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The 2nd Edition: Determinants of Risk-Taking Behaviour in Young People: Implications for Innovative Interventions

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Adolescents".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 24631

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Prof. Dr. Christiane Stock

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Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Interests: adolescent risk-taking behaviour; health promotion; student health; health-promoting university; school-based programmes, alcohol and other drugs; prevention; co-creation; social norms theory; game-based learning; virtual reality
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Dear Colleagues,

This is the second edition addressing adolescence as an important period in life where knowledge, skills and practices are shaped that have an impact on life prospects and chances. In this developmental phase, the complex interplay of biological, psychological and social changes results in new opportunities, but also in increased vulnerabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic with its impact on the social, academic and overall daily life of young people is likely to enhance vulnerabilities existing during adolescence.

The focus here is on young people between 10 and 25, because adolescence tends to start earlier and last longer today. In this period, adolescents form their own lifestyle, habits, social relationships and identity. They are also more prone to risk-taking behaviour than during childhood and adulthood, and such behaviour often persists for the rest of their life.

A multidisciplinary perspective is warranted to understand the complex determinants of adolescent health and risk-taking behaviour that takes neurobiological, psychological, sociological, economic and pandemic aspects into account. Adolescence is also a window of opportunity for intervention. A multidisciplinary perspective is also needed to design innovative programmes that promote positive developments in adolescence. Effective programmes focus on aspects of the environments in which young people grow up, such as legal frameworks, school policies, parental, social and peer influences as well as emotional and social support. Moreover, programmes that support adolescents in managing their emotions and increasing their self-efficacy, self-control and social skills have been shown to have promising effects on several risk-taking behaviours and to promote academic achievement.

This Special Issue will synthesize what is known about the complex determinants of adolescent risk-taking behaviour, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary perspectives taking individual, environmental, and pandemic factors into account. It also aims to collect lessons learned from innovative interventions, with a focus on interventions designed in co-creation with adolescents and those that use both quantitative and qualitative or realist evaluation designs.

Prof. Dr. Christiane Stock
Guest Editor

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Keywords

adolescents
risk-taking behaviour
alcohol and other drugs
health risks
COVID-19 pandemic
prevention
co-creation
intervention

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Determinants of Risk-Taking Behaviour in Young People: Implications for Innovative Interventions in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (11 articles)

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Research

9 pages, 361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Eye Strain among Peruvian Nursing Students: Prevalence and Associated Factors

by Sonia Celedonia Huyhua-Gutierrez, Jhon Alex Zeladita-Huaman, Rosa Jeuna Díaz-Manchay, Albila Beatriz Dominguez-Palacios, Roberto Zegarra-Chapoñan, María Angélica Rivas-Souza and Sonia Tejada-Muñoz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5067; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065067 - 13 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2483

Abstract

There has been a high prevalence of digital eye strain (DES) among students who have received distance-learning lessons due to COVID-19. However, in low- and middle-income countries, there are few studies that have analyzed its associated factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DES and its associated factors among nursing students during COVID-19 distance learning. This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted between May and June 2021 in six Peruvian universities. The sample comprised 796 nursing students. DES was measured using the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q). A bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. DES was found in 87.6% of nursing students. Sitting upright (OR, 0.47; 95% IC, 0.30–0.74), using electronic devices for more than four hours a day (OR, 1.73; 95% IC, 1.02–2.86), not following the 20-20-20 rule (OR, 2.60; 95% IC, 1.25–5.20), having the screen brightness very high (OR, 3.36; 95% IC, 1.23–11.8), and not wearing glasses (OR, 0.59; 95% IC, 0.37–0.93) are factors associated with DES. The prevalence of DES among nursing students is high. Improving the ergonomics of study environments, reducing the time of exposure to electronic devices, adjusting the screen brightness, and taking eye-care measures are key to controlling computer vision syndrome in virtual learning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 2nd Edition: Determinants of Risk-Taking Behaviour in Young People: Implications for Innovative Interventions)

