risks. Therefore, adolescence is considered a period of behavioral vulnerability: teens are more likely to experiment with tobacco and illicit drugs and alcohol; drive recklessly; engage in unprotected sex; and have interpersonal conflicts (Arnett, 1992; Arnett, 1999; Chambers et al., 2003; Spear, 2000). Adolescent risk taking is more likely to occur in groups (e.g. vehicular accidents), when certain behaviors are perceived to be acceptable by one’s peers (e.g. unprotected sex, drug use) (Steinberg, 2008), and in emotionally charged situations (Figner et al., 2009). Thus, while adolescents have survived the potential health problems of early childhood their morbidity and mortality rates are twice that of pre-pubescent children (Dahl, 2004).
