Relationship among social and intrapersonal risk, alcohol expectancies, and alcohol usage among early adolescents

• Published in: Addictive behaviors Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 127 - 134
• Main Authors: Webb, John A., Baer, Paul E., Francis, David J., Caid, Charlene D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.1993; New York, NY Elsevier
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Alcohol Drinking - psychology; Attitude; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drinking Behavior; Ethnic Groups; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Medical sciences; Parents - psychology; Peer Group; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Risk Factors; Social Behavior; Social Facilitation; Human; Consumption; Alcoholic beverage; Social influence; Deviance; Social interaction; Adolescent; Risk factor; Risk taking; Expectation; Social behavior disorder; Sensation seeking
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/0306-4603(93)90042-8

Numerous studies have shown that adolescents' expectancies about the effects of alcohol influence usage. Expectancies are described as mediators between social influences (such as peer and parental influences) and alcohol use. The present study examined the relatioship between social risk factors (peer influence and parental approval), intrapersonal risk factors (tolerance of deviance and sensation seeking), alcohol expectancies, and alcohol usage in a cohort of seventh graders. It was hypothesized that social risk factors affected alcohol usage indirectly through expectancies, while intrapersonal risk factors influenced usage both directly and indirectly. Structural modeling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships between these four constructs. Results indicated that the hypothesis that expectancies mediate social influences was not supported, and that social influences exerted a direct influence on usage independent of expectancies. Results suggested that the view that expectancies mediate social risk factors may need modification. Suggestions for future research in this area include the need to examine the relationships among these constructs longitudinally and with adolescents over a broader age range.