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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Robin C. Stevens, MPH, Martin Fishbein, PhD, Amy Jordan, PhD, Amy Bleakley, PhD, MPH, Michael Hennessy, PhD, MPH, Elizabeth Davis, MPH, Ariel Chernin, Nadine Gabbadon, and Leslie Williams. Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-313-0683, rstevens@asc.upenn.edu

Understanding the psycho-social characteristics of adolescents who abstain from risk behaviors may offer important avenues for public health practitioners. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the number of adolescents who have never tried a cigarette has significantly grown from 29.9% in 1991 to 41.6% in 2003(CDC, 2003). 25.1% had never tried alcohol in 2003 and 53.3% of students reported never having sex in 2003 (CDC, 2003). This study focuses on the association between various distal variables with three risk behaviors; sexual intercourse, drinking alcohol and smoking. The goal of this study is to provide a preliminary analysis of protective factors which may delay risk behavior in adolescents. The distal variables included in this analysis are personality factors like sensation seeking, as well as background characteristics like religiosity, racial identity and self-esteem. Study participants are a convenience sample of 457 Philadelphia area adolescents who completed a web-based survey. 35% of teens sampled abstained from all three behaviors, while 30% engaged in two or more of these behaviors. Preliminary analyses suggest that abstainers are different from risk taking youth on three key variables: age, sensation seeking and neighborhood quality. Odds of abstaining from all three risk behaviors (i.e., sexual intercourse, smoking and alcohol consumption) are greatest for younger teens (OR =1.93), low sensation seekers (OR=1.81) and teens with a higher neighborhood quality (OR=1.35) when compared to risk takers. Notably, no gender or ethnic groups were more likely to abstain from risk behaviors.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Articulate plausible associations between psychosocial traits and risk behavior among adolescents.
• Gain insight into psychosocial traits that can be used to target teen interventions and program messages.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Risky Behaviors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered