Adolescent Risky Behavior Research Articles

STRESS AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS AND ONLINE RISKY BEHAVIORS IN ADOLESCENTS

Objective: the aim of the study was to examine the mediating role of stress in associations between online risky behavior and three factors, namely, real-life risky behaviors and information security awareness as risk factors, and life satisfaction as a protective factor. Method: participants were university students (N=883, 40.5% male, and 59.5% female) with an average age of M=21.93 years (SD=4.29). They filled out the Users’ Information Security Awareness Questionnaire, Youth self-reported delinquency and risk behaviors questionnaire, Life satisfaction scale and Perceived Stress Scale. Result: Mediational analysis revealed a mediating role of stress: stress had a partially mediating role in the association between real-life risky behaviors and online risky behavior, making the association stronger. However, stress had a fully mediating role in the association between life satisfaction and online risky behavior, that is, the association was non-significant in the presence of stress. Conclusions: Overall results indicate that stress experienced in real-life situations can be a trigger for online risky behavior in adolescents. Under stressed conditions, adolescents choose to focus on negative outcomes more frequently because they refocus their cognitive resources on emotion regulation and leave inhibitory processes necessary to prevent risky behaviors uncontrolled.

Relationship between Parent Role, Friends Effect Association and Use of Mass Media with Risk Sexual Behavior in Adolescents at Senior High School 76 Jakarta

Adolescents are individuals with high curiosity, including sexual behavior. BKKBN findings in 2017 show that the age group of 15-17 years is the highest age of first dating and age 17 is the highest age of first sexual intercourse. This study aims to determine whether there is a relationship between the role of parents, peer influence and the use of mass media with risky sexual behavior in adolescents at SMAN 76 Jakarta. This study used cross sectional study and was conducted on 154 respondents through a simple random sampling method. Data collection uses questionnaires on the role of parents, peer influence, the use of mass media and risky sexual behavior that have been tested for validity and reliability. Statistical test results using Chi-Square showed a significant relationship between the role of parents with risky sexual behavior (p = 0.001), peer influence with risky sexual behavior (p = 0.001) and the use of mass media for risky sexual behavior (p = 0.001). It is recommended that schools collaborate with local health services in conducting health education, counseling or therapy related to the problem of risky sexual behavior in adolescents.

Risky sexual behaviors in adolescents and young adult women with type 1 diabetes: An overlooked problem.

The presence of unprotected sex activity in women living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who have insufficient glycemic control should be considered as a specific risky behavior. To evaluate risky behaviors, including unprotected sexual activity, sources of information and knowledge related to reproductive health in adolescents and young adult women with T1D (PwT1D) compared to a group of adolescents and young adult women without diabetes (Comparison group). PwT1D and the Comparison group completed a questionnaire with validated measures that assessed reproductive health. PwT1D (n=115, age=17.7 ± 3.2 years) and Comparison group (n=386, age=18.3 ± 2.9) were recruited. The proportion of women reporting having sex without any contraceptive was similar in both groups (57.1% and 50%, in PwT1D and Comparison group, respectively). The use of non-effective contraceptive was reported in 63.2% and 63.6% of the PwT1D and Comparison group, respectively. Among PwT1D, parents, formal sex education, and friends were the primary source of information on reproductive health. Low levels of knowledge about diabetes and pregnancy were observed in PwT1D. HbA1c level was associated with having at least one sexual activity without any contraception (OR=1.63, p=0.039). PwT1D have similar rates of risky behaviors compared to a Comparison group. Sexual risky behaviors should be especially considered in PwT1D with glycemic control above the optimal level. Parents are an important source of reproductive health information for PwT1D. Use of effective contraception should be reinforced in sexually active PwT1D.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILY FUNCTIONS AND RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN INDONESIA IN 2018: A PMA DATA ANALYSIS

