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Citation |
McKenna FP, Horswill MS. Health Psychol. 2006; 25(2): 163-170. |
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Affiliation |
School of PsychologyUniversity of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom. f.p.mckenna@reading.ac.uk. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2006, American Psychological Association) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
16569107 |
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Abstract |
Although perceived health risk plays a prominent role in theories of health behavior, its empirical role in risk taking is less clear. In Study 1 (N = 129), 2 measures of drivers' risk-taking behavior were found to be unrelated to self-estimates of accident concern but to be related to self-ratings of driving skill and the perceived thrill of driving. In Study 2 (N = 405), out of a wide range of potential influences, accident concern had the weakest relationship with risk taking. The authors concluded that although health risk is a key feature in many theories of health behavior and a central focus for researchers and policy makers, it may not be such a prominent factor for those actually taking the risk. |