Studies showed that prior outcomes do influence current decisions while we are interested in how prior performance affects individual investors’ risk taking behavior. Tracking 2,947 individual investors’ transaction in Taiwan Top50 Tracker Fund from June 2003 till December 2006, our empirical results indicate both the former risk taking and prior profits have significant influences on individual investors’ later risk taking behavior. We find a positive relation between later risk taking and prior gains but a negative relation between later risk taking and prior losses. Furthermore, according to the amount of prior gains and losses, we find those who experience large sum of gains or losses take far higher risks than those who have modest prior gains or losses.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether ski tourers in the Swedish mountains have enough knowledge and experience to perform the activity safely. Adventure oriented activities that demands equipment has over the last years increased among outdoor practitioners in Sweden. Because of the growth, ski touring equipment have had a rapid development and made the activity more accessible. In the northern parts of Sweden a survey- and a field study, were examine risk behavior, avalanche equipment and techbindings. The results shows that ski touring has increased over the last years and that the activity is mainly performed by young men that are experienced downhill skiers. According to the result men seems to have a higher risk acceptance and many off-piste skiers are prepared to take risks to get good skiing/ski touring. Nearly everyone from the study are carrying avalanche equipment, but it seems like some are not sufficiently prepared in case of an accident. The results also indicates that some ski tourers dis-trust the retention function of techbindings and some manually lock out the release mechanism of the binding exposing themselves to a high risk of lower leg injury.

Acidentes de trânsito (AT) são considerados um problema de saúde pública. Em países em desenvolvimento, o álcool está presente em 33-69% do sangue de motoristas envolvidos em acidentes fatais. Em Porto Alegre, um comportamento freqüente entre jovens é o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas em lojas de conveniência localizadas em postos de gasolina. Como estes indivíduos costumeiramente dirigemse para as lojas em veículos automotores, a associação entre beber e dirigir possivelmente é alta em tais locais. O objetivo principal deste estudo é correlacionar percepção de risco para dirigir e valores de alcoolemia em indivíduos que fazem uso de bebidas alcoólicas em postos de gasolina de Porto Alegre. Para tal foi realizado um estudo transversal analítico, com amostra intencional, estratificada por idade e gênero. A amostra foi selecionada em estacionamentos de quatro postos de gasolina que possuem lojas de conveniência.Os dados foram coletados através de escala BADDS (Behavios and Attitudes for Drinking and Driving Scale) e a alcoolemia foi estimada com uso de bafômetro. Foram abordados 127 sujeitos e a taxa de recusa foi de 11,8%, sendo que a amostra final foi constituída por 61 homens e 51 mulheres, com idade média de 22,6 anos +/- 4,5 anos. Os resultados principais mostraram que não houve correlação significativa entre os escores da BADDS e os valores de alcoolemia, sendo o Coeficiente de correlação de Spearman = - 0,048 (p= 0,61). Os escores da BADDS foram estatisticamente diferentes em relação a homens e mulheres (médias de 50,15 =/- 23,2 e 35,6 =/- 21,0 ; respectivamente). Na análise multivariada foram associados à menor percepção de risco, sexo masculino (IC95% 7 14,6 (6,21 – 22,9)) e comportamento prévio de beber e dirigir (IC 95% 11,7 (2,6 – 20,8)). Os fatores associados com alcoolemia maior de 0,06mg/dL (presente em 47,5% dos homens) foram ser do sexo masculino(IC95% 11,7(2,2 – 61,6)) e ter consumido maconha (IC95% 4,2(1,0 – 18,1)). São discutidas a ausência de correlação entre percepção de risco e alcoolemia, e