest Boston; 23,187 students completed surveys, including 561 self-identified lesbian and bisexual girls. Questionnaire items were directly from CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Bivariate analyses were conducted on multiple psychosocial variables, including binge drinking, polydrug use, depressive symptoms, sexual abuse, and physical partner violence. Sexual outcomes (3+ sexual partners, STIs, and pregnancy) wer...

Background/Purpose: This study examines patterns of sexting behavior and its association with phy... more Background/Purpose: This study examines patterns of sexting behavior and its association with physical partner violence among heterosexually and nonheterosexually identified youth (NHY). Methods: In Fall 2010, 23,187 students were surveyed in 24 high schools in MetroWest Boston. Analyses included youth who dated in the past 12 months (76.9%). To assess sexting, youth were asked if they sent a sext image of someone they know (sender) or if someone sent an image of them (subject). Associations of sexting and physical partner violence in the past 12 months were compared among NHY (6.7%) and heterosexual youth (93.3%). Findings: NHY were over twice as likely as heterosexual youth to send a sext (26.8% vs. 11.3%) and three times as likely to be the subject of a sext (16.3% vs. 4.9%). NHY were also over twice as likely to report being victims of physical partner violence (19.4% vs. 7.4%). Among both NHY and heterosexual youth, those who report sexting (either as senders or subjects) were ...

BACKGROUND: Legislators are increasingly requiring schools to take action to reduce cyberbullying... more BACKGROUND: Legislators are increasingly requiring schools to take action to reduce cyberbullying, even though it most often occurs outside of school. Our study aimed to understand efforts to address cyberbullying in the school environment in response to recent legislation, and their implications for social media approaches to encourage positive use of digital media. METHODS: A systematic review of school anti-bullying policies and programs was conducted in 25 MetroWest Boston school districts recently affected by state mandates requiring schools to address cyberbullying. Twenty-four individuals responsible for school anti-bullying initiatives were interviewed, and 106 parents and youth participated in in-person and online focus groups. FINDINGS: The anti-bullying legislation mobilized schools to develop more systematic and comprehensive anti-cyberbullying efforts and justified the use of classroom time and staff resources to address cyberbullying. It also placed burden on school ad...

Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a multi-year regional initiative to... more Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a multi-year regional initiative to provide communities with timely, local data on youth health and risk behaviors. Methods: MetroWest is a cluster of working- to upper-middle income cities and towns lying within a 25-mile radius west of Boston. In 2008, a census of students was conducted in 22 out of 25 high schools in the region. Surveys were obtained from 20,406 students, representing 88% of the 9th-12th grade population. Reflecting community concerns, items assessed a range of bullying behaviors. Findings: 29% of students were victims of bullying in the past 12 months, 27% were perpetrators, and 16% were both victims and perpetrators; 26% reported bullying on school grounds. Electronic bullying was defined as using the Internet, phone, or other electronic communications to bully, tease, or threaten; 16% of youth reported they were bullied electronically in the past 12 months, 11% were perpetrators, and 7% were both vi...

Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a regional census that provides dat... more Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a regional census that provides data on cyberbullying, school bullying, and associated help-seeking behaviors to inform the development of school-based, anti-bullying prevention programs and strategies. Methods: In Fall 2010, a census was conducted in 21 of 23 middle schools in the MetroWest Boston region. Surveys were obtained from 11,597 students in grades 7-8 (91%). Survey items asked about 12-month cyberbullying and school bullying victimization, and help-seeking behaviors (talking to adults at school or outside of school about being bullied). Findings: Cyberbullying victimization is reported by 17.2% of middle school students, and is less prevalent than school bullying (31.7%). Females are nearly twice as likely as males to report cyberbullying (22.2% vs. 12.2%) and slightly more likely to report school bullying (33.1% vs. 30.2%). Overall, only 31.3% of cyberbullying victims talked to an adult about being bullied. Cy...

