Abstract:

The main objective of the paper is to identify gender differences in risk behavior in the context of the perceived parenting styles and to analyze if model consisting of parenting styles (democratic, liberal, autocratic or indifferent) and adolescent´s gender is a predictor of risk behavior of early and middle adolescents. We used the Risk Behavior Questionnaire - consisting of six subscales: family and daily rituals, school and friendship, addictive behavior, delinquent behavior, bullying and inappropriate eating habits and physical activities. In order to identify parenting styles, we used the Parenting Styles Questionnaire (PSQ). The research sample consisted of 579 adolescents (275 boys and 304 girls) in age 10-16 from all regions of the Slovak Republic. Based on statistical analyses, it was revealed that a model consisting of parenting styles (democratic, liberal, autocratic and indifferent) and gender, is a statistically significant predictor of risk behavior (V = 0.436, F = 63.878, p <0.001). We place the research results in the context of undergraduate training of teachers and school psychologists with an emphasis on development of knowledge and skills (professional development) in the academic subject Health psychology.

Keywords:

Risk behavior, family, parenting styles, gender, early adolescents, middle adolescents, teacher training, psychology of health, school environment.