Summer Jobs May Help Prevent Suicidal Tendencies in At-risk Teens
A University of Iowa study found that when a friend of a friend attempts suicide, at-risk teens are more likely to seriously consider doing so. But at-risk teens are less likely to be suicidal if they hold summer jobs.
In fact, summer employment is more of a deterrent than holding a job during the school year, attending church, participating in sports or living in a two-parent home, according to the research by Rob Baller, associate professor of sociology in the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, who co-authored the study with Kelly Richardson, a data analyst at the Iowa City VA Medical Center.
“Summer employment is thought to be beneficial because it creates self-esteem while reducing isolation and substance abuse, and it does not conflict with school work in the way a job during the school year could,” Baller said.
Risk factors for teen suicide include heavy alcohol consumption, physical fights, obesity, same-sex attraction and rape victimization. Among adolescents with more of these risk factors, working a paid summer job 20 or more hours a week creates immunity against the friend-to-friend diffusion of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. At-risk teens who are 16 or younger can work just 10 hours a week in the summer to reap the same benefit
Unemployment rates for teens have continued to climb throughout the economic downturn. The latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show the percentage of unemployed teens approaching 22 percent, far higher than the rates for adults.
“If unemployment continues to rise, teens may have a tough time finding jobs this summer,” Richardson said. “Possible solutions could include working for pay within the family or for a friend of the family.
The researchers do offer one caveat: in order for summer employment to be beneficial, it must not expose troubled teens to additional problems. Working teens can be vulnerable to workplace harassment because of their inexperience and the ease with which they can be replaced, Baller said. E.J. Graff of the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University found the problem of teen harassment in the workplace to be significant
“Working teens should be empowered to be intolerant of workplace harassment,” Baller said. “Teens in the work force should be encouraged to speak openly with parents and supervisors if they experience it.”
The study was an analysis of data from the 1994-1996 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which included information on friendship networks of 2,000 students at 15 junior and senior high schools. Effects of friends of friends attempting suicide were found controlling for suicide attempts by friends and family members, and the respondent's prior suicidal thoughts, among other controls.
The study will be published in the September 2009 issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior. The research was supported the Center for Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies in the UI
Job Search Tips For Teens
In this weak economy and tight job market, students have to start their summer job search earlier than ever. To help their peers, the summer job experts at MyFirstPaycheck .com – Summer Jobs for Teens (MyFirstPaycheck.com) put together five tips to help make the job search a little easier.
1. BE BRAVE.
Even in this economy, there are employers looking for the affordable, enthusiastic and energetic help that teenagers provide, but you have to go out and ask for it. Don't let yourself be discouraged by news of the economy, and don't be afraid to apply for jobs.
2. BE PREPARED.
Bring a resumé and a cover letter whenever you apply for a job. Teens are now competing for jobs with adults and having a well-written resume is essential. It shows that you are serious about the position, and that you are mature and responsible. If you need help writing a resume, MyFirstPaycheck.com provides a helpful dynamic free resume.
3. BE POLITE.
You are applying for a job so dress up, make eye contact, shake hands and avoid using slang. First impressions matter – they are your chance to prove yourself – so take advantage of the opportunity.
4. BE PERSISTENT.
Persistence pays off. Send a thank-you note to interviewers, follow up if you do not hear about the job after a week and keep applying.
5. BE CREATIVE.
Look for work in places other than the mall. The weak economy means that people are going to be looking to cut costs in areas such as lawn and child care. Get a few friends together and start a landscaping or a babysitting business.
“Learning how to apply for jobs isn't something we always learn in school, but it's an important skill. MyFirstPaycheck.com – Summer Jobs for Teens provides a variety of tools and resources to help with this process,” says Austin Lavin, co-founder and CEO of MyFirstPaycheck.com.
In fact, summer employment is more of a deterrent than holding a job during the school year, attending church, participating in sports or living in a two-parent home, according to the research by Rob Baller, associate professor of sociology in the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, who co-authored the study with Kelly Richardson, a data analyst at the Iowa City VA Medical Center.
“Summer employment is thought to be beneficial because it creates self-esteem while reducing isolation and substance abuse, and it does not conflict with school work in the way a job during the school year could,” Baller said.
Risk factors for teen suicide include heavy alcohol consumption, physical fights, obesity, same-sex attraction and rape victimization. Among adolescents with more of these risk factors, working a paid summer job 20 or more hours a week creates immunity against the friend-to-friend diffusion of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. At-risk teens who are 16 or younger can work just 10 hours a week in the summer to reap the same benefit
Unemployment rates for teens have continued to climb throughout the economic downturn. The latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show the percentage of unemployed teens approaching 22 percent, far higher than the rates for adults.
“If unemployment continues to rise, teens may have a tough time finding jobs this summer,” Richardson said. “Possible solutions could include working for pay within the family or for a friend of the family.
The researchers do offer one caveat: in order for summer employment to be beneficial, it must not expose troubled teens to additional problems. Working teens can be vulnerable to workplace harassment because of their inexperience and the ease with which they can be replaced, Baller said. E.J. Graff of the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University found the problem of teen harassment in the workplace to be significant
“Working teens should be empowered to be intolerant of workplace harassment,” Baller said. “Teens in the work force should be encouraged to speak openly with parents and supervisors if they experience it.”
The study was an analysis of data from the 1994-1996 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which included information on friendship networks of 2,000 students at 15 junior and senior high schools. Effects of friends of friends attempting suicide were found controlling for suicide attempts by friends and family members, and the respondent's prior suicidal thoughts, among other controls.
The study will be published in the September 2009 issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior. The research was supported the Center for Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies in the UI
Job Search Tips For Teens
In this weak economy and tight job market, students have to start their summer job search earlier than ever. To help their peers, the summer job experts at MyFirstPaycheck .com – Summer Jobs for Teens (MyFirstPaycheck.com) put together five tips to help make the job search a little easier.
1. BE BRAVE.
Even in this economy, there are employers looking for the affordable, enthusiastic and energetic help that teenagers provide, but you have to go out and ask for it. Don't let yourself be discouraged by news of the economy, and don't be afraid to apply for jobs.
2. BE PREPARED.
Bring a resumé and a cover letter whenever you apply for a job. Teens are now competing for jobs with adults and having a well-written resume is essential. It shows that you are serious about the position, and that you are mature and responsible. If you need help writing a resume, MyFirstPaycheck.com provides a helpful dynamic free resume.
3. BE POLITE.
You are applying for a job so dress up, make eye contact, shake hands and avoid using slang. First impressions matter – they are your chance to prove yourself – so take advantage of the opportunity.
4. BE PERSISTENT.
Persistence pays off. Send a thank-you note to interviewers, follow up if you do not hear about the job after a week and keep applying.
5. BE CREATIVE.
Look for work in places other than the mall. The weak economy means that people are going to be looking to cut costs in areas such as lawn and child care. Get a few friends together and start a landscaping or a babysitting business.
“Learning how to apply for jobs isn't something we always learn in school, but it's an important skill. MyFirstPaycheck.com – Summer Jobs for Teens provides a variety of tools and resources to help with this process,” says Austin Lavin, co-founder and CEO of MyFirstPaycheck.com.
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