Risky Behaviors in
Adolescence
Understanding Teens
and their
Vulnerabilities
Pamela D. Dodge, MSN,
RN
Magee-Womens Hospital
Pittsburgh, PA
A Unique Developmental
Stage
Distinct from both childhood
and adulthood
A time of physical and
emotional changes
A time to test independence
from the family
A time for new relationships-
peers, partners, parents
Mortality and Morbidity
Injury
Violence
Accidents
Homicides
Suicides
Accidents
Motor vehicles
– Drinking and driving
– Driving with someone who
has been drinking
– Not using seatbelts
– Riding motorcycles without a
helmet
Homicides and Violence
More males than females
Murder with guns
Carrying weapons: guns,
knives, clubs
Suicides
Increasing among teens
More males complete the suicidal act
Rate of suicide attempts is unknown
– More females attempt suicide
– Suicidal ideation is common in
adolescents
25% of high school students have thought
about suicide
17% have made a suicide plan
Tobacco Use
Smoking among teens is on the rise
Ages 11-15 start of smoking
behavior
Girls
– Smoke to look cool
– To keep from gaining weight
Boys use smokeless tobacco: chew
and snuff
Alcohol
Experimentation is common
First use of alcohol often
before 13 years old
Regular use of alcohol is
prevalent in ages 15-18
Daily use and heavy drinking
more common in males
Drug Use
Marijuana use is common
Inhalants
Hallucinogens
Use of cocaine and crack
cocaine is low
Injecting drugs is not a
usual risk behavior
Sexual Behavior
By age 17, 50% of teens have
engaged in sexual intercourse
Consistent use of
contraception is on the
increase
Condom use is up
DepoProvera is a popular
method for girls
Sexually Transmitted
Diseases
Most common and destructive
infections among teens
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
HIV
AIDS
Exercise, Diet and
Weight
At least one physical activity each
week
– Decreases as teens get older
Most do not eat five or more
servings:fruits and vegetables
– High fat content: french fries, hot dogs,
hamburgers, sweets
– Meals are on the run and not planned
1/3 think they are overweight and are
trying to lose weight
Behavioral Links
Behaviors do not occur in isolation
– Substance use and sexual behavior
Sexually active more likely to use drugs and
alcohol
Unintended pregnancy
Increases in sexually transmitted diseases
Multiple sex partners
– Sexually active more likely to ride in a
car under the influence of alcohol/drugs
– Fatal accidents, homicides and suicides
related to alcohol intoxication
Theories
Problem Behavior Theory
– Look at behaviors as purposeful,
meaningful, goal oriented and functional
rather than arbitrary or perverse
– Gaining peer acceptance, establishing
autonomy from parents
– Psychosocial proneness: teens who
engage in one type of risk behavior are
also likely to engage in other types
Theories
Biopsychosocial Model
– Biological:pubertal timing, hormonal
effects, genetic predisposition
– Psychological:self-esteem, sensation
seeking, cognitive and emotional
states
– Social:how parents, peers and school
influence an adolescents life
Behavioral Links
– Relationship between
smoking and other high risk
behaviors: marijuana use
– Fatal accidents, homicides
and suicides linked
