The relation between risk-taking behavior and alcohol use in young adults is different for men and women

Abstract

Objective: The present study examined the relationship of risk-taking behavior and alcohol use and the role of sex herein, while adjusting for age, depression, anxiety, stress and lifestyle. Methods: Participants were 6002 university students. They were classified as either abstinent, drinker but non-binge drinker, or binge drinker based on self-reported alcohol consumption. Risk-taking and risk assessment were evaluated with the RT-18 and depression, anxiety and stress with the DASS-21. Results: The odds of being a binge versus non-binge drinker increased with risk-taking as well as risk assessment for both men and women. The odds being a non-binge drinker versus abstinent were increased by risk-taking for women only. For binge drinking versus abstinence, risk-taking had a significant increasing effect for both sexes, but risk assessment was only significant in women. Conclusion: These results may assist with alcohol use prevention techniques because risk-taking behavior exerts, even when corrected for age, lifestyle, depression, anxiety, and stress levels, a solid, sex-specific independent effect on alcohol use.