Is there a positive side to sensation seeking? Trajectories of sensation seeking and impulsivity may have unique outcomes in young adulthood

High levels of sensation seeking and impulsivity in adolescence are typically associated with risky behaviours; limited research has examined the relation of these traits to positive outcomes. Given that adolescence is a sensitive developmental period that can impact success later in life, we adopt the Positive Youth Development Framework to better understand how the development of self-reported sensation seeking and impulsivity may be differentially related to positive markers of early adulthood. Data are from the Victoria Healthy Youth Survey (T1 N = 662; 52% female), a six-wave longitudinal cohort study of Canadian youth. Parallel process latent class growth analysis estimated trajectories of sensation seeking and impulsivity identifying classes of youth (ages 14–28). Controlling for baseline age, sex, and socio-economic status, linear regression analyses examined how longitudinal patterns (classes) of sensation seeking and impulsivity were related to positive markers of early adulthood. Three classes of youth were identified. These varied in levels and trajectories of change in sensation seeking (Ss) and impulsivity (I): LowSs-LowI, 26%; HighSs-HighI, 35%; ModerateSs-LowI, 38%. In young adulthood (T6; ages 22–29), youth in the LowSs-LowI and ModerateSs-LowI classes had significantly higher educational and occupational achievement, and lower financial strain, compared to youth in the HighSs-HighI class. Further, the ModerateSs-LowI class was associated with the highest levels of income and well-being. Findings identified differential trajectories of sensation seeking and impulsivity, with youth in the ModerateSs-LowI class, followed by the LowSs-LowI class, reporting the most positive outcomes in young adulthood. •Three distinct classes of youth based on sensation seeking and impulsivity were identified.•Classes were differentially related to positive markers of early adult development.•The Class with moderate sensation seeking and low impulsivity demonstrated the most positive outcomes.•Results exemplify the importance of characterizing development using a person-centered approach.