Risky Behaviors of Adolescents PDF

# Risky Behaviors of Adolescents ## Risk - The probability that a hazard in the environment can negatively affect the individual. ## Risk-taking - A behavior of doing something regardless of potential loss. ## Introduction - Majority of youth mature successfully through adolescence without lon...

# Risky Behaviors of Adolescents ## Risk - The probability that a hazard in the environment can negatively affect the individual. ## Risk-taking - A behavior of doing something regardless of potential loss. ## Introduction - Majority of youth mature successfully through adolescence without long-term problems. - All adolescents are considered at risk due to the prevalence of risk behaviors, inherent developmental needs, and various risk factors for their initiation. - Risk-taking is a normal part of adolescent development. - Risk-taking is defined as participation in potentially health-compromising activities with little understanding or in spite of an understanding of the possible negative consequences. ## Adolescents - Experiment with new behaviors as they explore their emerging identity and independence. - *The concept of risk has been established as a characteristic that adolescents respond to threats to their health and well-being.* - Respond differently to similar risks. - Some may not sustain any physical or emotional damage, while others may be affected for life. ## Adolescence - The period of transition between childhood and adulthood. - Includes changes to the body and how a young person relates to the world. - As adolescents explore their emerging identity and independence, the concept of risk taking has been established as a characteristic. ## Stages of Adolescent Development ### Early Adolescence - **Age:** 10-13 years old - Start to grow more quickly. - Body changes can inspire curiosity and anxiety, especially if they do not know what to expect or what is normal. - Often self-conscious about their appearance and feel as though they are always being judged by their peers. ### Middle Adolescence - **Age:** 14-17 years old - Become interested in romantic and sexual relationships. - Spend more time with friends than with family. - Want to exercise their freedom and make decisions for themselves. - Able to think abstractly and consider "the big picture", but may still lack the ability to apply it in the moment. ### Late Adolescence - **Age:** 18 - 21 years old - Encompasses less physical development and more cognitive developments. - Have a stronger sense of identity and individuality and can identify their own values. - Experience increased independence and emotional stability. ## Guidance of the Family - Important as the adolescent develops into a mature adult. ## Philippine Context - Based on the study of McCann Erickson in 2006, 53% of adolescents live with both parents. - 5% live without the mother - 20% live without the father - 23% live without both parents ## Data of Adolescents Engaging in Vices - **20.7%** of adolescents are the fourth highest in the country who are currently smoking. - **38.9%** of adolescents are the fifth highest in the country who are currently drinking alcoholic beverages. - More than **3 in 100** have used drugs. - Greater than **8 in 100** have thoughts of suicide. ## Sex and Media - Identified as key influencers in NCR and CALABARZON - **3 in 5** adolescents have watched X-rated movies and videos, the fourth highest in the country. - **3 in 10** adolescents have sent or received sex videos through cell phones or the internet, the second highest in the country. - **6 in 100** adolescents have engaged in phone sex, higher than the national average. ## Identified Sexual Risks among Filipino Adolescents - **1 in 3** adolescents have sexual experience at a young age - first sex for boys is **17.6** years old, while **18.1** years old for girls. - **1 in 50** have had sex before age **15**. - **1 in 4** have had sex before age **18**. - **7.1%** of adolescents **age 15-19** are already mothers. ## Common Drugs Abused by Young People and Their Effects ### Marijuana - Usually smoked, can be made into tea, or even cookies. - Increases heart rate and dilates blood vessels in the eyes. ### Alcohol - The most common drug abused and used worldwide. - Easy to find and consume. - Causes relaxation, people feel less self-conscious. - Can lead to vomiting, unconsciousness, or even death. ### Cigarettes - Nicotine is highly addictive. - Tar increases risk of lung cancer and bronchial disorders. - Inhaling smoke increases the risk of respiratory illness in children. ### Cocaine - Usually comes in white powder or crack. - Can be snorted, injected, or smoked. - Can raise body temperature, create extreme happiness and energy, mental alertness, paranoia, and hypersensitivity to light and sound. - An addictive stimulant drug made from coca plant leaves native to South America. - Healthcare providers use for valid medical purposes such as local anesthesia for surgery. ### Heroine - A drug obtained from morphine and opium poppy