Abstract
Is identifying as an adult associated with lower rates of participation in risky behaviors? This study focuses on how identity affects health behaviors for young adults. We use an original sample of over 500 18- to 29-year-olds in the United States to explore how self-identification as an adult is associated with three clusters of health risk behaviors: substance use, risky sexual behavior, and risky driving behavior. Consistent with our predictions, we find that viewing oneself as an adult is associated with lower levels of participation in each of the health risk behavior outcomes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3164-3176 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Journal of Health Psychology |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 14 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2022 |
Keywords
- health risk behaviors
- identity
- risky driving behaviors
- risky sexual behavior
- substance use
- transition to adulthood
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Applied Psychology