Supplementary material
Appendix A. Characteristics of ultimate and distal factors measured in the Risk Behavior Survey 2005-2006, divided into the attitudinal, social, and
intrapersonal stream of the Theory of Triadic Influence. Observed reliabilities (Cronbach’s α or Pearson’s r) for the total group of adolescents (n=898).
Stream / Variable
# it
α/r
Example of an item with answer categories and score range
Questionnaire /
Reference
Ultimate risk factors
Cultural stream
Religiona
2
-
Among what religion do you count yourself? Roman Catholic (1), Protestant (2), Islam (3),
Judaism (4), Buddhism (5), Hinduism (6), Other (7), None (8).
During the past half year, how often have you been visiting the church/mosque/synagogue?
Once a week or more (1), Once every two weeks (2), Once per month (3), Less than once
per month (4), Never (5).
Social stream
Living statusb
9
-
With whom do you live together at home? 1. My partner; 2. My father; 3. My mother; 4. My
children; 5. Partner of my father or mother (stepfather or stepmother); 6. Brother(s) and/or
sister(s) (or half-brothers, stepbrothers, half-sisters, stepsisters); 7. Other adults (e.g.,
uncle, aunt, grandfather, grandmother, friends, acquaintances); Yes (1), No (2), I do not
have (3). 8. I live on my own; Yes (1), No (2). 9. Others, namely…..
Educational level
1
-
What is your current level of education? Elementary school, Lower vocational education (1),
Intermediate vocational education (2), Higher vocational education / university (3)
International SocioEconomic Index
1
-
What is your latest or present occupation? Please describe your occupation / position as
clearly as possible (open question).
(ISEI92)
Ganzeboom, De
Graaf & Treiman
(1992)
1
Intrapersonal Stream
Age
1
-
What is your age? … years
Sex
1
-
Indicate sex: male / female
Big 5 Extraversion
2
r = .06
I see myself as extravert, enthusiastic. Strongly disagree (1) – Strongly agree (7)
Gosling et al. (2003)
Big 5 Agreeableness
2
r = .15
I see myself as sympathetic, warm. Strongly disagree (1) – Strongly agree (7)
idem
Big 5 Conscientiousness
2
r = .17
I see myself as self-disciplined. Strongly disagree (1) – Strongly agree (7)
idem
Big 5 Emotional Stability
2
r = .32
I see myself as calm, emotionally stable. Strongly disagree (1) – Strongly agree (7)
idem
Big 5 Openness
2
r = .11
I see myself as open to new experiences. Strongly disagree (1) – Strongly agree (7)
idem
Self Control
24
α = .86
When I am really angry, other people better stay away from me. Strongly agree (1) – Strongly
Grasmick et al.
disagree (4)
(1993)
Distal risk factors
Cultural stream
Self determination value
5
α = .76
c
orientation
Rate for the following aspects how important they are for you:
Gerris et al. (1998)
It’s up to you to determine what’s wrong or what’s right. Extremely important (1) –
Felling et al. (1987)
Unimportant (5)
4
α = .79
Being married. Extremely important (1) – Unimportant (5)
idem
4
α = .71
Reduction of inequality in society. Extremely important (1) – Unimportant (5)
idem
4
α = .68
Enjoying life. Extremely important (1) – Unimportant (5)
Parental monitoring
9
α = .83
Do your parents know who your friends are during your free time? Never (1) – Often (5)
Kerr & Stattin (2000)
Parental control
6
α = .86
Do you need to get your parents’ permission before you and your friends can decide what you
idem
Traditional family value
c
orientation
Society-critical value
orientationc
Hedonic value orientationc
Social stream
are going to do on a Saturday evening? Never (1) – Often (5)
2
Relationship with mother
15
α = .88
Did your mother admire you and respect you? Little or none (1) – the most (5)
NRI: Furman &
Buhrmester
(1985)
Relationship with father
15
α = .91
Did your father admire you and respect you? Little or none (1) – the most (5)
idem
Support best friend
9
α = .91
Does your best friend admire and respect you? Little or none (1) – the most (5)
idem
Negative interaction with
6
α = .87
Are you and your best friend irritated by each others’ behavior? Little or none (1) – the most
idem
best friend
(5)
Descriptive Norm
2
r = .40
d,e
parents
Does your mother smoke? Yes, every day (1); Yes, at least once a week, but not every day (1);
Yes, at least once a month, but not weekly (1); Yes, less than once a month (1); No, this
person does not smoke (0)
Descriptive Norm friends
d
1
-
How many of your friends smoke? (Almost) nobody (1) - (Almost) everyone (5).
1
-
I see myself as someone who has high self-esteem. Disagree strongly (1) to Agree strongly (5)
Intrapersonal stream
Self-esteem
SISE; Robins,
Hendin,
Trzesniewski
(2001)
Coping: Active
6
α = .82
I deliberately think about ways to solve the problem. Seldom or never (1) – Very often (4)
UCQ: Schreurs, Van
de Willige,
Tellegen,
Brosschot (1988)
Coping: Avoiding
3
α = .40
I avoid the problem as much as possible. Seldom or never (1) – Very often (4)
idem
Coping: Seeking support
6
α = .84
I show others my feelings. Seldom or never (1) – Very often (4)
idem
Notes. α = Cronbach’s α; r = Pearson’s correlation coefficient, based on the combined sample of young and late adolescents (N = 898).
a
The categories of these two items were combined and recoded into: Nonreligious (1); Religious, non-practicing (2); Religious, practicing (3).
3
b
These items were recoded into one living status variable: Nuclear family or with partner (1); Step or blended (reconstituted) family (2); Single-parent family
(3); Other, without parent or partner (4).
c
The response scales were recoded in such a way that a higher value indicated a higher value orientation.
d
The descriptive norms were based on behaviour-specific risk factors (e.g., having breakfast or smoking). Per HRBs cluster, the descriptive norm that
correlated strongest with outcome was selected for analyses.
e
The behaviour-item used to construct descriptive norm parents was asked separately for the mother and for the father.
4