Use of Adolescent Problems and Risk Behaviours Inventory (IPERI) to Predict the Influence of Personal Problems on Risky Behaviour among Adolescent in Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

This study explores the use of Adolescent Problems and Risk Behaviours Inventory (IPERI)to predict the relationship of personal problems on risky behaviour among adolescence aged14 to 17. The objective of this research is to analyse the influence of personal problems suchas study problems, family support, financial problems, career indecision, peer influence,spiritual management and health condition on the development of risky behaviours amongadolescents. The risky behaviours comprise of eight (8) behaviours which include disciplineproblems, physical bulling, suicidal thoughts, free sex, tobacco consumption, alcohol abuse,drug abuse and media influence. A survey using Adolescent Problems and Risk BehavioursInventory (IPERI) is administered to three hundred and seventy-nine (379) respondents, agebetween 14 to 17. The analysis of Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Standard MultipleRegression showed the existence of significance between all the problem variables, studyproblems (r = .316), family support (r = .256), financial problems (r = .240), health condition(r = .134), peer influence (r = .189), career indecision (r = .185) and spiritual management(r = .242), with the risky behaviour variables. This research contributes to the profilingof adolescents’ risky behaviours which can guide the development of interventions in tacklingadolescent’s risky behaviours. Keywords: Personal problem; risky behavior; adolescent; spiritual; sexual