Regrets of young adults and predictions of involvement in future risky behaviors

This study examines the relationship between numbers of regrets and levels of impulsivity on young adults' intentions to engage in future risky behaviors. Undergraduate participants completed six measurements containing a demographics survey, the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (MAS), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the Life Revision Index (LRI), the Regrets Self Inventory (RSI), and two subscales of the Risk Involvement and Perception Scale-Revised (RIPS-R). Results showed that participants regretted not spending enough time traveling, exercising, and studying. Past involvement in risky behaviors was the best predictor of intentions to engage in future risky behaviors. Finally, numbers of regrets as measured by the Life Revision Index was a better predictor of young adult risky behavior because it measured the behavioral/cognitive dimension of regret, while numbers of regrets as measured by the Regrets Self Inventory was a better predictor of anxiety levels because it measured the affective or emotional dimension of regret.