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Review
. 2024 May 22;14(6):432.
doi: 10.3390/bs14060432.

Self-Esteem and Risk Behaviours in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Elena Martínez-Casanova  1 , María Del Mar Molero-Jurado  1 , María Del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes  1
Affiliations
Review

Self-Esteem and Risk Behaviours in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Elena Martínez-Casanova et al. Behav Sci (Basel). .

Abstract

Adolescence is recognised as a notoriously vulnerable period in the human life cycle. Influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological and social factors, adolescents show a marked propensity to engage in risk behaviours. A systematic review was conducted of studies published in the Web of Science, PsycInfo and MEDLINE databases over the last decade, with the aim of collecting studies on the relationship between self-esteem and risk behaviour in individuals aged 12-18 years. The aim was to confirm the role of high self-esteem as a consistent protective factor against risk behaviour. The results show that self-esteem is negatively related to risk behaviour. Our results also reflect the need for further research on how sociodemographic factors, among others, affect the relationship between self-esteem and risk behaviours. This review highlights the relevance of implementing specific educational interventions to strengthen self-esteem in adolescents, with the aim of preventing various risk behaviours that may emerge during adolescence and persist throughout life if not addressed early.

Keywords: cross-sectional studies; risk behaviours; self-esteem; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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