plant. - Enters the brain rapidly, can cloud mental functioning. - Effects include a rush of good feelings and happiness, relief from pain, heavy feelings in arms and legs. - Used as a strong pain killer. ### Amphetamines - Stimulants that affect a person's system by speeding up brain activity and giving energy. - Effects include feelings of happiness and confidence, increased heart beat and blood pressure, faster breathing, talking more, and feeling energetic. - Used as medicines for people with ADHD. - People use to help them stay awake on the job or to study for a test. - Some people use to boost performance in sports. ### Ecstasy - A stimulant drug that speeds up brain activity, can cause hallucinations. - Known as a designer drug because it was created for the purpose of making someone feel high. - Users believe the drug will make them feel good and keep them going for days without rest. - Popular with teens and young adults who go to clubs, concerts, or "rave" parties. ### Inhalants and Solvent - Chemicals that can be inhaled such as glue, gasoline, lighter fluid, etc. - May give users a "high" feeling, with side effects of numbness, dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness. - Solvents are forms of inhalants, liquids that people inhale for their strong smell which affects the brain. ## Drug Abuse - Not the solution. - Not needed to be liked by other people. - Not needed to feel brave or courageous. - Not needed to cope with sorrow or disappointment. - Everyone has the strength and inner resources to deal with any situation and problem. - People are available to help you. ## Psychosocial Perspective in Gender and Sexuality - Recognizes that gender and sexuality are not solely biological or genetic, but also influenced by a wide range of social and psychological factors. - Includes: - Psychological: Affective, Behavior, Cognition - Social: Interactions and Cultural Factors - Psychosocial: A term pertaining to psychological and social factors and the interaction of these factors. ## Psychosocial Issues - Needs and concerns relating to one or all of the psychosocial dimensions. ## Awareness - Conscious understanding of something. - Individuals are in constant process towards self-awareness. - Individuals are in constant process towards other-awareness. ## Relationship - A social bond between and among individuals manifested through communication and other forms of interaction. ## Passion - The emotive and physical component of love, drive towards sexual and romantic attraction. ## Intimacy - Knowing and being known by someone in a deeply personal level; emotional closeness and connection. ## Commitment - A decision to engage and maintain a loving relationship. ## What is Love? ### According to the Bible - Means more than just romantic attraction or strong feelings towards those close to you. - It also stands for the truth, respect, and obedience people hold for God. ### According to Science - High levels of DOPAMINE and a related hormone, norepinephrine, that are being released during attraction. ### According to Dictionary - A feeling of strong or constant affection for a person. ## Love as a Human Experience - A Culture universal is a phenomenon experienced similarly by people across time and cultures. - This means that human, whether those who lived in the past or who are living now and regardless of their geographic location and socio-cultural identities, have experienced love in one way or another. - Another concept or phenomenon that is considered as an example of Culture Universal is Death. ## Love as a Social Phenomenon - Social phenomena are events or experiences which ensue within our interaction and relationship with other people. - Loving entails communication and use of language. ## Love as an Emotion - Emotions are psychological responses that we evaluate psychologically as we experience life events and love as we know is a complex emotion. - Basic emotions - joy, sadness, fear, anger. They are universally and easily recognizable, and you instantly feel them whenever you see or experience a trigger. Sometimes accompanied by facial emotions. - Love is an example of a combination of basic emotions, also known as complex emotions. ## Love as a Neurological Event - Neurobiologically, the experience of love is associated with various parts of our brain. - It is also associated with the increased amount in endorphins- hormones believed to provide humans a good mood. - Love is in the brain and not the heart, as the saying goes - among scientists and doctors, at least. - The reason why your heart beats faster at the sight of the person you love is because your brain sends signals to the heart. ## Theorizing Love - Several theories and frameworks offer diverse perspectives on how love can be understood and explained. ## Psychodynamic View on Love - Posits that love and romantic attraction are influenced by unconscious motives, desires, and unresolved conflicts from an individual's past. - Unconscious Motives: According to psychodynamic theory, many