Risk-Taking Behaviors Among Adolescents in Single-Mother Versus Two-Parent Households in India: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

Background Adolescence is a developmental period marked by heightened vulnerability to risk-taking behaviors due to ongoing neurobiological maturation and increasing exposure to social and environmental influences. Family context represents a key ecological determinant of adolescent risk trajectories. Although children of single mothers constitute a growing demographic in India, comparative evidence on their risk-taking behaviors relative to adolescents living with both parents remains limited. This study examined differences in risk-taking behaviors between these two family contexts in an urban Indian setting. Methods A cross-sectional comparative design was employed with a convenience sample of 119 adolescents aged 12-18 years, which included children of single mothers (CSM; n=59) and children living with both parents (CLBP; n=60). Risk-taking behaviors were assessed using a semi-structured interview schedule covering mobility-related risks, substance use-related behaviors, school engagement, and conduct-related behaviors. Group differences were examined using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Adjusted logistic regression analyses, including penalized models where appropriate, were conducted for selected outcomes while controlling for age, sex, and educational attainment. Results Adolescents from single-mother households demonstrated significantly lower school attendance and higher prevalence of running away from home and gang involvement compared to adolescents living with both parents. Adjusted analyses indicated that CSM status was independently associated with lower odds of school attendance and higher odds of gang involvement. In contrast, CLBP adolescents showed significantly higher engagement in opportunity-driven mobility risks, particularly underage two-wheeler riding without a license. Substance use behaviors were infrequent in both groups and did not differ significantly. Conclusion Adolescent risk-taking is not uniformly elevated among children of single mothers but is concentrated in domains reflecting educational disengagement and psychosocial vulnerability. Findings underscore the need for context-sensitive interventions that strengthen educational continuity and social support for adolescents in single-mother households.