Differences among Male Adolescents with Early- and Late-Onset of Risk Behavior

Abstract

Taxonomies of socially unacceptable behavior differentiate youth with late- and early-onset. Youth with early onset are considered riskier. Research showed that parents behavior is more important for onset, and peers for continuation of risk behavior in the early-onset group. Peers are more important for the late-onset group. The present research investigated differences in the intensity of socially unacceptable behavior and risk factors among early-onset and late-onset adolescents, and in the intensity of different risk factors (e.g. siblings riskiness, behavioral and emotional problems, parental behavior and peer factors). Participants were 661 male adolescents from Osijek and Zagreb. They were in three groups: group with low level of socially unacceptable behavior (N = 227), group with late-onset (N = 231), and group with early-onset (N = 203). Results suggest that groups with early- and late-onset differ in the intensity of their socially unacceptable behavior. Three groups differ in characteristics of their peer group (early-starters have the riskiest peers and are most influenced by peers), but they don't differ in the intensity of other risk factors.