This analysis aimed to examine the relationship between family development and risky adolescent sexual behavior in Indonesia. The data were taken from the 2018 Performance and Accountability Survey with a family and adolescent questionnaire; thus, the relationship between parents and adolescents could be identified. The statistical analysis methods used were descriptive and inferential analyses, with the unit of analysis being 15,556 teenagers who dated. The results of the logistic regression analysis (Model 1) by using all the independent variables simultaneously found that sexual risk behavior was mostly found in in boys, age categories 20-24 years, and participants who never had access to PIK-R. Risky sexual behavior was also dependent on whether participants agreed to have relations sexual before marriage, and also the level of education of their parents. The logistic regression analysis (Model 2) found residence, gender, level of adolescent education, age categories, agreement to have sexual relations before marriage, age groups of head of family, gender of head of family, education level of head of family, work status of head of family, economic status, and the activeness of the BKR activities contributed to adolescents committing risky sexual behaviors.

Comparing targeting strategies for network-based adolescent drinking interventions: A simulation approach

Public health researchers and social scientists highlight the promise of network-based strategies to inform and enhance interventions that curb risky adolescent health behaviors. However, we currently lack an understanding of how different variants of network-based interventions shape the distribution of targeted behaviors. The current project considers the effectiveness of five targeting strategies that are designed to have differential impacts on the health of program participants versus non-participants. Using simulations that are empirically-grounded in 28 observed school-based networks from the PROSPER study, we evaluate how these approaches shape long-term alcohol use for intervention participants and non-participants, separately, and consider whether contextual factors moderate their success. Findings suggest that enrolling well-connected adolescents results in the lowest drinking levels for non-participants, while strategies that target groups of friends excel at protecting participants from harmful influences. These trends become increasingly pronounced in contexts characterized by higher levels of peer influence.

A Systematic Literature Review on the Influential Family Factors and Cultural Differences in Parent-Adolescent Conflict among Adolescents

Parent-Adolescent conflicts are associated with internalization and externalization problems, school maladjustment, and risky behavior of adolescents. Various studies have shown that the parent-child conflict is a risk factor for depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem among adolescents. The depression levels of adolescents living in families with high levels of conflict have been shown to be higher than those of adolescents who have a healthy relationship with the family. Hence, the purpose of this study was to identify the influential factors of parent-adolescent conflict in different cultures around the world and cultural differences within the context of parent-adolescent conflict. The methodology applied inclusion and exclusion criteria based on the Scopus database. A total of 18 articles were selected through the process. The findings of this review discuss the influential factors and cultural difference of parent-adolescent conflict in different countries and also explain the gaps and limitations in the literature assessing influential family factors of parent-adolescent conflict in different countries and different cultures around the world. The findings of this review are beneficial for psychotherapists and professional mental health support providers who work with families and adolescents where the therapists can design the needed plans of counseling for the clients by considering the importance of developing awareness among the parents and adolescents regarding their contribution to building a healthy relationship.

Development of a computer-assisted instructional package for life skills to prevent risky sexual behaviors in early adolescents, Bangkok, Thailand.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a newly developed computer-assisted instructional package for life skills (CAIFLS) specifically designed to raise awareness of risky sexual behaviors among Thai early adolescents in Bangkok. Methods: The research process included two phases: (1) the development and (2) the use and evaluation of the newly developed CAIFLS package. First, 5 teachers and 5 Grade 7 students of a Bangkok school were interviewed to collect information needed for the development of CAIFLS. The second phase was to implement learning activities through CAIFLS with a total of 87 Bangkok school students, consisting of 44 students for the experimental group who received CAIFLS for 4 sessions, and 43 students for the control group who received routine class lecture. CAIFLS instructions, lesson plans and worksheets were designed as the experiment methods. Then questionnaires of life skills assessments and student satisfaction were used to investigate the effects and the student satisfaction of CAIFLS. Results: The findings revealed that the efficiency values of the CAIFLS package were 80.2/82.5, higher than the set criteria of 80/80. Mean scores on life skills for the experimental group significant increased (p < .05), which was higher than the control group. The students also showed their satisfaction of CAIFLS at a high level (M = 4.20, S.D. = 0.29) Conclusions: CAIFLS can be used as an effective learning tool to enhance life skills to prevent risky sexual behaviors among Thai early adolescents.

