Psychological profiles associated with positive and negative risk-taking in adults

Abstract

Although risk is often considered in the context of maladaptive behaviors, risks can also be positive, allowing individuals to pursue meaningful goals in a socially accepted way. In this study, we were interested in examining psychological profiles associated with positive and negative risk-taking in adults (N = 275, ages 19–71 years, M = 39.25; SD = 13.73) using latent profile analysis. Specifically, we examined whether distinct profiles of psychological characteristics such as future time perspective, tolerance to ambiguity, and sensitivity to reward and punishment are differentially associated with positive and negative risk-taking. We used the Future Time Perspective Scale (FTPS), the Multiple Stimulus Types Ambiguity Tolerance Scale (MSTAT-II), the Short Version of the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Scale (SPSRQ-SF), the Positive Risk-Taking Scale (PRTS), and the Negative Risk-Taking Scale (NRTS). Findings yielded two profiles: individuals in the first profile, characterized by lower sensitivity to punishment and higher tolerance to ambiguity, future time perspective, and sensitivity to reward, endorsed greater positive and negative risk-taking. Conversely, individuals in the second profile, characterized by heightened sensitivity to punishment and lower tolerance to ambiguity, future time perspective, and sensitivity to reward, endorsed lower positive and negative risk-taking. The study contributes to previous findings by identifying additional psychological characteristics that may be associated with both positive and negative risk-taking in adults.