Background and Aim: Rapid technological, cultural and social alterations in contemporary world can result in various physical, psychological and social problems as well as risky behaviors and its consequent social damages in teenagers. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between risky behaviors in teenagers and attachment style, innovativeness and spiritual beliefs. Meanwhile, the intermediary role of emotional intelligence was considered.
Materials and Methods: The present research could be categorized as a descriptive study that dealt with correlation. Study population consisted of 350 students selected by multistage cluster sampling. They filled out questionnaires concerning attachment styles, sensation seeking, spiritual intelligence, emotional intelligence and the Iranian version of risky behaviors. The collected data were analyzed using the statistical method of Pearson's correlation coefficient and path analysis of structural equation modeling.
Results: Levels of goodness of fit index (99%), adjusted goodness of fit index (98%), comparative fit index (1), and the second root-mean-square deviation (0.01%) were acceptable. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that attachment style, sensation seeking and spiritual intelligence with the intermediary role of emotional intelligence had significant effects on the elucidation of risky behaviors. The selected model elucidated 46% of emotional intelligence variations and 54% of risky behaviors changes (P≤0.001).
Conclusion: Given the role of personality, psychological and spiritual factors in teenagers’ tendency for risky behaviors, the results of this research could be used to predict and prevent such behaviors and the required interventions.