A study to assess the risk taking behaviour and perceived health status among adolescent boys in selected arts colleges at puducherry

Purpose of the study: Adolescent is a period of biological, psychological and economic transition. This period bridges childhood to adulthood. Adolescence faces many challenges in the development in today’s world. Risk taking is a common characteristic among adolescents and is initiated in early adolescents to late adolescents. Risk taking behaviour shapes future adults of the nation. 50% of school students itself engage in risk taking behaviour. Negative risk behaviour of adolescents brings challenges to legislative and policy responses. Statement of the Problem: A study to assess the risk taking behaviour and perceived health status among adolescent boys in Tagore arts college at Puducherry. Objectives 1. To assess the risk taking behaviour of the adolescents 2. To determine perceived health status among adolescents 3. To associate the perceived health status and risk taking behaviour among adolescents Method: An Quantitative approach with Non Experimental Descriptive Research Design was used and the study was conducted in Tagore arts college, Puducherry. The sampling technique used was Simple Random Technique. Data collection was done using a Self administered questionnaire with 5point likert scale for assessing risk taking behaviour and perceived health status. Pilot study was conducted with 20 samples of adolescents, at vivekanandha community college, puducherry to assess the feasibility for conducting the study. Prior to data collection permission was obtained from Principal, Tagore arts college for conducting the main study. The main study data collection was conducted among 110 adolescents by using Self administered questionnaire with 5point likert scale for assessing risk taking behaviour and perceived health status. The data collected was compiled for data analysis. Results: Frequency and percentage distribution risk taking behaviour among adolescent reveals that 36(32.7%)of participants were not having risk taking behaviour, 70(63.6%) of participants were having mild risk taking behaviour and 4(3.6%) of participants were having high risk taking behaviour. Frequency and percentage distribution of participants according to perceived health status reveals that 1(0.9%) of participant had fair level of perceived health status, 37(33.6%) of participants had good level of perceived health status, 65(59.1%) of participants had very good level of perceived health status and 7(6.4%) of participants had excellent level of perceived health status. Conclusion: The finding of the study reveals that there is no relationship between risk taking behaviour and perceived health status of the adolescents. There was no significant association between risk taking behaviour and perceived health status of the adolescents.