Adolescent and young adult crash risk: sensation seeking, substance use propensity and substance use behaviors

J Adolesc Health. 2010 Jan;46(1):90-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.06.005. Epub 2009 Aug 13.

Abstract

In a national youth sample, the propensity to use substances was more strongly related to motor vehicle crashes than use of any specific substance studied (cigarette, alcohol, marijuana). Substance use propensity was associated with sensation seeking, suggesting that increased crash risk for these youth is likely a result of general risk-taking tendencies.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / prevention & control*
  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk-Taking
  • Sensation / drug effects*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult