Predicting the Tendency Toward High-Risk Behaviors in Adolescents Based on Impulsivity and Self‑Control
Subject Areas : Psychology
Farshad Ebrahimi
1
,
Mahboobe Taher
2
1 - Department of Psychology, Sha.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran.
2 - Department of Psychology, Sha.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran.
Keywords: High-Risk Behaviors, Impulsivity, Self-Control, Adolescents,
Abstract :
High-risk behaviors during adolescence represent one of the fundamental challenges to the mental health and educational systems, and identifying the factors influencing the tendency toward these behaviors is of great importance. The present study aimed to predict the tendency toward high-risk behaviors in adolescents based on two variables: impulsivity and self-control. This research employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population included all male senior high school students in Shahroud during the 2025–2026 academic year, from which 300 participants were selected via multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected using the Iranian Adolescent Risk-Taking Scale (Zadeh-Mohammadi et al., 2011), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11; Patton et al., 1995), and the Self-Control Questionnaire (Tangney et al., 2004). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between impulsivity and the tendency toward high-risk behaviors (P<0.01), and a significant negative relationship between self-control and the tendency toward high-risk behaviors (P<0.01). Furthermore, the results of regression analysis revealed that impulsivity and self-control significantly predicted the tendency toward high-risk behaviors, together accounting for 57% of the variance in the criterion variable. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that higher levels of impulsivity and lower levels of self-control place adolescents at greater risk for engaging in high-risk behaviors. Therefore, designing educational programs and psychological interventions aimed at reducing impulsivity and enhancing self-control can play an effective role in preventing such behaviors among adolescents.
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