Moderating role of drowning risk perceptions in the relationship between adolescent and peer risk-taking behaviours: implications for drowning prevention.

Background: While previous studies have investigated the risk factors contributing to drowning risk-taking behaviours in adolescents, whether peer risk-taking behaviours influence this relationship remains uncertain. This study explored the potential relationship between peer risk-taking behaviours and adolescent drowning risk-taking behaviours while examining whether drowning risk perceptions play a moderating role in this relationship.

Methods: A national survey of 7485 adolescents in China was conducted using three scales: the Drowning Risk-Taking Behaviours scale, the Peer Risk-Taking Behaviours scale and the Drowning Risk Perceptions scale. Pearson's analysis was employed to identify the correlations and hierarchical regression to examine the moderating role of drowning risk perceptions.

Results: Peer risk-taking behaviours promoted adolescent drowning risk-taking behaviours (β=0.428, t=45.384, p<0.001). The interaction between peer risk-taking behaviours and susceptibility to drowning and seriousness of drowning reduced adolescent drowning risk-taking behaviours (β=-0.175, t=-18.576, p<0.001; β=-0.189, t=-20.802, p<0.001, respectively). The interaction between peer risk-taking behaviours and benefits of swimming skills also reduced adolescent drowning risk-taking behaviours (β=-0.227, t=-24.858, p<0.001), whereas the interaction between peer risk-taking behaviours and perceived barriers did not (β=0.012, t=1.242, p>0.05).

Conclusions: Peer risk-taking behaviours are an important risk factor for adolescent drowning risk-taking behaviours, whereas an individual's drowning risk perceptions serve as a protective factor that negatively moderates the relationship between the two.