Confirmation of a Reconceptualized Definition and Measure of Adolescent Risk Behavior: Adolescent Viewpoints

Journal of Adolescent Research ◽

10.1177/07435584211064566 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 074355842110645

Author(s):

Nicole R. Skaar

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

High School Students ◽

Risk Behavior ◽

Risk Behaviors ◽

Health Risk Behaviors ◽

School Students ◽

Adolescent Risk Behavior ◽

Institutional Review ◽

Adolescent Risk ◽

Psychology Course

The goal of this project was to substantiate a more positive conceptualization of adolescent risk behavior and to compare adolescent viewpoints of risk behavior to the items on the Prosocial and Health Adolescent Risk Behavior Scale (PHARBS). A total of 57 high school students participated in the research. Researchers recruited students from an Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology course at a large Midwestern high school. The high school serves approximately 1,750 students in grades 9 through 12. The university Institutional Review Board approved the study procedures. Families provided informed consent, and students assented to participating in one of eight focus group discussions. The focus groups were audio taped, transcribed, and coded. Researchers analyzed the coded data using word count analysis. Students discussed prosocial risk behaviors in addition to health risk behaviors, providing support for the PHARBS and suggesting that adolescents view taking some risks as positive. A more positive conceptualization of risk behavior may better align with how adolescents view risk behavior. Researchers and clinicians might approach adolescent risk behavior measurement and research on the importance of understanding risk behaviors as a normal and potentially positive aspect of adolescent development.

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Early Initiation of Sexual Intercourse and its Co-Occurrence with other Health-Risk Behaviors in High School Students: The 1993 North Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Journal of Health Education ◽

10.1080/10556699.1997.10608598 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 85-97 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anthony V. Parrillo ◽

W. Michael Felts ◽

Victoria Mikow-Porto

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

North Carolina ◽

High School Students ◽

Health Risk ◽

Risk Behavior ◽

Sexual Intercourse ◽

Risk Behaviors ◽

Health Risk Behaviors ◽

Youth Risk Behavior Survey ◽

School Students

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Adolescent Risk Behaviors and Use of Electronic Vapor Products and Cigarettes

10.1542/9781610022743-adolescent ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 88-97

Author(s):

Zewditu Demissie ◽

Sherry Everett Jones ◽

Heather B. Clayton ◽

Brian A. King

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

High School Students ◽

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Health Risk ◽

Risk Behaviors ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Health Risk Behaviors ◽

School Students ◽

Frequency Of Use ◽

Adolescent Risk

BACKGROUND Adolescent use of tobacco in any form is unsafe; yet the use of electronic cigarettes and other electronic vapor products (EVPs) has increased in recent years among this age group. We assessed the prevalence and frequency of cigarette smoking and EVP use among high school students, and associations between health-risk behaviors and both cigarette smoking and EVP use. METHODS We used 2015 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey data (N = 15 624) to classify students into 4 mutually exclusive categories of smoking and EVP use based on 30-day use: nonuse, cigarette smoking only, EVP use only, and dual use. Prevalence of cigarette smoking and EVP use were assessed overall and by student demographics and frequency of use. Prevalence ratios were calculated to identify associations with health risk-behaviors. RESULTS In 2015, 73.5% of high school students did not smoke cigarettes or use EVPs, 3.2% smoked cigarettes only, 15.8% used EVPs only, and 7.5% were dual users. Frequency of cigarette smoking and EVP use was greater among dual users than cigarette-only smokers and EVP-only users. Cigarette-only smokers, EVP-only users, and dual users were more likely than nonusers to engage in several injury, violence, and substance use behaviors; have ≥4 lifetime sexual partners; be currently sexually active; and drink soda ≥3 times/day. Only dual users were more likely than nonusers not to use a condom at last sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS EVP use, alone and concurrent with cigarette smoking, is associated with health-risk behaviors among high school students.

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