Adolescent Risk Behavior in Italy and The Netherlands

Abstract

Jessor et al.’s (2003) model of relationships among protective factors (models protection, controls protection, support protection), risk factors (models risk, opportunity risk, vulnerability risk), and adolescent risk behavior (delinquency, problem drinking, marijuana use, tobacco use, sexual activity) was investigated in adolescent samples of both genders from Italy (n = 488, M age = 17 years) and the Netherlands (n = 480, M age = 17 years). After accounting for sociodemographic variables, risk and protective factors and their interactions accounted for 46–52% of additional variation in risk behavior. Although levels of risk, protection, and risk behavior differed by country and by sex, the association of risk and protective factors with risk behavior was similar for Italian and Dutch youth and for boys and girls. Controls protection (e.g., intolerance of deviancy, parental control and disapproval, friends’ disapproval) and models of risk (family and peer models of risk behavior) had the strongest associations with adjustment. Additionally, controls protection moderated the influence of models risk among the Italians while support protection buffered vulnerability risk among the Dutch. These data support the utility of the explanatory model in these national contexts.

Adolescent non-suicidal self-injury: A cross-national study of community samples from Italy, the Netherlands and the United States

“…To our knowledge, only one study to date investigated DSH among a community sample of Italian adolescents, reporting a lifetime rate of 46% (Cerutti et al, 2011), and two studies found evidence of DSH among non-clinical adolescents in the Netherlands, with a last year prevalence of 2.6% (Madge et al, 2008; Portzky et al, 2008). It is worth noting that although these countries are considered Western societies, differences exist between them with respect to socio-cultural norms, traditions, as well as substance use policies (Ciairano et al, 2009; Simons-Morton et al, 2010). Such differences may be reflected in adolescent interpersonal relationships as well as in their involvement in problem behaviors.…”

Sexting: percepções de adolescentes sobre o fenômeno e acerca do papel das relações familiares

“…Entretanto, especificamente quanto ao tipo de monitoramento dos pais e o envolvimento dos filhos em sexting ativo, não foram localizados estudos até o momento. Porém, a literatura indica que o monitoramento parental e a relação positiva com os pais funcionam como fatores de proteção para os adolescentes (Kanet al, 2010;Ciariano et al, 2009;Roche et al, 2008). Pode-se pensar, então, que, apesar de o envolvimento em sexting, tanto passivo quanto ativo, não ser percebido como problema para os participantes, um fator de proteção residiria na orientação dos pais quanto ao risco de exposição indevida que o envolvimento em sexting ativo traz consigo.…”

“…De forma semelhante, Raphaelli, Azevedo e Hallal (2011) mostraram que o uso de substâncias e uso de álcool pelos familiares aumentou a possibilidade de consumo pelos adolescentes. Por outro lado, a proximidade familiar, a relação positiva com os pais e o monitoramento parental funcionam como fatores de proteção para que os adolescentes não se envolvam em alguns comportamentos de risco, tais como abuso de álcool e atividade sexual sem preservativo (Kan, Cheng, Landale, & McHale, 2010;Ciariano, Kliewer, & Rabaglietti, 2009;Roche, Achmed, & Blum, 2008). É relevante ressaltar que a maioria destes estudos é de caráter quantitativo e não enfatizam as percepções dos adolescentes, além de se referirem aos contextos internacionais.…”

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“…Although classified as an individualistic culture, Italy is characterized by close familial relationships typical of Mediterranean cultures, where the importance of family bonds and values are still the focus of their society (Georgas, Berry, van de Vijver, Kagitcibasi, & Poortinga, 2006). Currently the modal number of children in Italian Cultural Differences in families is one (Ciairano, Kliewer, & Rabaglietti, 2009). It is also of interest that children typically live with their families until early adulthood (Bonino, Cattelino, & Ciairano, 2006).…”