Gender stigma awareness is associated with adolescent risky health behaviors.

ObjectivesAlthough racial stigma in school is associated with adolescent risky health behaviors, there are no studies investigating how gender stigma relates to adolescent risky health behaviors among low-income, minority youth. We sought to determine whether gender stigma awareness is associated with adolescent risky health behaviors (delinquency, fighting, and substance use) and whether this association is mediated by school disengagement (low perceived teacher support, low school engagement, cutting classes, and breaking school rules) among low-income, minority students.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional survey data, collected from 2017 to 2019, from 412 high school students. Multi-level logistic regressions tested whether gender stigma awareness was associated with delinquency, fighting, and substance use, controlling for covariates, baseline behaviors, and clustering within schools. Mediation analyses tested whether school disengagement (low school engagement, perceived teacher support, cutting class, and breaking school rules) mediated these associations. Secondary analyses explored whether associations differed for male versus female, high-performing versus low-performing, and Latinx versus non-Latinx students.ResultsIn this predominantly Latinx (83%) sample, gender stigma awareness was associated with delinquency (AOR = 1.48, P< 0.001) and fighting (AOR = 1.15, P< 0.001). School engagement, perceived teacher support, breaking school rules, and cutting classes mediated 42.7% of the association between gender stigma awareness and delinquency and 65.42% of the association between gender stigma awareness and fighting. Gender stigma awareness was also associated with substance use for low-performing (AOR = 1.68, P = 0.003) and non-Latinx adolescents (AOR = 3.80, P = 0.03). School disengagement did not mediate the association between gender stigma awareness and substance use for non-Latinx students but mediated 50% of this association for low-performing students.ConclusionsGender stigma awareness is associated with adolescent risky health behaviors. A decreased sense of acceptance in the school community and increased school misbehavior may mediate these associations. School environments that value and accept all students may better support adolescent health.

Two Pathways to Self-Harm in Adolescence

ObjectiveThe behavioral and emotional profiles underlying adolescent self-harm, and its developmental risk factors, are relatively unknown. We aimed to identify subgroups of young people who self-harm (YPSH) and longitudinal risk factors leading to self-harm.MethodParticipants were from the Millennium Cohort Study (N = 10,827). A clustering algorithm was used to identify subgroups who self-harmed with different behavioral and emotional profiles at age 14 years. We then traced the profiles back in time (ages 5−14 years) and used feature selection analyses to identify concurrent correlates and longitudinal risk factors of self-harming behavior.ResultsThere were 2 distinct subgroups at age 14 years: a smaller group (n = 379) who reported a long history of psychopathology, and a second, much larger group (n = 905) without. Notably, both groups could be predicted almost a decade before the reported self-harm. They were similarly characterized by sleep problems and low self-esteem, but there was developmental differentiation. From an early age, the first group had poorer emotion regulation, were bullied, and their caregivers faced emotional challenges. The second group showed less consistency in early childhood, but later reported more willingness to take risks and less security with peers/family.ConclusionOur results uncover 2 distinct pathways to self-harm: a “psychopathology” pathway, associated with early and persistent emotional difficulties and bullying; and an “adolescent risky behavior” pathway, whereby risk taking and external challenges emerge later into adolescence and are associated with self-harm. At least one of these pathways has a long developmental history, providing an extended window for interventions as well as potential improvements in the identification of children at risk, biopsychosocial causes, and treatment or prevention of self-harm.

Contribution of pornographic exposure and addiction to risky sexual behavior in adolescents.

