Teen Fatalism Linked to Risky Behavior
Survey Shows 15% of Teens Believe They Will Die Young
June 29, 2009 -- New research challenges the widely held belief that teens underestimate the dangers associated with risky behaviors because they think they are invincible.
The study found that adolescents who engaged in risky behaviors such as drug use, fighting, and unsafe sex were more likely to believe that they would die young than those who didn't.
Perceptions of early death risk varied widely by race and ethnic group, with 29% of Native Americans reporting that they would probably die young, compared to around 25% of African-Americans, 21% of Hispanics, 15% of Asians, and 10% of whites.
Living with just one parent, being on welfare, and living in an urban vs. rural environment were all associated with a higher belief among those questioned that they would die young.
A perceived high risk for early death was strongly linked to involvement in health-jeopardizing behaviors.
clipped from: www.webmd.com