Background/Purpose: In 2010, the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey was completed by 23,187 high ... more Background/Purpose: In 2010, the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey was completed by 23,187 high school students, including 1,681 who did not self-identify as heterosexual. This large sample provides data on relationships between known risks, like bullying victimization and psychological distress, and potential protective factors, like perceptions of adult support inside and outside school. Methods: Surveys were conducted with a census of students in 24 schools in MetroWest Boston. 92.6% self-identified as heterosexual, and 7.4% were categorized as nonheterosexually identified youth (NHY; gay/lesbian, bisexual, other, or unsure). Survey items assessed 12-month cyberbullying and school bullying victimization; 12-month depressive symptoms and suicide attempts; and adult support inside and outside school. Regression analyses controlled for sociodemographics and victimization. Findings: NHY are significantly more likely than heterosexual youth to report school bullying victimization (42...

Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a multi-year regional initiative to... more Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a multi-year regional initiative to provide communities with timely data on youth risk behaviors. To respond to local concerns, the survey includes questions on emerging issues, including sexting. Methods: In Fall 2010, a census of students was conducted in 24 of 26 high schools in the MetroWest Boston region. Surveys were obtained from 23,187 students, representing 89% of students. Survey items defined sexting as sending or forwarding a nude, sexually suggestive or explicit photo/video of someone you know using a cell phone or the Internet. Findings: 25.1% of students received a sext message, and 10.4% had sent, forwarded, or posted a sext message in the past 12 months. 5.0% had been victims of sexting. Males were more likely than females to receive a sext message (31.1% vs. 19.1%), but both genders were similarly likely to send sexts or be sexting victims. Non-heterosexually identified youth were substantially more like...

Background/Purpose: This study examines the relationship between sexting and physical dating viol... more Background/Purpose: This study examines the relationship between sexting and physical dating violence victimization in teen heterosexual dating relationships. Methods: In Fall 2010, 23,187 students completed surveys in 24 high schools in MetroWest Boston. These analyses included youth who identified as heterosexual (90.7%) and who had dated in the past 12 months (76.2%) for a sample of 16,250. Participants were asked if they had sent, forwarded, or posted a nude, sexually suggestive or explicit photo or video of someone they know using the Internet, cell phone, or other electronic devices (senders) or if someone had sent an image of them (subjects) in the last 12 months. Youth were also asked about physical dating violence victimization during this period. Bivariate and regression analyses examined the association between sexting and dating violence. Findings: 11.3% of youth sent a sext message, and 4.9% were the subjects of a sext; reports were similar for males and females. About ...

Background/Purpose: We examined reports of alcohol and marijuana use and related driving behavior... more Background/Purpose: We examined reports of alcohol and marijuana use and related driving behaviors among high school youth in Boston's MetroWest region. Significance: Understanding patterns in risky driving behaviors related to substance use among youth is important in informing education and prevention efforts of school-based health educators and other public health professionals. Methods: This study analyzed data from the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey on 10,206 youth who reported on their involvements as passengers and drivers in motor vehicle situations involving substance use. Students were asked if they were passengers in a car driven by someone under 21 who had been (1) using alcohol or (2) using marijuana, and whether they themselves had driven a car after using each of those substances in the past 30 days. Findings: 34.3% of youth reported drinking alcohol and 23.9% reported using marijuana in the past 30 days. While recent alcohol use was more common than marijuana...

Tobacco control, Jan 12, 2015

Raising the tobacco sales age to 21 has gained support as a promising strategy to reduce youth ci... more Raising the tobacco sales age to 21 has gained support as a promising strategy to reduce youth cigarette access, but there is little direct evidence of its impact on adolescent smoking. Using regional youth survey data, we compared youth smoking trends in Needham, Massachusetts-which raised the minimum purchase age in 2005-with those of 16 surrounding communities. The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a biennial census survey of high school youth in communities west of Boston; over 16 000 students participated at each of four time points from 2006 to 2012. Using these pooled cross-section data, we used generalised estimating equation models to compare trends in current cigarette smoking and cigarette purchases in Needham relative to 16 comparison communities without similar ordinances. To determine whether trends were specific to tobacco, we also examined trends in youth alcohol use over the same time period. From 2006 to 2010, the decrease in 30-day smoking in Needham (from 13%...

Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 2008

The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between the physical availability of of... more The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between the physical availability of off-campus alcohol and drinking outcomes among college students. A multilevel analysis of students (N = 17,051) nested within college campuses (N = 32) was conducted. Four problem-drinking-related outcomes (i.e., average number of drinks when partying, frequency of drunkenness in past 2 weeks, 30-day frequency of drinking, and greatest number of drinks in one sitting) along with individual level covariates of drinking were introduced at the student level. The physical availability of alcohol was assessed as the number of on-premise and off-premise alcohol outlets within 3 miles of campus per 1,000 students enrolled. Higher densities of on-premise alcohol outlets were strongly related to drinking outcomes even after controlling for individual predictors of college drinking. The association indicated that the campus means for the average number of drinks when partying and the number of drink...

Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 2011

Evaluations of social norms marketing campaigns to reduce college student drinking have produced ... more Evaluations of social norms marketing campaigns to reduce college student drinking have produced conflicting results. This study examines whether the effectiveness of such campaigns may be moderated by on-premise alcohol outlet density in the surrounding community. Multilevel analyses were conducted of student survey responses (N= 19,838) from 32 U.S. colleges that took part in one of two 4-year randomized, controlled trials completed for the Social Norms Marketing Research Project (SNMRP). In the models, students by year were nested within treatment (n = 16) and control group (n = 16) campuses, which were characterized by the on-premise outlet density in their surrounding community. The moderating effect of outlet density was introduced into the models as an interaction between the treatment effect (i.e., the effect of the social norms marketing campaigns over time) and outlet density. The models were also stratified by campus alcohol outlet density (high vs. low) to examine the ef...

Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 2010

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships among campus violence, student drinking... more The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships among campus violence, student drinking levels, and the physical availability of alcohol at off-campus outlets in a multisite design. An ecological analysis of on-campus violence was conducted at 32 U.S. colleges. Dependent variables included campus-reported rates of rape, robbery, assault, and burglary obtained from a U.S. Department of Education online database for the years 2000-2004. Measures of student alcohol use and demographics were obtained from student surveys conducted for the Social Norms Marketing Research Project from 2000 to 2004. Measures of alcohol-outlet density within 3 miles of each campus were obtained from state alcohol-licensing authorities for 2004. Both on- and off-premise alcohol-outlet densities were associated with the campus rape-offense rate but not with the assault or robbery rates. Student drinking level was associated with both campus rape and assault rates but not with the campus robbery rate...

Journal of American College Health, 2009

Objective: The authors examined the sociodemographics and psychobehavioral characteristics of und... more Objective: The authors examined the sociodemographics and psychobehavioral characteristics of undergraduate US college students who abstain from alcohol. Participants: The respondents were 5,210 undergraduates from 32 colleges and universities. Methods: A survey was mailed to 300 randomly selected students per institution (spring 2000 or 2001). The response rate was 56.2%. Results: Overall, 20.5% of the students abstained. Predictors of abstention included the student's own negative attitude toward alcohol use; perception of friends' alcohol attitudes; male gender; being under age 21; abstaining in high school; non-Greek member or pledge; nonathlete; nonsmoker; non-marijuana user; participant in a religious group; working either 0 or 10+ hours per week for salary; having a mother who abstains; and having a close friend who abstains. Conclusion: Additional research on abstainers is warranted. Campus-based prevention programs should be grounded in a better understanding of how motives not to drink are developed and sustained in high school and college. lcohol puts drinkers at risk for a variety of health and other consequences. With college students, campus administrators are principally concerned about the immediate need to prevent deaths and injuries resulting from episodes of heavy drinking. By 1 estimate, approximately 1,700 students (aged 18-24 years) enrolled in 2-and 4-year institutions die each year from alcoholrelated causes, mostly because of motor vehicle crashes.

The Foundation Review, 2014

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Feb 1, 2008

The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between the physical availability of of... more The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between the physical availability of off-campus alcohol and drinking outcomes among college students. A multilevel analysis of students (N = 17,051) nested within college campuses (N = 32) was conducted. Four problem-drinking-related outcomes (i.e., average number of drinks when partying, frequency of drunkenness in past 2 weeks, 30-day frequency of drinking, and greatest number of drinks in one sitting) along with individual level covariates of drinking were introduced at the student level. The physical availability of alcohol was assessed as the number of on-premise and off-premise alcohol outlets within 3 miles of campus per 1,000 students enrolled. Higher densities of on-premise alcohol outlets were strongly related to drinking outcomes even after controlling for individual predictors of college drinking. The association indicated that the campus means for the average number of drinks when partying and the number of drinking occasions in the past 30 days were, respectively, 1.13 drinks and 1.32 occasions greater when the outlet density was 2 SDs higher. Off-campus, on-premise outlet density is strongly associated with college-drinking outcomes. Given the limited number of modifiable factors that affect college drinking, on-premise outlet density represents a potential modifiable means of addressing the problem.

Introduction: This study documents the cyberbullying involvements of urban adolescents living in ... more Introduction: This study documents the cyberbullying involvements of urban adolescents living in economically constrained settings where risks of other forms of youth violence are elevated and access to technologies is limited. It also examines the association of parenting practices on youths' reports of cyberbullying victimization and perpetration. Methods: As part of the Healthy Futures study, surveys were conducted with 8th graders in New York City (n=1052); about 80% of youth are Black. Items assessed frequency of cyberbullying victimization and perpetration; cell phone and Internet access; and whether or not parents had rules about media use and social activities. Multivariate analyses examined the association between parenting practices and cyberbullying, controlling for gender, age, cell phone and Internet use. Results: About 20% of youth reported owning a cell phone and 55% went on-line at least several times daily. Youth who owned cell phones reported more household rul...

BACKGROUND: Little is known about bystander behaviors in situations involving cyberbullying. In t... more BACKGROUND: Little is known about bystander behaviors in situations involving cyberbullying. In the digital world, where cyberbullying can be witnessed by hundreds of youth, how often do youth intervene and seek help from trusted adults? METHODS: 24,459 students completed the 2012 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey, a regional census conducted in 26 MetroWest Boston high schools. Students reported cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months, whether they had witnessed cyberbullying, and whether they had intervened as bystanders by: (1) trying to stop the cyberbullying, (2) telling an adult at school, (3) telling a parent/non-school adult. Bivariate analyses examined associations of bystander behaviors with gender and victimization. FINDINGS: 22.0% of students reported being victims of cyberbullying (28.1% of girls, 14.4% of boys). While 41.7% had witnessed cyberbullied, only 15.2% of youth tried to stop the cyberbullying, 8.0% told a parent/non-school adult, and 4.4% told an a...

BACKGROUND: New state legislation decriminalizing marijuana has brought attention to the issue of... more BACKGROUND: New state legislation decriminalizing marijuana has brought attention to the issue of driving under the influence of marijuana. We compared how adolescents' perceptions and behaviors differ regarding driving under the influence of marijuana versus alcohol. METHODS: 24,459 students completed the 2012 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey, a regional census of youth in 26 MetroWest Boston high schools. Students reported perceptions of risk and 30-day passenger behaviors related to riding with a high school driver under the influence of marijuana and alcohol. Bivariate and regression analyses examined associations between perceptions of risk, recent substance use, and passenger behaviors. RESULTS: More students reported riding with a driver who had used marijuana (18.0%) compared with alcohol (10.3%), despite higher recent alcohol use (33.4%) than marijuana use (21.5%). Fewer youth perceived it was very dangerous to ride with a driver who used marijuana (52.0%) versus alco...

Journal of School Health, 2015

Schools are increasingly being called upon to address cyberbullying and its consequences. This st... more Schools are increasingly being called upon to address cyberbullying and its consequences. This study compares cyberbullying and school bullying trends and examines help-seeking among cyberbullying victims. We analyzed self-report data over 4 surveys (2006-2012) from more than 16,000 students in 17 MetroWest Boston high schools. Using generalized estimating equations, we examined school and cyberbullying victimization trends by sex, grade, and sexual orientation. From 2006 to 2012, cyberbullying increased from 15% to 21% (p < .001). In 2006, school bullying was 1.7 times higher than cyberbullying (26% versus 15%); by 2012, school bullying and cyberbullying were similar (23% versus 21%). Cyberbullying increased more among girls (17% to 27%; p < .001) than boys (12% to 15%; p < .001). There was no net increase in school bullying among girls (26% in 2006 and 2012) and a decrease among boys (25% to 18%; p < .001). Sexual minorities were more likely than heterosexuals to be bullied at school and online at every survey. Only 33% of cyberbullying victims told an adult; more victims told parents/non-school adults (29%) than school adults (17%). Despite decreases in school bullying, cyberbullying rose steadily, particularly among girls. Increased attention to sociodemographic differences in bullying could promote help-seeking and positive online behavior.

