[Development of the structural model of adolescent's risk behavior].

PURPOSE

In this study the fitness of a path model for the relationship among biological risk disposition, sociocultural risk factors, self-control, parent-adolescent communication, and risk behavior in adolescents was examined.

METHODS

The participants were 387 adolescents. The data were analyzed with the PASW 18.0 and AMOS 18.0 programs.

RESULTS

Sociocultural risk factors, self-control, and parent-adolescent communication showed a direct effect on risk behavior for adolescents, while biological risk disposition and sociocultural risk factor showed an indirect effect on risk behavior for adolescents. The modified path model of adolescents' risk behavior was showed a good fit with the model (χ2/df=2.37, GFI=.95, AGFI=.92, RMSEA=.06 [.05<RMSEA<.07], NNFI=.95, CFI=.97).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that adolescents' risk behavior can be decreased by reducing biological risk disposition and sociocultural risk factor, and increasing parent-adolescent communication and self-control. Thus there is a need to design intervention programs that emphasizes reducing biological risk disposition and sociocultural risk factor and increasing parent-adolescent communication and self-control in order to decrease adolescents' risk behavior.