SCHOOL-LEVEL APPLICATION OF A SOCIAL BONDING MODEL TO ADOLESCENT RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOR

Adolescent bonding-attachment to, commitment to, and involvement in co nventional social activities-decreases the likelihood of engaging in s ome risk-taking behaviors. The extent to which bonding opportunities i n the school environment affect individual's bonding and risk-taking b ehaviors is less explored. This study tested a model that includes ind ividual and environmental indicators of bonding to predict cigarette s moking, drinking, drug use, and sexual activity among ninth grade stud ents. Survey data representing students in 20 schools in seven western states are reported. Twelfth grade students' bonding and other demogr aphic variables aggregated by school served as environmental indicator s of bonding opportunities to predict ninth grade students' bonding an d risk-taking behavior. Path analyses indicate the school environment has a direct influence on ninth grade students' bonding and, in turn, on the likelihood they will engage in risky behavior. Implications of these findings for future research directions and intervention design are discussed.