Emerging adulthood is a unique developmental stage during which significant transitions in living environment, social networks, personal responsibilities, and identity development occur. Stress resulting from such transitions relates to increases in health risk behaviors. As such, emerging adults (EAs) have a high prevalence of substance use disorders and sexually transmitted infections. However, EAs are less likely to seek treatment. Therefore, brief methods of intervention, such as Motivational Interviewing (MI) and the Family Check-up (FCU), might be useful approaches for working with this unique population. MI and the FCU are linked with decreases in health risk behaviors. The FCU comprises three sessions: an initial interview, an ecological assessment, and a feedback session. MI techniques are used during the feedback session. Only a few studies have investigated treatment fidelity of the FCU and no studies have examined the use of MI techniques within the FCU. The current study aims to assess treatment fidelity of the FCU, specifically measuring the extent to which therapists adhere to principles of MI during FCU feedback sessions. The current study also aims to determine if a positive relationship exists between therapists’ MI-adherence and client change talk (CT), and to determine if MI-adherence and client CT predict post-intervention health risk behaviors among the 134 EAs who participated in the FCU. Measures of health risk behaviors were collected pre- and post-intervention. MI-adherence was measured with the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI 4) and client change language was measured using the Client Language Easy Rating Scale (CLEAR) and the Motivational Interviewing Skills Code 2.1 (MISC 2.1) self-exploration code. Four therapists were assessed for treatment fidelity. Results indicate overall fair treatment fidelity. Significant differences between therapists were observed. MI-adherence was positively related to client CT, but not client self-exploration. Several indicators of MI-adherence predicted decreases in EA post-intervention health risk behaviors. Client CT predicted a decrease in EA post-intervention marijuana quantity and client self-exploration predicted increases in marijuana quantity and number of sexual partners. These results have important implications for FCU training and implementation, and indicate that MI-adherence might be a mechanism of change within the FCU intervention.

The diploma thesis deals with risky behaviour of youth living in the Chibolya Slum, Zambia. The risky behaviour includes various forms of behaviour with negative impacts on health or social functioning of an individual and these may also threaten the surroundings of the young people. Examples of risky behaviour include use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs and sexually risky behaviour. The tendencies to risky behaviour may appear at any time, but the most endangered group are the adolescents. The thesis is divided into theoretical part and practical part. The theoretical part specifies the basic terms of the thesis: risky behaviour, young people and the Republic of Zambia. The chapters of risky behaviour and Zambia are described in consideration of situation of young people. In the research part of the thesis, there was used the quantity research strategy, the method of questioning and the method of a questionnaire, distributed among the young people living in the Chibolya compound. The aim of the research included mapping of risky behaviour of youth in Chibolya compound, Zambia and establishing the factors affecting the occurrence of risky behaviour at young people in the location. In compliance with the aim of the thesis there were set the research questions: "Which forms of risky behaviour appear in the Chibolya slum most frequently?" and "Which factors affect the risky behaviour of young people?". The data was processed using the program Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and the program SPSS, release 16.0 and 23.0. The research showed that the most frequent forms of risky behaviour at respondents in the Chibolya compound is the addiction-related behaviour. It is most frequently related to abuse of illegal substances, specifically marijuana. Another proved form of addiction-related behaviour is the abuse of alcohol - 62% of respondents use it regularly. The research results also show the factors affecting risky behaviour of young people. These include biological features, specifically age and sex, peer pressure, easy accessibility of addictive drugs, family influences and unemployment. The research proved that unemployment is connected with a wide range of other risk factors and that is the reason for the unemployed to be the group facing maximal risks of risk behaviour.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Since the early 1980s when the first case of HIV was diagnosed, AIDS remains a serious and threatening health crisis in the world. Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic having 67 % of the 33 million people infected with HIV globally in 2007. Young people aged 15-24 account for an estimated 45% of all new HIV infections worldwide. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes on HIV/AIDS and sexual behavior among 15-19 year olds in Kenya. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 96 students randomly selected from five public schools in Ngong sub-district. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was conducted using Epi Info 3.3 and SPSS. The main findings indicate that a third (31/96) of respondents were sexually experienced. Knowledge level was however found to be inadequate (below 60 %) indicating a poorly informed sample on knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention. The study showed poor attitudes towards the risk to HIV as only 40 % of both males and females supported the use of condoms even when the sexual partners know each other well. Inaddition, risky sexual behaviors were reported by sexually experienced respondents where condom use in last sexual intercourse was (57 %) among males and (20 %) among females. / South Africa

Notre recherche consiste à identifier les déterminants psychobiologiques et émotionnels des activités physiques à risque : rallye, lifestyle sport, équitation et cirque (N= 507). Nous avons comparé le tempérament et le caractère de jeunes cavaliers et golfeurs en Tunisie et en France. Ensuite, nous avons comparé la dominance télique en fonction de différents sports. Nous avons aussi testé les variations des états émotionnels, la dimension névrosisme et les variables fuite et alexithymie en lien avec l’imprudence et la prise de risque. Enfin, nous avons identifié le profil de personnalité, et plus précisément la dominance télique et la recherche de sensations ainsi que le stress perçu, de circassiens. Nous avons suivi l’évolution du taux du cortisol pendant l’entrainement et le spectacle. Les résultats montrent que les cavaliers et les golfeurs ont un score élevé sur les dimensions persistance et évitement du danger. Les sports mécaniques seraient plus risqués que les lifestyle sports. Le rallye permettrait à ses adeptes de diminuer leurs affects négatifs. Le névrosisme et l’alexithymie contribuent à l’adoption de comportements imprudents et de prise de risque. Les circassiens étudiés sont tous paratéliques, chercheurs de sensations, et perçoivent peu le stress ; leur niveau de cortisol est plus élevé le jour du spectacle que lors de l’entrainement. Ainsi, nous avons pu identifier les différences individuelles qui favoriseraient l’engagement dans certaines activités physiques à risque, tout en relevant le rôle des variables motivationnelles, émotionnelles, biologiques, ainsi que les facteurs de personnalité dans la compréhension d’un tel engagement. / Risk-taking behaviors constitute a growing domain, yet not well known. Our research’s goal aimed at identifying the psychobiological and emotional determinants of risky physical activities: rally, lifestyle sports, horse riding, golf players and circus artists (N = 507). We compared the temperament and character of young horse riders and young golfers, both in Tunisia and in France. We then compared the telic dominance of participants in different kinds of sports. We also tested changes in emotional states, neuroticism, escape and alexithymia related to risk-taking. Finally, we identified the personality profiles, specifically the telic dominance and sensation seeking and the perceived stress among circus artists. We have followed the evolution of their cortisol level while training and during a show. The results show that the horse riders and golfers have a high score on persistence and harm avoidance. Motor sports imply more risk-taking than lifestyle sports. The rally context allows its followers to decrease their level of negative affect, neuroticism and alexithymia, which contributes to the adoption of reckless behaviors. Circus artists are paratelic, sensation seekers, and perceive a low level of stress; their cortisol level is higher during the show than on a training day. Overall, we could identify the individual differences that would promote involvement in physical activities at risk, while noting the role of motivational, emotional, biological variables and personality factors in the understanding of such a commitment.

The purpose of this empirical research is to evaluate the relationship between credit constraints and household risky assets in China. The life-cycle hypothesis theory and household portfolio choice theory is the basis of the research. Using a probit model, we find out that credit constraints do not have a clear impact on the probability of households to hold risky assets. Furthermore, the coefficients between age and risky assets are non-linear. Households in urban regions have a high positive coefficient with risky assets. As for now, the literature is missing theories on the relationship between credit constraints and household financial risky assets in China. Thus, this study will enrich the literature of household financial assets allocation by using a questionnaire survey from CHFS (China Household Finance Survey).