20 pages, 637 KiB

Open AccessArticle

LGBTQIA+ Adolescents’ Perceptions of Gender Tailoring and Portrayal in a Virtual-Reality-Based Alcohol-Prevention Tool: A Qualitative Interview Study and Thematic Analysis

by Christina Prediger, Katherina Heinrichs, Hürrem Tezcan-Güntekin, Gertraud Stadler, Laura Pilz González, Patricia Lyk, Gunver Majgaard and Christiane Stock

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2784; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042784 - 4 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2549

Abstract

Gender-sensitive interventions in alcohol-prevention that target adolescents often lead to binary tailoring for girls and boys. However, increased societal and legal recognition of sexual and gender minorities as well as research with this age group demand a broader understanding of gender. Therefore, the present study addresses the question of how interventions should be further developed to include sexual and gender diversity by exploring LGBTQIA+ adolescents’ perceptions of gender portrayal and gender-tailoring using Virtual LimitLab—a virtual-reality simulation for training refusal skills under peer pressure to consume alcohol. Qualitative interviews with 16 LGBTQIA+ adolescents were conducted after individual simulation testing. Using a thematic analysis with reflexive orientation, four themes were identified: Statements on relevance of gender, opinions on tailoring- and flirting options, and opinions on characters. Participants called for greater diversity representation among the characters, regarding gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as for representing, e.g., racialised peers. Moreover, participants suggested expanding the simulation’s flirting options by adding bisexual and aromantic/asexual options. Divergent views on the relevance of gender and wishes for tailoring options reflected the participant group’s heterogeneity. Based on these findings, future gender-sensitive interventions should conceptualise gender in a complex and multidimensional manner that intersects with further diversity categories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 2nd Edition: Determinants of Risk-Taking Behaviour in Young People: Implications for Innovative Interventions)

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15 pages, 737 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mediating Effects of Discipline Approaches on the Relationship between Parental Mental Health and Adolescent Antisocial Behaviours: Retrospective Study of a Multisystemic Therapy Intervention

by Leartluk Nuntavisit and Mark Porter

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13418; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013418 - 17 Oct 2022

Viewed by 2289

Abstract

Poor parental mental health is one of the risk factors for child emotional and behavioural problems because it reduces caregiver’s ability to provide appropriate care for their child. This study aimed to measure changes in parenting factors and adolescent behaviours after Multisystemic Therapy (MST), and to explore the mediating role of discipline approaches on the relationship between parental mental health and adolescent behavioural problems. This retrospective study extracted data collected from 193 families engaged with the MST research program during 2014–2019. Data was collected at different time points (pre-treatment, post-treatment, 6- and 12-months follow-up). Statistically significant changes were found in adolescent behaviours and parenting factors following the MST intervention and these positive changes were maintained over the following 12 months. Results of the parallel multiple mediator model analysis confirmed mediating effects of discipline approaches on the relationship between parental mental health and adolescent’s behavioural problems. The findings suggested that parental mental well-being significantly contributes to effectiveness of parenting, which resulted in positive changes in adolescent’s behavioural problems. It is recommended caregiver’s parental skills and any mental health issues are addressed during the intervention to enhance positive outcomes in adolescent behaviour. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 2nd Edition: Determinants of Risk-Taking Behaviour in Young People: Implications for Innovative Interventions)

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21 pages, 806 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Validation of the Weighted Index for Childhood Adverse Conditions (WICAC)

by Sofie A. Jacobsen, Bo M. Bibby, Lisbeth Frostholm, Marie W. Petersen, Eva Ørnbøl, Signe U. Schovsbo, Thomas M. Dantoft and Tina B. W. Carstensen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13251; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013251 - 14 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1979

