The relation between risk-taking behavior and alcohol use in young adults is different for men and women

Abstract Objective The present study examined the relationship of risk-taking behavior and alcohol use and the role of sex herein, while adjusting for age, depression, anxiety, stress and lifestyle. Methods Participants were 6002 university students. They were classified as either abstinent, drinker but non-binge drinker, or binge drinker based on self-reported alcohol consumption. Risk-taking and risk assessment were evaluated with the RT-18 and depression, anxiety and stress with the DASS-21. Results The odds of being a binge versus non-binge drinker increased with risk-taking as well as risk assessment for both men and women. The odds being a non-binge drinker versus abstinent were increased by risk-taking for women only. For binge drinking versus abstinence, risk-taking had a significant increasing effect for both sexes, but risk assessment was only significant in women. Conclusion These results may assist with alcohol use prevention techniques because risk-taking behavior exerts, even when corrected for age, lifestyle, depression, anxiety, and stress levels, a solid, sex-specific independent effect on alcohol use.