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Factors Associated with Adolescent and Young Risk Behaviors and Intervention...
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Factors Associated with Adolescent and Young Risk Behaviors and Intervention Measures

A Special Issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067) belonging to the section "Pediatric Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 December 2026 | Viewed by 3726

Editors

Prof. Dr. Elena Cattelino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Human and Social Science, University of Valle d’Aosta, 11100 Aosta, Italy
Interests: developmental psychology; adolescence; risk behaviors; risk and protective factors; psychological wellbeing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Mara Morelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: developmental psychology; sexual risk behaviors; sexting; adolescence; children and pre-adolescent
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Adolescence and young adulthood represent critical developmental periods marked by increased vulnerability to risk behaviors, including substance use, behavioral addictions, maladaptive social interactions (sexting, bullying, and intrusive behaviors), and unhealthy lifestyles. These behaviors are influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Understanding these influences is essential for developing effective preventive and intervention strategies.

This Special Issue aims to explore the determinants of risk behaviors among adolescents and young people, with a focus on identifying protective factors and evidence-based interventions. We seek to highlight cutting-edge research that advances knowledge in this area, including multidisciplinary studies.

We invite original research articles, reviews, and case studies that examine psychological, familial, social, and digital influences on youth behavior, as well as innovative prevention and intervention programs. Contributions addressing health disparities and vulnerable populations are particularly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Elena Cattelino
Prof. Dr. Mara Morelli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • adolescent risk behaviors
  • maladaptive social interactions
  • protective factors
  • preventive and intervention strategies