Abstract

Background: Adverse experiences in childhood are a major public health concern, promoting social inequality in health through biopsychosocial mechanisms. So far, no known measures comprehend the complexity and variations of severity of adverse events. This study aims to develop and validate a new index: the Weighted Index for Childhood Adverse Conditions (WICAC). Methods: The population consists of 7493 randomly invited men and women aged 18–72 years. Data were collected in 2012–2015 as part of the Danish Study of Functional Disorders (DanFunD). Content and construct validation of the WICAC was performed with the hypothesis testing of multiple biopsychosocial outcomes: cardiovascular disease, cancer, poor health, back pain, BMI, obesity, anxiety, depression, low vitality, subjective social status, lower education, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Data were analysed with binominal and linear regression models with risk ratios (RR) and mean differences (MD). Results: Content validation is fitting for WICAC. The strongest associations observed were for most severe adversity: Poor Health RR = 2.16 (1.19–2.91), Anxiety RR = 3.32 (2.32–4.74), Heavy Drinking RR = 4.09 (1.85–9.04), and Subjective Social Status MD = −0.481 (−0.721–(−0.241)). Similar results were found for the remaining outcomes. Discriminative validation was undecided. Conclusions: WICAC is an adequate instrument for measuring cumulative adverse life events in childhood and adolescence for research purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 2nd Edition: Determinants of Risk-Taking Behaviour in Young People: Implications for Innovative Interventions)

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13 pages, 352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Substance Use among Belgian Higher Education Students before and during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Robert Tholen, Koen Ponnet, Guido Van Hal, Sara De Bruyn, Veerle Buffel, Sarah Van de Velde, Piet Bracke and Edwin Wouters

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4348; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074348 - 5 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2349

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted many countries to issue far-reaching policy measures that may have led to increased substance use. Higher education students may have been disproportionally affected due to the rearrangement of educational life and their susceptibility to psychosocial distress and substance use. The current study examined associations between pandemic-related stressors, psychosocial distress, and self-reported alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use before and during the first wave of the pandemic. Data were collected in Belgium as part of the COVID-19 International Student Well-being Study (C19 ISWS) and analyzed using multinomial logistic regression analyses. The sample contained 18,346 higher education students aged 17 to 24 (75% women). Overall use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis as well as binge drinking decreased during the pandemic, perhaps due to limited social gatherings. Moving back to the parental home was associated with decreased substance use, while depressive symptoms were associated with increased substance use. Perceived threat and academic stress were associated with increased binge drinking among heavy bingers and increased tobacco use. Decreases among students who moved back to their parental home may be explained by increased informal social control. Increased substance use was associated with a number of stressors and psychosocial distress, which suggests that some students may have been self-medicating to manage their mental health amidst the pandemic. Public health policy concerning substance use may prove to be less effective if not tailored to particular subgroups within the student population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 2nd Edition: Determinants of Risk-Taking Behaviour in Young People: Implications for Innovative Interventions)

12 pages, 1388 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Reported Computer Vision Syndrome among Thai University Students in Virtual Classrooms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prevalence and Associated Factors

by Kampanat Wangsan, Phit Upaphong, Pheerasak Assavanopakun, Ratana Sapbamrer, Wachiranun Sirikul, Amornphat Kitro, Naphasorn Sirimaharaj, Sawita Kuanprasert, Maneekarn Saenpo, Suchada Saetiao and Thitichaya Khamphichai

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 3996; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073996 - 28 Mar 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4795

