Abstract
Children of affluent parents are often excluded in psychological research as they are considered to be at “low risk”; however, research is beginning to suggest that this previously under-studied population may be at risk for developing multiple problem behaviors, including substance use and externalizing problems. The current study aimed to extend the application of Problem Behavior Theory (PBT) to a sample of affluent adolescents by examining the extent to which these behaviors co-occurred and were associated with negative outcomes. Data were collected from 1,147 high school students living in an affluent community via anonymous questionnaires regarding their engagement in various problem behaviors. PBT was supported in this sample, and youth who engaged in multiple problem behaviors reported experiencing more negative outcomes than youth who did not engage in these behaviors. The findings of this study support the generalizability of PBT and also highlight the importance of continuing to study affluent youth in addition to traditionally high-risk populations.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by grants to Suniya S. Luthar from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (R01-DA14385) and the William T. Grant Foundation. We thank Julia Hitch for her contributions to earlier stages of this research. We also thank Dana M. Rhule and Brian P. Flaherty for assistance with statistical analyses as well as Joan Yoo and Monica Ghailian for their help in preparing the data for analyses. Sincere thanks to the students who participated in this work, to their families, and to the school administrators for their willing, helpful collaboration throughout the process.
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Racz, S.J., McMahon, R.J. & Luthar, S.S. Risky Behavior in Affluent Youth: Examining the Co-occurrence and Consequences of Multiple Problem Behaviors. J Child Fam Stud 20, 120–128 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-010-9385-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-010-9385-4