The utility of personality variables and behaviorally-based measures in the prediction of risk-taking behavior

The five-factor personality model has demonstrated effectiveness in the prediction of adolescent risk-taking behavior (Gullone, & Moore, 2000). The Bechara Gambling Task (BGT; Bechara, Damasio, Damasio, & Anderson, 1994) and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART; Lejuez et al., 2002) are two behaviorally-based measures that have also demonstrated some effectiveness in the prediction of risk-taking (Bechara, 2003; Lejuez, Aklin, Zvolensky, & Pedulla, 2003). The current study compares self-report and behaviorally-based measures in the prediction of risk-taking behavior in a college based sample. Zero-order correlations revealed several relationships among measures, and regression models indicated behaviorally-based measures explained significant variance beyond personality measures for subsets of risky behaviors. The utility of the BART and the BGT in the prediction of risk-taking is explored.