Sensation seeking as a risk factor for problem behaviors among adolescents in Puerto Rico

Adolescence is a period of heightened vulnerability to risk taking because of a disjunction between novelty and sensation seeking, and the development of self-regulatory competence. Problem behaviors include violence, delinquency acts, sexual activity, and alcohol and drug use. The aim of this study is to assess the relationships between sensation seeking and problem behaviors among Puerto Rican adolescents residing in poor neighborhoods. This cross-sectional study is based on a secondary analysis of the study “Risky Families Embedded in Risky Environment” data. A total of 693 adolescents aged 12-15 years completed a self-administered and a face-to-face interview. Sensation seeking was measured by an adapted Zuckerman Personality Questionnaire. Higher sensation seeking scores were more prevalent among male (48.7%), in contrast to females that tend to report average scores (69.2%). Among problem behaviors: 11.8% were sexually active, 17.9% used alcohol, 12.8% engaged in delinquent acts and 10.5% displayed violent behavior. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that those who had a very high sensation seeking level were significantly associated with violent behavior (POR=7.8, 95% CI=3.7-16.4), delinquent acts (POR=3.6, 95% CI=1.8-6.9), sexual activity (POR=4.9, 95% CI=2.3-10.2), and alcohol use (POR=5.0, 95% CI=2.7-9.4). Adolescents are incurring in problem behaviors, hence intervention programs should be developed along with preventive programs to address this public health issue. Longitudinal studies could be pursued to clarify these associations.