Prevention of Risk Behaviour among Pupils in School Settings in the Slovak Republic

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the issue of preventing risk behaviour among pupils in school settings in Slovakia, in the context of contemporary social changes, digitalization, and the evolving dynamics of school communities. Risk behaviour is a multidimensional phenomenon arising from the interaction of individual, family, peer, and school-related factors. Its manifestations range from traditional forms such as aggression, truancy, and experimentation with addictive substances to emerging digital behaviours such as cyberbullying, online dependency, and self-harm. The school, as a key socializing environment, plays an irreplaceable role in the prevention process by shaping pupils’ values, attitudes, emotional stability, and conflict-resolution skills. The effectiveness of preventive measures depends on the quality of relationships within the school, the professional competence of teachers, and the systemic support provided by the state and local authorities. The empirical part of the study, conducted in 2023 on a sample of 612 primary and secondary school pupils, focused on identifying the most frequent forms of risk behaviour, examining pupils’ perceptions of the school environment, and assessing the effectiveness of preventive measures. Findings confirmed that although schools implement a wide range of preventive activities, their success largely depends on collaboration among teachers, parents, and pupils. The article provides recommendations for optimizing prevention practices in schools, highlighting the importance of an interdisciplinary approach, continuous teacher training, and the integration of prevention into the overall school curriculum. The study also emphasizes the role of social pedagogy as a scientific and practical framework that links theoretical knowledge with real-world educational practice.