Yes / Background: Reasoned action approach (RAA) includes subcomponents of attitude (experiential/instrumental), perceived norm (injunctive/descriptive), and perceived behavioral control (capacity/autonomy) to predict intention and behavior. Purpose: To provide a meta-analysis of the RAA for health behaviors focusing on comparing the pairs of RAA subcomponents and differences between health protection and health-risk behaviors. Methods: The present research reports a meta-analysis of correlational tests of RAA subcomponents, examination of moderators, and combined effects of subcomponents on intention and behavior. Regressions were used to predict intention and behavior based on data from studies measuring all variables. Results: Capacity and experiential attitude had large, and other constructs had small-medium-sized correlations with intention; all constructs except autonomy were significant independent predictors of intention in regressions. Intention, capacity, and experiential attitude had medium-large, and other constructs had small-medium-sized correlations with behavior; intention, capacity, experiential attitude, and descriptive norm were significant independent predictors of behavior in regressions. Conclusions: The RAA subcomponents have utility in predicting and understanding health behaviors.

Le Trouble Déficit de l'Attention/Hyperactivité (TDA/H) et le Trouble des Conduites (TC) sont associés à des Conduites à Risque (CAR) comme les consommations de substances psycho-actives, les comportements suicidaires et les comportements sexuels à risque. Cependant, la question des rôles respectifs du TDA/H et du TC dans l'émergence des CAR reste controversée : le TDA/H est-il un facteur de risque indépendant de la survenue ultérieure de CAR? Le TC est-il un facteur de confusion ou un modificateur de l'effet de la relation entre TDA/H et CAR? L'objectif de cette thèse était d'examiner le lien entre les symptômes de l'hyperactivité-inattention dans l'enfance et l'adolescence et la survenue de CAR à l'adolescence et au jeune âge adulte, en prenant en compte différents facteurs de risque potentiels dont les symptômes du trouble des conduites. Nous avons mené cinq analyses à partir des données de la cohorte GAZEL enfants issue de la population générale française. Les résultats suggèrent des effets différents des symptômes de l'hyperactivité-inattention selon le type de conduite à risque considéré et selon le genre. Ils montrent chez les garçons un effet des symptômes de l'hyperactivité-inattention sur la survenue de CAR plus sévères comme la consommation régulière de cannabis, l'expérimentation de drogues illégales et la survenue de comportements suicidaires. Chez les filles, on retrouve un effet des symptômes de l'hyperactivité-inattention sur la consommation ultérieure régulière de tabac. L'initiation de CAR pourrait être aggravée par la présence de hauts niveaux de symptômes de l'hyperactivité-inattention chez les jeunes présentant simultanément des hauts niveaux de symptômes du trouble des conduites. Ce travail renforce la connaissance de l'existence d'une association entre troubles du comportement perturbateur dans l'enfance et survenue ultérieure de conduites à risque. Il souligne la nécessité de reconnaitre l'existence de ces troubles, pour les identifier et mieux les prendre en charge afin d'en prévenir les possibles conséquences à long terme. / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) are associated with Youth Risk Behaviors (YRB) such as substance-related problems, suicidal behaviors and sex risk behaviors. However, a main issue is the respective role of ADHD and CD regarding YRB : is ADHD an independent risk factor for YRB? Is CD a confounding factor or a moderator of the relationship between ADHD and YRB? The aim of this thesis was to assess the link between childhood hyperactivity-inattention symptoms and subsequent YRB, controlling for other risk factors among which conduct disorder symptoms. We have conducted five analyses from a French community-based sample belonging to the youth GAZEL cohort. Results suggest different effects of hyperactivity-inattention symptoms on YRB according to the the type of YRB and gender. In males, they show an effect of hyperactivity-inattention symptoms on more severe YRB such as regular cannabis use, illicit drug experimentation and suicidal behaviors. In females, they show an effect of hyperactivity-inattention symptoms on regular tobacco use. The risk of YRB initiation was increased in youths with high levels of conduct disorder symptoms, particularly in combination with simultaneously high levels of hyperactivity-inattention symptoms. This thesis enhances the knowledge of a link between disruptive behaviors in childhood and subsequent risk behaviors. It underscores the importance of a better acknowledgement of these disorders, in order to better identify and treat them to prevent negative long-term outcomes.

