Engagement In Risky Activities Research Articles

Rank, stress, and risk: A conjecture

A perception at the core of studies that consider the link between social rank and stress (typically measured by the so-called stress hormone cortisol) is that the link is direct. Examples of such studies are Bartolomucci (2007), Beery and Kaufer (2015), and Koolhaas et al. (2017). A recent and stark representation of this body of work is a study by Smith-Osborne et al. (2023), who state that “social hierarchies directly influence stress status” (Smith-Osborne et al. p. 1537, italics added). In the present paper, we reflect on this “direct” perspective. We conjecture that the link between social rank and stress involves an intervening variable: an indirect relationship arises when the loss of rank triggers a behavioral response in the form of risk taking aimed at regaining rank, and it is the engagement in risk-taking behavior that is the cause of an elevated level of cortisol. Smith-Osborne et al., as well as others whose papers are cited by Smith-Osborne et al. and who, like Creel (2001) and Avitsur et al. (2006), conducted comprehensive research on the association between rank (social standing) and stress, do not refer to risk taking at all. We present four strands of research that lend support to our conjecture: evidence that in response to losing rank, individuals are stressed; evidence that in response to losing rank, individuals resort to risk-taking behavior aimed at regaining their lost rank; evidence that there exists a link between engagement in risky activities or exposure to risk and elevated levels of cortisol; and an analytical perspective on incidence and intensity, namely a perspective that shows how the willingness to take risks responds to a change in rank, specifically, how a loss of rank triggers a greater willingness to take risks and how this trigger is stronger for individuals whose rank is higher.

The impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdowns on traumatic spinal cord injury incidence: a population based study

Study designNatural experimentObjectivesTo determine whether COVID-19 restrictions were associated with changes in the incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in Scotland.SettingThe Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit (QENSIU), the sole provider of treatment for TSCI in Scotland.MethodsTime series analysis of all admissions for TSCI between 1st January 2015 and 31st August 2022.ResultsOver the 8-year study period, 745 patients were admitted to the QENSIU with a TSCI. Interrupted time series analysis showed that level 3 and 4 COVID-19 lockdown restrictions (the most severe levels) were associated with lower incidence of TSCI (RR 0.63, CI% CI 0.47, 0.82, p < 0.001). The associations were stronger in people aged over 45 (additive interaction p = 0.001), males (additive interaction p = 0.01) and non-tetraplegia (additive interaction p = 0.002). The incidence of TSCI due to deliberate self-harm was higher (0.41 versus 0.23 per month) during restrictions.ConclusionsOverall, TSCI incidence reduced in Scotland when lockdowns were implemented, presumably due to lower engagement in risky activities. The increase in TSCI due to deliberate self-harm may reflect increased mental health problems and social isolation and should be anticipated and targeted in future pandemics. The change in incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic may have an economic impact and see a temporary reduction in the burden on health and social care. The results of this study will be useful for resource planning in future pandemics.

Transformations of Health Factors in Students Aged 18-24 Engaging in Unprotected Sexual Activity

The aim of the research was to identify the determinants of students' engagement in risky sexual activity. The analyses took into account the health locus of control, health activities and attitude to God. The research allowed to select three types of approaches to sexual activity: people engaging in risky sexual activity, people engaging in safe sexual activity, and people not undertaking sexual activity. The article will present the results of analyses conducted among 32 respondents aged 18 to 23 undertaking risky sexual activity, who account for 11% of total research respondents. Young adults falling into this category are characterised by a tendency to over-idealise themselves and their actions. They tend to engage in risky activities and avoid health-promoting activities.

The socio-environmental context of simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use among young adults: Examining day-level associations.

Simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use is reported by roughly 30% of young adult drinkers. Among SAM users, SAM use days have more negative substance-related consequences than single-substance days. Little information is available about contextual factors contributing to the likelihood of SAM use on a particular day. This study compared days on which individuals reported SAM use relative to days on which they reported alcohol but not marijuana use in terms of physical location, engagement in risky activities and social context of use. Participants were 148 young adults (57% female) reporting past-month SAM use and past two-week binge drinking. Participants completed up to 14 daily surveys assessing substance use behaviour and socio-environmental characteristics of use. For those <21 years, only using at home was associated with greater odds of SAM use. For those 21+, using at a friend's house and outdoors were associated with increased odds of use; using at a bar/club was associated with lower odds. Using alone was associated with lower odds of use for those 21+. Engagement in risky activities (pre-gaming and drinking games) was not associated with SAM use. SAM days are linked with use in private settings and social situations. Despite experiencing more harms on SAM days, SAM use is not more likely than alcohol use alone to occur in certain environments and situations traditionally found to be linked with increased risk. Findings may provide key insight for developing context-informed interventions focused on SAM use.

Cross-Country Differences in Entrepreneurial Internationalization Tendencies: Evidence from Germany and Pakistan

Previous research has emphasized the importance of entrepreneurial characteristics for international entrepreneurship, hence the application of concepts such as entrepreneurial orientation and global mindset to the study of entrepreneurial internationalization tendencies (EIT). However, literature does not adequately address how EIT differ between countries or manifest in fragile country settings. We address this gap through a quantitative study to investigate EIT in two national settings that largely differ in terms of development, institutional stability, and culture. Through the lens of the institutional theory and the mindset theory, we therefore piloted the study on 112 high-growth startups in Germany and Pakistan. Our findings show, that while entrepreneurs in Germany and Pakistan show comparable levels of innovativeness and proactiveness, they significantly differ in other EIT measures. German entrepreneurs appear to have higher levels of risk-taking, which when explained through the institutional theory lens can be attributed to the higher institutional stability and support as well as social security in Germany. This potentially makes engagement in risky activities, such as business internationalization, more appealing than in Pakistan. However, despite having lower international cognition and international knowledge compared to Germany, Pakistani entrepreneurs appear to exhibit higher degrees of international behavior.

Progress and setbacks in socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent health-related behaviours in Brazil: results from three cross-sectional surveys 2009–2015

ObjectivesDespite some progress, Brazil is still one of the most unequal countries, and the extent of socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent health is unclear. We assessed trends in socioeconomic inequalities in...

Determinants of Tunisian Bank Efficiency: A DEA Analysis

The objective of this research is to study the x-efficiency of Tunisian commercial banks for the period 1996-2010 using a DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) method. Our results suggest that the cost efficiency of the sector is estimated at a score of 41.0%. Market share in terms of deposit banks and their engagement in risky activities especially in the field of credit negatively affecting their efficiency. A high bank capitalization positively influences the latter. In addition, state-owned banks are more efficient than their private counterparts.

Self-regulation and risk-taking

The link between individual personality traits and risk-taking propensity is well documented. Recent theories suggest that one particular trait, individual differences in self-regulatory control, might also explain engagement in risky activities, with poor self-regulatory competence increasing the likelihood of risk participation ( Byrnes, 1998, 2005; Steinberg, 2004, 2005). In the current study, 134 undergraduate students (45 males, 89 females; mean age 20.87 years) completed self-report measures of emotion regulation (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire), cognitive regulation (Dysexecutive Questionnaire), and risk-taking (Smoking & Drinking Survey, Youth Decision-Making Questionnaire, Benthin Risk Perception Measure). Poor cognitive self-regulation, or executive function, was linked to greater endorsement of risky activities portrayed in hypothetical vignettes (e.g. joy riding, shoplifting), an over-emphasis of the benefits associated with risky activities, and a higher incidence of problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption. In contrast, poor styles of emotion regulation predicted greater participation in risky behaviours such as cigarette smoking, as well as alcohol induced problem behaviours such as fighting and arguing. Assessment of cognitive and emotional regulation may improve understanding of the causes of risky behaviours.

Moral reasoning, perceived competence, and adolescent engagement in risky activity

Relations among moral reasoning, domain specific perceived competencies, and self-reported engagement in risky activity (substance use and antisocial behavior) were examined with 110 10th–12th grade students. An exploratory model demonstrated that perceived behavioral competence mediated the relation of moral reasoning and engagement in risky behavior such that preconventional moral reasoning predicted perceptions of low behavioral competence, which was associated with engagement in risky activity. The results support contentions of moral theorists that a comprehensive theory of moral development must include self-regulatory mechanisms such as perceptions of competence in order to predict moral conduct.