Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine cross-sectional associations of protective factors within a family and school context with adolescent risk behaviors. The study was conducted among adolescents (n = 9682) from five cities in Croatia. Mean age of participants was 16.2 years (SD = 1.2), and 52.5% were female. Multigroup structural equation modeling was used to examine relations between school attachment, school commitment, family communication, and family satisfaction with gambling, substance use, violence, and sexual risk behavior. Data analyses were conducted in two sets, the first using the full sample, and the second using a subsample (excluding Zagreb) for which there was data on sexual risk behavior. In the first model, school attachment was negatively associated with gambling and violence, while school commitment was negatively associated with students’ gambling, substance use, and violence. Gambling was also associated with family satisfaction in this model. Results from the subsample model were similar with regards to school and family factors associated with gambling, substance use, and violence, with a few exceptions. In this model, family protective factors were found not to be significantly related with any risk behavior. These study results emphasize the importance of strengthening school protective factors, school attachment, and school commitment in preventing risk behaviors in adolescents.
Highlights
IntroductionVulnerability and specific characteristics of their age group place adolescents at higher risk when they engage in behaviors such as sexual risk, peer violence, tobacco, alcohol, illicit substance use, and gambling
The results related to the use of inhalants showed that Croatia was at the very top of European countries, with 15% of students having consumed such products
School commitment was significantly associated with gambling, substance use, and violence for both groups
Summary
Vulnerability and specific characteristics of their age group place adolescents at higher risk when they engage in behaviors such as sexual risk, peer violence, tobacco, alcohol, illicit substance use, and gambling. Youth gambling is a frequent risk behaviour of adolescents in Croatia, where the study presented in this paper was conducted. Compared with other European countries, the highest rate of youth gambling (12.3%) was found in Croatia. At the time of this work, more than three quarters of 16-year-old adolescents (79%) had consumed alcohol in the last year, with almost half (47%) of those having done so in the last month [4] Regarding the consumption of illegal drugs, Croatia was above the European average, with 21% of adolescents stating that they had consumed drugs at least once. The results related to the use of inhalants showed that Croatia was at the very top of European countries, with 15% of students having consumed such products
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