Derivation of some contemporary scales to measure adolescent risk-taking in Canada

Abstract

ObjectivesTo derive a contemporary series of composite indicators of adolescent risk-taking, inspired by the US CDC Framework and Problem Behaviour Theory.MethodsFactor analyses were performed on 28-risk behaviours in a nationally representative sample of 30,096 Grades 6–10 students from the 2014 Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study.ResultsThree composite indicators emerged from our analysis: (1) Overt Risk-Taking (i.e., substance use, caffeinated energy drink consumption, fighting, and risky sexual behaviour), (2) Aversion to a Healthy Lifestyle (i.e., physical inactivity and low fruit and vegetable consumption), and (3) Screen Time Syndrome (i.e., abnormally high screen time use combined with unhealthy snacking). These three composite indicators of risk-taking were observed consistently with strong psychometric properties across different grade groups (6–8, 9–10).ConclusionsThe three composite indicators of adolescent risk-taking each draw from multiple domains within the CDC framework, and support a novel, empirically directed approach of conceptualizing multiple risk behaviours among adolescents. The measures also highlight the breadth and diversity of risk behaviour engagement among Canadian adolescents. Research and preventive interventions should simultaneously consider the related behaviours within each of these composite indicators.

Clusters of Contemporary Risk and Their Relationship to Mental Well-Being Among 15-Year-Old Adolescents Across 37 Countries

“…Second, engagement in traditional risk behaviors, such as alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and marijuana, has declined consistently among adolescents in Europe and the U.S. [1,5]. Yet, limited research has been carried out to show how more traditional risk behaviors may or may not cluster with newer ones [18].…”

“…Recently, research on clustering of risk behaviors has started to include emergent types of adolescent risk behaviors, such as cyber-bullying and problematic SMU. A recent Canadian study [18] found three risk profiles (overt risk taking, aversion to a healthy lifestyle, and screen time syndrome), which were related to injury levels among adolescents. However, this study did not consider other domains of well-being and was restricted to data from one country.…”

Development of a dual-factor measure of adolescent mental health: an analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2014 Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study

“…Externalised symptoms were assessed using an overt risk-taking scale that includes the following behaviours: frequency of alcohol consumption, lifetime drunkenness history, lifetime smoking history, use of alternative tobacco products, physical fighting, non-helmet use on a bicycle and caffeinated energy drink consumption (Cronbach's alpha=0.75). 40 This scale has been positively associated with reductions in health including reduced life satisfaction and emotional well-being, and worse selfreported general health status. 40 Variables used to test the dual-factor measure The construct validity of the dual-factor measure was assessed by examining whether variables known to be associated with mental health, 29 30 differed between the mental health groups of the dual-factor measure in the expected manner (figure 2).…”

“…40 This scale has been positively associated with reductions in health including reduced life satisfaction and emotional well-being, and worse selfreported general health status. 40 Variables used to test the dual-factor measure The construct validity of the dual-factor measure was assessed by examining whether variables known to be associated with mental health, 29 30 differed between the mental health groups of the dual-factor measure in the expected manner (figure 2). These variables included family characteristics (family structure and affluence), specific indicators of mental health and measures of social support and academic functioning.…”

Vida digital

“…Outras propostas com indicadores multivariados alegam que é necessário políticas públicas que foquem diretamente no problema da saúde mental entre crianças e jovens, com abordagem focada em controlo e prevenção mediante aos comportamentos de risco, que vai desde a alimentação, consumo de substâncias, adição, até sobrepeso e sedentarismo (ABDULLAHI; ABDULQUADRI, 2018;CONTINENTE et al, 2017;KWONG et al, 2018;LAZZERI et al, 2018;LOPES et al, 2014).…”