title: Factors influencing adolescents' decisions to engage in risk-taking behavior.
abstract: Few studies have assessed adolescent risk-taking from a decision-making perspective while also looking at sensation-seeking and locus of control. In this study, 171 older adolescents completed a risk-taking inventory to measure risk involvement. Sensation-seeking and locus of control, as well as perceived benefits and costs, were assessed to determine their effects on risk-taking. Results showed that perceived risks affected risk-taking more significantly than did perceived benefits. Higher sensation-seeking tendencies were affiliated with more risk-taking. Locus of control was not related to risk-taking.
authors.affiliation: Counseling Psychology Program, University of Oklahoma, 820 Van Vleet Oval, Room 306, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA.
authors.forename: Mary R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rolison
authors.forename: Avraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scherman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires