Teen Related Research Topics

Teens and Guns

Firearms are the second leading cause of death among 10- to 19-year-olds, after motor vehicle accidents. Report includes recommendations for protecting children from gun violence. View Report or Download Report (333 KB) (January 2005)

Teens and Methamphetamine Use

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports the prevalence of current year methamphetamine use between 2002 and 2004 among 12-17 year old youth (0.7%) and 18-25 year old adults (1.6%) from analysis of data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Download Report (204 KB) (September 2005)

Teens and Origin-of-Life Views

The Gallup News Service reports the results of an August 2005 survey of 1,004 U.S. adults regarding their views about the origin-of-life. Overall, 58% of adults said creationism is definitely/probably true (73% for weekly church attendees) while 55% said evolution is definitely/probably true (33% for weekly church attendees). (August 2005, fee to access)

Teens and Mass Participation

The National Catholic Reporter 2005 Survey of U.S. Catholics highlights generational differences and agreements regarding several church related issues. Of special note is the steady decline in weekly mass attendance over time especially for the younger generations. Of those surveyed only 26% of generation X and 15% of the millenial generation stated that they attend mass weekly or more. Download Generational Differences Report (273 KB) (September 2005)
The National Study of Youth and Religion noted that there was an eight percent decline over the past twenty years in 12th graders attending weekly religious services even though they indicate that religion plays an very important part in their lives. Download Report (157 KB) (March 2004)
The Catholic data of the National Study on Youth and Religion was analyzed by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry in collaboration with Ministry Training Source. Their report, National Study of Youth and Religion: Analysis of the Population of Catholic Teenagers and their Parents notes that religion plays a significant role in the lives of teenagers that regularly attend mass. Download Report (19 KB) (March 2005)
The Insituto Fe Y Vida analyzes the Hispanic data collected from the National Study of Youth and Religion in their report Youth Ministry and the Socioreligious Lives of Hispanic and White Catholic Teens in the U.S. The study notes that while Hispanic youth and their parents express increased levels of religious devotion at home it does not necessarily indicate high levels of participation at the parish level (2005). (Resource may be ordered online for $5.00, a free pdf is available when you sign up for the Fe Y Vida newsletter.)
The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University offers statitics on U.S. Mass attendance which notes that about a third of adult Catholics attend Mass weekly. Information about recent events and different generations is included in this report. Download Report (133 KB) (January 2005)

Teens and Service

If parents and youth leaders want a proven way to deepen the faith development of teens, the latest research by Baylor University School of Social Work professors provides one—involvement in a meaningful community ministry alongside adults. The article Community Ministry Powerful Factor in Maturing Teens' Faith is available on the Baylor University website. (January 2007)

Teens and Smoking

As many as one-third of children say they can smoke cigarettes without becoming addicted, according to a new survey. (June 2005)
When teens aren't allowed to watch R-rated movies, they are less likely to try cigarettes in the future, a new study shows. (July 2004)
Researchers found that today's teens smoke less than their counterparts did 20 years ago. (August 2003)

Teens and Sex

Child Trends reports that 44% of 15-17 year-old boys, 42% of 15-17 year-old girls, 70% of 18-19 year-old boys, and 72% of 18-19 year-old girls have engaged in oral sex from the results of the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. Also, 23.7% of 15-19 year-old boys and 21.9% of 15-19 year-old girls who reported not having sexual intercourse, had engaged in oral sex. Download Report (936 KB) (September 2005)

Teens and Suicide

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports, from National Surveys on Drug Use and Health data, that 14% of 12-17 year old youth (or 3.5 million) had at least one major depressive episode in their life, with 7%+ (1.8 million) having thoughts of committing suicide, and 2.9% (712,000) actually trying to commit suicide. Download Report (129 KB) (September 2005)

Teens and TV Viewing Time

According to Nielsen Media Research, the average American watched 4 hours and 32 minutes of TV per day during the 2004-05 TV season. Download Report (46 KB) (September 2005)