of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by unconscious motives that we may not be fully aware of. In the context of love, this perspective suggests that people may be drawn to certain individuals or types of relationships because of unconscious desires or needs. - Early Childhood Experiences: Psychodynamic theorists, such as Sigmund Freud, argued that early childhood experiences, especially those involving our parents or caregivers, have a profound impact on our emotional development. The psychodynamic view of love considers how experiences with primary caregivers can shape an individual's capacity to love and form attachments in adulthood. ## Inner Conflicts - Refer to emotional or psychological struggles that individuals experience within themselves. - Arise when a person has contradictory thoughts, feelings, desires, or values that create tension and discomfort. ## Color Wheel of Love - John Alan Lee (1973), a Canadian psychologist, suggested that there are different types of love. - It is possible for us to experience not just one but two or more of these types of love in our lifetime. - Primary types of Love - Eros - sexual and romantic - Philia - friendly/brotherly - Storge - parental/filial - Secondary types of Love - Pragma - practical love - Agape - universal love - Philautia - self love - Other types: - Mania - obsessive love - Ludus - playful love ## Triangular Model of Love - One of the most popular theories is the triangular model by Robert Sternberg (1986). - This theory looks at love from a psychometric stance, which means that it is generally concerned about trying to measure love as a psychological variable and in determining the various dimensions and facets that love has experienced by people. - Considers the following three dimensions of love: - Intimacy: Emotional closeness and connection. - Passion: Romantic attraction and desire. - Commitment: Decision to be with the person for the long term. ## Hatfield and Rapson - Suggest that there are two general types of love: - Romantic Love - Companionate Love ### Romantic Love - Characterized by "intense passion". - A state of intense longing for union with your partner. - People often experience almost constant thoughts about the person they are in love with. - People in passionate love tend to believe that the object of their affections can do no wrong. - People in passionate love want to know everything about their partner. ### Companionate Love - Characterized by "intense intimacy". - Emotional closeness. - Some of the key cognitive, emotional, and behavioral characteristics of compassionate (companionate) love include: - **Long-Term Commitment**: Companionate love is marked by a long-lasting and enduring commitment to each other. - **Deep Intimacy**: People who share companionate love are able to share every aspect of themselves with each other. Mutual sharing of feelings and concerns is a hallmark of this form of love. ## Love Languages - A concept that describe the ways that people receive and express love in a relationship. - Knowing your partner's love language and letting them know yours can help you ensure you both feel loved and appreciated in your relationship. - Garry Chapman, a world renown author, suggested that people have various ways through which we give and receive love. - Includes: - Words of Affirmation: Verbal Expressions of feelings and love. - Physical Touch: Physical contact that expresses feelings. - Time: Being present, attentive, and mindful. - Gifts: Showing affection through material objects. - Act of Service: Helping her/him in things that they do. ## The ABCDE of Intimate Relationship - Stages of intimate relationships according to George Levinger (1982). - Includes: - **Acquaintance**: Getting to know each other and engaging in small talks and small interaction. This is the initial stage where two individuals first meet and become acquainted. - **Buildup**: Individuals start to develop a deeper connection and attraction to each other. They may begin to share more personal information, feelings, and experiences. The buildup stage involves the gradual development of emotional intimacy. - **Consolidation and Continuation**: The stage when people commits into a long-term relationship with one another The couple is actively working to strengthen their bond. - **Decline/Deterioration**: In this stage, the relationship experiences difficulties or challenges. Conflicts and disagreements may become more frequent, and couples may start to question their compatibility or commitment. This stage can lead to a reevaluation of the relationship. - **Ending/Termination**: Involves the decision to either terminate the relationship or continue with it. If the issues in the deterioration stage cannot be resolved, the relationship may come to an end through separation. However, if the couple can work through their problems, they may move back into the continuation stage. - **Reconcillation**: It involves attempts to reconcile and repair the relationship after a period of conflict.