Poster #134 - Individual characteristics in support of choosing positive risk-taking behaviors

• In Event: Poster Session 14

Abstract

Risk-taking typically refers to behaviors that involve potential danger or harm to the individual, while providing an opportunity to obtain rewards (Leigh, 1999). Based on this definition, the study of this aspect of human behavior has focused on antisocial risk behaviors, such as criminal activity, illegal substance use and abuse, as well as unsafe sexual practices (DiClemente, Hansen, & Ponton, 1995). Interventions are focused on preventing the occurrence of these behaviors (Nation et al., 2003). However, taking risks, or going ahead with a task or behavior despite uncertainty about an outcome, is an essential part of life, and some risk-taking behavior could yield positive well-being. At least in westernized cultures, an individual’s ability to apply for jobs or awards, volunteer for positions of leadership, meet new people, try new sports or activities, stand up to a person of authority, etc. relates to higher success as an independent, self-sustained adult (Duell & Steinberg, 2018). However, these tasks are not certain to result in a reward (e.g., they might not get the job), and while some individuals relish exploring these possibilities, others report a high level of stress associated with these behaviors (Kreemers & van Hooft, 2017). Integral to understanding the decision-making processes in choosing positive risk-taking behaviors is identifying the individual factors that differentiate what form of risky behavior one engages in. Given the likely importance of modulating one’s risk-taking behaviors to enhance adult functioning, the roles of personality, psychophysiology, and emotion regulation factors in both positive and negative risk-taking behaviors across two studies will be presented. One study sample includes 121 participants (79% female, 93% ages 18-21, and 69% Non-Hispanic Caucasian) who completed a self-report battery of personality, emotion regulation, and risk-taking measures, as well as an assessment of baseline heart rate variability (HRV). Another study includes participants from a longitudinal study conducted from infancy through adulthood. The 18-year-old time point includes 160 participants enrolled in their first year of a college or university program (51% female, 100% ages 17-21, and 64% Non-Hispanic Caucasian). Self-report measures of personality, emotion regulation, and risk-taking were collected when participants were 15 and 18 years of age, and baseline and task HRV were collected when participants were 15 years of age. A joint analysis of both cohorts suggest similar levels of positive and negative risk-taking behavior. Therefore, relations between personality, emotion regulation, HRV, and different global and specific forms of risk-taking will be presented concurrently across both samples and longitudinally within the developmental sample. The developmental period from adolescence through young adulthood is often marked by heightened risk taking (Chassin et al., 2004) and research suggests that this is a developmental phenomenon across adolescence and young adulthood (Duell & Steinberg, 2018). In addition, the social context of college provides greater opportunities for risk-taking behavior since the restrictions of adult supervision often begin to loosen (Steinberg, 2004). The proposed presentation will highlight and discuss the differential correlates of positive vs. negative risk-taking behavior across late adolescence.

Author

• Kathryn A Degnan, Catholic University of America
  Presenting Author