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Health behaviors and mental health of students attending alternative high schools: A review of the research literature
Author(s) -
Johnson Karen E.,
Taliaferro Lindsay A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal for specialists in pediatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1744-6155
pISSN - 1539-0136
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6155.2011.00311.x
Subject(s) - mental health , psychological intervention , psychology , nursing , medical education , medicine , psychiatry
Purpose. The purpose of this review is to describe current knowledge about health‐risk behaviors and mental health among alternative high school students. Conclusions. Substance use, diet and/or physical activity, sexual‐risk behaviors, mental health, and violence were reviewed. Students were described as marginalized youth facing significant social environmental challenges. Findings from 43 studies published from 1997–2010 suggested a high prevalence of health‐risk behaviors among alternative high school students. Very few studies were conducted by nurse researchers. Suggestions for future research include addressing social environmental factors, resiliency, and emotional/mental health outcomes. Practice Implications. Alternative high schools offer a venue to conduct research and implement nursing interventions with high‐risk, yet resilient, youth.