Study Reveals Popular Kids' Higher Tendency to Try Out Risky Behavior
by Mary Rettig
May 27, 2005
(AgapePress) - A professor of psychology at the University of Virginia says his recent study found that being a "cool kid" may be a desirable trait in the eyes of most young people, but it may not be the best thing for them.Dr. Joseph Allen says popular kids tend to be well-adjusted and have many positive social skills and generally good relationships with their parents. But a recent study reveals that these youngsters are also have a greater tendency to get into some bad behavior -- exactly the opposite of what "most people were expecting to see with popular kids," the professor says.
The investigation found, surprisingly, popular youth are three times as likely to try alcohol or pot or "to be engaged in behavior such as shoplifting and vandalism, and other minor forms of delinquent activity," Allen explains. According to his study, the risk of getting into trouble is the highest for popular kids during their middle school years.
Although adolescents who are popular with their peers are indeed successful and well adjusted in many respects, the University of Virginia researcher explains, "they're also at risk for getting involved with alcohol and marijuana use at an early age," and for indulging in various kinds of low-level delinquency -- any of which can escalate into serious problems later in life.
Youngsters who get involved in problem behavior are not necessarily careening down the road to self-destruction, Allen admits. Nevertheless, he says parents do need to take this kinds of behavior seriously and deal with it promptly when it occurs.
Mary Rettig, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
