Evaluating the role of personality traits (consciousness, agreeableness and sensation seeking) in risky behaviors

Despite the fact that risky behaviors lead to undesirable outcomes، the recognition of related correlate factors has received less attention. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of consciousness، agreeableness، and sensation-seeking personality traits in risky behaviors. The NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI)، Zuckerman’s Sensation-Seeking Scale-V (SSS-V) and High-Risk Behaviors Measure were administrated to 120 (70 males) volunteer participants from Elm-o-Sanat and Art universities. Sensation-seeking was positively correlated with high-risk behaviors، whereas agreeableness and conscientiousness were negatively correlated with the same. The step-wise regression analysis revealed that the personality dimensions of compatibility and dutifulness were significant predicators of high-risk behaviors. On the other hand، from the dimensions of sensation-seeking، components such as disinhibition and experience-seeking predicted the high-risk behaviors. Furthermore، the mean of boys'' scores in risk taking، experience seeking، border seeking and sensitivity to high-risk behaviors was higher than that of girls. Given the role which personality factors play in the tendency towards high risk behaviors، our results may be appropriately applied in prediction and prevention of the behaviors and to decide upon required interventions.