wfn.org | Adventist Expert on Youth Risk Behaviours

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

February 7, 1999
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Adventist Expert Identifies Main Answers to Youth Risk 
Behaviours

San Diego, California, USA. [APD/ANN] In a 
presentation to church ministry professionals, 
Seventh-day Adventist youth behaviour expert Dr. Gary 
Hopkins identified the primary factors in addressing 
adolescent concerns such as drug use and pre-marital 
sexual activity.

Speaking in San Diego on January 21, Hopkins, who 
heads up the Centre for Adolescent Behaviour Research 
and the Institute for the Prevention of Addictions at 
Andrews University, Michigan, shared research results 
that demonstrate adult involvement in adolescent 
development is critical for the avoidance of risk 
behaviours.

"Adolescents are far more susceptible to peer pressure 
to enter into risk-taking behaviour during the 
unsupervised hours between 3 and 6 p.m. than any other 
time during the day," noted Hopkins, adding that most 
teen pregnancies are conceived during this time, and 
usually at home.

Such observations led to investigation into how 
parental care and school support added to the internal 
resources that led some teens to become highly 
resilient in their lifestyles. 

"Despite severe hardships and the presence of at-risk 
factors, resilient individuals develop characteristics 
of coping skills that enable them to succeed in life," 
said Hopkins. "Resilient children maintain high levels 
of self-esteem, a realistic sense of personal control, 
and a feeling of hope. Resilient youth often have a 
strong ability to use their religious faith to 
maintain a positive vision of a meaningful life. A 
sense of self-esteem and self-efficacy makes 
successful coping more likely, while a sense of 
helplessness increases the likelihood that one 
adversity will lead to another."

The key factor is at least one adult the adolescent 
can identify with and truly relate to. 
"Grandparents, other extended family members, friends, 
and community groups can provide support that is 
absent in the home," says Hopkins. "Most of all, self-
esteem and self-efficacy are promoted through 
supportive relationships.  The resilient youngsters in 
our study all had at least one person in their lives 
who accepted them unconditionally, regardless of 
temperamental idiosyncrasies, physical attractiveness, 
or intelligence."

Such conclusions are supported by the National 
Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health says Hopkins, 
which concluded: "Regardless of the number of parents 
in the household, whether families were rich or poor, 
regardless of race and ethnicity, children who 
reported feeling connected to a parent are protected 
against many different kinds of risks including 
emotional distress, suicidal thoughts and attempts; 
cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use; violent 
behaviour, and early sexual activity."

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has consistently 
promoted close family relationships and the importance 
of inter-generational bonds. Both within its church 
worship programs, its youth-group Pathfinder 
activities, and its educational system, the Church 
continues to encourage objective self-esteem and the 
avoidance of risk behaviours that produce damage in 
teen lives. [99/05/01]