Assessment of risky decision making and associated socio-demographic and psychological factors in a group of young people

Abstract

Background: Risky behaviors often place young people young people in problematic situations. The aim of this study is to examine the factors that influence risky decision making in a group of young people studied.
Methods: Between 1 April and 30 July 2022 and through a remote questionnaire, the cross-sectional study included 204 young people, 26.47% of whom were likely to make high-risk decisions. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistics for Windows, version 16.0. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: Increased risk decisions in young adults were significantly associated with age (92.6%), violent environment (83.3%), education (53.7%), bulimia (48.1%), anorexia (11.1%), insomnia (72.2%), irritability (53.7%), depression (24.1%), suicidal thoughts (40.7%), fear of abandonment (48.1%), and trauma (63.3%) as well as toxic habits such as tobacco (55.6%), alcohol (64.8%), and drugs (50.0%).
Conclusions: Risky decision-making behaviors involve areas of the brain that undergo changes in early adulthood. Socio-economic, nutritional, and psychosocial factors are involved. It is therefore necessary to understand the associated psychological and biological reasons in order to adjust prevention.