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

12 pages, 260 KB  
Article
Factors Associated with Self-Harm Attempts Among Female Adolescents with Self-Reported Reclusive Tendencies in Republic of Korea
by So-Hyun Moon, Hyeon Na and A Ra Kim
Children 2026, 13(9), 1224; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13091224 - 10 Sep 2026
Viewed by 192
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Self-harm attempts among adolescents represent a major public health concern, often associated with depression, low self-esteem, and social withdrawal. While excessive smartphone use is generally linked to internalizing distress, digital engagement might play complex roles among socially isolated youth. This study examined [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Self-harm attempts among adolescents represent a major public health concern, often associated with depression, low self-esteem, and social withdrawal. While excessive smartphone use is generally linked to internalizing distress, digital engagement might play complex roles among socially isolated youth. This study examined factors associated with self-harm attempts among female adolescents with self-reported reclusive tendencies in South Korea, with a specific focus on evaluating the exploratory role of smartphone overdependence. Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted on 893 female adolescents with self-reported reclusive tendencies who utilized or were admitted to crisis youth support organizations, drawn from the nationwide Survey on the Living Conditions of Users of Crisis Youth Support Organizations. Statistical procedures incorporated complex-sample descriptive statistics, Rao–Scott chi-square tests, and complex-sample hierarchical logistic regression. Results: In univariate analyses, economic status, self-esteem, self-control, depression, and parent–child relationships differed significantly according to self-harm history. In multivariable hierarchical logistic regression, higher self-esteem (OR = 0.44, p < 0.001) and positive parent–child relationships (OR = 0.57, p = 0.004) were associated with lower odds of self-harm attempts, whereas depression (OR = 2.23, p = 0.001) and lower self-control (OR = 1.40, p = 0.009) were associated with higher odds. The inclusion of smartphone overdependence in Step 3 (yielding a modest increase in explanatory power, ΔR2 = 0.02) revealed that being in the smartphone overdependence risk group was associated with lower odds of self-harm attempts (OR = 0.55, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Self-harm attempts in this service-using population are strongly associated with core psychological and familial distress. The inverse multivariable association regarding smartphone overdependence is preliminary and hypothesis-generating; it may reflect statistical suppression, unmeasured confounding, or indirect digital connection among isolated youth, rather than a direct protective function. Findings apply specifically to crisis-service-using female youth and underscore the need for longitudinal research with refined clinical measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with Adolescent and Young Risk Behaviors and Intervention Measures)
14 pages, 944 KB  
Article
Short-Term Outcomes of a Social and Emotional Learning Program: Gender-Specific Patterns in Early Adolescents
by Laura Ferro, Eleonora Centonze, Mariagrazia Monaci, Giuseppe Di Maria and Stefania Cristofanelli
Children 2026, 13(6), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13060805 - 11 Jun 2026
Viewed by 651
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Adolescence is a crucial stage of development, in which life skills are essential for promoting psychological well-being. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) interventions aim to develop social–emotional and relational skills that foster resilience and adaptation. Short-term effects may be nonlinear and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Adolescence is a crucial stage of development, in which life skills are essential for promoting psychological well-being. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) interventions aim to develop social–emotional and relational skills that foster resilience and adaptation. Short-term effects may be nonlinear and influenced by gender differences, with possible fluctuations in self-assessments due to increased social–emotional awareness (response shift). Methods: This action research study involved 179 preteens (ages 11–17) from educational settings in Aosta Valley. The SEL program consisted of three experiential sessions on key life skills, led by psychologists and psychiatrists and including group activities and role-playing. Quality of life was assessed before and after the intervention using the Q-LES-Q, which measures satisfaction and well-being in the areas of social relationships, physical health, academic performance, leisure activities, and subjective feelings. Subscale scores were calculated as the mean of the corresponding items. Results: The results revealed nonlinear patterns: a decline in satisfaction with social relationships, which may reflect a response shift. Males reported higher initial levels and greater perceived positive effects, while females reported lower post-intervention scores, likely due to greater self-reflection and self-criticism. Conclusions: The data highlight the complexity of the short-term effects of SEL interventions and the importance of considering developmental trajectories and gender differences when evaluating their effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with Adolescent and Young Risk Behaviors and Intervention Measures)
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13 pages, 262 KB  
Article
Suicidal Behaviour, Self-Harm and Related Factors: A Retrospective Study from the Adolescent Psychiatric Unit
by Sigita Lesinskienė, Miglė Zabarauskaitė, Tadas Valiulis, Giedrius Dailidė and Arūnas Germanavičius
Children 2026, 13(1), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13010147 - 20 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1563
Abstract
Background and objectives: Suicide attempts and self-harm are critical issues in adolescence, often leading to serious and irreversible consequences. These behaviours frequently co-occur and share common biopsychosocial risk factors. Identifying these factors enables a more comprehensive assessment of suicide and self-harm risk, [...] Read more.
Background and objectives: Suicide attempts and self-harm are critical issues in adolescence, often leading to serious and irreversible consequences. These behaviours frequently co-occur and share common biopsychosocial risk factors. Identifying these factors enables a more comprehensive assessment of suicide and self-harm risk, helping specialists recognize high-risk individuals and implement effective preventive measures. This study aimed to examine the association between suicide attempts, self-harm and psychosocial factors among hospitalized adolescents. Materials and methods: A retrospective data analysis was performed using the database of the University Department of Children and Adolescents of the Republican Vilnius Psychiatric Hospital. The study covered patients’ records from December 2022 to February 2025. Information on gender, age, suicide attempts, self-harm, adverse events (bullying, psychological abuse, physical violence within the family, and sexual abuse) and unhealthy habits (smoking, harmful alcohol consumption, and psychoactive substance use), was selected and analyzed in this study. A Chi-square test was used to assess the difference between groups. Results were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results: The study included 599 hospitalized adolescents (26.9% boys; mean age 15.1 ± 1.4 years), of whom 70.8% reported at least one episode of self-harm and 37.8% at least one suicide attempt. Rates of self-harm and suicide attempts were significantly higher in girls than in boys (self-harm: 81.3% vs. 42.2%, ϕ=0.381, p<0.001; suicide attempts: 45.5% vs. 16.5%, ϕ=0.304, p<0.001), and adolescents with self-harm had a significantly higher prevalence of suicide attempts than those without self-harm (46.7% vs. 15.8%, ϕ=0.308, p<0.001). Adverse childhood experiences and unhealthy behaviours were significantly more frequent in adolescents with self-harm and suicide attempts, although effect sizes were small to moderate (ϕ range 0.086–0.230, all p<0.05). In multivariable models, female gender (β=0.355, p<0.001) and smoking (β=0.330, p<0.001) were the strongest predictors of self-harm, whereas alcohol use (β=0.337, p<0.001) and self-harm (β=0.232, p<0.001). Conclusions: Exposure to adverse childhood experiences and engagement in unhealthy habits were associated with higher rates of both self-harm and suicide attempts. A comprehensive assessment and early detection of self-harm behaviours and adverse psychosocial circumstances are crucial elements of effective suicide prevention strategies and prompt intervention among high-risk adolescents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with Adolescent and Young Risk Behaviors and Intervention Measures)

