Predictors of risk-taking behaviors among Turkish adolescents

This study aims to investigate the role of age, gender, sensation-seeking, self-esteem, and locus of control in predicting low and high-risk-taking behaviors of Turkish adolescents. Participants (n = 867) were from three state high schools in Ankara. The Risk Involvement Questionnaire (RIQ), Arnett Inventory of Sensation-Seeking (AISS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Rotter Internal–External Locus of Control Scale (IELOC) were used to collect data. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that except self-esteem, all other variables were significantly related to adolescent low-risk behaviors. Results also revealed that sensation-seeking, age, and locus of control explained only 5% of the variance of high-risk behaviors of Turkish adolescents.