Abstract
This paper draws on data from a longitudinal study of over 500 vulnerable adolescents to examine the extent to which levels of individual externalizing risk behaviors (risky or unsafe behaviors) changed over time, as well as which fixed and time-dynamic factors predicted changes in these risk levels over time. Over time absolute levels of risky behaviors decreased but remained above normative levels. Of all the predictors, being excluded from school and associating with an anti-social peer group were the strongest and most consistent predictors of these behaviors. Other factors predicted changes in one or more of the three risk measures used, suggesting that each risk factor may reflect challenges youth face in different domains of their lives. Implications of these findings for service delivery are discussed.
•Among a group of vulnerable adolescents, risky behaviors decreased over time but remained above normative levels of risk.•Being excluded from school predicted higher levels of externalizing risk behaviors over time.•Association with an anti-social peer group predicted higher levels of externalizing risk behaviors over time.•Service delivery that enables youth to remain in mainstream schools is likely to have a positive long term impact on risky behaviors.•Different types of risky behaviors appear to be influenced by exposure to different contextual risks.