This study examines the conceptualization of risk behavior held by 26 Franco-Ontarian young adolescents (12-14 years of age) who participated in Lions Quest, a program specially designed to promote physical and mental health and to prevent drug and alcohol use. More specifically, it seeks to better understand the participating adolescents' conception of risk and protective factors in a linguistic minority context, with the eventual purpose to prevent or delay alcohol and drug use. A qualitative methodology mainly based on semi-structured interviews generated discussion around a variety of dimensions related to risky behaviors, extreme and dangerous risks, positive and negative risks, social and physical risks. The adolescents hardly mentioned drug, alcohol, and cigarette use. However, they were aware of the risks of consumption and dependence.

No abstract