Positive Risk Taking Mediates the Longitudinal Link between Delay of Gratification and College Enrollment in Adolescence

Positive risk taking is theorized to benefit adolescent development, as for example in academic achievement. Currently, little is known about the longitudinal antecedents and outcomes of positive risk taking. This study investigated whether positive risk taking mediates the longitudinal link between delay of gratification and college enrollment. Participants included 309 adolescents (49% girls; 33% Black, 35% White, 32% Hispanic), assessed at M = 15.33 years (SD = .69), M = 18.02 years (SD = .79), and M = 20.32 years (SD = .80). Delay of gratification longitudinally predicted greater positive risk taking, which increased the likelihood of college enrollment. Adolescents’ positive risk taking is linked to academic outcomes and identify delay of gratification is a key promoting process.