as elevadas prevalências de alcoolemia acima de 0,06mg/dL. Os resultados encontrados justificam a ampliação do tamanho amostral, bem como novos estudos em locais onde são consumidas bebidas alcoólicas no Brasil. O presente estudo gera novas questões de pesquisa, demonstra a factibilidade de estudos de tal natureza no país e inicia uma linha de pesquisa em álcool e trânsito. / Traffic Accidents (TA) are considered a Public Health problem. In developing countries, alcohol is present in 33- 69% of blood of drivers involved in fatal crashes. In Porto Alegre, a frequent behavior among youth is to drink alcoholic beverages on the premises of gas stations which have convenience stores. As these individuals usually go to the stores in cars, association between drink and drive is possibly huge on these places. The main objective of this study is to asses the correlation between risk perception for drinking and driving among individuals who drink on the premises of gas stations from Porto Alegre. It was conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, with purposive sampling, stratified by age and gender. The sample was selected from four parking lots of gas stations that had convenience stores. Data were collected through a self-administered scale (Behaviors and Attitudes for Drinking and Driving Scale - BADDS) and Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was estimated with the use of a conventional alcohol analyzer. 127 subjects were approached, and refusal rate was 11.8%. The final sample was composed by 61 men and 51 women, with an average age of 22.6 +/- 4.5 years.The main results have demonstrated that there was no significant correlation between BADDS scores and BAC, and the Spearman coefficient was- 0,048 (p= 0.61). The BADDS scores were statistically different between men and women (mean of 50.15 +/- 23.2 e 35.6 +/- 21.0, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with a lower risk perception for Drive Under Influence (DUI) were: being male (IC95% 14.6 (6.21 – 22.9)) and previous DUI behavior (IC 95% 11.7 (2.6 – 20.8)). Risk factors for having a BAC over 0.06mg/ dL 9 (present in 47.5% of the men) were: being male (IC95% 11.7(2.2 – 61.6)), and having smoked cannabis (IC95% 4.2(1.0 – 18.1)). Lack of correlation between risk perception and BAC, and high prevalence of BAC over 0.06mg/dL are discussed. The results justify a larger sample pool, as well as new studies in other places where people used to drink in Brazil. The present study raises new research questions, demonstrates the feasibility of this kind of study in the country and starts a new research line on alcohol and traffic

Acidentes de trânsito (AT) são considerados um problema de saúde pública. Em países em desenvolvimento, o álcool está presente em 33-69% do sangue de motoristas envolvidos em acidentes fatais. Em Porto Alegre, um comportamento freqüente entre jovens é o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas em lojas de conveniência localizadas em postos de gasolina. Como estes indivíduos costumeiramente dirigemse para as lojas em veículos automotores, a associação entre beber e dirigir possivelmente é alta em tais locais. O objetivo principal deste estudo é correlacionar percepção de risco para dirigir e valores de alcoolemia em indivíduos que fazem uso de bebidas alcoólicas em postos de gasolina de Porto Alegre. Para tal foi realizado um estudo transversal analítico, com amostra intencional, estratificada por idade e gênero. A amostra foi selecionada em estacionamentos de quatro postos de gasolina que possuem lojas de conveniência.Os dados foram coletados através de escala BADDS (Behavios and Attitudes for Drinking and Driving Scale) e a alcoolemia foi estimada com uso de bafômetro. Foram abordados 127 sujeitos e a taxa de recusa foi de 11,8%, sendo que a amostra final foi constituída por 61 homens e 51 mulheres, com idade média de 22,6 anos +/- 4,5 anos. Os resultados principais mostraram que não houve correlação significativa entre os escores da BADDS e os valores