Correlates of Risk-Taking Behaviors Among Adolescents

Even if risk behaviors are not limited to one period of life, adolescence has a special importance since risk behaviors to a large extent established in this period. Despite the fact that some adolescent risk behaviors can be considered to be developmentally normative and appropriate, the engagement in multiple risk behaviors during adolescence may increase the likelihood of undesirable outcomes. Various factors have been associated with adolescents’ involvement in risk taking behaviors. These include parental behaviors, peer influence and adolescent risk perception. Because of their curiosity, enthusiasm and urge to try and see new phenomenon, a considerable number of youth have become addicted to alcohol, smoking cigarette, chewing “khat”, dangerous medical drugs and narcotics drug. These multiple risk behavior is detrimental to many health hazards that challenge adolescents’ proper physical, mental and psychological development.

Solomon Negash is a lecturer at Hawassa College of Teacher Education. He earned his BA degree in educational psychology and master’s degree in developmental psychology from Addis Ababa University in 2004 and 2011, respectively. He has taught psychology courses for seven years in the department of education.