The Risk Behaviors of High School Students and Causes Thereof: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study searchs the causes of risk behaviors committed by adolescents, the risk factors in their lives and the protective factors against such risks. This qualitative study has been developed in a phenomenological design. As such, the data has been collected through interviews with a total of 47 students. A semi-structured interview, prepared in line with the theoretical information, was utilized in this study. The data is analyzed by using content analysis method. The results have been considered under the general features such as family and friend relations, whereas the causes revealed with effect to each dimension of risk behavior's have been assessed under the light of the respective literature. In addition, it can be said that risk behavior predicts risk behavior, in other words, risk behavior can cause another risk behavior. Therefore, school-based prevention programs will be beneficial in order to prevent risk behaviors.