Investigation of the relationship between perceived sacial support, moral disengagement and risk behaviors in university students

In this study, the relationship between perceived social support, moral disengagement and risk behaviors in university students was examined. In addition, it was discussed whether the risk behaviors of university students differentiated according to various demographic variables or not. The data of the study were obtained from 646 students studying at five different faculties of Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University (EBYU). The University Form of Risk Behaviors Scale (RDÖ-ÜF), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (ÇDASDÖ), Moral Disengagement Scale (AUÖ) and personal information form were used to collect data. Correlation analysis, Regression analysis, independent groups t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data obtained from the study. According to the results of the analyzes, it was determined that moral disengagement predicted all sub-dimensions of risk behaviors. Perceived social support sub-dimensions were found to have a predictive effect on some sub-dimensions of risk behaviors. In addition, it has been determined that gender (male students), being older, staying at a private home and showing low academic success increase the probability of university students to engage in risk behaviors. The results obtained were discussed in the light of the relevant literature and necessary recommendations were made.