With bibliography and links state five factors that may contribute to young people deciding to engage in risky behaviour

Answer 1

Youth engagement in risky behavior can be influenced by various interconnected factors. Here are five significant contributors, along with a bibliography for further reading:

1. Peer Influence

Young people are often heavily influenced by their peers. The desire for acceptance and the pressure to conform can lead them to engage in activities such as substance use, unsafe sexual practices, or delinquency.

• Reference: Brown, B. B., & Larson, J. (2009). Peer Relationships in Adolescence. In Handbook of Adolescent Psychology (pp. 74-103). Wiley.
• Link: Wiley Handbooks

2. Family Dynamics

Family structure and dynamics play a crucial role. Adolescents from families with poor communication, lack of supervision, or parental substance abuse may be more inclined to partake in risky behaviors.

• Reference: Crouter, A. C., & McHale, S. M. (2005). Family and Peer Relationships in Adolescence. In Handbook of Adolescent Psychology (pp. 361-389). Wiley.
• Link: Wiley Handbooks

3. Mental Health Issues

Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem can lead young people to act out through risky behaviors as a coping mechanism or a form of escapism.

• Reference: Steinberg, L. (2014). Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
• Link: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

4. Socioeconomic Factors

Young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may have increased exposure to environments where risky behaviors are normalized or more accessible, potentially leading to higher engagement rates.

• Reference: Luthar, S. S., & Becker, B. E. (2002). Privileged but Pushed: A Study of Affluent Youth. Child Development, 73(5), 1593-1610.
• Link: Child Development

5. Media Influence

Exposure to media that glamorizes risky behaviors—such as drinking, drug use, or unsafe sexual practices—can shape attitudes and behaviors among adolescents, making such actions appear more acceptable.

• Reference: Primack, B. A., & Dal Fiore, S. (2015). The Impact of the Media on Adolescent Substance Use. In Adolescent Substance Abuse: Evidence-Based Strategies for Prevention and Treatment (pp. 21-76). New York: Springer.
• Link: Springer

Conclusion

These factors are often interrelated and can amplify one another, creating complex pathways to risky behavior in adolescence. Understanding these influences is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies to mitigate such behaviors among young people.