Is Life Stress, Self-esteem, and Family Conflict Associated with Risky Behaviour in Adolescents?

Abstract

This study aims to find out whether life stress, self-esteem, and family conflict in adolescents are related to risky behaviour. The study used a cross-sectional study designed with 231 adolescents from the Kosofe community in Lagos state. Perceived Stress Scale, Rosenberg Self-Rating Scale, Work-Family Conflict Scale, and General Risk Inclination Scale (GRiPS) for data collection. Studies have shown that life stress [F(1,222) = 10.72; p<0.01], self-assessment [F(1,222) = 9.85; p<0.01], family conflict [F(1,222) = 15.78; p<0.01]. Finally, life stress, self-esteem and family conflict have an inverse effect on risky behaviour [F(1,222) = 5.22; p<0.05]. It is recommended that it is time for parents to be aware of the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes of adolescence and to treat them positively so as not to lower adolescent self-esteem and force negative and risky behaviours. Also, government agencies and school authorities should work together in trying to adopt methods to eliminate the impact of conflicts in poor families and among members.