Risk and protective factors of problem behaviors of adolescent aged between 15 and 17

Adolescence is a period that experiement of new behaviors especially risky behaviorsand exposed to negative results of these behaviors. In recent years adolescent problembehaviors have been increasing. Problem behaviors are defined as behaviors that depart fromthe norms -both social and legal- of the larger society; it is behavior that is sociallydisaaproved by the institutions of authority and that tends to elicit some form of social controlresponse whether mild reproof, social rejection, or even incarceration. Although adolescentproblem behaviors are functional, purposive and goal-directed, these behaviors linked toadverse health outcomes and eventuate in personal and social maladjustment.The role of psychosocial protective and risk factors in adolescent problem behaviorswere investigated among 15-17 ages adolescents. The other aim of the study was to determinewhether adolescent problem behaviors were differed according to socio-demographicvariables.An explanatory model of adolescent problem behavior (drinking, smoking, illicit druguse, anti-social behaviors, precocuios sexual intercourse) based on protective and risk factorsin the Personality System, Perceived Social Environment System, and Behavior System isemployed in the present study emerges from extension of Problem Behavior Theory whichise developed by Jessor and Jessor (1977). Conceptually, protective factors decrease thelikelihood of engaging in problem behaviors. Risk factors, in contrast, increase the likelihoodof engaging in problem behaviors.A total of 1237 students, between ages 15-17, from different high schools in zmirparticipated in this study. Students completed Adolescent Health and Behavior Questionnairewhich is based on Problem Behavior Theory.Frequency analysis, Pearson Correlation Analysis, t-test, ANOVA and, hiererchicalregression analysis were used to data regarding the sample. Analysis of data was benefitedfrom SPSS 11.0 packet programme.Results can be summarized as follows: Prevelance of problem behaviors is high andproblem behaviors are related to positively each others. Problem behaviors are associated withnegatively increased rates of protective factors and positevely increased rates of risk factors.With respect to both risk and protection, individual differences in personality, and incharacteristics of the preceived social environment are shown to be relevant to problembehaviors in adolescence. And both risk and protective factors which is related to personalitysystem account for substantial variance in problem behaviors rather than perceived socialenvironment system and behavior system.Problem behaviors were differed according to gender, age, grade level, education ofmother and dead of mother.While decreasing risk factors, strengthening protective factors with prevention studies,may help to promote healthful behaviors in adolescence.