Based on the evolutionary framework of risk-taking, the present study aims to examine how the fundamental
social motives relate to health risks, interpersonal risks and deviant non-violent behaviors as a function of sex
and across different life stages of transitioning to adulthood. A total of 1370 Spanish adolescents and young
individuals participated in the survey study. The results showed that status-seeking and kin care (family) were
the principal social motives related to risk-taking behaviors. Specifically, status-seeking acted as a promoting
factor of risk-taking behaviors, while kin care (family) exerted the opposite effect. Therefore, the results in
general demonstrate the significant role of the fundamental social motives on risk-taking behaviors. The impact
of sex and age group on the relationship between social motives and risk-taking behaviors is discussed.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio