Citation

Balogh KN, Mayes LC, Potenza MN. J. Behav. Addict. 2013; 2(1): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, VA Connecticut Healthcare/Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Akadémiai Kiadó)

DOI

10.1556/JBA.2.2013.1.1

PMID

24294500

PMCID

PMC3840427

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Decision-making and risk-taking behavior undergo developmental changes during adolescence. Disadvantageous decision-making and increased risk-taking may lead to problematic behaviors such as substance use and abuse, pathological gambling and excessive internet use.

METHODS: Based on MEDLINE searches, this article reviews the literature on decision-making and risk-taking and their relationship to addiction vulnerability in youth.

RESULTS: Decision-making and risk-taking behaviors involve brain areas that undergoing developmental changes during puberty and young adulthood. Individual differences and peer pressure also relate importantly to decision-making and risk-taking.

CONCLUSIONS: Brain-based changes in emotional, motivational and cognitive processing may underlie risk-taking and decision-making propensities in adolescence, making this period a time of heightened vulnerability for engagement in additive behaviors.

Language: en