My research focuses on the social contexts of adolescent health, with particular emphasis on schools and families. I am using social network measures and methods to explore how the social structure of schools influences adolescent health risk behaviors and mental health. I am also interested in cross-cultural research on parent-adolescent relationships, particularly how to define and measure relationship qualities such as connection and behavioral regulation across cultures.

I also carry out community-based participatory research and evaluation in East Baltimore focused on implementing and evaluating strategies to ensure the health of young people as they transition to adulthood.

Adolescent health, youth development, school connectedness, social network analysis, community-based participatory research, program evaluation, sexual and reproductive health, survey research, after-school programs, adolescent health risk behaviors

2002–2007 Faculty Scholars Award

William T. Grant Foundation

1996 Dorothy S. Thomas Award

Awarded by the Population Association of America for best student paper

1994 University of California

Dissertation Year Fellowship

1992 UCLA Alumni Distinguished Scholar Award

Awarded for academic achievement and community service

1991 Charles M. Wacker Memorial Fellowship

Awarded for humanism in health care

1989–1992 Fred H. Bixby Population Fellowship

Awarded for doctoral studies in population dynamics

Crosnoe, R., C.A. McNeely (2008) Peer Relations, Adolescent Behavior, and Public Health Research and Practice. Family and Community Health.

McNeely, C.A. and R. Crosnoe (2008) Social Status, Peer Influence and Weight Gain in Adolescence: Promising Directions for Addressing the Obesity Epidemic. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health 162(1): 91.

Nonnemaker, J.M., C.A. McNeely, R.W. Blum (2006) Public and Private Domains of Religiosity and Adolescent Smoking Transitions. Social Science & Medicine 62(12):3084-95.

Ohene, S.A., C.A. McNeely, M. Ireland, I. Borowsky (2006) Parental Expectations, Physical Punishment, and Adolescent Violence. Pediatrics 117(2):441-7.

Ohene, S.A., L. Halcon, M. Ireland, C.A. McNeely (2005) Sexual abuse history, risk behavior and sexually transmitted diseases: The impact of age at abuse. Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases 32(6):358-63.

Sieving, R., R. Fee, C.A. McNeely, W. Hellerstedt, and J. Snyder (2005) Reliability of Self-Reported Contraceptive Use and Sexual Behaviors among Adolescent Girls. Journal of Sex Research. 42(2):159-66.

Rock, E.M., M. Ireland, M. Resnick, C.A. McNeely (2005) A Rose by Any Other Name: Perceived Knowledge, Actual Knowledge, and Adolescent Sexual Risk Behavior. Pediatrics 115(3):667-72.

McNeely, C.A. and C. Falci (2004) School Connectedness and the Transition Into and Out of Health Risk Behavior among Adolescents: A Comparison of Social Belonging and Teacher Support. Journal of School Health 74(7):284-292.

McNeely, C.A. (2004) Connection to School as an Indicator of Positive Youth Development. In Lippman, L. and Moore, K., eds., Indicators of Positive Youth Development. Search Institute Series on Developmentally Attentive Community and Society. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Press.

Nonnemaker, J.M., C.A. McNeely and R.W. Blum (2003) Public and Private Domains of Religiosity and Adolescent Health Risk Behaviors: Evidence from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Social Science and Medicine.

McNeely, C.A., M. Shew, T. Beuhring, R. Sieving, B. Miller and R.W. Blum (2002) Mothers’ Influence on Adolescents’ Sexual Debut. Journal of Adolescent Health. 31:256-265.

McNeely, C.A., J.M. Nonnemaker and R.W. Blum (2002) Promoting Student Connectedness to School: Evidence from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Journal of School Health 72(4):138–146.

Aneshensel, C.S. and C.A. Sucoff (2002) Neighborhood and Adolescent Mental Health: Structure and Experience. In Socioeconomic Conditions, Stress and Mental Disorders: Toward a New Synthesis of Research and Public Policy. (Mental Health Statistical Improvement Program; Center for Menatl Health Services in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Pp. 41-77.

Blum, R.W., C.A. McNeely, J.M. Nonnemaker (2001) Vulnerability, Risk and Protection. In Adolescent Risk and Vulnerability: Setting Priorities. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, Institute of Medicine.

Hellerstedt, W., R. Fee, C.A. McNeely, R. Sieving, M. Shew, and M. Resnick (2001) Pregnancy Attitudes of Adolescents Awaiting Pregnancy Test Results in Urban Midwestern Clinics. Public Health Reports 116: Supplement 1.

Upchurch, D.M., C.S. Aneshensel, J. Mudgal and C.A. McNeely (2000) Sociocultural Contexts of Time to First Sex Among Hispanic Adolescents. Journal of Marriage and Family 63:4.

Santelli, J., L. Duberstein Lindberg, J. Abma, C.A. McNeely, and M. Resnick (2000) A Comparison of Estimates and Trends in Adolescent Sexual Behaviors in Four Nationally Representative Surveys. Family Planning Perspectives.

Sieving, R., C.A. McNeely, and R.W. Blum (2000) Maternal Expectations, Mother-Child Connectedness, and Adolescent Sexual Debut. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Upchurch, D.M., C.S. Aneshensel, C.A. Sucoff and L. Levy-Storms (1999) Neighborhood and Familial Contexts of Adolescent Sexual Activity. Journal of Marriage and the Family 61:4.

Sucoff, C.A. and D.M. Upchurch. Neighborhood Context and the Risk of Adolescent Childbearing Among Metro-Area Blacks (1998) American Sociological Review 63:4.

Upchurch, D.M., C.S. Aneshensel, C.A. Sucoff and L. Levy-Storms (1998) Gender and Race/Ethnic Differences in Time to First Sex Among Los Angeles Youth. Family Planning Perspectives 30:3.

Aneshensel, C.S. and C.A. Sucoff (1996) The Neighborhood Context of Adolescent Mental Health. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 37:4.