Risk behaviour among adolescents in South Tyrol/Italy

Author(s):

Gernot Herzer

Conference:

ECER 2010

Network:

5. Children and Youth at Risk and Urban Education

Format:

Paper

Session Information

05 SES 11,

Paper Session

Time:

2010-08-27

14:45-16:15

Room:

M.B. SALI 4, Päärakennus / Main Building

Chair:

Sofia Marques da Silva

Contribution

In the title the following keywords will appear: risk behaviour and adolescents. The research shows the concepts of the risk behaviour are especially important in the context of adolescence and youth. An important reason to focusing on this research field, especially in South Tyrol/Italy, is the fact that we find here a large number of serious accidents in traffic and leisure activities. It is also interesting to take a look at drug consumption by adolescents with regard to alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs as well as other health topics. The questions which might arise in this context include: “What differences does exist among adolescents in South Tyrol with regards to the expressed risk attitudes and risk behaviour?” Another question we could ask is: “Are there attitudes which promote a high risk behaviour and risk taking among young adults in this research field?” The aim of my work is to investigate the risk attitudes among young people and the social influences on adolescents from the different language groups in South Tyrol which can affect risk behaviour.

Method

For my study both quantitative and qualitative research methods where used. I interviewed 12 experts in guideline based interviews who work with young people like social workers, teachers, politicians and co-workers in prevention programs and rescue services. 540 students from vocational and high schools from the three language groups in South Tyrol where asked in a questionnaire about their risk behaviour, perceptions and attitudes regarding risks and risk behaviour.

Expected Outcomes

Results of this study are extensive findings about the risk behaviour of adolescents in South Tyrol and the factors which influence this behaviour. Beside this I identified protecting factors and risk factors for risk behaviour. The qualitative and quantitative data analysis allowed findings about the general structure and the socio-demographical structure of the risk behaviour. Based on these findings I formulated strategies for the future development of measures and preventions in the context of the risk behaviour of adolescents in South Tyrol.

References

Hurrelmann, Klaus/Richter, Matthias (2006), Risk behavior in adoles-cence. The relationship between developmental and health problems. Journal of Public Health, 14, pp. 20-28. Jessor, Richard (Ed.), New perspectives on adolescent risk behavior. (Cambridge: Cambridge UP). Le Breton, David (2000), Playing symbolically with death in extreme sports. Body & Society. Vol. 6, (1), (London; Thousand Oaks; New Delhi: Sage), pp. 1-11. Lerner, Richard M./Ohannessian, Christine M. (Eds.), (1999), Risks and problem behaviors in adolescence. (New York: Garland Publishing). Schwarzer, Ralf (Hrsg.), Gesundheitspsychologie. Enzyklopädie der Psychologie. (Göttingen: Hogrefe). Slovic, Paul (1999), Perception of risk. Reflections on the psychometric paradigm. In: Cohen, Maurie J. (Ed.), Risk in the modern age. Social theory, science and environmental decision making. (London: Macmillan press), pp. 117-152. Wolfe, David/Jaffe, Peter/Crooks, Claire (Eds.), (2006), Adolescent risk behaviors. (New Haven: Yale University Press). Zuckermann, Marvin (2007), Sensation seeking and risky behavior. (Washington: American Psychological Association).

Author Information

Gernot Herzer

University of Bolzano

Brixen

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