Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - In 2005, 15 schools in Crawford, Grant, Lafayette and Richland counties administered the Southwest Wisconsin Youth Survey (SWYS) with the help of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, UW-Extension and the Cooperative Educational Service Agency #3.

UW-Madison professor Stephen Small originally created the survey to measure various teenage perceptions and behaviors, and it was modified to fit the 15 schools. The SWYS identifies teen problems, the extent of those problems and possible causes and solutions, so educators can make informed decisions on how to meet local teen, family and community needs. Survey participants totaled 3,828 students in grades seven through twelve, of which 3,727 usable surveys were obtained.

The SWYS measured students' responses to such issues as tobacco, alcohol and other drug use; teen sexuality; mental health; safety; community and school; and peer and family relationships. Recently, UW-Extension released its results and analysis of the findings, including indications of positive youth development that gauged the overall health and well-being of Southwest Wisconsin teenagers.

Tom Schmitz, Grant County youth development educator for UW-Extension and principal investigator for the SWYS, said that the 2005 survey would not have been possible without UWP. Sue Curtis, director of the Community University Partnership at UWP, put Schmitz in contact with UWP psychology professor Theron Parsons who then replaced Small in refining the survey questions and analyzing, cross-tabulating and formatting the data.

Overall, the results of the survey were consistent with surveys of past years, formerly called the Teen Assessment Project (TAP). For example, while 18 percent of teens reported smoking cigarettes within 30 days of the survey, three in four teens have never smoked. Almost half of the students surveyed said they have tried alcohol, but 61 percent reported drinking is against their values. Of the teens surveyed, 15 percent have tried marijuana. While 21 percent have had sexual intercourse, 70 percent said that it is wrong for their age. Results on suicide showed that 15 percent of teens have had suicidal thoughts and 14 percent have planned a suicide; these results are similar to national averages. Eleven percent reported being victims of cyber-bullying and 15 percent have been involved in it. A majority of the teens reported satisfaction with school, school rules and teacher's respectfulness and care.

Eighty-eight percent felt that home, school and community safety is sufficient. Eighty-five percent said they felt confident in their abilities to withstand negative peer pressure, defend their beliefs and avoid dangerous situations.

However, reports of sexual harassment increased when compared to past surveys. Of the 10th grade girls surveyed, 39 percent said they had been victims of sexual harassment by a peer within one year of the survey, and 21 percent of the whole teen population said they have been sexually harassed by an adult at school. One school took the initiative to find out what teens meant by this reported sexual harassment, of which the results are pending, and will report its findings to the other 14 schools. Preliminary reports suggest that students' claims of sexual harassment by adults may have come from the sharing of inappropriate jokes, from teachers calling attention to violations of dress code or from a general increase in awareness of sexual harassment in recent years.

"Having local data helps us understand what's going on with our own kids. The survey provides insight into what's working and not working, and each school and community is able to identify strengths and weaknesses and decide how to address them," said Schmitz.

Schmitz leads a team of UW-Extension faculty and academic staff from throughout Southwest Wisconsin. The team includes Bev Doll, Grant County family living agent; Pam Hobson, Richland County 4-H development agent; Amy Mitchell, Crawford County 4-H youth development agent; and Jessie Potterton, Lafayette County 4-H youth development educator.

Since the results have come out, the team has published a series of press releases in local papers, published a comprehensive report, provided the schools with parent newsletters and given presentations to over 800 adults and youth on the survey results.

"It is critical to involve youth in addressing these issues, and it's important for parents and community members to recognize the integral role they play in influencing teen behavior, attitudes and values. Teens tend to internalize family and community values based on what they see adults model," said Schmitz.

The survey has identified six key parental factors that influence teens: strong parental monitoring, familial love and support, consistent enforcement of consequences for violating family rules, parental support of school codes, eating three or more meals a week as a family and parental communication about their values related to appropriate teen behavior.

Anyone interested in reading the full result of the SWYS may visit www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/grant/tap/SWYS2005Report.html. All other inquiries may be addressed by contacting Curtis at (608) 342-1308 or curtissu@uwplatt.edu, or Schmitz at (608) 723-2125.

Contact: Sue Curtis, director, Community University Partnership Program, (608) 342-1308, curtissu@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: April Schmidt, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, chmidap@uwplatt.edu