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This thesis deals with the social networks, especially on social network Facebook. It surveys the basic principles of Facebook and points to the risks arising from the use of social networks and disruptive behavior on the Internet. The work is a treatise on the prevention of cyberbullying and safe behavior on the Internet. In the empirical part, through a questionnaire survey, it examines the risk behavior of students at the second stage of two primary schools in Prague, in relation to life satisfaction. The empirical part also determines life satisfaction associated with the object and method of communication on Facebook. Keywords Internet social networks, Facebook, risk behaviors, life satisfaction, prevention

Sexual risk behaviors pose a major public health problem. However, sufficient research has not been done on the relationship between health risk behaviors and emotional intelligence. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence, and sexual, smoking, and alcohol behavior among young adults. As well as explore the relationship between health risk behaviors. Emotional intelligence and sexual, alcohol, and smoking behavior of undergraduate college students from the greater Los Angeles area was assessed through an anonymous online questionnaire (n=80). There was no significant difference found in emotional intelligence between college students engaging in risk behaviors and college students not engaging in risk behaviors, for all risk behaviors assessed. However, there was a strong correlation found between college students engagement in different risk behaviors. These results indicate there is no significant relationship between emotional intelligence and health risk behaviors. Research about this relationship can be useful in designing interventions that reduce negative health outcome associated with health risk behaviors.

Two significant public health concerns that threaten both the physical and mental health of African-American women are Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). African-American women (AAW) in the south carry the greatest burden of HIV and disproportionately represent the region with an incidence of 71% for new HIV infections, and elevated rates of morbidity and mortality. In 2013, the murder rate among AAW was 2.5 times higher than it was among Caucasian women. Most of the published studies that explored the association between IPV and HIV had mixed populations, did not explore topics unique to AAs, or were qualitative studies. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between colorism, IPV, and high-risk sexual behaviors (HRSB)/HIV-risk among AAW and determine if colorism was a mediator in the IPV-HRSB relationship. The theory of power and gender and the social cognitive theory provided the theoretical framework of this study. The dissemination of this self-assessed quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was to a homogeneous sample of 143 women. The analysis of the variables used correlation statistics and linear regression. Findings revealed a significant relationship between IPV-HRSB (r = .882, p =.001), colorism-IPV (r2 = .371, p = .001) and colorism-HRSB (r = .377, p = .001); however, colorism did not mediate the IPV-HRSB relationship. This study has implications for positive social change in that practitioners may gain a better understanding of colorism's influence on IPV and HRSB, and may serve to modify existing programs. This knowledge may subsequently help to decrease adverse behaviors that are unique to AAW prone to IPV with an increased HIV-risk as a result of colorism.

The overall aim of this thesis was to obtain an understanding of the dynamics of the HIV epidemic by estimating prevalence and exploring the relationship between HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and HIV status in Nicaragua. Structured questionnaires were administered to adults from a health and demographic surveillance system in León, Nicaragua (Papers I–III). In-depth interviews and a survey were conducted among men who have sex with men (MSM, Paper IV). Blood sampling for HIV was carried out among 2,204 men and women (Paper I). Bivariate and multivariate analyses, including adjusted prevalence ratio (Papers I, II, IV), factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, and hierarchical regression analysis (Paper III) were performed. Thematic analysis was used with qualitative data (Paper IV). The prevalence of HIV in the general population was 0.35% (95% CI, 0.17–0.73). Those who have taken a HIV test were more likely to be females, younger, living in an urban setting, have a higher level of education, be married or cohabiting, and have no religious affiliation. HIV-related knowledge was lower among members of the general population than among MSM. Unprotected sex was reported more times with regular partners than with casual partners. Findings suggested that consistency of condom use and emotional attachment (steady relations) were inversely related. Stigma and discrimination were reported high in the general population; they appeared to be negatively associated with HIV-related knowledge, self-perception of HIV risk, HIV testing, and willingness to disclose HIV status in the event of being HIV-positive. Findings demonstrated an increasing tolerance towards same-sex attractions. MSM have a better understanding of HIV transmission than men and women of the general population. Although seven out of ten MSM and six out of ten women were concerned about becoming infected with HIV, inconsistent condom use was common. This study confirmed that Nicaragua has a low prevalence but high risk for HIV infection and transmission. Results underscore that social, behavioral, and cultural factors contribute to retard progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals on reducing gender inequality and combating HIV/AIDS. Addressing these challenges depends not only on successful behavior change interventions, but requires a culturally gender-appropriate strategy.

Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka positiva och negativa känslors inverkan på gymnasieungdomars sociala-, äventyrliga-, hälsomässiga- och etiska riskbeteenden. Syftet var även att undersöka könsskillnader i gymnasieungdomars positiva och negativa känslor samt riskbeteenden. Deltagarna gick på gymnasieskolor i Örebro län och var 18-21 år. Totalt medverkade 240 personer i studien. För att mäta riskbeteenden och känslor användes en enkät som bestod av två skalor. Resultatet visade att positiva och negativa känslor kombinerat förklarade 5 % av variansen i gymnasieungdomars riskbeteenden. Positiva respektive negativa känslor predicerade två typer av riskbeteenden vardera. Resultatet visade att killar sannolikt tar mer risker än tjejer i tre av fyra risktyper. Det fanns ingen könsskillnad i känslor. Sammanfattningsvis visade resultatet att känslor påverkar gymnasieungdomars riskbeteenden. / The purpose of this study was to examine whether positive and negative emotions affected high school students social, recreational, ethical and health risk behaviors. The goal was also to investigate gender differences in specific risk behaviors and positive and negative emotions. The participants were high school students in Örebro County, between 18 and 21 years old. In total there were 240 participants. To measure emotions and risk behaviors, we used a questionnaire consisting of two scales. The results showed that emotions explained 5 % of the variance in high school students risk behaviors. Positive and negative emotions predicted two types of risk behaviors each. The results showed that boys were more likely to take risks than girls in three out of four types of risks. There were no gender differences in emotions. In summary, the results showed that emotions play a role in high school students risk behaviors.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a major public health issue occuring in the United States and globally. While little is known in general about IPV, understanding about the prevalence of physical IPV among gay men is even more obscure. Scientific literature indicates that harmful lifestyle health behaviors (alcohol and drug abuse, smoking, and risky sexual behaviors) are associated with the increased occurenece of IPV. Intimate Partner Violence in same-sex relationships is often unreported due to society's emphasis on "moral closets" or the fear of potential repercussions. As a result, very few empiracal researches have been conducted on the phenomenon of same-sex partner abuse. this study was conducted to examine the feasibility of enrolling 100 gay men from Atlaqnta into an IPV survey study. The survey was administered via Facebook. Ninety-nine usable surveys were collected. Chi-square tests reveal that being Non-White, using substaces (alcohol, tobacco, and elicit drugs) and non-disclosed orientation staus were all significantly associated with positive IPV reports. Overall, the study sample believes IPV is a health problem in the Atlanta gay community. These findings bear importance for the Atlanta gay community and public health professionals who must address this nearly invisible yet increasing public health issue.

Esta tese apresenta um conjunto de estudos que investigaram a manifestação de comportamentos de risco na adolescência e as relações com variáveis de risco e proteção pessoais e contextuais. Engloba uma revisão sistemática de literatura, que identificou os comportamentos de risco mais investigados; um artigo que apresenta o processo de construção e análise do Índice de Comportamento de Risco (ICR); dois artigos empíricos construídos a partir do ICR; e um capítulo com o relato da experiência de devolução dos resultados da pesquisa em diferentes contextos. A versão final do ICR foi composta por 17 itens, que avaliam conjuntamente o uso de substâncias, comportamento sexual de risco, comportamento antissocial e comportamento suicida, com consistência interna satisfatória (α=0.84). Quanto aos estudos empíricos, um deles investigou o engajamento em comportamentos de risco e suas relações com fatores de risco e proteção, e o outro investigou longitudinalmente adolescentes que vivem em diferentes contextos: família, acolhimento institucional e instituições para cumprimento de medidas socioeducativas. Foi possível identificar que o comportamento de risco assume características diferenciadas conforme o contexto de inserção dos adolescentes, além de variações por idade e sexo, e que está associado com violência intra e extrafamiliar, eventos estressores, relações com a família, escola e religião, ter amigos próximos ou familiares que usam drogas e autoeficácia. Conclui-se que é preciso intervir minimizando fatores de risco e potencializando fatores de proteção, especialmente em grupos mais vulneráveis como adolescentes institucionalizados. / This thesis presents a set of studies that investigated the manifestation of risk behaviors in adolescence and the relationship among risk, personal protection and context variables. Encompasses a systematic literature review that identified risk behaviors investigated further; an article that presents the process of construction and analysis of Risk Behavior Index (RCI); two empirical articles built from the RCI; and a chapter with an experience report of returning the search results in different contexts. The final version of the RCI was composed of 17 items, which jointly assess substance use, risky sexual behavior, antisocial behavior, and suicidal behavior, with satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.84). About the empirical studies, one investigated the engagement in risky behaviors and their relationships with risk and protective factors, and the other investigated longitudinally adolescents living in different contexts: family, institutional care and institutions to abide educational measures. The study identified that the risk behavior takes different characteristics depending on the adolescents’ context, plus variations by age and sex. The risk behavior in adolescents is also associated with intra- and extra-family violence, stressful events, relationships with family, school and religion, have close friends or relatives who use drugs and self-efficacy. In conclusion, the study shows that an intervention is required to minimize risk factors and enhancing protective factors, especially in vulnerable groups such as institutionalized adolescents.