Risk behaviors among adolescents participating youth movements - The role of social norms and support

Abstract

Abstract Background Risk behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use are prevalent among adolescents worldwide, and are a major concern due to their harmful effects. Scientific literature presents no agreement as to whether belonging to a youth movement is a risk factor or a protective factor for risk behaviors. The current analysis aimed at evaluating the role of participating in youth movements (i.e., protective or risk factor) in substance use among Israeli adolescents. Methods Based on the 2015 Health Behavior in School-aged Children Survey (HBSC), The current analysis included 2197 participants aged 16-18, who answered the questions addressing participating in youth movements and questions regarding their risk behaviors. Results Overall, 17% of respondents reported smoking cigarettes, 39% consuming alcohol, 14% getting drunk, and 6% using drugs in the past 30 days. Of those respondents, 27% were members or guides in youth movements. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that members of youth movements were significantly more at risk for drug use (OR = 3.54, 95%CI: 1.41, 8.90), and guiding was significantly associated with higher risk for alcohol consumption (OR = 1.90, 95%CI: 1.24, 2.91) and drunkenness (OR = 2.39, 95%CI: 1.50, 3.81) among 16-year-old respondents. No association was found between participation in youth movements and risk behaviors among 17-18year-olds. Family support was found to be a protective factor for cigarette smoking (OR = 0.83, 95%CI: 0.72, 0.97) and drug use (OR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.58, 0.86) among 16-year-olds. Social norms were associated with all four risk behaviors among all age groups, showing, as expected, that the greater the social pressure, the higher the risk for participation in risk behaviors. Conclusions Social and family influence play an important role in the prevention of risk behaviors among adolescents. Youth movement settings should be monitored to ensure they do not become a supportive environment for risk behaviors. Key messages Social and family influence are important in preventing risk behavior in adolescents. Youth movements should be monitored to ensure they do not become a supportive environment for risk behavior.