Characteristics associated with risk taking behaviours predict young people's participation in organised activities.
Participation in organised activities (OAs) such as sports and special groups can shape adolescent risk taking behaviours. Sensation seeking and inhibitory control play an important role in the emergence of adolescent risk taking behaviours and may explain variations in OA participation as well as inform the development of more effective interventions that use OAs. Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (England) were analysed using logistic regression to test whether inhibitory control and sensation seeking predicted participation in OAs at a mean age of 11.7 years (n = 2557) and 15.4 years (n = 2147). At 11 years of age higher sensation seeking predicted participation in any activity, sports and special groups while low inhibitory control predicted less participation in sports. At 15 years of age higher sensation seeking predicted participation in sports and activity breadth. Opportunities to develop targeted interventions aimed at increasing participation are discussed.
Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, 1-3 Museum Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BD, United Kingdom; The Violence and Society Research Group, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Hallingbergbe@cf.ac.uk.
Britt E
BE
Hallingberg
School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom.
Stephanie H M
SHM
Van Goozen
The Violence and Society Research Group, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY, United Kingdom.
Simon C
SC
Moore
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology
ALSPAC; Extra-curricular activities; Inhibitory control; Organised activities; Sensation seeking; Sport