BackgroundThe progress of information and technology contributes to the increasingly easier access to pornographic content. Adolescents as the highest Internet accessor become the most susceptible population to pornographic hazards, which has an impact on the deviant sexual behavior. This study aimed to identify the relationship of exposure history and pornography addiction to risky sexual behavior in adolescents.Design and MethodsThe data were collected online using a cross-sectional approach and involved 394 students selected by stratified random sampling. This study used early detection of pornography addiction instrument and Sexual Risk Survey (SRS).ResultsA significant relationship was found between risky sexual behavior in students and the age of the first-time exposure to pornography (p=0.013), pornographic materials accessed (p=0.041), and the reasons for watching pornography (p=0.017). The higher the degree of pornography addiction, the higher the risky sexual behavior in students (p=0.000; r=0.241).ConclusionsA prevention and intervention program are necessary to address the pornography addiction problem as well as the development of various strategic plans in handling issues associated with risky sexual behavior in adolescence.

Examining potential risk factors for early age of nicotine vaping initiation in a sample of Florida youth

Previous research has examined risk factors for nicotine vaping in young adults and older adolescents. Even so, significantly less research has examined risk factors for initiating nicotine vaping in early adolescence. This paper addresses this gap in the literature by examining risk factors for initiating nicotine vaping in a sample of middle- and high-school students. In order to do so, we analyze data from the 2019 cohort of the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS). We employ multinomial logistic regression and logistic regression to examine potential risk factors for early age of nicotine vaping initiation. Our findings reveal that early age of nicotine vaping initiation is associated with cigarette use, alcohol use, having substance using peers, lifetime incidence of arrest, and lifetime incidence of school suspension. In conclusion, our findings reveal that early age of nicotine vaping initiation is associated with other forms of risky behavior in adolescence (i.e., substance use, misbehavior leading to arrest and/or school suspension). We discuss the implications of these findings for future research.

The Effect of Egocentrism Thinking Structure on Risky Behaviors in Adolescents

Ergenlik dönemi insan gelişiminin önemli ve kritik dönemlerinden bir tanesidir. Bu dönem içerisinde fiziksel, bilişsel ve sosyal gelişim alanlarında bir dizi değişimleri barındırmaktadır. Bu değişimlerden biri de bilişsel yapıda ortaya çıkan algılamalara yönelik değişmelerdir. Ergen benmerkezciliği adı verilen düşünce yapısındaki bu değişimler bazı ergenlerde riskli davranışların görülmesine neden olabilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı ergenlik dönemi ile ortaya çıkan önemli düşünce yapılarından biri olan benmerkezci düşünce yapısının ergenlerde riskli davranışların ortaya çıkmasına olan etkisinin tespit edilmesidir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda Malatya ilindeki iki devlet lisesinde eğitimine devam eden toplam 348 (176 kız, 172 erkek) öğrenciden oluşan bir örneklem grubu ile çalışılmıştır. Çalışma grubunu belirlenmesinde rasgele örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma kapsamında “Kişisel Bilgi Formu“, “Riskli Davranışlar Ölçeği“ ve “Yeniden Kişisel Söylence Ölçeği“ kullanılmıştır. İlişkisel tarama deseni kullanılarak gerçekleştirilen bu araştırma sürecinde değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiyi tespit etmek için korelasyon analizi (r, rs), benmerkezciliğin riskli davranışlara olan etkisini belirlemek için basit doğrusal regresyon analizi, ve değişkenlerin cinsiyete göre farklılaşmasının tespit edilebilmesi için t test ve Mann Whitney U testi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma bulgularına göre ergenlerdeki benmerkezci düşünce yapısının riskli davranışların oluşmasında önemli bir yordayıcılığı olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu yönüyle çalışmanın literatüre önemli katkılar sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.

STRUCTURED AND UNSTRUCTURED TIME AND RISKY BEHAVIOR OF ADOLESCENTS IN CONDITIONS OF SOCIAL CRISIS

The main objective of this research is to determine how much adolescents prefer certain types of structured free time and unstructured time (leisure time), as well as their connection with risky behavior of adolescents in social crisis. The sample consists of a number of adolescents (N = 287), 116 or 40.4% of male and 171 or 59.6% of female respondents, age from 18 to 24, average age is 20.44 years (AS = 20.44, SD = 2.75) living in the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. Leisure and Leisure Assessment Questionnaire (constructed only for research purpose), Risk Behavior Rating Scale (RBRS), Scaar, 2009 were used in this research. The data was processed through descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis and the T-test. Results showed that adolescents mostly prefer internet as an unstructured activity and the least preferred is the theater as the structured one. A negative correlation was obtained between academic success and risky behavior, which indicates that if adolescents achieve better results in academic career, they have less propensity for risky behavior. According to the results, boys are more prone to risky behavior than girls, and risky behavior of adolescents can be predicted with 14% variance (significant predictors are unstructured leisure time and the gender of adolescents). Within our work, our objective is to bring attention to the importance of a structured way of spending leisure time regarding adolescents, with necessary engagement of experts from different areas.

KOMUNIKASI KESEHATAN TENTANG KESEHATAN REPRODUKSI DAN SEKSUAL KOMPREHENSIF (Studi di Youth Center Pilar Jawa Tengah)

Reproductive health issues and adolescent sexuality are important studies, such as premarital sexual behavior, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, STIs, and HIV-AIDS. One of the factors that influence adolescent risky sexual behavior is knowledge. The knowledge index number on adolescent reproductive health in Central Java is still low about 58.1%. One of the parties that has a role in the field of adolescent reproductive health is the youth center. This research examined health communication about reproductive and sexual health at the PILAR PKBI Youth Center, Central Java. This research used a qualitative approach with a case study design. The theoretical framework used the Logic Model. Informants were determined by purposive sampling with a total of 19 people. The data collection method was by in-depth interviews via Whatsapp and focus group discussions through Zoom meetings due to the pandemic situation. Data was analyzed with thematic analysis. Research ethics used the Helinski Declaration rules and informed consent. The results of the research were 1) The issues raised were in accordance with the CSE material; 2) The goal is to increase youth care and responsibility; 3) Inputs owned by trained human resources and adequate funding sources; 4) The communication process runs with educational activities, empowerment, and counseling with strategies for the formation of PE, lobbying, advocacy, and collaborative activities, as well as the materials and media, used vary widely according to the target; 5) Communication outputs are the establishment of peer educators and stakeholder support; 6) The results of the communication program are the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of target adolescents are qualitatively good. The health communication carried out by PILAR and the results obtained is quite good. However, it still needs attention to be paid to increasing the capacity of volunteers and peer educators as communicants.

Effects of a Brief Preventive Intervention in Cyberbullying and Grooming in Adolescents

