Abstract
This research was conducted to explore the relationship between sensation seeking, peer influence, and risk-taking behavior in adolescents and moderating role of peer influence for sensation seeking and risk-taking behavior. A sample comprised 200 adolescents with age range 10–18 years (M = 17.57, SD = 0.98). Assessment measures included Resistance to Peer Influence Scale (Steinberg and Silverberg (1986)), Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (Prinstein et al. (2003)), and Stimulating and Instrumental Risk questionnaire (Ravert et al. (2009)) and a demographic information sheet. Findings of Pearson product moment analysis revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between sensation seeking and risk-taking behavior in adolescents and there was a significant positive relationship between peer influences and risk-taking behavior in adolescents. Gender differences were observed; male participants scored higher on sensation seeking and risk-taking behavior than female participants, but on peer influence, females scored higher than males. Moderation analysis through hierarchical regression was conducted and findings of this analysis revealed that sensation seeking positively predicted risk-taking behavior and peer influences also positively predicted risk-taking behavior in adolescents but no interaction effect was observed between sensation seeking and peer influence in predicting risk-taking behavior. Moreover, subscales of sensation seeking, i.e., adventure seeking and disinhibition, predicted risk-taking behavior. Results are discussed in terms of their implications.
Highlights
Puberty is a period of main alteration in developing attitude towards life
Adolescents have a great likelihood to be influenced and involved in different types of socially proscribed activities such as tobacco use, alcohol use, and engagement in risky sexual behaviors for the sake of peer conformity [27], deviant behavior in adolescents, and this relationship is associated with adolescent substance use, abuse [28, 29, 2] vandalism, and substance use to homicide with their peer groups [30]
Sensation Seeking Scale. e Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS) was used to assess the level of sensation seeking in adolescents and young adults which was developed by Stephenson [32]. is measure was used because it appropriately measures the construct under study. e questionnaire included eight items under four subscales: Experience Seeking, Boredom Susceptibility, rill and Adventure Seeking, and Disinhibition
Summary
Puberty is a period of main alteration in developing attitude towards life. During adolescence, there are many factors, including bodily, mental, emotional, and social alterations, taking place among adolescents and these factors may increase inclination in adolescents to take risks. ese factors are fundamental or influential in nature at social and interpersonal level [1]. Adolescents have a greater likelihood to be influenced and involved in risk-taking behavior due to their socialization and for the sake of peer conformity. Adolescents have a great likelihood to be influenced and involved in different types of socially proscribed activities such as tobacco use, alcohol use, and engagement in risky sexual behaviors for the sake of peer conformity [27], deviant behavior in adolescents, and this relationship is associated with adolescent substance use, abuse [28, 29, 2] vandalism, and substance use to homicide with their peer groups [30]. It was hypothesized that sensation seeking was likely to have a positive relationship with risk-taking behavior in adolescents. It was hypothesized that peer influences would moderate the relationship between sensation seeking and risk-taking behavior in adolescents.
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