Development of a model of tendency towards risky behaviors based on the behavioral brain system with the mediating role of parenting styles

 One of the phenomena of adolescence is risky behaviors. Many biological, cognitive, social and family factors are the cause of high-risk behaviors. The aim of this research was to predict the tendency to risky behaviors based on the behavioral brain system with the mediating role of parenting styles.

 This descriptive study of the correlation and path analysis type was conducted with the participation of 360 students less than 18 years of secondary school in the 4th region of Qom province in the academic year of 2001-2012 with available sampling. Data were collected using high-risk behaviors and behavioral brain system questionnaires and were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient tests and path analysis and SPSS- Statistics for Windows, version 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill., USA).

 Our study showed a correlation between all predictive variables and high-risk behaviors. The path analysis test showed that, from the direct path, the relationship between behavioral inhibition system (β=0.19) and permissive style (β=0.26) was positive and significant with high-risk behaviors. However, the relationship between the activator inhibition system (β=0.16) and authoritarian style (β=0.21) with high-risk behaviors was negative and significant. From the indirect path, the relationship of behavioral inhibition system with the mediation of permissive style (β=0.083) and authoritative style (β=0.053) with risky behaviors was positive and significant. Whereas, the relationship of behavioral activation system with the mediation of permissive style (β=-0.138) and authoritarian style (β=-0.088) with high-risk behaviors was negative and significant.

The study showed that both inhibition and activation systems were directly related to high-risk behaviors and through two permissive and authoritative styles. The evaluated model has a good fit.