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Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

An Investigation of Risky Behaviors and Psychological Symptoms in Turkish Adolescents

Firdevs Savi Çakar, Özlem Tagay, Hakan Acar, Aysun Kabasakal

Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science · pp. 1–10 · Published 6 Oct 2015

10.9734/BJESBS/2016/21846

Abstract

Aim: Adolescence is a critical period for both increased psychological symptoms and orientation towards risky behaviors. The present study investigated whether adolescents’ levels of psychological symptoms were significant predictors of risky behaviors. Methodology: Participants were 450 randomly selected high school students attending grades 9 through 12 and they are consist of their 226 girls (50.2%) and 224 boys (46.8%). Research data were collected using the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Risky-Behaviors Scale, and a personal information form. The present study used a relational model design. We used simple linear regression analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and independent t-tests to explore sex-based differences. Results: The results of the regression analysis show that the model constructed in the study is significant (F=34.790, p<0.01). Adolescents’ levels of psychological symptoms (depression, somatization, anxiety, hostility, and negative self-concept) significantly predicted risky behaviors, with 32% variance. In addition, we found that girls showed more psychological symptoms compared with boys; and boys tended toward risky behaviors more compared with girls. Conclusion: These findings indicate that it is necessary to consider the role of adolescents’ levels of psychological symptoms in intervention and prevention strategies for risky behaviors.

Adolescence psychological symptoms risky behaviors depression and anxiety

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