Overview of Youth At-Risk Behavior

Overview of Youth At-Risk Behavior Theories Behavioral Psychology Print Overview of Youth At-Risk Behavior By Amy Morin, LCSW facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our editorial policy Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on September 29, 2019 Vincent Besnault / Photographers Choice / Getty Images More in Theories Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In This Article Table of Contents Expand Tracking At-Risk Behaviors Risky Behaviors Tobacco Use Alcohol and Drug Use Sexual Behaviors Dietary Behaviors Physical Activity Parents Use of Results View All Back To Top At-risk behavior is anything that puts youth at risk for future negative consequences, like poor health, injury or death. And while risky behavior as a teen isnt a new concept (most adults can likely recall at least a few poor choices they made as a teen), the type of risks teens are taking are shifting. One of the reasons risky behavior is so common during adolescence is because the teen brain isnt yet fully developed.?? Consequently, teens struggle to think about long-term consequences. In addition, they experience the not me phenomenon. They never imagine that injury, pregnancy, or accidents could happen to them. Tracking At-Risk Behaviors The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)  tracks certain youth-at-risk behaviors that they have deemed important and observable in their Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS).?? Every two years, a report is created on different behavior categories. 6 Categories of At-Risk Behavior Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violenceTobacco use, including when tobacco was first used, how many cigarettes are smoked per dayAlcohol and other drug useSexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and STDs, including HIV infectionUnhealthy dietary behaviorsPhysical inactivity, including obesity and asthma Behavior That Contributes to Unintentional Injuries and Violence The 2015 YRBSS report showed these statistics about behaviors contributing to injuries and violence:?? 81% never or rarely wore a bicycle helmet42% of teens had emailed or texted at least once while driving8% of teens had driven after drinking within the past 30 days20% of teens had ridden with someone who had been drinking at least once in the past 30 days16% of teens had carried a weapon for at least one day during the prior 30 days Reasons That Some Teens Turn Violent Tobacco Use The 2015  YRBSS report showed these statistics about tobacco use:?? 32% of teens had tried a cigarette10% smoked a cigarette within the past 30 days2% of teens reported smoking daily Alcohol and Drug Use The 2015  YRBSS report showed these statistics with regard to alcohol and drug use:?? 63% of teens had had at least one drink of alcohol in their lives33% had had at least one drink in the 30 days prior to the survey18% had had five or more drinks in a row39% had used marijuana at least once in their lives22% had used marijuana at least once in the past 30 days Sexual Behaviors The 2015  YRBSS report showed these statistics with regard to sexual behavior:?? 41% of teens had had sexual intercourse in their lives12% of teens had sex with four or more people30% of teens had had sex with at least one person in the three months prior to the survey57% of the sexually active teenagers reported using condoms14% said they had not used any birth control methods Dietary Behaviors The dietary behaviors of teens in the 2015 YRBSS report showed:?? 7% had not eaten vegetables in the week prior to the survey5% had not eaten fruit or drank 100% fruit juice in the week prior to the survey38% had not drunk milk during the week prior to the survey Physical Activity Physical activity of teens in the 2015 YRBSS report showed:?? 14% of teens hadnt received an hour of exercise in the past week47% were physically active for 60 minutes per day on five or more days42% used a computer for things other than school works for 3 or more hours per day35% watched television for three or more hours per day How Parents Can Use the Results Its important for parents to know the most common behaviors teens are engaging in that could lead to negative consequences. You can use the survey results to better understand the types of pressure your teen may face or the behaviors your teen might be tempted to engage in. You can also use the survey to start a conversation with your teen. Say something like, I was reading a survey the other day that said 32 percent  of teens have tried smoking. Do any of your friends smoke?   Its important to hold ongoing conversations with your teen about risky behavior. Listen to your teens concerns and provide education whenever possible. How Self-Esteem Influences Risky Sexual Behavior in Teens