Sensation seeking as a predictor of positive and negative risk behaviour among adolescents

The present paper examines the relationship between sensation seeking and r isk-taking behaviour among adolescents. Risk behaviour is defined as positi ve risk behaviour (activities like climbing, kayaking, rafting etc.) and ne gative risk behaviour (crime and socially unacceptable activities like shop lifting, drug use etc.) Perceived challenges and influences from school, pa rents, friends and social background are examined as contributing factors. Three hundred and sixty adolescents between 12 and 16 years of age from a s chool in Trondheim. Norway, answered the tests. The test consisted of My Op inion II, a Swedish version of the sensation seeking seals, which measures sensation seeking among adolescents around the age of 14. Three other quest ionnaires developed especially for this study were also used; one measuring risk behaviour, one measuring challenges from school, parents and friends, and one measuring social background. The results indicate a strong relatio nship between sensation seeking and both types of risk behaviour. Negative risk behaviour correlates negatively with challenges from both school and p arents, and a similar relationship exists between negative risk behaviour a nd social background. It seems that few challenges and a poor social backgr ound could result in more negative risk behaviour. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.