espanolRESUMEN El desarrollo de intervenciones breves y economicas que reduzcan las conductas de riesgo en la adolescencia constituye un desafio para la investigacion actual. Este estudio aborda la prevencion de dos problemas de comportamiento online en adolescentes (ciberacoso y grooming en Internet). Dos estudios piloto evaluaron los efectos de una intervencion de una hora que combino autoafirmaciones (AA) con la teoria incremental de la personalidad (TIP) en el ciberacoso y el grooming. En el estudio 1 participaron 339 adolescentes (51% chicos, edad media = 14.12 anos, DT = 0.70), que fueron asignados aleatoriamente a la intervencion AA + TIP o una de dos condiciones de control. Los analisis de regresion jerarquica indicaron que la intervencion AA + TIP redujo la reciprocidad entre la solicitud sexual y la interaccion sexualizada con adultos, asi como entre la victimizacion y la perpetracion de ciberacoso. El estudio 2 incluyo a 214 adolescentes (50.3% chicos, edad media = 14.06 anos, DT = 0.96), que fueron asignados aleatoriamente a AA + TIP o a una condicion de control. Los analisis de modelos lineales jerarquicos indicaron que AA + TIP redujo la reciprocidad entre la solicitud sexual y la interaccion sexualizada con adultos y redujo la perpetracion de ciberacoso. Los estudios aportaron evidencia preliminar de las ventajas de la intervencion AA + TIP. EnglishABSTRACT The development of brief and inexpensive interventions that reduce risky behaviors in adolescence constitute a challenge for current research. This study addresses the prevention of two online behavior problems in adolescents (cyberbullying and online grooming). Two pilot studies evaluated the effects of a 1-hour intervention, which combined self-affirmation (SA) with the incremental theory of personality (ITP), for cyberbullying and online grooming. Study 1 involved 339 adolescents (51% male, mean age = 14.12 years, SD = 0.70), who were randomly assigned to the SA + ITP intervention or one of two control conditions. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that the SA + ITP intervention reduced the reciprocity between sexual solicitation and sexualized interaction with adults, as well as between cyberbullying victimization and perpetration. Study 2 included 214 adolescents (50.3% male, mean age = 14.06 years, SD = 0.96), who were randomly assigned to the SA + ITP or a control condition. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses indicated that the SA + ITP reduced the reciprocity between sexual solicitation and sexualized interaction with adults, and reduced cyberbullying perpetration. The studies provided preliminary evidence of the benefits of the SA + ITP intervention.

Adolescent-parent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues and associated factors among secondary school students in Woreta town, Northwest Ethiopia: An institutional based cross sectional study

BackgroundWorld Health Organization states adolescents as persons whose age is between 10–19 years. In Ethiopia, sexual and reproductive health problems of adolescents are high. Parent-adolescent communication regarding sexual and reproductive health issues is important to reduce adolescent risky sexual behaviors. ObjectiveThe goal of the study was to assess adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues with parents and associated factors among secondary school students in Woreta town. MethodInstitutional based cross sectional study was conducted among 360 students from March 25–29/2019. Simple random sampling technique was applied to select study participants. Data was collected by self-administered questionnaire. Data was entered into Epinfo7 and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were applied. Odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals and P values were calculated.Variables having P-value < 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression analysis were considered as determinant factors for adolescent-parent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues. ResultA total of 360 school adolescents were involved in the study making 100% response rate. One hundred ten (30.6%) of the students had communication with parents on at least 60% of topics of sexual and reproductive health issues. Being Grade 9 (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1–4.4) and grade 10 students (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1–4.5), students who were knowledgeable on SRH issues (AOR = 3.6; 95% CI: 1.9–6.5) and students who accepted the benefit of communicating SRH issues with parents (AOR = 5.2, 95% CI: 1.9–13.7) were more likely to communicate on SRH issues. Conclusionand Recommendation: Adolescent-parent communication on SRH issues was found to be low. The sexual and reproductive health knowledge of adolescents could be enhanced through participating them in different health clubs in school and outside school.

Adverse School Outcomes and Risky Sexual Health Behaviors among High School Students with E-Cigarette and Marijuana Use

Background While several health risks of e-cigarette and marijuana use have been described, little is known about their associations with school-related outcomes and risky sexual behaviors in adolescents. Objectives: To determine the odds of adverse school outcomes and risky sexual behaviors among youth with single or dual use of e-cigarettes and marijuana. Methods: We used data from the 2015 and 2017 waves of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationally representative survey of high school students in the US. Participants (N = 30,389) were divided into four exposure groups for single or dual use of e-cigarettes and marijuana. We compared rates of e-cigarette and/or marijuana use for different demographic characteristics using chi-square tests and performed multivariate logistic regressions exploring associations among e-cigarette and marijuana use and adverse school outcomes and risky sexual behaviors adjusting for confounding factors. Results: Participants reported e-cigarette-only (7.7%), marijuana-only (8.5%), and dual e-cigarette/marijuana (9.2%) use. Youth in all three use categories had higher odds of reporting grades that were mostly C’s or lower than youth with no use, but no difference was found between youth with e-cigarette-only vs marijuana-only use. Increased odds of having sex without a condom were seen in youth with marijuana-only use (vs. e-cigarette-only use or no use) but not in youth with e-cigarette-only use or dual use. Conclusions: We found increased odds of adverse school-related outcomes and contrasting sexual risk profiles among youth with single or dual e-cigarette and marijuana use. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2021.1883659.

