Chronic Self-Destructiveness, Hopelessness, and Risk-Taking in College Students

Abstract

The relationship of chronic self-destructiveness and hopelessness to risk-taking behaviors was examined. College undergraduates (131 men, 114 women) completed the Beck Hopelessness Scale (Hopelessness), Chronic Self-destructiveness Scale (Self-destructiveness), and Expected Involvement Scale (Involvement) of the Cognitive Appraisal of Risky Activities questionnaire. For both men and women, there were significant positive correlations between Self-destructiveness and Hopelessness scores. In men, there also were positive relationships between Self-destructiveness scores and Involvement in specific risky activities in the next 6 mo. These included illicit drug use, aggressive or illegal behaviors, risky sexual behaviors, heavy drinking, and irresponsible academic or work behaviors. In women, Self-destructiveness scores had a positive relationship with expected Involvement in heavy drinking and irresponsible academic or work behaviors. The only correlation between Hopelessness and Involvement scores for men was a negative one with expected participation in high risk sports. There were no significant correlations between Hopelessness and Involvement scores for women.

Gender differentiation of indirect self-destructiveness

“…Such differences, however, occur also in the popu lation of non-delinquent adolescents: young males more often become victims of accidents, including traffic ones (mainly involving motorbikes), than young females, which is connected with taking excessive risks [19]. In males, there are positive correlations between indirect self-destructiveness and exhibiting risky behaviors in six consecutive months, including drug abuse, aggressive and/or criminal behaviors, risky sexual behaviors, alcohol abuse and irresponsible behaviors as students or at work; while in females, indirect self-destructiveness was associated solely with the expected displaying of alcohol abuse and irresponsible behaviors as students or at work [8].…”

“…That may often contribute to behaviors connected with avoiding or abandoning activities in situations in life that require involvement or taking specific actions aimed at resolving existing problems. Attention ought to be drawn to the results of other studies revealing a relationship between indirect self-destructiveness and a sense of impotence and hopelessness [8]. That helplessness is associated with masculinity.…”

“…Researches on individual, separate indirect self-destructive behaviors, found that males are more prone to risky such behaviors, such as alcohol abuse, not fastening seat belts in vehicles, performing dangerous jobs, and criminal activity [6,7]. There are positive correlations in males between drug abuse, aggressive or criminal behaviors, risky sexual behaviors, alcohol abuse and irresponsible behaviors as students or at work [8]. A result of a research project using the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale, it was found that female adolescents had lower scores than delinquent male ones but similar to the scores of young males not being delinquent adolescents [9].…”

Sabotaging The Self - A Trait? and It’s Relationship with Neuroticism

“…This paper similarly attempts to address a misconception: that many of the biopsychosocial difficulties experienced by people owe their origins and are blamed and accounted for by living in a stressful influential society rendering them unable to sustain the lifestyle they have orchestrated. This culture of blame is unhelpful to the individual, and costly in terms of efficiency and effectiveness within the wider social and economic community: It removes the responsibility from the individual and therefore undermines any opportunity for personal change [17].…”

Successful Schools and Risky Behaviors Among Low-Income Adolescents

“…Better academic achievement may lead to a better future outlook and less risk taking. 33 4. Being in school or doing more homework may leave less time and opportunity to engage in risky behaviors.…”