EXPLORING THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED STRESS BETWEEN NEUROTICISM AND RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOR AMONG ADULTS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the role neuroticism and perceived stress in predicting risk taking behaviors. The research was designed to get an understanding that how neurotic personality trait effect the decision making or risk-taking behaviors of individual and how perceived stress plays a role in taking decisions of neurotic personality. Neurotic people have more frequent and severe negative feelings, such as worry and mood swings. Low neuroticism suggests emotional stability and a relaxed disposition. These constructs' interactions can be bidirectional. Individuals with high neuroticism, for example, may engage in risk-taking behaviors as a maladaptive strategy to cope with perceived stress. Risky actions, on the other hand, may intensify perceived stress in these persons due to potential negative repercussions. The data were collected from a sample of N=250 both males and females from the adults. The scale used to measure the variables are, the perceives stress scale (PSS) was used for the purpose of measuring the stress, Big five inventory (BFI) was used to measure the neuroticism and the adolescent risk-taking questionnaire (ARTQ) was used for the purpose of measuring risk taking behaviors. Results of the analysis indicated that study variables are significantly related with each other. Neuroticism has significantly positive related with perceived stress and risk-taking behaviors, and risk-taking behaviors significantly positively related to perceived stress. Also, there are significant gender difference in neuroticism as female scores high in neuroticism than males. Mediation analysis revealed that there is no mediation effect of perceived stress over neuroticism and risk-taking behavior.