The moderating role of emotion regulation between impulsivity, peer-pressure and risk-taking behaviour among young adults

Risk-taking behaviour during young adulthood is a growing concern as it can have lasting effects on an individual’s health and overall well-being. This study focuses on understanding how impulsivity and peer pressure contribute to risk-taking behaviour, and whether emotion regulation plays a role in shaping these relationships. Data were collected from young adults aged 18 to 30 using standardised self-report measures assessing impulsivity, peer pressure, emotion regulation, and risk-taking tendencies. It was expected that higher levels of impulsivity and greater susceptibility to peer pressure would be associated with increased risk-taking behaviour. At the same time, individuals with better emotion regulation were expected to show lower levels of risk-taking, even in the presence of these factors. The findings aim to provide a clearer understanding of how individual traits, social influences, and emotional processes interact to shape behaviour, and may help develop more effective strategies to reduce risky behaviours among young adults.