Liat Korn1,2, Hagit Bonny-Noach3. 1. a Department of Health Systems Management, School of Health Science , Ariel University , Israel. 2. c Health Behavior Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research , Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH , Bethesda , Maryland , USA. 3. b Department of Criminology, School of Social Sciences , Ariel University, and Israel Anti-Drug Authority (IADA) , Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Deviant and health risk behaviors among young-adults are associated with many adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate a broad variety of behaviors by gender differences and their contribution to predicting cannabis use in undergraduate students. METHOD: This research is based on a structured, self-reported anonymous questionnaire distributed to 1,432 young adult undergraduate students at an Israeli University, 533 males and 899 females (mean age 27.4; SD 6.01). RESULTS: The findings demonstrate a significant proportion of sampled young adults reported to be involved in deviant and health risk behaviors and that all risky behaviors were more frequently significant in males than in females. Among drivers 72% reported speeding, 60% reported failure to keep distance, 44% reported being involved at a car accident as a driver, 40% reported not stopping at a stop sign, and quarter reported driving after drinking alcohol. These findings also expand how certain risk behaviors contribute to predicting cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively high prevalence of some of these risky behaviors among normative young adults suggests that risky behaviors are considered as normative behavior for this group, especially among man, and therefore, policymakers need to consider prevention and harm reduction interventions relevant to this risk group.
BACKGROUND: Deviant and health risk behaviors among young-adults are associated with many adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate a broad variety of behaviors by gender differences and their contribution to predicting cannabis use in undergraduate students. METHOD: This research is based on a structured, self-reported anonymous questionnaire distributed to 1,432 young adult undergraduate students at an Israeli University, 533 males and 899 females (mean age 27.4; SD 6.01). RESULTS: The findings demonstrate a significant proportion of sampled young adults reported to be involved in deviant and health risk behaviors and that all risky behaviors were more frequently significant in males than in females. Among drivers 72% reported speeding, 60% reported failure to keep distance, 44% reported being involved at a car accident as a driver, 40% reported not stopping at a stop sign, and quarter reported driving after drinking alcohol. These findings also expand how certain risk behaviors contribute to predicting cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively high prevalence of some of these risky behaviors among normative young adults suggests that risky behaviors are considered as normative behavior for this group, especially among man, and therefore, policymakers need to consider prevention and harm reduction interventions relevant to this risk group.
Entities:
Keywords:
Gender differences; cannabis; deviance; health risk behaviors; undergraduate students
Authors: Dora Bianchi; Roberto Baiocco; Antonia Lonigro; Sara Pompili; Marta Zammuto; Daniele Di Tata; Mara Morelli; Antonio Chirumbolo; Anna Di Norcia; Eleonora Cannoni; Emiddia Longobardi; Fiorenzo Laghi Journal: Sex Res Social Policy Date: 2021-09-23
Authors: Irene Eirini Kamenidou; Aikaterini Stavrianea; Spyridon Mamalis; Ifigeneia Mylona Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-09-23 Impact factor: 3.390