Risk habits among Italian university students: sensation seeking and sexual risk-taking behaviours

Abstract

Using data coming from the survey on “Sexual and Emotional Life of Youths”, we aim at exploring the patterns of relationships among risk habits, in particular the sex related ones among Italian university students to identify different risk profiles by using a sequential two step analysis. Results highlight the presence of eight different target groups of students in terms of risk habits. Among them, the 24.9% of students can be defined as “young sensation seekers” who have the highest risk habits. Conversely, the 22.8% of students have inactive sexual life. Subsequently, linear regression models defined those characteristics, attitudes and behaviours associated to these risk habits. School and sexual experiences as well as family characteristics and relations with parents result to be significantly associated to risk habits.