RT Journal Article
T1 Applying an Evolutionary Approach of Risk-Taking Behaviors in Adolescents.
A1 Salas-Rodríguez, Javier
A1 Gómez-Jacinto, Luís
A1 Hombrados-Mendieta, Isabel
A1 Del-Pino-Brunet, Natalia
K1 Asunción de riesgos (Psicología) en adolescentes
AB Risk-taking behaviors in adolescents have traditionally been analyzed from apsychopathological approach, with an excessive emphasis on their potential costs.From evolutionary theory we propose that risk-taking behaviors can be means throughwhich adolescents obtain potential benefits for survival and reproduction. The presentstudy analyses sex differences in three contexts of risk (i.e., risk propensity, expectedbenefits and risk perception) in the evolutionary specific domains and the predictivevalue of these domains over risk-taking behaviors, separately in female and maleadolescents. 749 adolescents (females = 370) valued their risk perception, expectedbenefits and risk propensity through the Evolutionary Domain-Specific Risk Scale,as well as their engagement in risk-taking behaviors through the Risky BehaviorQuestionnaire. Male adolescents showed lower risk perception in two evolutionarydomains, expected higher benefits in two other domains and showed higher riskpropensity in six domains. Female adolescents showed lower risk perception intwo domains. Additionally, risk perception, expected benefits and risk propensity inthe evolutionary domains predicted the engagement in risk-taking behaviors in maleadolescents, whereas in female adolescents only expected benefits and risk propensityshowed a predictive effect over risk-taking behaviors. These results suggest thepotential role of evolutionary mechanisms on risk-taking behaviors in adolescents.Results have practical implications for interventions programs aimed at reducing risktakingbehaviors. In addition to considering sex differences, intervention programsshould consider alternative behaviors through which adolescents can reach theirevolutionary goals, and handle the risks related to those behaviors that cannot bereplaced but have potential benefits for adolescents.
PB Frontiers
YR 2022
FD 2022
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/37628
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/37628
LA eng
NO Salas-Rodríguez, J., Gómez-Jacinto, L., Hombrados-Mendieta, I., & Del Pino-Brunet, N. (2022). Applying an Evolutionary Approach of Risk-Taking Behaviors in Adolescents. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 694134. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.694134
NO This research was supported by the Andalucía ERDF 2014-2020OP (UMA18-FEDERJA-071), the Research Grants of the ReinaSofia Centre on Adolescence and Youth, and the Universityof Málaga.
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 20 ene 2026