Teacher abuse, school burnout and school attachment as predictors of adolescents’ risky behaviors

The aim of this study is to determine the predictive level of teacher abuse, school burnout and school attachment for risky behaviors in adolescents, and to examine risky behaviors according to some demographic variables. Relational survey model was employed in the study. The study group consisted of 446 adolescents with an average age of 15.49 years studying in secondary schools. Personal information form, Risky Behaviors Scale, Teacher Emotional Abuse Scale, School Burnout Scale and School Attachment Scale for Adolescents were used to obtain demographic information about students. As for data analysis, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient Analysis, Multiple Linear Regression Analysis, Independent Samples t-Test and One-Way Variance Analysis were employed. As a result, it was found that teacher abuse and school burnout predicted adolescents’ risky behaviors in a positively significant direction whereas school attachment predicted adolescents’ risky behaviors in a negatively significant direction. It was revealed that the score averages taken from the total and sub-dimensions of risky behaviors differed significantly according to gender, grade level, academic average, perceived socioeconomic level and family structure variables. In addition, it was determined that suicidal tendencies did not differ based on gender, academic average and class level; antisocial behaviors and school dropout did not significantly differ according to the grade level.

Relative age for grade and adolescent risky health behavior

This paper uses Danish register data to examine the effect of relative age for grade on women’s risky health behavior. I exploit an administrative rule that creates a discontinuous jump in relative age for grade for children born around January 1. Being young-for-grade leads to a higher probability of an abortion and alcohol poisoning in adolescence and earlier births, cohabitation and contraceptive use. The results show how relative age for grade is a determinant of adolescent women’s risky sex and heavy drinking. For men, being young-for-grade have no effect on alcohol poisonings, fatherhood and cohabitation.

RISKY BEHAVIOR AS A FORM OF AUTOAGGRESSION IN ADOLESCENTS. THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS

Risky behavior is considered in constructive and destructive aspects. The constructive aspect consists of adaptation to the dynamics of modern life. The destructive aspect is about the desire for danger, adventure, that leads to a threat to health and mental health. The problem of risky behavior as a manifestation of autoaggression is particularly relevant in the period of adolescence from 10 to 16 years. About 70 % of adolescent deaths are caused by risk-taking. Aim. The purpose of this work is to study the concepts of risky behavior, its types and prevention. Results. Risky behavior is a form of deviant behavior if it does not meet the standards adopted in a particular society at a certain time and involves an objective danger to the individual. In this regard, this behavior is considered as one of the manifestations of autoaggression. Adolescent risky behavior is caused by a number of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. From an existential perspective, risky behavior is a choice made without reference to the value of one's own life. A teenager's perception of risk is associated with overcoming the fear of death, trying to take control of the situation. The types of autoaggressive risky behavior include ignoring traffic rules, offenses, casual sexual relations and unprotected sex, as well as the use of psychoactive substances. Conclusion. Adolescent risky behavior is a normative phenomenon of age, which under the influence of a number of adverse factors is modified into autoaggressive forms. Autoaggressive risky behavior is a way to regulate the fear of death and existential anxiety. This destructive behavior allows the adolescent to experience a surrogate sense of self-actualization: “I was able”, “I coped”, “I am successful”, which later forms a special way of responding to difficult life situations – addressing the topic of death as a way out of the crisis. An integral part of prevention of self-injurious, risk-taking behaviors of adolescents needs to be existential and personalized approach.