The objective of this study was to assess youth self-reported treatment barriers in the past 12 months to obtain youth's perspective on reasons they seek treatment, do not engage in treatment, or terminate treatment. The present study uses data from the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), a nationally representative survey administered to youth ages 13-18 that was conducted between February 1, 2001 and January 30, 2004. A total of 10,123 youth participated in the NCS-A study and provided the information on which the current paper draws its data. Within the past 12 months over 63% of youth reported seeking treatment to manage and cope with emotions. The greatest percentage of youth reported that they did not seek treatment because they wanted to handle the problem on their own (59.3%). The greatest percentage of youth reported that treatment was terminated because they wanted to handle the problem on their own (57.5%). Findings suggest professionals need to educate youth about the importance of professional treatment to increase engagement. If providers can motivate youth to see the value of treatment and help them understand that there can be positive outcomes, they may be less likely to terminate prematurely.

This study investigates the link between prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs, parental perceptions of neighborhood safety and support, and the diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) among a nationally representative sample of youth. A subset of variables from a larger study, the 2001-2004 National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), as well as its supplemental parental surveys, was analyzed in this study. This study used a specific selection of 5,924 adolescents and their parents from the NCS-A. Results suggest a correlation between prenatal caffeine use and a subsequent ODD diagnosis in female adolescents. Overall correlations between neighborhood drug use/sales and minority status and a subsequent diagnosis of ODD in adolescents were also found. Social, environmental, and professional implications of these findings are also discussed.

One area of significant concern for researchers of domestic violence is identifying the utility of objective risk assessment tools on diverse samples. This study included a sample of predominately African American women ( n = 57) living in a domestic violence shelter. The study compared the Danger Assessment (DA) and the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) to evaluate their responses of their risk for re-abuse. Results revealed a moderate to strong correlation between the DA and ODARA ( r = .73). Offender’s age, habitation, and pregnancy status were not related to the victim’s perceptions of risk for future abuse. Implications of these findings are discussed.