Sensation Seeking and Self-efficacy Effect on Adolescents Risky Driving and Substance Abuse

Purpose of the article: to investigate the matching effect of self-efficacy and sensation seeking on three health risk behaviors in adolescents: risky driving, alcohol use, and marijuana use. Methods 330 Italian adolescents completed the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking, Perceived Self-Regulatory Efficacy Scale, and Health Behavior Questionnaire (for risky driving, alcohol and marijuana use). Results Engagement in all health risk behaviors was statistically higher in adolescents with high level of Sensation Seeking and low level of Self-efficacy and was lowest in the group with low Sensation seeking and high Self-efficacy. Conclusions In adolescents it is likely that combination of high Sensation seeking and low Self-efficacy is a health risk factor, whereas low Sensation Seeking and high Self-efficacy is a health protective factor.