The studies outlined later in the book refer to adolescents who are described as exhibiting problem behaviors or conduct disorder. Adolescents with these problems invariably engage in higher than normal levels of risk-taking. We examine the factors that predispose these adolescents to risk-taking.

Environmental Variables

FAMILY DYSFUNCTION

If adolescents feel supported by their families, they are less likely to engage in risk-taking behavior. A study that looked at perceived quality of support found that adolescents with either emotional or behavioral problems were four times more likely to report a lack of family support than students without these problems (Garnefski & Diekstra, 1997). Those adolescents with both emotional and behavioral problems were eight times as likely to feel unsupported by their families. Students who indicated a lack of support from more than one system (family, school, or peers) were also likely to have more problems. These results suggest that similar background problems and family risk factors are involved in the development of both emotional and behavioral problems. These factors may include family dysfunction and real or perceived life stressors.

The development of problem behavior has been linked with the same background factors as suicidal behavior (see Chapter 3). A study into family risk factors for adolescent suicide concluded that family dysfunction is likely to be a nonspecific risk factor for the development of psychopathology in children (Wagner, 1997).