Abstract
Family and school connectedness may have long‐lasting protective effects across multiple health outcomes related to mental health, violence, sexual behavior, and substance use, researchers have found. In addition, increasing both family and school connectedness during adolescence can promote overall health in adulthood. The researchers used Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (14,800 adolescents). School connectedness in adolescence reduced emotional distress and odds of suicidal ideation, violence victimization and perpetration, multiple sex partners, and illicit drug use, including prescription drug misuse. Compared to individuals with low scores for each type of connectedness, having high levels of both school and family connectedness was associated with 48% to 66% lower odds of health risk behaviors and experiences in adulthood, depending on the outcome. The study, Adolescent connectedness and adult health outcomes, is published in the July issue of Pediatrics.
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