The Effect of Chronotype on Risk-Taking Behavior: The Chain Mediation Role of Self-Control and Emotional Stability

Abstract

Background: Although previous studies indicate that chronotype might be associated with risk-taking behavior, the specific mechanism has not been thoroughly discussed. This study aimed to fill this gap by exploring the mediating role of self-control and the chain mediating role of self-control and emotional stability between chronotype and risk-taking behavior. Methods: A total of 547 Chinese college students between 18 and 24 years old were selected to complete the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), Self-Control Scale (SCS), Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire-neuroticism (EPQ-N), and Adolescent Risk-Taking Questionnaire: Risk Behavior Scale (ARQ-RB) to assess chronotype, risk-taking behavior, self-control, and emotional stability, respectively. Hayes’ PROCESS macro for SPSS was used to test the relationships among these variables. Results: Our result showed significant positive correlations among chronotype, self-control, emotional stability, and significant negative correlations between self-control, emotional stability, and risk-taking behavior. We also found that chronotype had a significant predictive effect on risk-taking behavior in the chain mediation model. Specifically, chronotype affected risk-taking behavior through two pathways: the separate mediating role of self-control and the serial mediation pathway of self-control → emotional stability. Conclusions: Our study provides direct evidence that chronotype is associated with risk-taking behavior. The results showed that the predictive function of chronotype was mediated by self-control and emotional stability. This study provides a new perspective on preventing and reducing risk-taking behavior.

The relationship between ostracism and negative risk-taking behavior: the role of ego depletion and physical exercise

“…It is also a painful emotion and as with most responses to pain, negative emotions increase, including anxiety, sadness, and anger, while positive emotions decrease ( Williams, 2007 ). When individuals are excluded, they feel alienated, helpless, and self-denial, causing dysfunctional cognitive-emotional abilities, which manifests more problem behaviors ( Reiter-Scheidl et al, 2018 ; Zhang et al, 2022 ). A study on Chinese college students showed that experiencing ostracism depletes college students’ self-esteem.…”

Correlation Analysis Between Time Awareness and Morningness-Eveningness Preference

“…In addition, there is a significant relationship between eveningness and low self-control [18,19]. Related to this relationship, risk-taking behavior is likely associated with M-E preference, with evening types reporting higher levels of risk-taking [20][21][22]. Furthermore, several studies have indicated that emotional variables correlate with M-E preference [23][24][25][26].…”