Analysis of Factors Influencing Risk-taking Behavior in Middle School Students

Hyun Lye Kim; Sunah Kim

doi:10.12934/jkpmhn.2011.20.1.91

Journal List > J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs > v.20(1) > 1057931

Go to TopGo to Top Go to BottomGo to Bottom

TOOLS

Kim and Kim: Analysis of Factors Influencing Risk-taking Behavior in Middle School Students

Original Article

Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 2011; 20(1): 91-102.

Published online: 31 March 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2011.20.1.91

Analysis of Factors Influencing Risk-taking Behavior in Middle School Students

Hyun Lye Kim¹, Sunah Kim²

¹Research Professor, Yonsei University College of Nursing, Korea.

²Professor, Yonsei University College of Nursing, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kim, Hyun Lye, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. Tel: 82-2-2228-3272, Fax: 82-2-392-5440, hlkim3272@yuhs.ac

Received 11 February 2011 Revised 11 March 2011 Accepted 19 March 2011

(open-access):

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that influence risk-taking behavior in middle school students.

Methods

The participants in this study were 544 students from 4 middle schools in Seoul or Gyeonggi Province. From July 16, to September 9, 2008, data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Demographic, individual, socio-economic characteristics of risk-taking behavior were examined. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, zero-inflated negative binomial regression as count model using SAS 9.1 and Stata 10.0 program were used for the analysis.

Results

The score for risk-taking behavior of the middle school students tended to be low with thrill-seeking behavior being the highest. Risk-taking behavior was higher for boys and for students not living with parents. Stress coping ability, family risk factors, family functioning, peer's risk-taking behavior, and harmful environment were correlated with risk-taking behavior. On zero-inflated negative binomial regression analysis, the factor significantly influencing risk-taking behavior were self-esteem and for increased risk-taking behavior, family functioning, and peer's risk-taking behavior.

Conclusion

A risk-taking behavior approach that considers developmental needs is useful in understanding the behavior of early adolescents. Development of effective guidance and interventions considering factors influencing risk-taking behavior as identified in this study is recommended.

Keywords: Adolescent, Risk-taking behavior, Middle school

Figures and Tables

Figure 1

Characteristics of distribution of dependent variable.

Table 1

Individual, Socio-environmental Characteristics, and Risk-taking Behavior of Subjects (N=544)

Table 2

Differences in Risk-taking Behavior according to Characteristics of Subjects (N=544)

Table 3

Correlations among Variables (N=544)

^*p<.05; ^**p<.01.

Table 4

Influencing Factors on Risk-taking Behavior (N=544)

Notes

This article is a revision of the first author's doctoral dissertation from Yonsei University.

References

1. Bae J, Choi S. Prevalence of substance abuse among Korean adolescents. J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2009; 18:21–30.

2. Cameron AC, Trivedi PK. Regression analysis of count data. Cambridge: Cambriage University Press;1998.

3. Coopersmith S. Self-esteem inventories. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press;1981.

4. Gullone E, Moore S, Moss S, Boyd D. The adolescent risk-taking questionnaire: Development and psychometric evaluation. J Adolesc Res. 2000; 15:231–250.

5. Han SC. Analysis of a prediction factors of risk behavior with adolescents at a small cities. Korean J Educ Psychol. 2004; 18(3):193–210.

6. Han SC. Adolescent's risk behavior and the quality of life: The role of protective factors on risk behavior. Korean J Psychol Soc Issues. 2006; 12(5):99–116.

7. Han SC, Kim HO, Sul IJ, Im YS, Jo AM. Adolescent problem behavior: Psychological approach. Seoul: Hakjisa;2003.

8. Irwin CE Jr, Millstein SG. Biopsychosocial correlates of risk-taking behaviors during adolescence. J Adolesc Health Care. 1986; 7:6 Suppl. 82S–96S.

9. Jessor R. Risk behavior in adolescence: A psychosocial framework for understanding and action. J Adolesc Health. 1991; 12:597–605.

10. Kim SJ. A study on the influences of the stressors from school on problem behavior in middle school and high school students: Focusing on the stress coping strategies. Seoul: Yonsei University;2002. Unpublished master's thesis.

11. Kim MS. Risk behavior of youth perspectives for lifestyle: Focus on reckless driving. Korean J Youth Stud. 2008; 15(1):301–325.

12. Lazarus R, Folkman S, editors. Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer;1984.

13. Lee JM, Bell N. Individual differences, attitudes toward risk behaviors, parents and peers as correlates of adolescent risk behaviors. J Korean Home Econ Assoc. 2004; 42(12):55–67.

14. Lee JM, Kwak Y. Clustering of parental and peer variables associated with adolescent risk behaviors and their characteristics: Using mixture model. Korean J Hum Ecol. 2007; 16:899–908.

15. Lee KS, Kim SY. The relationship between juvenile delinquency and degree of contact with harmful environment and perceived degree of harmful environment. Korean J Youth Stud. 1999; 6(1):49–71.

16. Min HY. Circumplex model and parent-adolescent communication. Seoul: Yonsei University;1991. Unpublished master's thesis.

17. Ministry of Gender Equality & Family. Comprehensive survey on youth harmful environment in 2009. Seoul: Author;2010.

18. Moore S, Gullone E. Predicting adolescent risk behavior using a personalized cost-benefit analysis. J Youth Adolesc. 1996; 25:343–359.

19. National Youth Commission. White paper for the Korean youth in 2007. Seoul: Author;2007.

20. Oh KJ, Moon KJ. Poverty and psychosocial adjustment of adolescents: Mediating effects of family risk factors and parents-child relations. Korean J Clin Psychol. 2006; 25(1):59–76.

21. Olson DH, Portnet J, Lavee Y. FACES-III: Family adaptability and family cohesion evaluation scale-III. St. Paul: Family Social Science, University of Minnesota;1985.

22. Olson DH, Russel C, Sprenkle DH. Circumplex model of marital and family systems: Theoretical update. Fam Process. 1983; 22:69–83.

23. Park HS, Jo GY. Development of a Korean risk behavior scale for middle school adolescents. J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2010; 19:229–240.

24. Perkins DF, Jones KR. Risk behaviors and resiliency within physically abused adolescents. Child Abuse Negl. 2004; 28:547–563.

25. Sherina MS, Rampal L, Loh JW, Chan CL, Teh PC, Tan PO. Self-esteem and its associated factors among secondary school students in Klang District, Selangor. Med J Malaysia. 2008; 63(1):26–30.

26. Soh JH, Jung YK, Jang GY, Shin YK, Lee KH, Eun BL, et al. Predisposing factors of risk taking behaviors in Korean adolescents. J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2001; 44:1364–1373.

27. Sohn A. The relationship with tobacco use, alcohol consumption and sexual behavior among adolescents in Seoul city. J Korean Alcohol Sci. 2010; 11(1):77–87.

28. Yoon H, Nam Y. Factors associated with adolescent' risk-taking behaviors: The mediating pathway of psycho-emotional factors. J Korean Soc Child Welf. 2007; 23:127–153.

29. Yoon HM, Park BK, Ryu JR. Stress, stress coping strategies and risk behaviors. J Hum Ecol. 2005; 9(1):45–64.

30. Yu YJ. On the relation social support perception and self esteem and self disclosure of middle school students. Seoul: Sogang University;2000. Unpublished master's thesis.

31. Veselska Z, Geckova AM, Orosova O, Gajdosova B, van Dijk JP, Reijneveld SA. Self-esteem and resilience: The connection with risky behavior among adolescents. Addict Behav. 2009; 34:287–291.

TOOLS

Similar articles