Predictive Role of Social Capital and Mental Health in Tendency to Risky Behaviors in Students

Background and aim: The identification of the factors that affect high-risk behaviors is of utmost importance in the prevention of these behaviors. The present study aimed to determine the predictive role of social capital and mental health in the tendency toward high-risk behaviors in female students of Shahid Beheshti University. Methods: The present study was conducted based on a correlational design. The statistical population included all female students of Shahid Beheshti University of Tehran in the first semester of 2018-2019. Out of this population, 150 students were selected via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Iranian Youth Risk Assessment Scale, General Health Questionnaire, and Social Capital Questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. Results: The obtained results pointed to a negative relationship between the components of social capital and the tendency toward risky behaviors. Moreover, a positive relationship was observed between general health components and the tendency towards high-risk behaviors (P<0.001). There was a relationship between social capital and the tendency towards risky behaviors (P<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that social capital and mental health play a predictive role in the tendency toward high-risk behaviors in female students.