While teenagers, unlike children, are good at weighing up the pros and cons of a risky decision, they were found to enjoy the thrill of a risky situation, especially when they had a lucky escape.

The study of 86 boys and men between the ages of 9 and 35 involved a computer gambling game. Co-author of the research, Dr Sarah-Jayne Blakemore explained the value of the findings in understanding the ‘health paradox’ – the peak in physical health at the same time as high levels of death and injury.

This report provides child safety practitioners with valuable insight into teenagers’ behaviour, and their predilection for taking risks such as dangerous driving, unsafe climbing, swimming and diving.

Past research has suggested that teenagers associate risk-taking behaviour with misbehaviour, which is linked to a need to create a new identity, distinct from that of their parents and in tune with the priorities of their peer group. It has also suggested that teenagers are unsure about the extent to which risks can be controlled, and struggle to understand probability and the likelihood of an accident happening.

This new lab-based research suggests that teenage boys can foresee consequences and actively choose to take risks, as they enjoy winning in a lucky escape situation.

“Understanding why adolescents take such risks is important for public health interventions and for families,” said Dr Blakemore.

For further information: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/1003/10032503