Moll, Sarah (2023) Negative Affect and its Influence on Engaging in Risky Behaviors. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Individuals differ in their emotion dynamics; therefore, they respond to the experience of negative affect in many ways. For instance, some of them engage in risky behaviors to regulate their negative affect. Research has demonstrated that negative affect is associated with engaging in various risky behaviors, including risky driving behavior, aggressive behavior, substance use behavior, and risky sexual behavior. These behaviors seem to be related to the dysregulation of negative affect. In the present study, we investigate if the frequency of negative affect is related to more engaging in these four risky behaviors, including engaging in these behaviors as a maladaptive coping strategy to regulate negative affect. We hypothesized that more frequent negative affect is associated with more frequently engaging in the four risky behaviors and with engaging in these risky behaviors to reduce negative affect. Participants in our research (N=130), rated their frequency of negative affect and the frequency with which they engage in certain risky behaviors. Based on eight simple regression analyses, results showed that more frequent negative affect not only had a significant effect on more frequently engaging in aggressive- and substance-use behavior but also was a significant predictor of engaging in aggressive behavior to reduce negative affect. In conclusion, this study partly supports the relationship between the frequency of negative affect and the frequency of engaging in risky behaviors. Further research is necessary to incorporate more dynamic features of negative affect to strengthen its relationship with engaging in risky behaviors.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Ernst, A.F. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Feb 2023 16:26 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Feb 2023 16:26 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1642 |
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