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Behavioral Control and Reward Sensitivity in Adolescents' Risk Taking Behavior: A Longitudinal TRAILS Study
Margot Peeters1, Tineke Oldehinkel2, Wilma Vollebergh1
1Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Utrecht University Utrecht, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Psychology
|March 7, 2017
Summary
Adolescents with lower self-control and higher reward sensitivity show increased risk-taking behaviors. Weak behavioral control, especially in reward-sensitive teens, predicts adolescent alcohol and cannabis use.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Neurodevelopmental theories link low behavioral control and high reward sensitivity to adolescent risk-taking.
- Empirical evidence directly linking these factors to actual adolescent risk behaviors is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if an imbalance between behavioral control and reward sensitivity predicts adolescent risk-taking behavior.
- To examine the interplay of cognitive control and reward sensitivity in predicting substance use.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a nationally representative longitudinal sample of 715 adolescents.
- Assessed behavioral control at age 11 using self-report (effortful control) and cognitive measures (working memory, response inhibition).
- Measured reward sensitivity using the Bangor Gambling Task.
Main Results:
- Effortful control at age 11 was the strongest predictor of risk-taking behavior (alcohol and cannabis use) at age 16.
- This predictive relationship was more pronounced in adolescents with higher reward sensitivity.
- A significant portion of the sample (66%) exhibited increased risk for mental health problems.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent risk-taking behavior may stem from a combination of diminished behavioral control and heightened reward sensitivity.
- Effortful control appears crucial in mitigating risk behaviors, particularly in vulnerable, reward-sensitive adolescents.
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