de alcoolemia, sendo o Coeficiente de correlação de Spearman = - 0,048 (p= 0,61). Os escores da BADDS foram estatisticamente diferentes em relação a homens e mulheres (médias de 50,15 =/- 23,2 e 35,6 =/- 21,0 ; respectivamente). Na análise multivariada foram associados à menor percepção de risco, sexo masculino (IC95% 7 14,6 (6,21 – 22,9)) e comportamento prévio de beber e dirigir (IC 95% 11,7 (2,6 – 20,8)). Os fatores associados com alcoolemia maior de 0,06mg/dL (presente em 47,5% dos homens) foram ser do sexo masculino(IC95% 11,7(2,2 – 61,6)) e ter consumido maconha (IC95% 4,2(1,0 – 18,1)). São discutidas a ausência de correlação entre percepção de risco e alcoolemia, e as elevadas prevalências de alcoolemia acima de 0,06mg/dL. Os resultados encontrados justificam a ampliação do tamanho amostral, bem como novos estudos em locais onde são consumidas bebidas alcoólicas no Brasil. O presente estudo gera novas questões de pesquisa, demonstra a factibilidade de estudos de tal natureza no país e inicia uma linha de pesquisa em álcool e trânsito. / Traffic Accidents (TA) are considered a Public Health problem. In developing countries, alcohol is present in 33- 69% of blood of drivers involved in fatal crashes. In Porto Alegre, a frequent behavior among youth is to drink alcoholic beverages on the premises of gas stations which have convenience stores. As these individuals usually go to the stores in cars, association between drink and drive is possibly huge on these places. The main objective of this study is to asses the correlation between risk perception for drinking and driving among individuals who drink on the premises of gas stations from Porto Alegre. It was conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, with purposive sampling, stratified by age and gender. The sample was selected from four parking lots of gas stations that had convenience stores. Data were collected through a self-administered scale (Behaviors and Attitudes for Drinking and Driving Scale - BADDS) and Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was estimated with the use of a conventional alcohol analyzer. 127 subjects were approached, and refusal rate was 11.8%. The final sample was composed by 61 men and 51 women, with an average age of 22.6 +/- 4.5 years.The main results have demonstrated that there was no significant correlation between BADDS scores and BAC, and the Spearman coefficient was- 0,048 (p= 0.61). The BADDS scores were statistically different between men and women (mean of 50.15 +/- 23.2 e 35.6 +/- 21.0, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with a lower risk perception for Drive Under Influence (DUI) were: being male (IC95% 14.6 (6.21 – 22.9)) and previous DUI behavior (IC 95% 11.7 (2.6 – 20.8)). Risk factors for having a BAC over 0.06mg/ dL 9 (present in 47.5% of the men) were: being male (IC95% 11.7(2.2 – 61.6)), and having smoked cannabis (IC95% 4.2(1.0 – 18.1)). Lack of correlation between risk perception and BAC, and high prevalence of BAC over 0.06mg/dL are discussed. The results justify a larger sample pool, as well as new studies in other places where people used to drink in Brazil. The present study raises new research questions, demonstrates the feasibility of this kind of study in the country and starts a new research line on alcohol and traffic

Acidentes de trânsito (AT) são considerados um problema de saúde pública. Em países em desenvolvimento, o álcool está presente em 33-69% do sangue de motoristas envolvidos em acidentes fatais. Em Porto Alegre, um comportamento freqüente entre jovens é o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas em lojas de conveniência localizadas em postos de gasolina. Como estes indivíduos costumeiramente dirigemse para as lojas em veículos automotores, a associação entre beber e dirigir possivelmente é alta em tais locais. O objetivo principal deste estudo é correlacionar percepção de risco para dirigir e valores de alcoolemia em indivíduos que fazem uso de bebidas alcoólicas em postos de gasolina de Porto Alegre. Para tal foi realizado um estudo transversal analítico, com amostra intencional, estratificada por idade e gênero. A amostra foi selecionada em estacionamentos de quatro postos de gasolina que possuem lojas de conveniência.Os dados foram coletados através de escala BADDS (Behavios and Attitudes for Drinking and Driving Scale) e a alcoolemia foi estimada com uso de bafômetro. Foram abordados 127 sujeitos e a taxa de recusa foi de 11,8%, sendo que a amostra final foi constituída por 61 homens e 51 mulheres, com idade média de 22,6 anos +/- 4,5 anos. Os resultados principais mostraram que não houve correlação significativa entre os escores da BADDS e os valores de alcoolemia, sendo o Coeficiente de correlação de Spearman = - 0,048 (p= 0,61). Os escores da BADDS foram estatisticamente diferentes em relação a homens e mulheres (médias de 50,15 =/- 23,2 e 35,6 =/- 21,0 ; respectivamente). Na análise multivariada foram associados à menor percepção de risco, sexo masculino (IC95% 7 14,6 (6,21 – 22,9)) e comportamento prévio de beber e dirigir (IC 95% 11,7 (2,6 – 20,8)). Os fatores associados com alcoolemia maior de 0,06mg/dL (presente em 47,5% dos homens) foram ser do sexo masculino(IC95% 11,7(2,2 – 61,6)) e ter consumido maconha (IC95% 4,2(1,0 – 18,1)). São discutidas a ausência de correlação entre percepção de risco e alcoolemia, e as elevadas prevalências de alcoolemia acima de 0,06mg/dL. Os resultados encontrados justificam a ampliação do tamanho amostral, bem como novos estudos em locais onde são consumidas bebidas alcoólicas no Brasil. O presente estudo gera novas questões de pesquisa, demonstra a factibilidade de estudos de tal natureza no país e inicia uma linha de pesquisa em álcool e trânsito. / Traffic Accidents (TA) are considered a Public Health problem. In developing countries, alcohol is present in 33- 69% of blood of drivers involved in fatal crashes. In Porto Alegre, a frequent behavior among youth is to drink alcoholic beverages on the premises of gas stations which have convenience stores. As these individuals usually go to the stores in cars, association between drink and drive is possibly huge on these places. The main objective of this study is to asses the correlation between risk perception for drinking and driving among individuals who drink on the premises of gas stations from Porto Alegre. It was conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, with purposive sampling, stratified by age and gender. The sample was selected from four parking lots of gas stations that had convenience stores. Data were collected through a self-administered scale (Behaviors and Attitudes for Drinking and Driving Scale - BADDS) and Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was estimated with the use of a conventional alcohol analyzer. 127 subjects were approached, and refusal rate was 11.8%. The final sample was composed by 61 men and 51 women, with an average age of 22.6 +/- 4.5 years.The main results have demonstrated that there was no significant correlation between BADDS scores and BAC, and the Spearman coefficient was- 0,048 (p= 0.61). The BADDS scores were statistically different between men and women (mean of 50.15 +/- 23.2 e 35.6 +/- 21.0, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with a lower risk perception for Drive Under Influence (DUI) were: being male (IC95% 14.6 (6.21 – 22.9)) and previous DUI behavior (IC 95% 11.7 (2.6 – 20.8)). Risk factors for having a BAC over 0.06mg/ dL 9 (present in 47.5% of the men) were: being male (IC95% 11.7(2.2 – 61.6)), and having smoked cannabis (IC95% 4.2(1.0 – 18.1)). Lack of correlation between risk perception and BAC, and high prevalence of BAC over 0.06mg/dL are discussed. The results justify a larger sample pool, as well as new studies in other places where people used to drink in Brazil. The present study raises new research questions, demonstrates the feasibility of this kind of study in the country and starts a new research line on alcohol and traffic

No description available.

