The Relation between Students’ Mental Health and Tendency toward Risky Behavior in Pishva, Iran

Abstract

Background: Risky behaviors can cause severe damage in communities. These behaviors are more common among the youth. This study aimed to investigate the mental factors associated with high-risk behaviors among university students in Tehran province, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on students selected using multistage sampling from different faculties in 2014-2015. In total, 477 students completed the Youth Risk-Taking Scale and Mental Health Inventory-28. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression. Results: Psychological well-being had a significant negative correlation with the tendency to risky behavior (P<0.001). There was a strong significant correlation between psychological distress and smoking, drinking, and sexual risk-taking. This study revealed that students with a higher level of psychological well-being were less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as sexual risk-taking, careless driving, violence, smoking, and alcohol and drug abuse (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that mental health promotion can decrease risky behaviors among youths in Iran.