[An abstract is available in the attached pdf document]

This research entailed an investigation into the factors that Transition Year students perceive as having an influence on their decision making in relation to risk taking behaviour. Transition Year students are most commonly aged between 15 and 17 years.

Objectives:
1. Discover the social issues that affect the personal health of Transition Year students today.
2. Explore the social determinants of health which influence the decision making abilities of
Transition Year students.
3. Determine the supports available to Transition Year students so that they can be empowered to
promote their own health.
4. Make recommendations for the health promotion of Transition Year students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that Transition Year students perceive as having an influence on their decision making in relation to risk taking behaviour in the context of Health Education and Promotion. Risk taking behaviour investigated in this study is considered under the following behaviours; smoking, alcohol consumption, substance use and sexual activity.