Adolescent risk-taking and the five-factor model of personality

The aim of this study was to investigate the links between adolescent risk- taking and personality in a comprehensive manner, as opposed to focusing on any one particular risk or personality factor as has occurred in much prev ious research. We conceptualized risk-taking broadly through use of the Ado lescent Risk Questionnaire (ARQ) which yields information relating to risk judgements and behaviours in four areas (i.e. thrill-seeking risk behaviour s, reckless risks, rebellious risks and antisocial risks). Personality was conceptualized using the Five-factor Model of personality, a comprehensive trait model of personality The ARQ and the NEO Five-factor Inventory were a dministered to 459 school-based adolescents aged 11 to 18 years. Consistent with past research, younger adolescents and girls generally reported engag ing in risk behaviours less frequently than older adolescents and boys. Als o, younger adolescents and girls generally rated the ARQ behaviours as more risky than their older male counterparts. This was in line with the signif icant negative correlations found between risk judgements and risk behaviou rs of all types. Also consistent with past research, few age differences we re found for the personality traits. Sex differences were evident, with fem ale adolescents scoring higher on neuroticism, agreeableness and conscienti ousness than male adolescents. Together, risk judgements, personality facto rs, age and sex were found to be significant predictors of risk behaviours; however, the personality factor of significance was found to differ depend ing upon the risk type. This was also true for age and sex which differed i n importance depending upon the risk type. Overall, these factors were most successful in predicting rebellious risk-taking and least successful in pr edicting thrill-seeking. (C) 2000 The Association for Professionals in Serv ices for Adolescents.