The Relationship Between Risk-Taking Behavior Viewed From The Impulsivity And Mental Toughness Of Mountain Climbers

Jurnal Pendidikan Islam dan Ilmu Sosial EDUSOSHUM ISSN 2776-5229 Vol . 6 , No. 2, May-August 2026, hlm. 1160-1171 1160 The Relationship Between Risk-Taking Behavior Viewed From The Impulsivity And Mental Toughness Of Mountain Climbers Mifrohul A’la1, Rr Dwi Astuti 2 1,2. Universitas Muria Kudus * INFORMASI ARTIKEL ABSTRAK Riwayat artikel Diterima March 12, 2026 Direvisi April 16, 2026 Diterima May 18, 2026 Kata kunci : Risk-taking, Behavior, Impulsivity, Mental toughness, Mountain climbers Mountain climbing is a high-risk activity that demands good decisionmaking skills, self-regulation, and psychological readiness. The research uses a quantitative approach with a correlational method. The sampling technique used purposive sampling with the criteria that respondents are 18 years old and above and have a hobby of mountain climbing. The minimum sample size for the study was set at 68 participants based on G Power analysis. Data collection was conducted using a validated Likert scale, and data analysis was performed using two-predictor regression and product-moment correlation with the help of SPSS 27.0 for Windows. The research results show a very significant relationship between impulsivity and mental toughness with risk-taking behavior, with an R value of 0.792, an F value of 79.156, and a significance of 0.000 (p<0.01), as well as an effective contribution of 62.7%. Partially, impulsivity has a very significant positive relationship with risk-taking behavior with an R value of 0.776 and an effective contribution of 60.2%. Meanwhile, mental toughness has a very significant negative relationship with risk-taking behavior with an R value of -0.710 and an effective contribution of 50.4%. These findings indicate that the higher the impulsivity, the higher the risk-taking behavior, while the higher the mental toughness, the lower the tendency for risk-taking behavior. 1. INTRODUCTION Mountain climbing activities are one of the increasingly popular and favored forms of outdoor activities, especially among teenagers and young adults, because they provide recreational experiences, challenges, and psychological satisfaction (Monasterio and Robert Cloninger 2019). The increase in interest in this activity is also occurring in Indonesia, marked by the growing number of climbers each year and the rising trend of nature tourism post-pandemic (Ramadhian and Cahya 2021). However, mountain climbing activities fall into the category of high-risk activities due to the potential for physical injuries up to death caused by unpredictable environmental conditions (Jones et al. 2017). This sport can be categorized as a high-risk activity that demands optimal physical and mental capacity, including strength, agility, endurance, and balance. Additionally, involvement in this activity requires the use of specialized equipment and adequate training as a mitigation effort against the potential risks associated with it (Coetzee et al. 2023). This condition shows that mountain climbing is not only related to recreational activities but also involves decision-making in high-risk situations, which is a focus of psychological studies. Based on the initial interviews conducted by the researcher with three mountain climbers, it was found that individuals tend to undertake climbs without thorough preparation, ignore weather conditions, and continue climbing despite facing high risks. These behavioral patterns indicate a tendency toward risk-taking behavior influenced by impulsivity and mental toughness, thereby reinforcing the urgency of conducting this research. Mifrohul A’la et al. (The Relationship Between Risk-Taking Behavior...) Jurnal Pendidikan Islam dan Ilmu Sosial EDUSOSHUM ISSN 2776-5229 Vol . 6 , No. 2, May-August 2026, hlm. 1160-1171 1161 Individual involvement in high-risk activities such as mountain climbing is related to the concept of risk-taking behavior, which is the tendency of individuals to engage in actions that have the potential for negative consequences but are still undertaken due to certain impulses (Bentivegna, Papachristou, and Flouri 2024). Other research shows that risk-taking behavior is part of the decision-making process under conditions of uncertainty, influenced by individual cognitive and emotional factors (França and Pompeia 2023). Additionally, during adolescence and early adulthood, risk-taking behavior tends to increase due to the drive for self-exploration and sensation-seeking as part of psychological development (Moncel et al. 2025). This explains why the student age group is one of the most dominant groups in mountain climbing activities. One of the main factors influencing risktaking behavior is impulsivity, which is the tendency of individuals to act quickly without considering long-term consequences (Herman, Critchley, and Duka 2018). Research shows that individuals with high levels of impulsivity tend to engage more frequently in risky behavior due to a lack of self-control in the decision-making process (Soni et al. 2023). This is reinforced by neuroscience studies that explain that impulsivity is related to the imbalance between the affective system and the cognitive control system in the brain, making individuals more easily driven by emotions rather than rational considerations (Gong et al. 2022). In the context of mountain climbing, impulsivity can be seen in spontaneous decisions such as climbing without thorough preparation, ignoring weather conditions, or not considering the existing risks. Beside impulsivity, another factor that also plays a role in risk-taking behavior is mental toughness, which is the individual's ability to endure, adapt, and remain focused in facing pressure and difficulties (Ponnusamy et al. 2018). Individuals with high mental toughness tend to have good psychological resilience, able to cope with stress, and remain goal-oriented even in difficult conditions (Joeng et al. 2017). In mountain climbing activities, mental toughness becomes an important factor that helps climbers endure extreme conditions such as bad weather and physical limitations. However, high mental toughness can also increase risk tolerance, leading individuals to continue their activities even in dangerous conditions (Ardiningrum and Jannah 2022). Thus, mental toughness has a dual role, serving as both a protective factor and a factor that can increase the tendency for risk-taking behavior. Based on the description, the problem formulation in this study is whether impulsivity and mental toughness affect risk-taking behavior in mountain climbers. The approach used in this research is a quantitative approach with variable relationship analysis to test the empirical connections between impulsivity, mental toughness, and risk-taking behavior. Research on risk-taking behavior has been extensively conducted, but most of it focuses on risky behavior among adolescents, athletes, or substance users. Studies on risk-taking behavior among mountain climbers (...truncated)