The role of intolerance for ambiguity in adolescent risk-taking behavior mediated by risk perception

During Adolescence significant developmental changes take place. One of these noticeable changes is an increase in risk-taking behavior such as drinking, smoking, reckless driving, and gambling. Engaging in high-risk activities can result into dangerous and harmful consequences. Therefore, it is important to understand which factors or personality traits underly the increased risk-taking behavior in adolescents to help prevent those potentially harmful consequences. In this study the relationship between intolerance of ambiguity (ITA) and risk-taking behavior among adolescents aged 14-25 is explored. Although the relationship between intolerance to ambiguity and risk-taking behavior among adolescents has been researched before, these studies show contradictory results, revealing both positive and negative associations between intolerance to ambiguity and risk-taking. Furthermore, this research also focused on exploring the potential mediating effect of risk perception as a previous...Show moreDuring Adolescence significant developmental changes take place. One of these noticeable changes is an increase in risk-taking behavior such as drinking, smoking, reckless driving, and gambling. Engaging in high-risk activities can result into dangerous and harmful consequences. Therefore, it is important to understand which factors or personality traits underly the increased risk-taking behavior in adolescents to help prevent those potentially harmful consequences. In this study the relationship between intolerance of ambiguity (ITA) and risk-taking behavior among adolescents aged 14-25 is explored. Although the relationship between intolerance to ambiguity and risk-taking behavior among adolescents has been researched before, these studies show contradictory results, revealing both positive and negative associations between intolerance to ambiguity and risk-taking. Furthermore, this research also focused on exploring the potential mediating effect of risk perception as a previous study suggested that adolescents who perceive more risks may show lower levels of risk-taking behavior. The role of gender also has been analyzed as a moderator expecting that males engage in more risk-taking behavior A sample of 98 adolescents from various educational institutions participated by completing self-report questionnaires assessing tolerance for ambiguity and risk perception, and they also completed the wheel of fortune task which measures risk-taking behavior. Mediation analysis using the PROCESS macro in SPSS was conducted to analyze whether risk perception mediates the relationship between intolerance to ambiguity and risk-taking behavior. Additionally, moderation analysis was performed to investigate gender differences. Results indicated that a higher level of intolerance to ambiguity is associated with lower risk-taking. The mediation effect of risk perception could not be statistically proven. However, we found that a higher level of intolerance to ambiguity was associated with a lower level of risk perception. Moderation analysis showed a marginal gender effect suggesting that males tend to engage more in risk-taking behavior compared to females. This study highlights the significant role of intolerance to ambiguity in relation to adolescents' risk-taking behavior, with higher intolerance linked to increased risk-taking. While risk perception did not mediate this relationship, the findings underscore the complexity of the factors involved and the necessity for further research. Future research should employ longitudinal designs with an evenly distributed samples over the age groups and genders to better capture the dynamics of risk perception and tolerance for ambiguity over time. This approach will provide deeper insights into the developmental aspects of risk-taking behavior and inform more effective prevention strategies.Show less

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The role of intolerance for ambiguity in adolescent risk-taking behavior mediated by risk perception