Background: Lesbian and bisexual (LB) girls, compared to heterosexual girls, are more likely to r... more Background: Lesbian and bisexual (LB) girls, compared to heterosexual girls, are more likely to report psychosocial health problems, multiple sexual partners, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and teen pregnancies. Syndemics, or the co-occurrence and interaction of psychosocial problems that exacerbate outcomes, have explained sexual risk behaviors among sexual-minority boys, but their existence and relationship to sexual health remains unexamined among LB girls. Methods: The 2010 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey was a census of students from 24 high schools in MetroWest Boston; 23,187 students completed surveys, including 561 self-identified lesbian and bisexual girls. Questionnaire items were directly from CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Bivariate analyses were conducted on multiple psychosocial variables, including binge drinking, polydrug use, depressive symptoms, sexual abuse, and physical partner violence. Sexual outcomes (3+ sexual partners, STIs, and pregnancy) wer...

Background/Purpose: This study examines patterns of sexting behavior and its association with phy... more Background/Purpose: This study examines patterns of sexting behavior and its association with physical partner violence among heterosexually and nonheterosexually identified youth (NHY). Methods: In Fall 2010, 23,187 students were surveyed in 24 high schools in MetroWest Boston. Analyses included youth who dated in the past 12 months (76.9%). To assess sexting, youth were asked if they sent a sext image of someone they know (sender) or if someone sent an image of them (subject). Associations of sexting and physical partner violence in the past 12 months were compared among NHY (6.7%) and heterosexual youth (93.3%). Findings: NHY were over twice as likely as heterosexual youth to send a sext (26.8% vs. 11.3%) and three times as likely to be the subject of a sext (16.3% vs. 4.9%). NHY were also over twice as likely to report being victims of physical partner violence (19.4% vs. 7.4%). Among both NHY and heterosexual youth, those who report sexting (either as senders or subjects) were ...

BACKGROUND: Legislators are increasingly requiring schools to take action to reduce cyberbullying... more BACKGROUND: Legislators are increasingly requiring schools to take action to reduce cyberbullying, even though it most often occurs outside of school. Our study aimed to understand efforts to address cyberbullying in the school environment in response to recent legislation, and their implications for social media approaches to encourage positive use of digital media. METHODS: A systematic review of school anti-bullying policies and programs was conducted in 25 MetroWest Boston school districts recently affected by state mandates requiring schools to address cyberbullying. Twenty-four individuals responsible for school anti-bullying initiatives were interviewed, and 106 parents and youth participated in in-person and online focus groups. FINDINGS: The anti-bullying legislation mobilized schools to develop more systematic and comprehensive anti-cyberbullying efforts and justified the use of classroom time and staff resources to address cyberbullying. It also placed burden on school ad...

Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a multi-year regional initiative to... more Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a multi-year regional initiative to provide communities with timely, local data on youth health and risk behaviors. Methods: MetroWest is a cluster of working- to upper-middle income cities and towns lying within a 25-mile radius west of Boston. In 2008, a census of students was conducted in 22 out of 25 high schools in the region. Surveys were obtained from 20,406 students, representing 88% of the 9th-12th grade population. Reflecting community concerns, items assessed a range of bullying behaviors. Findings: 29% of students were victims of bullying in the past 12 months, 27% were perpetrators, and 16% were both victims and perpetrators; 26% reported bullying on school grounds. Electronic bullying was defined as using the Internet, phone, or other electronic communications to bully, tease, or threaten; 16% of youth reported they were bullied electronically in the past 12 months, 11% were perpetrators, and 7% were both vi...

Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a regional census that provides dat... more Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a regional census that provides data on cyberbullying, school bullying, and associated help-seeking behaviors to inform the development of school-based, anti-bullying prevention programs and strategies. Methods: In Fall 2010, a census was conducted in 21 of 23 middle schools in the MetroWest Boston region. Surveys were obtained from 11,597 students in grades 7-8 (91%). Survey items asked about 12-month cyberbullying and school bullying victimization, and help-seeking behaviors (talking to adults at school or outside of school about being bullied). Findings: Cyberbullying victimization is reported by 17.2% of middle school students, and is less prevalent than school bullying (31.7%). Females are nearly twice as likely as males to report cyberbullying (22.2% vs. 12.2%) and slightly more likely to report school bullying (33.1% vs. 30.2%). Overall, only 31.3% of cyberbullying victims talked to an adult about being bullied. Cy...

