Risk taking behaviors among adolescents in selected High schools of Bagalkot, Karnataka

Abstract

Adolescence has extensive been familiar as a period of keen risk taking and accordingly a stage that want special over vision from adults nevertheless prospects concerning this period and views of how adolescence should be treated have varied. Adolescents often engage in risky behaviors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, using drugs, and early unprotected sexual activity. Risky behaviors might pose a threat to adolescents’ future health. The adverse health consequences of these behaviors have been recognized as important public health issues. When adolescents take one risk, they also tend to take other risks.

The researcher selected Non Experimental approach using descriptive cross sectional research design for the study to accomplish the objectives. The structured RTSHIA rating scale was used for assessing risk taking behavior among 100 adolescents, selected by stratified proportionate random sampling technique. The data was collected and analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.
The study results related to levels of Risk taking behaviors among adolescents studying in selected schools showed that 6% of adolescents scored between 61-90 indicating presence of High risk behavior, 43% of adolescents were having scores range between 31-60 indicating moderately risk taking behavior, Majority of scores range between1-30 (low risk taking behavior). The mean SD and mean percentage of risk taking score among adolescents illustrate that the total mean percentage of risk taking score of adolescents was 33.5% with mean and SD was 30.15+10.15. The study concluded that risk taking behavior prevalent among adolescents.