However, even though an
adolescent with good language and cognitive skills may experiment with drinking earlier than his / her less advanced peer, better verbal and intellectual abilities have [also] been found to be protective
against developing severe problems with alcohol and other
substances in adulthood.»
Advances in prevention in public health2 provide a model for prevention of
adolescent health - risk behaviors by focusing on risk and protective factors predictive of these behaviors.3, 4 Research on the predictors of school failure, delinquency, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and violence indicates that many of the same factors predict these different outcomes.5, 6 Recent research has shown that bonding to school and family protects
against a broad range of health - risk behaviors in adoles cence.6 Yet, prevention studies typically have focused narrowly on a specific outcome, such as preventing
substance abuse, and on attitudes and social influences that predict that outcome.7, 8 Previous studies on prevention have not sought to address the shared risk and protective factors for diverse health - risk behaviors that are the main threats to
adolescent health.