Positive and negative risk taking in adolescence: Age patterns and relations to social environment.

Abstract

Despite empirical and epidemiological research indicating that risk taking propensity increases across adolescence, it is unknown whether this is true for positive risk taking. Additionally, adolescents' decisions are heavily influenced by their social environment, but it is unclear to what extent social influences are associated with positive risk taking. The present study compared age patterns between self-reported positive and negative (health and antisocial) risk taking. Self-reported peers' risk taking, risk perception and perceived social support were also examined as correlates of positive and negative risk taking. 338 adolescents and young adults (217 females) ages 12-25 years (M = 18.99; SD = 3.37) took part in the study. Positive risk taking was slightly higher among young adults than early adolescents, whereas the reverse pattern was found for antisocial risk taking. Health risk taking took the form of an inverted-U, peaking in young adulthood. In adolescents, positive risk taking was associated with peers' positive risk taking and lower perceived support from family. Negative risk taking was associated with peers' negative risk taking, higher risk perception and lower perceived support from family. Results suggest subtle age differences in positive risk taking among adolescents and early adults and indicate that adolescents' engagement in positive risk taking is associated with peers' behavior.