Risk-taking behavior is not new to adolescents. Despite what elders may state, adolescents in past generations have engaged in risky activities. This “risky” state of mind is inherent to the significant physical, emotional and psychological changes as well as the profound influences of peers during this tempestuous period.
The types of risky behaviors may change. In the 1960s, with the advent of oral contraceptives, increasing numbers of adolescents discarded condoms as a form of birth control. Although seatbelts were not commonly placed in automobiles during the first part of the Twentieth Century, beginning in the 1960s and 1970s, automobiles came equipped with them. Nonetheless, adolescents frequently did not use them. Bicycle helmets were unheard of prior to the 1980s; despite their availability now, many teens refuse to use them. In the 1990s ecstasy became more popular as a drug of choice for youth. At the beginning of the new millennium, illegal use of oxycontin is creating significant health risks for teens.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) periodically publishes the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS). The CDC has a health risk surveillance system that periodically monitors risky behaviors in adolescents and young adults. Six national surveys were conducted in the 1990s, the last one occurring in 1999.
In the 1999 national survey, students in grades nine through twelve in 144 schools completed 15,340 questionnaires. Data were collected by race/ethnicity, gender as well as by grade: nine, ten, eleven, or twelve. Summaries of the data were published in a ninety-four-page book—the YRBS. By comparing the data with previous surveys, health risk trends can be determined.
During the decade of the 1990s some of the following were observed:
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Fewer students never or rarely used seatbelts
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Fewer students never or rarely used bicycle helmets
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Fewer students carried a gun or weapon at school
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Fewer students had sexual intercourse before age thirteen years or had four or more sexual partners
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On the other hand, the following trends for increasing risky behaviors were noted:
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More students had a history of lifetime marijuana use
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More had a history of marijuana use before age thirteen years
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More students had a history of current cocaine use
Data from the YRBS could be utilized to define risky behaviors in subpopulations. For example, male students were more likely than female students to report these risky behaviors:
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Weapon carrying
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Driving after drinking
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Episodic heavy drinking
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Current cocaine use
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Being at risk for overweight and overweight
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Alcohol use or drug use at the last sexual intercourse
Female students were more likely than male students to report these risky behaviors:
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Suicide related behaviors
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Forced sexual intercourse
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Feeling sad or hopeless
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Drinking less than three glasses of milk on a daily basis
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Fasting to lose weight or control weight gain
There are differences between ethnic groups:
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Whites compared to African-Americans are more likely to have regular and current cigarette use, episodic heavy drinking and current cocaine use
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African-Americans compared to white students are more likely to have dating violence, feeling sad or hopeless and being at risk for overweight
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Hispanics compared to African-Americans are more likely to be weapon carrying on school property, have suicide related behaviors and be episodic heavy drinkers.
With all of the risky behaviors that teens engage in, what are some of the strategies or interventions that parents may utilize to prevent these behaviors? And if these behaviors do happen, what should parents do?
| Risk | Behavior Strategy |
| Sexual Activity | Discussions about sexuality before adolescence commences |
| OK to be abstinent and say no | |
| Discussion of contraceptive options | |
| Discussion of sexually transmitted disease | |
| If sexually active, make contraceptive services, medications or devices available | |
| Tobacco | Encourage not to start and let teen know that tobacco use is not acceptable |
| If started, then seek clinician advice regarding cessation program | |
| Discussion of immediate side effects of tobacco including risk of asthma, compromise of athletics | |
| Alcohol use | OK to be a non drinker |
| Tell teen alcohol use is not acceptable | |
| Discussion of drinking risks | |
| Discussion of driving while drinking | |
| Discussion of driving with drinkers | |
| Lock up alcohol | |
| Be aware of your activities with alcohol and effects of your role modeling | |
| Substances e.g. marijuana | Discussion of risks to health e.g. short-term memory issues; legal issues and consequences |
| Substances other than marijuana | Consider referral to substance abuse professional |
| Serious accidents | Review the role of peer pressure in bringing on risky behaviors |
| Role-playing to help teen find an acceptable way out of risky situations | |
| Review consequences of risky behavior before doing it | |
| Violence | Learn to avoid situations where violence could occur |
| Role-playing to remove one from potentially violent situations e.g. bullying | |
| Suicide | Learn symptoms of depression and refer teen to appropriate clinician |
| Develop systems of connections e.g. school, clubs, sports, family, religious and social contacts to enable teen to feel connected to others | |
| Teach teen to recognize others with possible depression | |
| Eating disorders | Avoid discussions emulating thinness |
| Learn symptoms of disordered eating | |
| Be aware of the teen’s height and weight proportions and be willing to refer to appropriate specialist if problems occur | |
| Weapons | Keep guns locked up and ammunition locked in a separate location |
| Sexual violence | Make teen be aware of the potential for acquaintance rape |
| Educate teen on the legal consequences of acquaintance rape |
Despite the efforts of parents, many teens still engage in some aspect of risky behavior during adolescence. While knowledge does not necessarily prevent a teen from having risky behaviors, information at least can offer a potential barrier. For example, information on HIV has been very effective in promoting the use of condoms during sexual intercourse, although it may not have affected the numbers of teens initiating intercourse.
It is very important that parents tell their teens their position on risky behaviors. Research studies have demonstrated that teens who know their parents attitude toward a risky behavior such as underage drinking are more likely to avoid that type of behavior. If one finds that their teen is engaging in risky behaviors, then it is exceedingly important to develop lines of communication between the teen and parent and be prepared to seek professional help.
Related topics:
Accidents, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, bicycle safety, birth control, cliques, cocaine and crack, condoms, depression, hazing, party drugs, peer pressure, safer sex, substance abuse, violence and aggression
