McGowan, A. L.; P. Zurn; D. S. Bassett and D. M. Lydon-Staley
Fluctuations in sensation-seeking may affect risk-taking, necessitating a consideration of these fluctuations as well as their antecedents. In 21-day daily diary data (n=78 participants; mean age=21.18, SD=1.75; 80.77% women), days of higher than usual sensation-seeking are also days of higher than usual risk-taking and are more likely to be alcohol use days than days of lower than usual sensation-seeking. On average, outcomes of risky behavior are rated positively. In 6- times a day experience-sampling data from the same participants over the same 21 days, we examine sleep as potential antecedent of fluctuations in sensation-seeking. We find that sensation-seeking peaks higher and earlier following nights of higher than usual sleep quality relative to days following average and lower than usual sleep quality. Together, findings suggest that seeking out novel experiences in daily life without rash decision-making leads to positive outcomes in young adulthood and positive risk-seeking may be supported by sleep quality.