A Life History Approach on Risk-taking Behaviors Moderated by Gender in Young Adult Spaniards

Traditionally, risk-taking behaviors in young adulthood have been analyzed from a psychopathological approach, thus only assessing their negative consequences. Nevertheless, it is key to study the potential benefits that risk-taking provides to young adults. The present study follows the evolutionar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Deviant behavior 2022-06, Vol.43 (6), p.666-676
Main Authors: Salas-Rodríguez, Javier, Gómez-Jacinto, L., Hombrados-Mendieta, I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Gender
Life history
Males
Participation
Psychopathology
Risk
Strategies
Young adults
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Summary:Traditionally, risk-taking behaviors in young adulthood have been analyzed from a psychopathological approach, thus only assessing their negative consequences. Nevertheless, it is key to study the potential benefits that risk-taking provides to young adults. The present study follows the evolutionary approach of life history theory, which suggests that risk-taking is part of an adaptive fast-life history strategy. The main objective was to analyze the moderation role of gender between life history strategy and risk-taking behaviors. Based on a sample of young adult Spaniards, Mini-K was applied to measure K-factor as an index for life history strategy, and the Risky Behavior Questionnaire to measure the participation in a series of risk-taking behaviors. Results show that gender moderated the effect of life history strategy on risk-taking behaviors. Specifically, males with a fast-life history strategy showed higher participation in risk-taking behaviors compared to males with slow-life history strategy. In females, there was no difference in risk-taking behaviors based on life history strategy. Results support the life history approach of risk-taking behaviors as a pattern of integrated behavior in a fast-life strategy in young adult males. These findings can be applied to improve intervention programs aimed at reducing risk-taking behaviors in young adult males.
ISSN:0163-9625
1521-0456
DOI:10.1080/01639625.2021.1902757