Fatikhova, Lidiya F.

Relevance. Children’s safe behaviour is one of the conditions for keeping them safe and sound, healthy and socially integrated, as this is the top-priority objective of the contemporary society. Teenagers are one of the most vulnerable age groups. They are frequently endangered because they show higher rates of careless behaviour. Teenagers with impaired intellectual development having this behavioural tendency cause a lot of concern in both their parents and the entire community.

Objective. The research is aimed at studying safe behaviour in teenagers with unimpaired and impaired intelligenge. The research aims to define peculiarities and differences in these teenage groups in situations that appear threatening to their lives, heath or social well-being.

Methodology. The study involved 109 parents of teenagers aged 12–15. 46 parents are parents of children with unimpaired intellectual development (19 girls and 27 boys). 63 parents had teenage children with impaired intellectual development (35 boys and 28 girls). A questionnaire was offered.

Results. The researchers arranged a poll among the parents and obtained data on how safe behaviour is formed in teenagers with impaired intellectual development compared to their peers with unimpaired intelligence. The findings show difference in behavioural patterns of teenagers with impaired and unimpaired intelligence in such situations as crossing a street, handling electric appliances and sharp cutting tools, acting during outdoor leisure and using gadgets. Additionally, the study defined gender differences in teenage boys’ and girls’ behavioural patterns when facing dangerous dogs, arguing or fighting and even during outdoor leisure.

Conclusions. The findings reveal the justification basis for different approaches to how to form the culture of safe behaviour in teenagers, if they have or do not have impaired intellectual development or if they belong to different sexes.