Sex differences in the mediation role of political mobilization between the search for status and risk-taking behaviors in adolescents.

Abstract

One of the primary drivers behind adolescents engaging in risk-taking behaviors is the pursuit of status. This study examines how activism and radicalism mediate the relation between the search for status and risk-taking behaviors, moderated by sex. A total of 482 participants, with an average age of 17.97 (SD = 1.83), reported their levels of status-seeking, activism, radicalism, and engagement in risk-taking behaviors. The study revealed an indirect effect of seeking status on risk-taking behaviors through the mechanisms of activism and radicalism. Furthermore, sex moderated the relation between status, activism and radicalism, and risktaking behaviors. In both girls and boys, activism correlated with reduced engagement in risktaking, while radicalism correlated with increased engagement. In terms of sex differences, both activism and radicalism showed a more pronounced effect in boys than in girls. These findings highlight the role of political mobilization on the relation between the pursuit of status and engagement in risk-taking.