| In the United States a majority of diseases and premature deaths for individuals aged 16-24 are associated with accidents and unhealthy lifestyles. In addition, the literature has suggested that college athletes are at higher risk than the general population for risky and unhealthy behaviors including smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, disregard to motor vehicle safety, failure to use contraception, and poor eating habits. One theory suggests that individuals may engage in risk taking behaviors because they have a sensation seeking personality.;This study examines the association between risk taking behaviors and sensation seeking personality traits on four groups of subjects (athletes, controls, men, and women) utilizing the Sommerfeldt-Clark Adolescent Scale (SCAR) and the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS). It is hypothesized that the athlete and male groups will score higher on the SCAR and SSS when compared to the control and female groups. |
