Risk-Taking Behaviors Among Adolescents in Single-Mother Versus Two-Parent Households in India: A Cross-Sectional...

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Psychology
• Sociology of the Family
• Public Health

Background:

• Adolescence is a critical period for risk-taking due to brain development and social influences.
• Family structure significantly impacts adolescent development and behavior.
• Limited research exists on risk-taking behaviors among children of single mothers in India.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare risk-taking behaviors between adolescents from single-mother households and those living with both parents in urban India.
• To identify specific domains of risk-taking that may differ between these family contexts.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional comparative study of 119 adolescents (12-18 years).
• Included children of single mothers (CSM) and children living with both parents (CLBP).
• Semi-structured interviews assessed mobility, substance use, school engagement, and conduct risks; statistical analyses compared groups.

Main Results:

• Children of single mothers (CSM) had lower school attendance and higher rates of running away and gang involvement.
• CSM status was linked to lower school attendance and higher gang involvement odds.
• Adolescents living with both parents (CLBP) engaged more in mobility risks like underage two-wheeler riding.

Conclusions:

• Risk-taking among children of single mothers is domain-specific, focusing on educational disengagement and psychosocial vulnerability.
• Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve educational continuity and social support for adolescents in single-mother families.
• Substance use was infrequent and did not differ significantly between the groups.