Abstract

Some studies have analysed the prevalence and the socio-psychological predictors of unhealthy behaviours among adolescents, but few of them have investigated the contribution of the time perspective and of the ability to organize a personal agenda on assumption of risk behaviours. This study was aimed at investigating this relation in 232 adolescents (mean age: 16 years). The risk behaviours measured were smoking, alcohol and drug consumption, risk driving, and risk sexual intercourses. The Zimbardo Time Perspective Scale and a new developed questionnaire to assess planning and organization of a personal agenda were also used. Gender differences emerged for risk driving, males being more involved than females. Multiple regression analyses indicated a present-oriented time perspective and poor ability to plan and organize a personal agenda as important predictors of involvement in most of the risk behaviours taken into consideration. Results of this study suggest that time perspective and planning and organization of personal agenda should be taken into consideration in programming prevention interventions aimed at reducing adolescents' risk behaviours.