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Positive and Negative Reinforcement Underlying Risk Behavior in Early Adolescents

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Abstract

The goal of the current study was to examine the combined influence of positive reinforcement processes using a behavioral task measuring risk taking propensity (RTP) and negative reinforcement processes using a behavioral task measuring deficits in distress tolerance (DT) on a range of risk taking behaviors among early adolescents. Participants included a community sample of 230 early adolescents (aged 9–13) who completed two behavioral tasks assessing reinforcement processes as well as reported on past year risk behavior involvement as assessed by items from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System at a baseline and a 1-year follow-up assessment. Data indicated that at the Wave 2 assessment, RTP was positively related to number of risk-taking behaviors in the past year but only for those with low DT, with this finding persisting after controlling for the significant influence of male gender and higher sensation seeking. Results of the present study highlight the importance of considering both positive and negative reinforcement processes in combination when investigating vulnerability factors for early risk behavior engagement in youth.

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Notes

  1. Given the difference in the number of behaviors included in the risk behavior composite across Waves 1 and 2, all Wave 1 analyses were also conducted using the same nine risk behaviors (assessed at Wave 1) as those used in Wave 2. Results of these analyses were equivalent to those conducted with the seven risk behavior composite. Thus, in line with our prior published work using these methods of developing risk behavior composites in youth (cf., Lejuez et al. 2007), all Wave 1 results presented herein were conducted with the seven-risk behavior composite.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Center for Addictions, Personality, and Emotion Research, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Laura MacPherson, Elizabeth K. Reynolds, Jude Cassidy & C. W. Lejuez

  2. Center for Addictions, Personality, and Emotion Research, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Laura MacPherson, Elizabeth K. Reynolds, Frances Wang & C. W. Lejuez

  3. School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Stacey B. Daughters

  4. Yale Child Study Center and Yale Medical School, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA

    Linda C. Mayes

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  1. Laura MacPherson
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  2. Elizabeth K. Reynolds
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  3. Stacey B. Daughters
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Correspondence to Laura MacPherson.

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MacPherson, L., Reynolds, E.K., Daughters, S.B. et al. Positive and Negative Reinforcement Underlying Risk Behavior in Early Adolescents. Prev Sci 11, 331–342 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-010-0172-7

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