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ADHD-associated risk taking is linked to exaggerated views of the benefits of positive outcomes

ADHD-associated risk taking is linked to exaggerated views of the benefits of positive outcomes
ADHD-associated risk taking is linked to exaggerated views of the benefits of positive outcomes
Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often assumed to be associated with increased engagement in risk-taking behaviors. The current study sought to understand the mental processes underlying this association using a theory-driven behavioral economics perspective. Psychological risk-return models suggest that risk and benefit are inherently subjective, and risk taking is best understood as the interplay between cognitions and motivations regarding the benefits and risks of alternatives. A sample of 244 adults was assessed for ADHD symptoms. The likelihood of engagement in a range of risky behaviors (e.g., driving without wearing a seat belt), the magnitude of perceived benefit and risk ascribed to these behaviors, and benefit and risk attitudes of each participant were extracted from the Domain Specific Risk Taking (DOSPERT) scales. ADHD symptoms were correlated with more risky behaviors and perception of greater benefits from engaging in these behaviors, but were not correlated with risk perception. Mediation analysis revealed that the association between ADHD symptoms and engagement in risk taking was mediated by perceived benefits. These findings highlight the idea that people with high level ADHD symptoms tend to engage in risky behaviors because they find such behavior particularly appealing, rather than because they seek risk per se.
1-8
Shoham, Rachel
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Sonuga-Barke, Edmund
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Aloni, Hamutal
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Yaniv, Ilan
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Pollak, Yehuda
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Shoham, Rachel
3e61d523-86a6-4653-ab1d-469572289c52
Sonuga-Barke, Edmund
bc80bf95-6cf9-4c76-a09d-eaaf0b717635
Aloni, Hamutal
2f78a8a8-4247-40ab-bbd7-5e4ffc50f247
Yaniv, Ilan
9c133860-8e43-496f-b567-b6c253ba92af
Pollak, Yehuda
48d2fe7f-0382-44ca-8bfb-507127d3ec59

Shoham, Rachel, Sonuga-Barke, Edmund, Aloni, Hamutal, Yaniv, Ilan and Pollak, Yehuda (2016) ADHD-associated risk taking is linked to exaggerated views of the benefits of positive outcomes. Scientific Reports, 6 (34833), 1-8. (doi:10.1038/srep34833).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often assumed to be associated with increased engagement in risk-taking behaviors. The current study sought to understand the mental processes underlying this association using a theory-driven behavioral economics perspective. Psychological risk-return models suggest that risk and benefit are inherently subjective, and risk taking is best understood as the interplay between cognitions and motivations regarding the benefits and risks of alternatives. A sample of 244 adults was assessed for ADHD symptoms. The likelihood of engagement in a range of risky behaviors (e.g., driving without wearing a seat belt), the magnitude of perceived benefit and risk ascribed to these behaviors, and benefit and risk attitudes of each participant were extracted from the Domain Specific Risk Taking (DOSPERT) scales. ADHD symptoms were correlated with more risky behaviors and perception of greater benefits from engaging in these behaviors, but were not correlated with risk perception. Mediation analysis revealed that the association between ADHD symptoms and engagement in risk taking was mediated by perceived benefits. These findings highlight the idea that people with high level ADHD symptoms tend to engage in risky behaviors because they find such behavior particularly appealing, rather than because they seek risk per se.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 15 September 2016
e-pub ahead of print date: 11 October 2016
Published date: 11 October 2016
Organisations: Clinical Neuroscience

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 401519
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/401519
PURE UUID: cea1bab0-5f21-433f-80fe-7631e4b66376

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 18 Oct 2016 10:25
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:48

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Contributors

Author: Rachel Shoham
Author: Edmund Sonuga-Barke
Author: Hamutal Aloni
Author: Ilan Yaniv
Author: Yehuda Pollak

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