Abstract :
To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2008.02.003 Byline: Mary E. Wickman, Nancy Lois Ruth Anderson, Cindy Smith Greenberg Keywords: Adolescent risk behaviors; Invincibility; Health promotion; Risk reduction Abstract: The purposes of this study were to explore the phenomenon of invincibility and to identify key factors contributing to risk behavior involvement in teens. Semistructured interviews revealed the following common themes: adolescence, a time of transition, the meaning of invincibility, learning the balance of taking chances and being safe, differences between risky and dangerous, and strategies for working with teens. Participants provided insights about intervention strategies that are most effective in working with teens. Their suggestions reinforce the critical importance of teen involvement in shaping, planning, and conducting health promotion interventions for this age-group. Author Affiliation: Department of Nursing, Pre-Licensure Program, California State University, Fullerton, CA School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, CA California State University, Fullerton, CA