The Influence of Communication with Family and Peer Group on Well-Being and Risky Behavior of Portuguese Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of parents and peer group on health and risky behaviors of Portuguese adolescents. It was studied the type of communication that adolescents have with their parents and with peers. The sample consisted of subjects who participated in a study performed in Portugal, which incorporates the European HBSC-Health Behavior in School-aged Children study. The study included a total of 4.877 students in 6th, 8th and 10th grades of public school in Portugal, with an average age of 14 years old. The overall results revealed that good communication with parents has a more protective effect on adolescents' risky behavior than good communication with friends. Adolescents with closer and better communication with their parents and friends have also revealed to have a happier and more pleased life. The results highlight the importance of communication and positive relationship simultaneously with parents and peers.