Young adults account for over one in five new HIV diagnoses each year in the United States, and although the total incidence has been decreasing among most groups in recent years, diagnoses among young adults are increasing. To better understand the decision-making processes of young adults 18-24 years old at risk of contracting HIV, as well as the deterrent effect of the fear of HIV on their decision-making, a two-phase study was conducted. Qualitative interviews and focus groups were conducted with young adults (n=31) to gain a comprehensive understanding of their current HIV risk perceptions, decision-making processes, and risky behaviors to inform the second phase of study. The themes and ideas from Phase I, derived through thematic synthesis, were incorporated into a perceptual mapping survey to visually depict young adults’ HIV perceptions and related risk-taking behaviors. The Phase II survey was conducted online via Mechanical Turk to access a diverse sample of young adults (n=226) still at risk of contracting HIV. Both study phases were informed by Social Cognitive Theory and the psychometric paradigm. Results of descriptive analyses and perceptual mapping suggest that HIV is not a factor in young adults’ decision-making and resulting behaviors. Their lack of perceived risk of HIV is exhibited in their continued engagement in unprotected sex, casual sex, lack of sexual history discussion, and infrequent HIV testing. Perceived value of condoms, concerns of pregnancy, and perceptions of the sexual encounter itself, as well as sociodemographic and personality factors, were important factors in their decision-making instead. / Public Health

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death and disability in children. Many injuries to school-aged children occur during unsupervised peer activities, but peer influences on risky behavior in preadolescence remain under-investigated. We examined peer context effects on reported risk-taking, identified predictors of peer influence, and compared peer influence in high- and low-social-functioning groups. Forty-one boys aged 8-10 years listened to scenarios in which they encountered opportunities for risk-taking (e.g., swimming unsupervised, playing with matches) with their best friends, with "cool guys" (desired peers), with disliked peers, and alone. They rated the likelihood that they would engage in risky behavior in each condition for each scenario. Children also completed measures of friendship satisfaction, peer orientation, and socially desirable responding. Parents completed the CBCL and an injury history form. Children reported more risk-taking with positive peers than alone, and less with negative peers than alone. Four variables (peer orientation, friendship satisfaction, social problems, mother unmarried) accounted for 77% of the observed variance in peer influence on risk-taking. Children in the high social competence group showed larger peer influence, and indicated a preference for risk-taking with best friends over cool guys. Results are discussed in terms of improving injury prevention efforts by reconceptualizing "peer pressure" as a developmentally adaptive aspect of child functioning. / Master of Science

The overall research objective was to identify the effects of reward systems (rewards and a penalty) on risk-taking behavior and performance (quality and time) of construction workers from different cultures (American, Asian, and Latin American cultures). This research used the sociotechnical system as the underlying, guiding scientific framework. The research found that Americans and Latin Americans had higher risk-taking behavior than Asians (p<0.01). No difference in risk-taking behavior was found between Americans and Latin Americans (p<0.05). Although culture may influence individuals' risk-taking behavior, the results from this study showed that risk-taking behavior could be altered and suppressed by providing individuals with the proper safety training, education, and safety equipment. Customized safety training for people from different cultures would be useful because the culture elements that contribute to high risk-taking behavior could be addressed. The results also showed that the effects of reward systems on risk-taking behavior were not statistically significant (p>0.1). One possibility that no difference was found may be because the tasks used in this study did not contain enough possibility for participants to take more risk. The effects of reward systems on risk-taking behavior may have been reduced by the low possibility of risky behavior. It is suspected that if the tasks contained more opportunities for participants to take risk, differences in risk-taking behavior would have been significant. The researcher concluded that risk perception is situation-specific and has an influence on the individual's risk-taking behavior on that particular situation but cannot be used to predict risk-taking behavior. Also, general locus of control and general self-efficacy cannot be used to predict risk-taking behaviors. These findings are consistent with many studies that explore locus of control (Iversen & Rundmo, 2002; Rolison & Scherman 2002; Crisp & Barber, 1995), and many researchers that suggested self-efficacy is situation specific (Murdock et al., 2005; Martin et al., 1995; Perraud, 2000; Slanger & Rudestam, 1997). This study also found no relationship between risk-taking behavior and productivity, for both time and quality. / Ph. D.

Adolescent reckless behavior is a major concern for society because it leads to the three most common causes of mortality for this age group. Body image and self-esteem have been proposed as constructs that have an effect on adolescents’ participation in reckless behavior. Self-esteem, however, has been garnering criticism in recent years for promoting narcissism and downward social comparison with others. Self-compassion is an alternative to self-esteem that focuses on accepting oneself and having feelings of common humanity. This report proposes a study that would measure reckless behavior in adolescents, and look at the effect self-compassion, self-esteem, and body image has on it. In addition, self-compassion will be examined to see if it moderates the effect body image has on self-esteem. / text