Risk behaviours among native and immigrant youths in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Adolescent Psychology

Background:

• Switzerland has a long history of immigration, with over 50 years of receiving diverse migrant populations.
• Understanding risk-taking behaviors among migrant youth is crucial for public health initiatives.
• Previous research has often overlooked distinctions between first-generation, second-generation, and mixed-origin migrant youth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in risk-taking behaviors among first-generation migrants, second-generation migrants, mixed-origin youth, and native Swiss youth.
• To determine if migrant status influences engagement in various risk behaviors.
• To identify specific subgroups of youth that may be more vulnerable to risk-taking.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study (GenerationFRee) involving 5834 adolescents in Fribourg, Switzerland.
• Participants were categorized into four groups: natives, first-generation migrants, second-generation migrants, and mixed-origin youth.
• Binary logistic regression analysis was used to compare engagement in eight risk behaviors after controlling for significant bivariate variables.

Main Results:

• First- and second-generation migrant boys were less likely to misuse alcohol compared to native boys.
• First- and second-generation migrant girls showed lower alcohol misuse but higher rates of excessive internet use.
• Mixed-origin youth, particularly girls, exhibited higher rates of risk behaviors, including antisocial behaviors and parental separation.

Conclusions:

• Migrant youth, as a whole, do not represent a higher-risk population compared to native youth when controlling for other factors.
• Mixed-origin youth demonstrated significantly higher engagement in risk behaviors than both native and migrant groups.
• Mixed-origin youth require specialized attention and support due to their heightened vulnerability during adolescence.