Study shows importance of structured time for teens - Trends - Brief Article

Camping Magazine, Jan, 2002

A national study, "Protecting Teens: Beyond Race, Income, and Family Structure," used data from the "National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health" to determine that teens who have more unstructured free time after school are more susceptible to engaging in unhealthy behaviors. The research also indicated that how after-school time is utilized is a more accurate predictor for dangerous activities than race, income, or a child's family structure.

Obtain a copy of the study at www.peds.umn.edu/peds-adol/ki.html or e-mail aph@umn.edu.