HEALTH RISK BEHAVIORS AND LIFE SKILLS OF INDONESIAN CHILDREN: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS USING SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate behavioral health risks and life skills in children aged 9-11 years in Indonesia. A qualitative study was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022 in Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia. Twenty participants (eight boys, eight girls, and four teachers) were interviewed and joined focus group discussions (FGDs). A content analysis technique was used on verbatim transcripts and conducted on ATLAS.ti 9.1.3.0 software. As many as 40 different codes were derived from 16 subcategories and classified into nine categories. Sex-related behavior was the biggest challenge encountered by Indonesian children. It included risky dating, access to pornography, sexual harassment, and masturbation. Low decision-making skills and external locus of control (especially for girls and younger children) may exacerbate such behaviors. Lack of parental control was one of the environmental factors that might be harmful to children, and it may make them imitate adults’ risky behavior. Peer pressure negatively influenced children as they define themselves according to their peer group’s identity. Risky sexual behaviors were found in children aged 9-11 years, contributed by low decision-making skills and a negative environment. The Indonesian Ministry of Health needs to provide cognitive life skills education for pre-pubertal children to prevent risky sexual behaviors among children aged 9-11 years.