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Document Type

Research Paper

Abstract

High risk behavior plays a key role in injury and death among teens and young adults. This investigation provides an overview of the frequency of high risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, cigarette smoking, seat belt use, and contraceptive use among college students. Body modification behaviors such as body piercings, tattoos, and brandings were also assessed. In addition, personality variables such as self-esteem, sensation seeking, and gender role were assessed to identify predictors of these behaviors. In this sample, 22% reported that they smoke cigarettes, 68% reported that they had been drunk in the last year, 20% reported using illegal drugs in the last year, and more than a third of those sexually active, report that they rarely or never use a condom when having sex. Approximately one third of the respondents reported that they had either body piercing, a tattoo, or branding. Disinhibition scores, self-esteem, scores, femininity scores, and gender predicted high risk behavior. Self-esteem and gender were significant predictors of body modification behavior.

Publication Date

2001

Journal Title

Conference Proceedings: Undergraduate Social Science Research Conference

Volume

5

Issue

1

First Page

127

Last Page

134

Copyright

©2001 by the University of Northern Iowa

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Publisher

University of Northern Iowa

City

Cedar Falls, IA

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