Instructions
Every two years, the U.S. conducts a Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) detailing trends of youth risk behaviors occurring over the past 10 years. The most recent YRBS analysis describes several trends that are impacting the well-being of teens. Explore the link to the YRBS results provided in the topic Resources, and review the data for your state. Using the first letter of your first name, identify one trend and area of focus that is impacting teens:
A-D: Sexual behavior
E-H: Substance abuse
I-K: Experiencing violence
L-N: Mental health and suicidality
O-R: School connectedness
S-V: Parental monitoring
W-Z: Unstable housing
Complete the following:
Identify factors influencing this trend.
Discuss data that validates this trend as a concern for adolescents today.
Illustrate the nurse’s role and specific actions that the nurse can take in addressing this area of concern in adolescents. Include specific support and informational resources the nurse can provide to parents or teenagers (such as website or contact information).
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and cite at least two references using APA style.
Answer
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) has been essential in showing the factors that predispose the youth to the risky behavior of substance abuse. One of these factors is mental health issues, where the youth with a history of impulse control behaviors, anxiety, and depression tend to use substance abuse for self-medication (Atkin et al., 2025). Another factor is a family history of substance abuse, which increases the risk of abuse as teens emulate their parents or siblings in this antisocial behavior (Atkins et al., 2025). The last factor is peer influence, where teens adopt the risky drug abuse behaviors of their peers (Atkins et al., 2025). From the Florida YRBS data, examples of substance abuse in the state are marijuana vaping, cigarette smoking, and alcoholism. According to these data, by 2023, the school-age youth engaged in high-risk … To access full answer, use the purchase button below.