Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesExamplesWho’s at Risk?Getting Help

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Causes

Examples

Who’s at Risk?

Getting Help

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Risk-taking behavior refers to engaging in actions or activities that have the potential to be harmful or dangerous, increasing the risk of unintentional injuries and violence.This can includemisusing alcohol,binge drinking, taking illicit substances,driving under the influence, or engaging in unprotected sex.

Here we discuss the potential causes of risk-taking behaviors. We also explore several risk-taking examples that can harm a person’s health and well-being, along with providing a few tips for getting help.

Causes of Risk-Taking Behaviors

There are a number of reasons why people might engage in risky behaviors. Understanding these reasons can be helpful when it comes to addressing them.

Thrill-Seeking

In some cases, people engage in risk-taking behaviors simply because theyenjoy the adrenaline rushthat comes with it. These people are often referred to as “thrill seekers” and might take risks even when there is no real benefit in doing so.

Social Influences

This is particularly true during late adolescencewhen teens typically feel that conforming to their social group is important. With their friends' influences, teens often engage in some amount of testing their abilities and exploring limits as they forge their own identities. This becomes problematic when it puts their health and well-being at risk.

Why Identity Matters and How It Shapes Us

Mental Health

Certain mental health conditions can contribute to risk-taking behaviors. For example, individuals withattention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) are more likely to engage in risky behaviors because they tend to be more impulsive.People withbipolar disorderare also more likely to take risks during manic and hypomanic episodes.

Substance Abuse

Substance abuseis in and of itself a risky behavior, but using alcohol and other substances can also contribute to additional risk-taking. For example, research indicates that people with alcohol dependence engage in more high-risk behaviors, especially after bouts of heavy drinking, due to both impulsivity and sensation seeking.

RecapThere are many different reasons why people engage in high-risk actions. As with other types of behaviors, genetic and environmental factors often influence how likely people are to participate in these types of behaviors.

Recap

There are many different reasons why people engage in high-risk actions. As with other types of behaviors, genetic and environmental factors often influence how likely people are to participate in these types of behaviors.

Risk-Taking Examples

Risk-taking behavior can include a range of actions. Some carry more serious consequences than others and, in some cases, may involve the occurrence of more than one high-risk behavior at a time.

Examples of risk-taking behaviors that people may engage in include:

Even when risk-takers engage in widely practiced behaviors, such as drinking or smoking cigarettes, they put their lives at risk as deaths associated with these behaviors are higher than deaths associated with illicit drug use.Still, risk-takers tend to ignore the consequences of their behaviors.

Self-Sabotaging: Why Does It Happen

Who Engages in Risk-Taking Behaviors?

There are a number of factors that can make it more likely that people will engage in risky behavior. Here are some of the demographics with higher rates, according to research.

Young Adults

Age can play a role in how likely a person is to engage in risky behaviors. While these behaviors are present throughout the lifespan, young adults are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors than older adults.

Some studies have found that these behaviors are the most prevalent in 19 to 29-year-olds.Others suggest that risk-taking behaviors peakin the teen yearsand decline with age, as people become more risk-averse.

The brain is still developing and maturing in the early years of life. As a result, teens and young adults are often more impulsive, more likely to take risks, and less likely to consider the consequences.

Males

A person’s biological sex may also have an impact on whether they engage in risk-taking behavior. Some research indicates that males are more likely to be risk-takers than females.This difference may be due to having higher levels of testosterone.

Although the hormone estradiol—which is higher in females—has also been associated with taking greater risks, as has highercortisol levels, which is often referred to as the “stress hormone.”

Social factors, like the pressure to conform togender norms, can also play a role. For example, males might feel pressure to take risks to appear “masculine” while females might feel pressure to avoid risk-taking to appear “feminine.”

People With Certain Genes

Genetics appear to play a role in risk-taking behaviors as well. Some researchers have identified certain genes that tend to be more present in individuals who engage in risky behaviors.

Impulsive and Adventurous Personalities

Certain personality traits may also influence risk-taking behaviors. For example, people who are more impulsive, sensation-seeking, or adventurous are more likely to take risks. Additionally, if a person’sBig 5 personality traitschange, their level of engagement in risky behaviors tends to change as well.

Individuals With Mental Health Conditions

Certain mental health conditions may also contribute to an increased risk for risk-taking. One ispost-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). A study of 234 military veterans with PTSD and mild traumatic brain injury found that these individuals were more likely to engage in risk-taking behavior, especially when in a negative state.

According to the study, this is due in part toveterans with PTSDoften being more impulsive. They also tend to be more sensation-seeking, feel a sense of invincibility, and are prone to a higher level of boredom.

Getting Help for Risky Behaviors

Working with a psychotherapistcan help address the underlying causes that might be contributing to risk-taking behaviors.Support groupscan provide access to others who are going through similar experiences.

Social support is also important. Consider confiding in a close friend or family member who can reinforce accountability when the urge to engage in risky behaviors strikes.

How Social Support Contributes to Psychological Health

15 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview: What is the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System?

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