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

Abstract

ABSTRACT 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.