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A psychometric study of adolescent risk perception
A Benthin1, P Slovic, H Severson
1Decision Research, Eugene, OR 97401.
Journal of Adolescence
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Adolescents engaging in risky behaviors like smoking or drug use perceived lower risks and higher benefits than non-participants. This perception influences adolescent decision-making regarding health behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent psychology
- Health behavior research
- Risk perception studies
Background:
- Understanding adolescent risk-taking is crucial for public health.
- Perceptions of risk and benefit significantly influence behavior.
- Adolescents' engagement in activities like substance use and sexual activity warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how adolescent participation in risky activities affects their perception of risks and benefits.
- To compare risk and benefit perceptions between adolescent participants and non-participants.
- To explore factors influencing adolescent health behavior decisions.
Main Methods:
- Surveying 41 high school students on 30 activities (e.g., smoking, drinking, drug use, sex).
- Assessing 14 characteristics of perceived risk and perceived benefit for each activity.
- Collecting self-reported engagement data for each activity.
Main Results:
- Participants perceived risks as smaller, better known, and more controllable than non-participants.
- Adolescent participants reported greater perceived benefits relative to risks.
- Participants noted increased peer pressure and higher observed participation rates among peers.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent participation in risky behaviors is associated with biased risk-benefit perceptions.
- Findings have implications for developing targeted health education and intervention programs for adolescents.
- Understanding these perceptual differences is key to addressing adolescent risk-taking behaviors.