Intergenerational transmission of religiosity and the reduction of Thai adolescent risk behaviors

Abstract

This study examines the mechanism of intergenerational transmission of Buddhist religiosity in relation to adolescents' risk-taking behaviors in Thailand. Self and parental reports of risk behaviors from national representative samples of 3,795 pairs of parents and adolescent(s) in 2-parent families from the 2011 National Survey on Social Conditions and Culture in Thailand are employed. Path analysis and Structural Equation Modeling are used for the data analysis. Parental religiosity (Parental Mindful Self-Conduct and Parental Mindful Altruism) is fully mediated through adolescent religiosity, and adolescent self-control (Moral Emotional Self-Guidance System, MESGS) to reduce adolescent risk behaviors, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics. Mid-adolescence is the ideal age at which most optimal religious value transmission occurs, making it the most protective age against risk-taking behaviors. However, late adolescence and youth are the most vulnerable stages for risk-taking. The study also uncovers the pattern of risk-taking through adolescents' key developmental stages.