Journal article
Teen perceptions of parental monitoring and its impact on their risky road behavior: An analysis of the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Journal of safety research, Vol.93, pp.342-347
07/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2025.03.007
PMID: 40483071
Abstract
•Perceived high parental monitoring was associated with reduced teen risky driving and passenger behaviors.•Teens who reported sleeping in public places were more likely to report engagement in risky driving behaviors.•Males were less likely to engage in passenger but more in driving-related risky behaviors.•Safety programs should empower parents to supervise and communicate effectively with teens.
Introduction: Risky road behaviors (RRBs), including driving-related (e.g., texting while driving, driving under the influence) and passenger-related (e.g., not wearing seat belts, riding with a drunk driver) behaviors, contribute significantly to injury and death among adolescents. This study aims to analyze how perceived parental monitoring by teens impacts their passenger- and driver- related risky road behaviors. Methods: Data from the 2021 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (NYRBS) were analyzed to examine the association between teens’ perception of parental monitoring and engagement in driving-related and passenger-related risky road behaviors. Logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Results: A strong perception of parental monitoring consistently demonstrated a protective effect against driving-related risky behaviors (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.53–0.74) and passenger-related risky behaviors (AOR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.53–0.72) when compared to those with lower perceptions. Teens sleeping in public places had notably higher odds of driving-related risky behaviors (AOR = 2.99, 95% CI: 2.01–4.46) compared to those sleeping at home. Males were less likely to engage in passenger-related risky behaviors (AOR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86–0.97) but more likely to engage in driving-related risky behaviors (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.12–1.47). Conclusions: Perceived parental monitoring was associated with reduced engagement in both passenger- and driving-related risky road behaviors among teen drivers and passengers. Safety interventions aimed at reducing risky road behaviors among teens should include strategies for strengthening parental involvement, emphasizing supervision and communication. Practical Applications: Our findings suggest that parental monitoring could play a significant role in reducing teens’ engagement in risky road behaviors. Safety programs should empower parents in the use of effective parental monitoring strategies, such as active supervision and better communication.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Teen perceptions of parental monitoring and its impact on their risky road behavior: An analysis of the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey
- Creators
- Amir Ghanbari - Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, 145 N Riverside Dr, S449 CPHB, Iowa City, IA 52242, USAMatison Howard - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, 145 N Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USAJoseph Cavanaugh - University of Iowa, BiostatisticsCara Hamann - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of safety research, Vol.93, pp.342-347
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jsr.2025.03.007
- PMID
- 40483071
- NLM abbreviation
- J Safety Res
- ISSN
- 0022-4375
- eISSN
- 1879-1247
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Number of pages
- 6
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/2025
- Academic Unit
- Statistics and Actuarial Science; Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Center for Social Science Innovation; Injury Prevention Research Center; School of Planning and Public Affairs
- Record Identifier
- 9984810938802771
Metrics
14 Record Views