The Importance of Family and School Protective Factors in Preventing the Risk Behaviors of Youth

Josipa Mihić, Martie Skinner, Miranda Novak, Martina Ferić and Valentina Kranželić
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Josipa Mihić: Laboratory for Prevention Research, Department for Behavioral Disorders, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Martie Skinner: The Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Miranda Novak: Laboratory for Prevention Research, Department for Behavioral Disorders, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Martina Ferić: Laboratory for Prevention Research, Department for Behavioral Disorders, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Valentina Kranželić: Laboratory for Prevention Research, Department for Behavioral Disorders, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine cross-sectional associations of protective factors within a family and school context with adolescent risk behaviors. The study was conducted among adolescents ( n = 9682) from five cities in Croatia. Mean age of participants was 16.2 years ( SD = 1.2), and 52.5% were female. Multigroup structural equation modeling was used to examine relations between school attachment, school commitment, family communication, and family satisfaction with gambling, substance use, violence, and sexual risk behavior. Data analyses were conducted in two sets, the first using the full sample, and the second using a subsample (excluding Zagreb) for which there was data on sexual risk behavior. In the first model, school attachment was negatively associated with gambling and violence, while school commitment was negatively associated with students’ gambling, substance use, and violence. Gambling was also associated with family satisfaction in this model. Results from the subsample model were similar with regards to school and family factors associated with gambling, substance use, and violence, with a few exceptions. In this model, family protective factors were found not to be significantly related with any risk behavior. These study results emphasize the importance of strengthening school protective factors, school attachment, and school commitment in preventing risk behaviors in adolescents.

Keywords: school attachment; school commitment; family communication; family satisfaction; gambling; violence; substance use; sexual risk behavior; youth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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