Magister Public Health - MPH / Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge of the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS among secondary school students in Bekwarra, Cross River State, Nigeria; to appraise the students' attitudes towards HIV/AIDS; to describe the risky sexual and other behaviours they engaged in and what factors influenced such behaviours. This study was conducted in the area to systematically examine the widely held notion that adolescents were deviating from the strict sexual mores of the Bekwarra people, thereby exposing themselves to the risk of acquiring HIV. Methods: Information was collected using a cross-sectional survey based on a 64 item questionnaire adapted from the Family Health International HIV/AIDS/STD Behavioural . Surveillance Surveys. A random sample of 381 male and female students aged 14 to 18 selected from 12 secondary schools participated in the survey. Results: The level of general awareness of HIV/AIDS was high - 56.9% of participants knew how HIV is transmitted - but their knowledge of STI symptoms was low. Only 24.7% knew at least two STI symptoms in women, while only 20.7% knew at least two STI symptoms in men. One hundred and twenty three (32.2%) students constituting 68 males (17.8%) and 55 females (14.4%) had experienced sexual intercourse. The mean age at first sexual experience was 15.06 years for males and 14.95 years for female students. There was a statistical association between age and experience of sexual intercourse (p = .024). Two thirds (65.0%) of the 123 sexually experienced students had intercourse in the last six months, and only 30 of them (24.4%) had used a condom during their last intercourse. The use of condom was most frequent (10.6%) at age 18 and least frequent (.8%) at age 14. About one quarter (26.1%) of the students had taken alcohol: 17.3% occasionally, 5.5% moderately, and 2.6% frequently. There was a statistical association between taking alcohol and age (p = .038). Over a half (56.1%) of those who had not had sexual intercourse also had not taken alcohol. In contrast, 14.2% had sexual intercourse and also took alcohol, indicating significant statistical association (p < .001).). 66.8% of the students had neither used drugs nor taken alcohol, whilst 6.8% had both used drugs and taken alcohol, indicating significant association, (p < .001)). There was a similar association between sexual intercourse and using drugs, (p = .002). Conclusions: The study revealed significant high risk sexual behaviour among adolescents in Bekwarra. The high level of risky sexual behaviour and lack of basic knowledge about STIs indicated that access to information is currently insufficient. Health and educational authorities in Bekwarra should utilize the key findings highlighted from this study to design more effective local strategies for sexual health promotion that may help to slow the spread of STIs including HIV/AIDS. Intensive child-friendly programmes for pre-teenagers organized by educators to promote postponement of the early initiation of sexual intercourse may be effective. For adolescents who are unable to control their sexual initiation, improved education on safe sexual practices, especially the use of condoms appears to be necessary. / South Africa

Worldwide, young drivers are involved in more road traffic collisions than any other age group (Taubman & Katz, 2012). Comprehensive driver training and various forms of pre- and- post-test road safety interventions (RSIs) are in place, but young drivers continue to be involved in more at-fault, fatal collisions than older, newly qualified drivers (e.g. Emmerson, 2008; Braitman et al, 2008; Clarke et al, 2010). The evidence base to date is mixed regarding why young drivers are at a heightened risk of collision and so this thesis aims to provide further understanding about the factors underpinning young drivers’ engagement in risky driving. An evaluation of a young driver RSI, found that young males were less likely than young females to report safer attitudes and intentions after attending the RSI. We considered that this may be due to young males’ behaviour being motivated by a desire to seek rewards (e.g. the thrill of risky driving) rather than a fear of punishment which forms the basis of traditional RSIs. Two subsequent studies were conducted to ascertain whether a heightened sensitivity to reward might underpin the risk-taking behaviour of those most at risk. We found that young males and females scoring high on reward sensitivity reported engaging in more road traffic violations and displayed slower reaction times on a driving game; suggesting that young people may have a heightened sensitivity to reward, in general, and concurrently tend to accept a higher degree of risk than other drivers. We also found that reward sensitive young drivers rated road safety messages framed in terms of financial gains as most effective, suggesting that financial incentives may be a potential route to engage young drivers in the future. The findings from another study provided insight into the precise mechanisms at play in the relationship between young drivers and their peer passengers, and the evaluation of the pilot peer-to-peer RSI showed how it might be possible to improve young drivers’ intentions to drive safely by modifying the norm that risky driving is an appropriate way to attain social prestige within a peer group. The thesis offers a significant contribution to the literature by establishing empirically the effect of reward sensitivity on young drivers’ engagement in risky driving and suggesting multiple ways to better improve young drivers’ safety in the future.

