Reducing adolescent risk-taking through classroom-based programs

Abstract

Adolescents are at risk of serious injury as a result of their engagement in risk-taking. A curriculum based program that decreases adolescent risk-taking might provide some reduction to the burden of injury. The design of such programs requires the careful examination of many issues or factors to increase the likelihood of program effectiveness. The aim of this paper is to outline the application of and challenges involved with developing and implementing these factors in a school-based program (SPIY). The SPIY Program is a recently developed curriculum for early adolescents to reduce risk-taking behaviour by increasing protective behaviour toward friends and improving first aid skills. Specifically reference is given to the following design issues; the selection of target behaviours and agents for change, processes and content which are socio-culturally and developmentally appropriate, approaches developed using established psychological theories as well as consideration of program duration and evaluation.