Identifying and understanding predictors of risky behaviour can help to inform prevention and intervention strategies for related outcomes. For example, alcohol consumption may have an influence on risky sexual behaviour, understanding this relationship could inform prevention and interventions for sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancies, abortions, and general sexual health. Another risk factor is for subsequent risk behaviours is adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Individuals with histories of multiple ACEs are found to be more likely to engage in risk behaviours such as smoking, excessive drinking, risky sexual behaviour, illicit drug use and suicidal behaviour than those without.
This project will use longitudinal data from the ALSPAC study to identify predictors of risk behaviours in adolescence and early adulthood.