Troubled Teens Resources

Teens at risk for self destructive behavior, such as teen age drug abuse or indiscriminate sex, stand to benefit by a new test called the adolescent risk inventory (ARI). Experts purport that this verbal assessment will reveal indicators that the tested teen is vulnerable for, or tends to, risky behavior.

“Researchers studied 134 youth ages 12 to 19 with psychiatric disorders. Each study participant was given the adolescent risk inventory (ARI) (a paper and pencil measure). The ARI included questions about sexual history (have you ever been pregnant or been a dad?), self-harm (have you ever attempted suicide?), and attitudes towards acting out (do you break rules for no reason?).
“We found that the ARI is reliable and comprehensive and can be useful in quickly identifying a wide range of teen risk behaviors,” says Lescano.”
(source)

The intent is for the family doctor to administer these tests as part of the teens medical assessment so that if any concerns are raised that the teen can be referred to a program that could serve as a preemptive measure against trouble down the road.

It is something that will have to be closely watched. Do schools have access to these results? Though the questions seem straight forward, the answers still require an evaluative process. What criteria is used to judge responses? Can such materials be used against a teen in juvenile court? Just like any tool for possible good, the negative aspects have to be considered as well.

Parents will want to look at such an assessment in light of their possible misuse, misinterpretation or intrusion into a family’s privacy. If parents are satisfied that the assessment will be handled in a constructive way, parents can make requests for the test to their family physician, if available.