Youth Risk Behavior Survey
What survey is this?
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help states to improve the capacity to design, implement, and evaluate their youth health programs for public high school students, nationwide. The survey provides information on many key health risk behaviors and indicators, allowing states to measure progress toward state and national goals and objectives.
Why participate?
The YRBS is a statewide survey that provides state-level data on key health behaviors that emerge during adolescence and can significantly impact students' academic success, wellbeing, and long-term health outcomes - including mental health, substance use, personal safety, physical activity, and general wellness. This information can help the state and communities secure funding, monitor adolescent health trends, and identify emerging health priorities and policies.
What topics does it cover?
The YRBS collects information related to alcohol, tobacco (vaping/electronic cigarettes, cigarettes, etc.), illicit drug use, nutrition, physical activity, delinquent behaviors, and bullying.
The questions have been tested to ensure that they are reliable and valid. The survey administration procedures were designed to protect the confidentiality of the student and school district and encourage honest responses from students.
Who is eligible to participate?
Nebraska conducts the YRBS in high schools. Public high school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate.
Eligible high schools are randomly selected. A subset of classrooms in grades 9-12 are chosen from each participating school.
When is it conducted?
The YRBS, like the other SHARP surveys (YTS and NRPFSS), is conducted in the fall of odd years.
The next administration will be the fall of 2025.
Who conducts the survey?
This survey is done in partnership between the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS). The Bureau of Sociological Research (BOSR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was selected as the contractor for SHARP and began administering this survey in the fall of 2010.
How are the data collected?
The YRBS uses a random campling method to ensure that the data accurately represents Nebraska high school students. Public high schools are randomly selected to participate, and within each selected school, specific classrooms are also randomly chosen to take the survey. This process ensures that the results of the survey reflect the experiences and behaviors of students across the state. To encourage honest and accurate responses, the survey is administered using procedures designed to protect student and school district confidentiality. No personally identifiable information is collected, ensuring that responses remain anonymous and secure.
How is this survey unique?
The YRBS is the only survey in Nebraska that provides state level estimates for high school students across a variety of important health areas, making it extremely important to the public health work in the state. These data are used to monitor and evaluate priority health-risk behaviors and prevention efforts among high school students in Nebraska and the nation.
YRBS Data, Materials, and Information
YRBS
National-Level Data
Data from BOSR's administration of the YRBS directly contributes to the national reports provided by the CDC.
See the CDC's ReportsYRBS
State-Level Data Reports
YRBS data reports given to the state since 2009.
YRBS
Questionnaires
A record of previous questionnaires in English and Spanish since 2010.
See the QuestionnairesYRBS
Guardian Consent Forms
Forms available to gain parent/guardian permission.
See the Consent FormsYRBS
Detailed Administration Methods
Detailed information on how the survey is administered.