Risk‐taking Behaviour among German Adolescents

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Abstract
The main aim of the present study was to examine the frequency of risk‐taking behaviour among German adolescents, aged 12–17 years. Another aim was to examine the relationship between risk‐taking behaviour, personality factors, and risk perception. Adolescents' judgement and engagement in risk‐taking behaviour was assessed using the Adolescent Risk Questionnaire and personality factors were assessed using the NEO Five Factor Inventory. Our result showed risk‐taking behaviour to be relatively common. Positive and significant correlations were found among the different types of risk‐taking behaviours, suggesting that adolescents who engaged in one type of risk‐taking behaviour also engaged in other behaviours. An inverse relationship was found between risk behaviour and risk perception, indicating that risk‐taking behaviour was most likely to occur when the risks were not perceived as being too great. Risk judgements, personality factors, age, and gender were significant predictors of risk behaviours; however, these factors differed in importance depending upon the type of risk behaviour. The implication of these findings for future studies is discussed.
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