# Harshness and unpredictability during childhood: an approach from life-history theory to understanding risk behaviors

## TL;DR

This study explores how harsh and unpredictable childhood environments relate to adult risk behaviors, finding mixed results and highlighting the role of context and other factors.

## Contribution

The study investigates moderating variables in the relationship between childhood adversity and risk-taking, revealing gender-specific and context-dependent effects.

## Key findings

- No clear overall relationship was found between childhood environment and risk-taking.
- Harsh childhood experiences were linked to higher risk propensity in women who delayed first sexual intercourse.
- Context differences (e.g., data collection setting) may influence how childhood adversity affects risk behaviors.

## Abstract

Previous studies have investigated the relationship between childhood experiences of harshness and unpredictability and risky adult behaviors from a life-history theory perspective. However, findings have been inconsistent, suggesting that the relationship between early environments and current behavior is complex and may be influenced by moderating variables. This study examined whether childhood harshness (resource scarcity) and unpredictability (proximal environmental instability) were positively related to risk propensity, considering reproductive strategy-related trade-offs (i.e., the age of first sexual intercourse and the age of menarche) and current environmental factors (i.e., being in a committed relationship, perceived family support, and poverty rate of the participant's municipality) as potential moderators.

We sampled 368 individuals in two settings: college classrooms and a controlled laboratory environment.

Overall, we did not find a clear relationship between perceived childhood environment and risk-taking. Contrary to expectations, we found a positive relationship between perceived childhood harshness and risk propensity in women who delayed their first sexual intercourse. Exploratory analyses by data collection setting revealed that harsh and unpredictable childhood environments may impact risk propensity differently, though no coherent pattern emerged.

This study underscores the importance of context dependence and the need to consider additional variables that may moderate the relationship between childhood experiences and risk-taking behaviors.