Exploring the Lived Experience of Life Motivation in Adolescents at Risk of High-Risk Behaviors: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of life motivation in adolescents at risk of high-risk behaviors. This research employed a qualitative design using a phenomenological approach. Participants included 21 adolescents (aged 15–18) from Tehran, selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews until theoretical saturation was reached. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo 12 through a three-stage coding process (open, axial, selective). The findings were categorized into three main themes: (1) Internal motivational factors (e.g., meaning in life, hopefulness, sense of competence); (2) Interpersonal and social factors (e.g., family support, peer relationships, role of educators and supportive institutions); and (3) Barriers and motivational conflicts (e.g., identity conflict, experiences of rejection, social comparison pressures). Participant quotations added richness and depth to each theme. The results indicated that life motivation in at-risk adolescents is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon influenced by both internal dispositions and external relationships. Effective psychosocial interventions should aim to simultaneously strengthen personal resources and rebuild supportive environments to prevent or mitigate high-risk behaviors.