School-level application of a social bonding model to adolescent risk-taking behavior

Adolescent bonding--attachment to, commitment to, and involvement in conventional social activities-decreases the likelihood of engaging in some risk-taking behaviors. The extent to which bonding opportunities in the school environment affect individual's bonding and risk-taking behaviors is less explored. This study tested a model that includes individual and environmental indicators of bonding to predict cigarette smoking, drinking, drug use, and sexual activity among ninth grade students. Survey data representing students in 20 schools in seven western states are reported. Twelfth grade students' bonding and other demographic variables aggregated by school served as environmental indicators of bonding opportunities to predict ninth grade students' bonding and risk-taking behavior. Path analyses indicate the school environment has a direct influence on ninth grade students' bonding and, in turn, on the likelihood they will engage in risky behavior. Implications of these findings for future research directions and intervention design are discussed.