| dc.description.abstract | Reasoned risk engagement involves forethought and supports goal-directed behaviour. In
contrast, reactive risk-taking may produce harmful unforeseen outcomes. This study
examined whether self-efficacy beliefs directly influence the extent to which risk behaviours
are either reasoned or reactive and whether this relationship is mediated by emotion
regulation skills. A sample of 78 participants completed measures of self-efficacy, emotion
regulation skills and planned versus unplanned risk engagement. The relationship between
age and the percentage of risk behaviour which was planned was not significant. There was a
significant positive correlation between self-efficacy and the percentage of planned risk
behaviour. However, this relationship was not mediated by emotion regulation skills. These
findings support the proposal that efficacy beliefs influence behaviour involving risk and
indicate that greater self-efficacy may support the cognitive processes associated with
reasoned risk-taking. However, further research is required to understand the relationship
between efficacy beliefs and affective processes and their impact on risk behaviour. | en |
