Adolescent risk taking, impulsivity, and brain development: implications for prevention

Abstract

Individual differences in impulsivity underlie a good deal of the risk taking that is observed during adolescence, and some of the most hazardous forms of this behavior are linked to impulsivity traits that are evident early in development. However, early interventions appear able to reduce the severity and impact of these traits by increasing control over behavior and persistence toward valued goals, such as educational achievement. One form of impulsivity, sensation seeking, rises dramatically during adolescence and increases risks to healthy development. However, a review of the evidence for the hypothesis that limitations in brain development during adolescence restrict the ability to control impulsivity suggests that any such limitations are subtle at best. Instead, it is argued that lack of experience with novel adult behavior poses a much greater risk to adolescents than structural deficits in brain maturation. Continued translational research will help to identify strategies that protect youth as they transition to adulthood.

Figure 1

Binge drinking trajectories as assessed in the Seattle Social Development Project (reprinted with permission from Hill et al., 2000).

Figure 2

Aggressive behavior trajectories as assessed in high risk neighborhoods of Montreal (reprinted with permission from Nagin & Tremblay, 1999). Four trajectories were identified: Low (17%), moderate desisters (52%), high desisters (28%), and chronically aggressive (4%).

Figure 3

Results of causal model showing that impulsivity explains covariation in risk and problem behaviors in a community sample of Philadelphia preadolescents (ages 10 to 12) (from Romer, et al., 2009). Path from problem behaviors to risk behaviors was not significant.

Figure 4

Trends in sensation seeking by age in National Annenberg Survey of Youth (taken from Romer & Hennessy, 2007, with permission).

Figure 5

Longitudinal trends in use of alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes as reported in the Monitoring the Future Study.

Figure 6

Results of causal model showing how affect evaluation and peer influence mediate the relation between sensation seeking and alcohol use in youth ages 14 to 22 (adapted from Romer & Hennessy, 2007).

Figure 7

Trends in reported car crashes among adolescent drivers as a function of miles driven indicate that crashes decline dramatically after about 1000 miles of driving experience (reprinted with permission from McCartt et al., 2003).