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Personality Traits and Risk-taking Behavior in Emerging Adulthood: A Correlational Study
Zonaira Aftab, Dr. Zehra Mohsin
Abstract:
This paper has discussed the relationship between the personality traits and risk-taking behavior and gender differences in terms of these two variables among college students. A cross-sectional study design was adopted in this study, and 200 students (18-25 years old) referred to as a sample were selected using a purposive sampling method. Personality and risk-taking were measured with the use of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) and Risk-Taking Behavior Scale (RT-18), respectively. Findings indicated that there was high reliability of RT-18 and moderate to low reliability of TIPI subscales. Correlation analysis was used to show that Conscientiousness was significantly negatively correlated with risk-taking, while with Extraversion and Openness to experience having positive correlations. This implies that disorganized and more outgoing or curious students have more risk behavior. Independent samples t-tests showed phenomena of significant differences of gender, as males reported to have a higher risk-taking possibility, and females scored high in Agreeableness and Neuroticism capabilities. The results partially proved the main hypothesis, as they have shown that personality traits, particularly Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and Openness, are useful predictors of risk-taking behavior. The paper suggests that university-based interventions should be used to improve self-regulation and direct sensation-seeking tendencies towards positive behaviours in order to minimize dangerous risk behaviours among young adults.
Keywords:
Risk-Taking Behavior, Personality traits, Big Five, College Students, Gender Differences
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