This study draws on cultivation analysis (Gerbner, 1969) to explore the interrelating factors concerning the role of media in young people’s consumption of alcohol at a south-eastern Nigerian university. Nigeria has the second highest alcohol consumption in Africa. Traditionally, drinking spaces were dominated by adult males for socio-cultural reasons but in contemporary Nigeria there is increasing concern that younger men and women are now also drinking harmfully. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 male and 9 female undergraduate students (aged 19-23 years) to explore the ways in which media consumption shapes their drinking behaviour. Whilst young people’s consumption of both local and foreign media was high and gendered, one key motivation for using alcohol was aspirational, particularly among those who consumed Hollywood films. Many of the participants who consumed Hollywood films may have learned to associate heavy consumption with high social status. Importantly, this thesis demonstrates that although local films portray alcohol in a mainly negative light, this also motivates young people to drink as they learn how to use alcohol to ameliorate anxiety or depression. Young people’s drinking patterns were found to be gendered, underscoring a resilient socio-cultural belief in which men see alcohol as good for males while women believe that it should not be confined to men. Consequently, the women employed male-gendered drinking behaviours such as heavy drinking to develop social capital. At the same time, both male and female participants discussed taking part in risky sexual behaviour but the outcomes differed for males and females, with this behaviour being more stigmatised in women. Alcohol advertising and promotion were found to be highly influential because they encourage brand preference and brand allegiance, actively facilitate change of brand, and lead to excessive consumption amongst male and female participants. Although the participants confirmed that promotional activities facilitate alcohol misuse, they argued that promotions should not be regulated because promotional prizes alleviate poverty. This study furthers the discussion on cultivation theory by demonstrating that heavy television viewing cultivates alcohol consumption among this population and it contributes to cultivation and audience research by revealing that negative portrayals can also influence young people. This study’s findings can inform educational campaigns and policy formulation in Nigeria, particularly those that tackle alcohol availability, heavy episodic drinking and risky sexual behaviour; and those that encourage media literacy and more positive and equal relationships between women and men.

Despite a clear impact on the Canadian economy, little is known about the subsequent health impacts of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC). This thesis aims to fill this gap in knowledge by conducting a secondary analysis of Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) data to assess the impact of the GFC on health in Canada – a country that has not yet been thoroughly studied from this angle. Based on when the respondent completed the survey, exposure to the GFC was categorized into four phases: pre-crisis, crisis, stimulus, and austerity. Outcomes investigated include measures of mental health, physical health, and health-related behaviours. Statistically significant associations were observed between several health outcomes and the austerity period as compared to the pre-crisis period. Austerity has been linked to worsening health in other studies and represents an example of how the policy response can have greater detrimental impact on health than the financial crisis itself.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a global challenge with an estimate of 37.9 million confirm cases. Testing remains a critical indicator of HIV diagnosis and treatment, as it is the primary step towards taking accountability for the protection of oneself and the protection of others. Aim: This secondary analysis of Liberia Demographic and Health Survey data from 2013 aimed to statistically describe the association between Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP), demographics factors such as age, education, marital status, wealth, religion, place of residence, and testing uptake.  Methods: A cross-sectional study of Liberian women (n=7353, aged 15 - 49 ) was performed. Statistical analysis of the chi-square test and logistics regression was employed to identify the association between independent variables (KAP), selected demographics factors, and the dependent variable (HIV testing).   Results: The key findings of the study are that there is a statistically significant relationship between comprehensive knowledge and testing for HIV. The attitude in terms of stigmatizing behavior is also significantly associated with testing uptake. Demographic factors age, education, being ever married, being a Muslim, belonging to the middle class, and living in the rural area are positive determinants of HIV testing in Liberia. The study confirmed that there is no statistically significant association between high-risk behavior and testing uptake among women aged 15-49 in Liberia. Conclusion: Knowledge, stigmatizing attitude, and some demographic factors are determinants of testing uptake in Liberia.