Between safety and risk: the propensities and resistance to prevention in the daily behavior of adolescents
Pagnin, A.; Guizzetti Belotti, M.L.
Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro 8(5-6): 201-206
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-9889 PMID: 3331624 Document Number: 280838
Various levels of awareness and attitudes in 2500 High School students regarding prevention of daily risk were examined before and after a special training program on prevention (promoted by the Clinica del Lavoro della Università di Pavia). The concept of prevention was examined in four analytical realms, through questionnaire and projective tests: actual notion, cognitive organization of knowledge, emotional level, social approval. The data collected showed that the tendency towards prevention of risk is limited in adolescents: from a cognitive point of view, since the conceptual probability of risk is comprehended with difficulty; emotionally, since risk-producing behavior usually provides gratification at various levels; socially, since adolescent usually views risk-producing behavior as associated with a positive social image. The informative training session proved to effectively orient the students towards a more rationally controlled behavior, therefore favoring a more positive attitude towards prevention.