Abstract

The present study investigated, by the way of an individual partially-structured interview and of an anonymous questionnaire for the behaviours, the point of view of a sample of Italian adolescents (120 boys and girls aged from 15 to 19 years) about risk perception in relation to drug use and sexual activity, the conditions that may actualize the risk and the possible sources of information. For both behaviours, the results showed high levels of risk perception, particularly of the physical kind. The most important conditions that the adolescents individuated as possible causes of the risk are related to individual choices or characteristics with respect to sex, and to the type of drug and the capacity of self-regulation with respect to substance use. Adults and peers are a source of information, particularly in relation to sex. Finally, there is a relation, especially for drug, between the possibility of communicating with adults and peers and higher levels of perception of psychological and relational risk. The results are discussed in terms of their suggestions for health prevention programs.