Ongoing behavioral research such as the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, as well as the Urban Institute scientific reports have documented the growing prevalence and trends in adolescent health risk behaviors. School and public health professional training programs should include instruction on the theory of risk and risk-taking, as well as information as how to interpret evidence-based research information on risk-taking and convert it into primary prevention programs. Biological, psychological, cognitive, developmental, social, and environmental factors may interact to influence the onset of risk-taking. The complexity of these determinants of risk behavior suggests that magic bullets or simplistic approaches such as “just say no” or “abstinence only” have limited ability to address adolescent risk-taking in a meaningful manner. The purpose of this session is to provide a broad overview of the bio-psycho-sociology of adolescent risk-taking behavior for integration into school and public health professional education programs. Research and theory about risk-taking such as Irwin and Millstein’s Causal Model, Jessor’s Problem Behavior Model, Zuckerman’s Sensation Seeking Model, and Apter’s Reversal Theory will be translated into specific ideas for professional practice in areas such as health education, health policy, health advocacy, and delivery of health care. Components within successful prevention programs that bridge the gap between research and practice will be illustrated. A health pedagogical strategy for understanding the complex nature of adolescent risk-taking, the CAH Logic Framework, will be demonstrated. This session targets school health educators and public health promotion specialists.
Learning Objectives: Participants in this session will be able to: 1. Describe and discuss the bio-psycho-sociology of adolescent risk-taking behavior. 2. Identify specific theories of risk-taking. 3. Recognize components of successful youth development programs. 4. Apply the CAH Logic Framework to the topic of adolescent risk-taking behavior.
Keywords: Risk Taking Behavior, Adolescent Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.