Chronic Stress and Risky Decision Making in Emerging Adults: University Students Versus Non-Student Peers

Abstract

Chronic stress may lead to risky decision making, especially in university students and other emerging adults–those between the ages of 18-25. Research suggests that university students report higher chronic stress than their non-student peers, yet we do not know if this leads to increased risky behaviors. In a pre-registered study, we assessed chronic stress, risky cognitions, and behavior in emerging adult university students (n = 141) and non-student peers (n = 137; age range: 18-25 years). We collected self-reports of chronic stress and administered the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking Scale to assess risk cognitions, and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task to assess risk-taking behavior. In both groups, chronic stress was related to greater risk perception and risk aversion, but not greater risk-taking behavior. Non-students reported greater stress but lower risk-taking behavior than students. Results represent an important step in understanding how stress impacts decision making among emerging adults.