Personality traits and gender as predictors of risk-taking behaviour among first-year students at the North-West University

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine personality traits and gender as predictors of risk-taking behaviour among university students. A sample of 312 first-year students studying at the North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, were selected to participate in the study. The sample comprised 126 (40.4%) males and 186 (59.6%) females with a mean age of 18.5; SD = .62. A well-designed and structured self-report paper and pencil questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire was divided into three sections in order to measure variables examined in the study. Section A solicited information about the demographic characteristics of respondents such as age and sex; Section B focused on the big five personality factors (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism); while Section C focused on risk-taking and self-harm inventory for adolescents (RTSHIA). Two hypotheses were tested in the study. Standard multiple regression analysis and independent samples t-test were performed in order to test the hypotheses. The results showed significant combined influence of personality traits and age on risk-taking behaviour [R2 = .12, F (6,302) = 6.953; p < .001]. Independently, agreeableness [β = -.148, t = -2.402, p<.05], conscientiousness [β = -.279, t = -4.405, p<.001] and neuroticism [β = .251, t = 4.172, p<.001] significantly predicted risk-taking behaviour. There was no significant influence of sex on risk-taking behaviour (p >.05). It is, therefore, concluded that personality traits contribute to risk-taking behaviour among first year students. There is need for training to increase the level of conscientiousness since the results revealed it is the most protective personality factor against participation in risky behaviour among first year students.