Interactive Effects of Risk Propensity and Secure Attachment on Prosocial Risk-Taking: Based on Polynomial Regression and Response Surface Analysis

Abstract Prosocial risk-taking behavior refers to voluntary actions that benefit others despite potential personal costs. Despite its importance, the interactive effects of personality traits such as risk propensity and secure attachment on prosocial risk-taking behavior remain underexplored. This study investigated these effects and the mediating roles of risk perception and outcome expectancy among 762 Chinese undergraduates. Participants completed validated scales assessing the variables. Response surface analysis revealed significant congruence effects, indicating higher prosocial risk-taking behavior when both traits are high. While the levels of these traits are incongruent, individuals with low risk propensity and high secure attachment exhibit more prosocial risk-taking behavior compared to those with high risk propensity and low secure attachment, which reflects secure attachment's compensatory role in low risk propensity scenarios. Outcome expectancy partially mediated the interaction, but risk perception did not. These findings clarify the interactive mechanisms of dual personality traits in prosocial risk-taking behavior and provide a theoretical basis for encouraging individuals to engage more in such behaviors.