Why risk? : a study on sexual risk taking among Maltese heterosexual youth

Abstract

The concept of risk-taking involves individual choices for engaging in risky behaviours and incorporates diverse sensation-seeking activities. An element of risk is undertaken in most decision-making processes, as one exercises rationality to calculate risks and compare anticipated outcomes. Risk-taking is a term commonly associated with adolescents who are in search of their identity (Erikson, 1963) and who are socially perceived as yet unable to make the right choices. In an endeavour to comprehend why local young people engage in risky sexual behaviour, this original research study investigates what factors influence risky sexual behaviour from social and psychological perspectives. It delves into local heterosexual youth behaviour and compares findings with studies in this domain. The study investigates factors affecting young peoples' choices for sexual risk-taking that reflect diminishing religious influence and increased liberal cultural attitudes. It also questions why notwithstanding sustained efforts to reach young people in their early teens with relevant information as part of their formal education, they adopt risky sexual practices dictated by social scripts. The findings highlight cognitive age as the main factor influencing sexual risktaking while experiential events and maturity reflect a lower occurrence of the phenomenon. Young people are aware of the consequences attached to sexual behaviour, especially unintended pregnancy and confirm that risk-taking is age and gender related. They feel their knowledge on sexuality is restricted and does not include accurate information on the risks of sexually transmitted infections.