School experience and adolescent risk behaviors: a cross-cultural study in Brazil, Switzerland and Uruguay

Abstract

The occurrence of risk behaviors during adolescence is associated with several negative health and developmental outcomes, highlighting the importance of understanding factors influencing such behaviors. Given the intricate nature of these influences, the school environment emerges as a critical arena for examining these dynamics. This research proposal aims to further one the objectives from the project "Contextual and relational determinants of health risk behaviors in adolescents from schools in São Paulo, Brazil," under execution in Brazil. We seek to answer two main questions: (1) what are the main differences between adolescents from three culturally diverse cities in Brazil, Switzerland and Uruguay, particularly regarding the experience at school? and (2) are bad experiences associated with the higher levels of risk behavior among them? To address these questions, we will conduct a two-step investigation. First, we will utilize structural equation modelling to determine the measurement invariance of a scale measuring school experiences across the studies. Second, we will describe and examine the association between the school experience and the occurrence of selected risk behaviors: drinking, smoking, cannabis use, bullying perpetration, and delinquency. Additionally, we will incorporate relevant covariates such as gender and socioeconomic status (SES) into our analysis to account for potential confounding factors. Furthermore, the internship abroad component of this research proposal encompasses several cross-cutting objectives. It aims to enhance theoretical and practical knowledge in developing research projects on contextual influences on risk behaviors across the life span, facilitate collaborative data analysis and interpretation of results from three cities in three different countries, and foster academic writing skills in English and analytical methods. Through these, this research project aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between school experiences and risk behaviors among adolescents, with implications for intervention and prevention efforts aimed at promoting adolescent health and well-being.