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, computer vision syndrome (CVS) related to online classrooms were unavoidable. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the prevalence, characteristics and associated factors of CVS. A total of 527 students who were currently studying in a virtual classroom (70.40% female, mean (standard deviation; SD) age of 20.04 (2.17) years) were included. The prevalence of CVS assessed by an online CVS-Questionnaire was 81.0% (427/527). Comparing with those in the period before the online study, an increase in screen time (interquartile range) in students with and without CVS was 3 (0–3) and 2 (1–5) h, respectively. Overall, 516 students (97.9%) experienced at least one symptom. The most frequent symptom in CVS subjects was eye pain (96.5%). The most intense symptoms were the feeling of worsening eyesight (15.9%). The factors associated with CVS were female (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.010), atopic diseases (p = 0.020), prior ocular symptoms (p < 0.001), astigmatism (p = 0.033), distance from display <20 cm (p = 0.023), presence of glare or reflection on screen (p < 0.001), low screen brightness (p = 0.045), sleep duration (p = 0.030), inadequate break time between classes (p < 0.001) and increased screen time usage during online study (p < 0.001). Recommendations to prevent CVS based on the adjustable factors might reduce the burden of online study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 2nd Edition: Determinants of Risk-Taking Behaviour in Young People: Implications for Innovative Interventions)

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13 pages, 714 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Behaviors, Family Support, and Emotional Health among Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Israel

by Orit Shapiro, Rachel Nissanholtz Gannot, Gizell Green, Avi Zigdon, Moti Zwilling, Ariela Giladi, Lilach Ben-Meir, Marques Adilson, Sharon Barak, Yossi Harel-Fisch and Riki Tesler

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 3850; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073850 - 24 Mar 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3282

Abstract

We investigated the prevalence of risk behaviors among Israeli adolescents (tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Associations between different risk behaviors were examined and so was whether specific characteristics could predict risk behaviors in adolescents. The study consisted of 1020 Israeli adolescents aged 15–18. Study subjects completed an online survey between the first and second lockdowns in Israel (April 2020 to September 2020). Participants reported the frequency at which they engaged in four different risky behaviors: general risky behavior, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption (binge drinking), and cannabis use. The most prevalent risky behavior in the sample was binge drinking (33.8%). The four measured risky behaviors were significantly correlated. Among participants who had previously engaged in a risky behavior assessed, most did not change the behavior frequency during the pandemic. All independent variables (sociodemographic characteristics, family support, and emotional, health excluding friends’ support, physical activity volume, and coronavirus restrictions) were significantly different between participants engaging vs. not engaging in risky behaviors. Our findings suggest that family support is one of the most influential factors in preventing risky behavior during the pandemic, and they emphasize the importance of family-based interventions with children and adolescents from elementary to high school. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 2nd Edition: Determinants of Risk-Taking Behaviour in Young People: Implications for Innovative Interventions)

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0 pages, 2070 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy of the Virtual Reality Intervention VR FestLab on Alcohol Refusal Self-Efficacy: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

by Julie Dalgaard Guldager, Satayesh Lavasani Kjær, Ulrike Grittner and Christiane Stock

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3293; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063293 - 10 Mar 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3812

Abstract

It is currently unknown whether a virtual social environment can support young people in building their skills to overcome peer pressure when offered alcohol. This study evaluated the efficacy of the newly developed virtual reality simulation game VR FestLab on the refusal self-efficacy regarding social pressures to drink of Danish male and female students aged 15–18. VR FestLab features a party setting where adolescents can “steer” their own party experience. Eleven schools were included in a cluster-randomized controlled trial and allocated to either the intervention (n = 181) or the active control group (n = 191). Students in intervention schools played VR FestLab, while those in the control group played the VR game Oculus Quest—First Steps. The primary outcome measure was the social pressure subscale of the drinking refusal self-efficacy scale (DRSEQ-RA). The intervention effects were measured immediately after the intervention/control session (T1) and after a 6-week follow-up (T2). Data were examined using linear mixed regression models. Our study did not demonstrate a significant effect of drinking refusal self-efficacy at T1. For all secondary outcomes, we observed no substantial differences between the intervention and control groups. This study provides new insights into the feasibility and effectiveness of an innovative virtual reality alcohol prevention tool. VR FestLab can be an innovative and promising contribution to complement existing school-based alcohol prevention, but more research is needed to improve its effectiveness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 2nd Edition: Determinants of Risk-Taking Behaviour in Young People: Implications for Innovative Interventions)

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