Unhappy children are more likely to be involved in underage drinking and sexual activity, according to a study reported in BioMed Central's open access journal Substance Abuse, Treatment, Prevention And Policy.   The study, on more than 3,500 11 to 14 year olds from 15 schools in the north-west of England, has found that pupils' general wellbeing and specific satisfaction with school were both associated with the incidence of risky behaviors.   The researchers assessed general wellbeing by asking children about how happy they were with the way they looked, how well they got on with their parents, whether they felt they could be assertive and whether they often felt remorse. School-related wellbeing was assessed by questions about liking school, how their teachers treat them, and involvement with school rules.   Children stating a dislike of school had 2.5-fold higher odds of having any sexual relationship. Dislike of school also strongly predicted alcohol use.   Professor Bellis, who worked with a team of researchers from the Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, said: "Our study identifies that the children who drink and are sexually active are also more likely to be unhappy with their school and home lives. Such children can become disengaged from both family and educational support and risk progressing to sexually transmitted infections, teenage pregnancies or becoming an alcohol related casualty at an accident and emergency unit."   "This study paints a clear picture that the children we most need to support are often the hardest to reach through conventional educational and parental routes."           This article was featured in Today March 29, 2011. http://www.todayonline.com/Health/Healthbites/EDC110329-0000020/Unhappy-kids-...