Background/Purpose: In 2010, the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey was completed by 23,187 high ... more Background/Purpose: In 2010, the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey was completed by 23,187 high school students, including 1,681 who did not self-identify as heterosexual. This large sample provides data on relationships between known risks, like bullying victimization and psychological distress, and potential protective factors, like perceptions of adult support inside and outside school. Methods: Surveys were conducted with a census of students in 24 schools in MetroWest Boston. 92.6% self-identified as heterosexual, and 7.4% were categorized as nonheterosexually identified youth (NHY; gay/lesbian, bisexual, other, or unsure). Survey items assessed 12-month cyberbullying and school bullying victimization; 12-month depressive symptoms and suicide attempts; and adult support inside and outside school. Regression analyses controlled for sociodemographics and victimization. Findings: NHY are significantly more likely than heterosexual youth to report school bullying victimization (42...

Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a multi-year regional initiative to... more Background/Purpose: The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a multi-year regional initiative to provide communities with timely data on youth risk behaviors. To respond to local concerns, the survey includes questions on emerging issues, including sexting. Methods: In Fall 2010, a census of students was conducted in 24 of 26 high schools in the MetroWest Boston region. Surveys were obtained from 23,187 students, representing 89% of students. Survey items defined sexting as sending or forwarding a nude, sexually suggestive or explicit photo/video of someone you know using a cell phone or the Internet. Findings: 25.1% of students received a sext message, and 10.4% had sent, forwarded, or posted a sext message in the past 12 months. 5.0% had been victims of sexting. Males were more likely than females to receive a sext message (31.1% vs. 19.1%), but both genders were similarly likely to send sexts or be sexting victims. Non-heterosexually identified youth were substantially more like...

Background/Purpose: This study examines the relationship between sexting and physical dating viol... more Background/Purpose: This study examines the relationship between sexting and physical dating violence victimization in teen heterosexual dating relationships. Methods: In Fall 2010, 23,187 students completed surveys in 24 high schools in MetroWest Boston. These analyses included youth who identified as heterosexual (90.7%) and who had dated in the past 12 months (76.2%) for a sample of 16,250. Participants were asked if they had sent, forwarded, or posted a nude, sexually suggestive or explicit photo or video of someone they know using the Internet, cell phone, or other electronic devices (senders) or if someone had sent an image of them (subjects) in the last 12 months. Youth were also asked about physical dating violence victimization during this period. Bivariate and regression analyses examined the association between sexting and dating violence. Findings: 11.3% of youth sent a sext message, and 4.9% were the subjects of a sext; reports were similar for males and females. About ...

Background/Purpose: We examined reports of alcohol and marijuana use and related driving behavior... more Background/Purpose: We examined reports of alcohol and marijuana use and related driving behaviors among high school youth in Boston's MetroWest region. Significance: Understanding patterns in risky driving behaviors related to substance use among youth is important in informing education and prevention efforts of school-based health educators and other public health professionals. Methods: This study analyzed data from the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey on 10,206 youth who reported on their involvements as passengers and drivers in motor vehicle situations involving substance use. Students were asked if they were passengers in a car driven by someone under 21 who had been (1) using alcohol or (2) using marijuana, and whether they themselves had driven a car after using each of those substances in the past 30 days. Findings: 34.3% of youth reported drinking alcohol and 23.9% reported using marijuana in the past 30 days. While recent alcohol use was more common than marijuana...

Tobacco control, Jan 12, 2015

Raising the tobacco sales age to 21 has gained support as a promising strategy to reduce youth ci... more Raising the tobacco sales age to 21 has gained support as a promising strategy to reduce youth cigarette access, but there is little direct evidence of its impact on adolescent smoking. Using regional youth survey data, we compared youth smoking trends in Needham, Massachusetts-which raised the minimum purchase age in 2005-with those of 16 surrounding communities. The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey is a biennial census survey of high school youth in communities west of Boston; over 16 000 students participated at each of four time points from 2006 to 2012. Using these pooled cross-section data, we used generalised estimating equation models to compare trends in current cigarette smoking and cigarette purchases in Needham relative to 16 comparison communities without similar ordinances. To determine whether trends were specific to tobacco, we also examined trends in youth alcohol use over the same time period. From 2006 to 2010, the decrease in 30-day smoking in Needham (from 13%...

Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 2008

The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between the physical availability of of... more The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between the physical availability of off-campus alcohol and drinking outcomes among college students. A multilevel analysis of students (N = 17,051) nested within college campuses (N = 32) was conducted. Four problem-drinking-related outcomes (i.e., average number of drinks when partying, frequency of drunkenness in past 2 weeks, 30-day frequency of drinking, and greatest number of drinks in one sitting) along with individual level covariates of drinking were introduced at the student level. The physical availability of alcohol was assessed as the number of on-premise and off-premise alcohol outlets within 3 miles of campus per 1,000 students enrolled. Higher densities of on-premise alcohol outlets were strongly related to drinking outcomes even after controlling for individual predictors of college drinking. The association indicated that the campus means for the average number of drinks when partying and the number of drink...

Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 2011

Evaluations of social norms marketing campaigns to reduce college student drinking have produced ... more Evaluations of social norms marketing campaigns to reduce college student drinking have produced conflicting results. This study examines whether the effectiveness of such campaigns may be moderated by on-premise alcohol outlet density in the surrounding community. Multilevel analyses were conducted of student survey responses (N= 19,838) from 32 U.S. colleges that took part in one of two 4-year randomized, controlled trials completed for the Social Norms Marketing Research Project (SNMRP). In the models, students by year were nested within treatment (n = 16) and control group (n = 16) campuses, which were characterized by the on-premise outlet density in their surrounding community. The moderating effect of outlet density was introduced into the models as an interaction between the treatment effect (i.e., the effect of the social norms marketing campaigns over time) and outlet density. The models were also stratified by campus alcohol outlet density (high vs. low) to examine the ef...

Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 2010

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships among campus violence, student drinking... more The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships among campus violence, student drinking levels, and the physical availability of alcohol at off-campus outlets in a multisite design. An ecological analysis of on-campus violence was conducted at 32 U.S. colleges. Dependent variables included campus-reported rates of rape, robbery, assault, and burglary obtained from a U.S. Department of Education online database for the years 2000-2004. Measures of student alcohol use and demographics were obtained from student surveys conducted for the Social Norms Marketing Research Project from 2000 to 2004. Measures of alcohol-outlet density within 3 miles of each campus were obtained from state alcohol-licensing authorities for 2004. Both on- and off-premise alcohol-outlet densities were associated with the campus rape-offense rate but not with the assault or robbery rates. Student drinking level was associated with both campus rape and assault rates but not with the campus robbery rate...

Journal of American College Health, 2009

Objective: The authors examined the sociodemographics and psychobehavioral characteristics of und... more Objective: The authors examined the sociodemographics and psychobehavioral characteristics of undergraduate US college students who abstain from alcohol. Participants: The respondents were 5,210 undergraduates from 32 colleges and universities. Methods: A survey was mailed to 300 randomly selected students per institution (spring 2000 or 2001). The response rate was 56.2%. Results: Overall, 20.5% of the students abstained. Predictors of abstention included the student's own negative attitude toward alcohol use; perception of friends' alcohol attitudes; male gender; being under age 21; abstaining in high school; non-Greek member or pledge; nonathlete; nonsmoker; non-marijuana user; participant in a religious group; working either 0 or 10+ hours per week for salary; having a mother who abstains; and having a close friend who abstains. Conclusion: Additional research on abstainers is warranted. Campus-based prevention programs should be grounded in a better understanding of how motives not to drink are developed and sustained in high school and college. lcohol puts drinkers at risk for a variety of health and other consequences. With college students, campus administrators are principally concerned about the immediate need to prevent deaths and injuries resulting from episodes of heavy drinking. By 1 estimate, approximately 1,700 students (aged 18-24 years) enrolled in 2-and 4-year institutions die each year from alcoholrelated causes, mostly because of motor vehicle crashes.