Review

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27 pages, 1292 KB  
Review
Parental Competencies as Familial Protective Factors in Adolescent Substance Use Prevention: A Scoping Review
by Kyung-Young Hong and Jihye Shin
Children 2026, 13(9), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13091193 - 4 Sep 2026
Viewed by 252
Abstract
Parents play an important role in adolescent substance use prevention, yet the competencies underlying their protective role remain inconsistently conceptualized and measured. This scoping review aimed to map parental competencies as modifiable family-level protective factors for adolescent substance use prevention. Following Joanna Briggs [...] Read more.
Parents play an important role in adolescent substance use prevention, yet the competencies underlying their protective role remain inconsistently conceptualized and measured. This scoping review aimed to map parental competencies as modifiable family-level protective factors for adolescent substance use prevention. Following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidance, nine electronic databases were searched from inception to 20 July 2026. Peer-reviewed original studies addressing parental competencies relevant to substance use prevention among adolescents aged 9–19 years were included. Competencies were mapped according to their conceptual domains and evidence roles. Thirty-two publications were included, identifying 11 parental competency domains. Relational bonding and family involvement (90.6%), prevention communication (87.5%), monitoring and supervision (62.5%), and rules, boundaries, and expectations (53.1%) were most frequently represented. Competencies were more often targeted in interventions than directly measured or examined in relation to adolescent substance-use outcomes, and measurement approaches varied considerably across studies. Parental competencies relevant to adolescent substance use prevention encompass multiple relational, communicative, supervisory, and behavioral capacities. The findings highlight important gaps between intervention content, competency measurement, and outcome-related evidence and provide a foundation for developing competency-based prevention interventions and measurement tools. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with Adolescent and Young Risk Behaviors and Intervention Measures)
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Other

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18 pages, 704 KB  
Systematic Review
The Effectiveness of Life Skills-Based School Violence Prevention Programs in Secondary Education: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Konstantina Trimmi, Theodoros Fouskas, Vasiliki Yotsidi, Tonia Vassilakou, Aikaterini Papatheochari, Vana Gkora and Kyriakoula Merakou
Children 2026, 13(9), 1128; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13091128 - 23 Aug 2026
Viewed by 355
Abstract
Background: School violence is a major public health concern, with bullying alone affecting up to 50% of adolescents worldwide. Life skills-based programs have been proposed as a promising preventive approach, yet evidence for their effectiveness in secondary education remains limited. This systematic [...] Read more.
Background: School violence is a major public health concern, with bullying alone affecting up to 50% of adolescents worldwide. Life skills-based programs have been proposed as a promising preventive approach, yet evidence for their effectiveness in secondary education remains limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize the existing evidence on the effectiveness of life skills-based violence prevention programs among adolescents aged 12–18. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across five databases (PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, CINAHL, and PsycInfo) in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines (INPLASY202650168). Interventional studies published between 2005 and 2025 that targeted secondary school students were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB2 (for RCTs/cRCTs) and ROBINS-I tools. A three-level random-effects meta-analytic model with Robust Variance Estimation was employed to pool Hedges’ g effect sizes. Results: Nineteen studies met the eligibility criteria, with 18 contributing 56 effect sizes to the meta-analysis. The pooled effect size was statistically significant (g = −0.2652, 95% CI [−0.4879, −0.0425], p = 0.0196), indicating an overall small reduction in violent behaviors. However, a high degree of variation in effects was observed across studies (Q(55) = 2263.58, p < 0.001; I2 = 99.23%). None of the examined moderators—including outcome type, study design, and risk-of-bias tier—significantly explained this heterogeneity. The sensitivity analysis, excluding one highly influential study, yielded a smaller pooled effect (g = −0.1422, 95% CI [−0.2246, −0.00598]) while maintaining high heterogeneity (I2 = 92.82%). Conclusions: Although life skills-based programs demonstrate a statistically significant overall average effect in reducing school violence among adolescents, this finding must be interpreted with extreme caution given the high degree of variation in effect sizes across contexts and the fact that prediction intervals span across zero. Because moderator analyses revealed no significant differences across intervention types, study designs, or outcome categories, no specific program type can be identified as consistently more effective. Future primary research must prioritize prospectively registered trials with multi-informant assessments to establish true intervention effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with Adolescent and Young Risk Behaviors and Intervention Measures)
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