Unique developmental trajectories of risk behaviors in adolescence and associated outcomes in young adulthood

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing developmental trajectories of risk behaviors from adolescence into young adulthood and their associations with outcomes in young adulthood (i.e. education, employment). Data of the TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) including 2,149 participants (mean age = 13.6, SD = 0.5, 51% girls) were used to examine the development of alcohol, cannabis, smoking, and externalizing behavior. The results showed that the associations between these risk behaviors varied with age, and revealed varying developmental patterns throughout adolescence. Most notably alcohol use did not covary strongly with the other risk behaviors. The often assumed peak in risk behavior in adolescence was only found in a small group, and only for alcohol (7.4%) and cannabis use (3.4%), but not for smoking or externalizing behavior. Most adolescents revealed only low involvement in risk behavior, with the largest differences between low and high trajectories emerging in late adolescence (> 19 years). Clustering of risk behavior throughout adolescence is rather the exception than the rule and depends on age and type of risk behavior. Differences in risk behavior between individuals become the largest in late adolescence, possibly influencing successful transition into adulthood visible in educational attainment and employment.

On Imbalance of Impulse Control and Sensation Seeking and Adolescent Risk: An Intra-individual Developmental Test of the Dual Systems and Maturational Imbalance Models

“…Substance use is one of the key risk factors in adolescence and early adulthood. Recent longitudinal studies systematically report increases from early to late adolescence/early adulthood of smoking tobacco (Ashenhurst et al, 2015 ; Crawford et al, 2003 ; Lydon-Staley & Geier, 2018 ; Peeters et al, 2019 ; Quinn & Harden, 2013 ; Romer & Hennessy, 2007 ), marijuana or cannabis use (Crawford et al, 2003 ; Peeters et al, 2019 ; Quinn & Harden, 2013 ; Romer & Hennessy, 2007 ), and alcohol use (Crawford et al, 2003 ; Khurana et al, 2012 ; Peeters et al, 2019 ; Quinn & Harden, 2013 ; Romer & Hennessy, 2007 ). The studies suggest that substance use increases quite fast from early to middle/late adolescence and at a slower rate until age 23.…”

Immigrant and Swedish adolescents’ involvement in organized sports activities: an expectancy-value approach

“…Understanding the reasons for youth to adopt a physically active life by engaging in organized sports, and the reasons for continued engagement in such activities, is important for promoting sports participation among non-active groups. Adolescence is a developmental period marked by increased incidence of mental health problems, such as anxiety and mood disorders [ 8 , 9 ], and of risky behaviors, including substance use and norm-breaking [ 10 , 11 ]. The benefits of organized sports are not limited to offering youth a physically active and healthy lifestyle, but, also offer opportunities to cope with challenging periods by participating in a developmental setting that often is linked to youth’s positive adjustment across the behavioral and psychological domains [ 12 – 14 ].…”

School-Based Health Clinics: Improving Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in British Columbia – An Integrative Literature Review

“…Various theorists worldwide have investigated adolescent risk behaviour, including behavioural psychological, neuro-behavioural, developmental, and sociological theorists (Peeters et al, 2019). It is widely agreed among these experts that experimentation during this period is normative; however, it does increase risk behaviour among adolescents (Peeters et al, 2019).…”

“…Various theorists worldwide have investigated adolescent risk behaviour, including behavioural psychological, neuro-behavioural, developmental, and sociological theorists (Peeters et al, 2019). It is widely agreed among these experts that experimentation during this period is normative; however, it does increase risk behaviour among adolescents (Peeters et al, 2019). Peeters et al (2019) point out that although some risk behaviours are normative and socially adaptive in controlled and social ways, others negatively impact the successful transition from adolescence to adulthood.…”

“…It is widely agreed among these experts that experimentation during this period is normative; however, it does increase risk behaviour among adolescents (Peeters et al, 2019). Peeters et al (2019) point out that although some risk behaviours are normative and socially adaptive in controlled and social ways, others negatively impact the successful transition from adolescence to adulthood. Sexual and reproductive risk behaviours include early sexual debut, multiple sexual partners, and a lack of contraception use, all of which can influence long termhealth outcomes (Poon et al, 2015).…”