The Relation between Students’ Mental Health and Tendency toward Risky Behavior in Pishva, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty of Psychology & Education, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

2 Nursing & Midwifery School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Neurology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

4 Family Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

5 Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

10.34172/jhad.92186

Abstract

Background: Risky behaviors can cause severe damage in communities. These behaviors are more common among the youth. This study aimed to investigate the mental factors associated with high-risk behaviors among university students in Tehran province, Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on students selected using multistage sampling from different faculties in 2014-2015. In total, 477 students completed the Youth Risk-Taking Scale and Mental Health Inventory-28. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression.
Results: Psychological well-being had a significant negative correlation with the tendency to risky behavior (P < 0.001). There was a strong significant correlation between psychological distress and smoking, drinking, and sexual risk-taking. This study revealed that students with a higher level of psychological well-being were less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as sexual risk-taking, careless driving, violence, smoking, and alcohol and drug abuse (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that mental health promotion can decrease risky behaviors among youths in Iran.

Keywords

References

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Health and Development Journal
Volume 11, Issue 2
May 2022
Pages 51-59

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 December 2022
  • Revise Date: 21 March 2023
  • Accept Date: 21 May 2023

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