Available online 12 October 2022, 101393

Children with disabilities may be at increased risk for engaging in health risk behaviors compared to their peers without disabilities.

This secondary analysis aims to assess if Individualized Education Program (IEP) status, a proxy for having a disability, is a risk factor for youth to engage in health risk behaviors such as alcohol use, marijuana use, other substance use, or being the victim of bullying or cyberbullying.

Data from Connecticut Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 were combined for a representative sample of 9,243 students, 850 reporting having an IEP. Having a disability was measured by asked if participants received special education services as part of an IEP. Logistic regression that accounted for the YRBSS sample design was used to assess main effects.

Having an IEP significantly predicted the likelihood of being bullied (OR=1.81), cyberbullied (OR=1.49), and other drug use (OR=1.65), but did not predict engaging in sexual activity.

Students with disabilities as defined by the receipt of special education services as specified on an IEP are at increased risk for health risk behaviors than are students without disabilities during their high school years. The lack of questions on the national YRBSS about a participant’s special education status or disability further prevents analyses and comparisons across disability status.

Secondary Analysis of CT Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) Data by Individualized Education Program (IEP) Status

health surveillance data

disability status

special education

youth

health risk behavior

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