Research Projects

Study of Adolescents in Missouri Schools (SAMS)

(Funded by the Spencer Foundation)

The SAMS Project is a survey-based study of 8th and 9th graders in small Missouri public schools in rural areas.  The focus of the study is on the links between adolescents' academic experiences and their engagement in substance use. The sample includes (n = 683) 8th (53%) and 9th (47%) graders from 12 rural schools in Missouri.  Approximately 300 of these 8th and 9th graders filled out questionnaires in 2001, the rest filled out questionnaires in 2002.  Some students (about 280) have data for two years, where they filled out the questionnaire once in 2001 and then again in 2002 (i.e., longitudinal data). Pencil and paper surveys were administered in schools during school hours.

In terms of ethnic background, 85.4% of the adolescents were Caucasian, 4.5% were African American, 1.7% were Latino, and 1.5% were Native American.  Additional, 4.2% of the adolescents self-identified with other ethnic minority groups.  In addition, 61.3% of the adolescents in the study were female. 

The measures in the survey are all adolescent report.  The measures are on varied topics including demographics, social development and identity, behaviors and beliefs regarding school, home, and peers.  For example, one research paper that I am working on includes measures related to school stress, school misbehavior, popularity importance, academic achievement, academic self-concept, school importance, self-efficacy, and friends’ school experiences.  Many of my previous papers have focused on substance use, but I also have interests outside of substance use, particularly in the area of development in school.

Some SAMS Papers and Projects (names in italics are Holy Cross students):

Milot, A. S. & Ludden, A. B. (2009). The effects of religion and gender on well-being, substance use, and academic engagement among rural adolescents, Youth and Society, 40, 311-335.
Ludden, A. B. (2006). Social goals and problem behavior among adolescents.  Poster presented at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence, San Francisco, March.
Rajala, K., & Ludden, A. B. (2006). Peer vs. parental social support: What do adolescents need most for positive outcomes?  Poster presented at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence, San Francisco, March.
Bryant, A. L. (2005). Academics and substance use: Individual and school effects on cigarette and alcohol use during adolescence.  Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Montreal, Canada, April.

Autobiography Study

(funded by the Lilly Foundation Endowment Grant)

This project was designed to gain access to the archive of over 2,000 autobiographical statements from Premedical and Predental Alumni from Holy Cross, to analyze an initial subset of autobiographies, and to present information to the Premedical and Predental Committee regarding themes from the statements.  The project is in its beginning stages.

Prospective Teachers’ Beliefs about Adolescents (PTBA) Study

(funded by a University of Missouri Alumni Association Faculty Incentive Grant)

This was a survey study of 384 preservice undergraduate teachers at the University of Missouri in 2002.  Surveys including information about students’ beliefs about adolescent development and teacher roles in the social development of students.

PTBA Papers:

Bryant, A. L.  (2004). What if you caught them using? Prospective teachers’ beliefs about responding to student substance use.  Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA, April.

Caffeine Use Among Adolescents

This survey study includes high school students who reported their use of soda, coffee, tea, energy drinks, and caffeinated pills as well as their reasons for caffeine use, caffeine use expectations, sleep patterns, and levels of stress.  Students in Health and Psychology classes at a public high school in central Massachusetts took home information regarding the study and passive parental consent was obtained. One hundred and ninety seven students (96 males, 101 females) completed the self-report measures administered during school hours. The sample included 40 9th graders (20.3%), 31 10th graders (15.17%), 54 11th graders (27.4%), and 72 12th graders (36.5%); in addition, 71.1% of participants were White/Caucasian, 18.3% were Hispanic/Latino, 3.6% were African-American, 3.6% were multiracial, and 3.5% indicated other minority.

Ludden, A. B. & Wolfson, A. R. (in press). Understanding adolescent caffeine use: Connecting use patterns with expectancies, reasons, and sleep. Health Education & Behavior.