A prospective study of alcohol expectancies and self-efficacy as predictors of young adolescent alcohol misuse

Connor, J. P., George, S. M., Gullo, M. J., Kelly, A. B. and Young, R. McD. (2011) A prospective study of alcohol expectancies and self-efficacy as predictors of young adolescent alcohol misuse. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 46 2: 161-169. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agr004


Author Connor, J. P.
George, S. M.
Gullo, M. J.
Kelly, A. B.
Young, R. McD.
Title A prospective study of alcohol expectancies and self-efficacy as predictors of young adolescent alcohol misuse
Journal name Alcohol and Alcoholism   Check publisher's open access policy
ISSN 0735-0414
Publication date 2011-03-01
Sub-type Article (original research)
DOI 10.1093/alcalc/agr004
Volume 46
Issue 2
Start page 161
End page 169
Total pages 9
Place of publication Oxford, United Kingdom
Publisher Oxford University Press
Collection year 2012
Language eng
Abstract Abstract — Aims: To test the relative contribution of two key Social Learning Theory constructs, alcohol expectancies (AEs) and drinking refusal self-efficacy (DRSE), in predicting early adolescent drinking behavior and examine the possible mediational role of DRSE over AE. Methods: High school students (N = 192, mean age 14) were administered measures assessing AE (Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire—Adolescent version; DEQ-A), DRSE (Drinking Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire—Revised Adolescent version; DRSEQ-RA) and indices of alcohol consumption and problem drinking. Age, gender, peer drinking, tobacco use and positive and negative behavioral characteristics were included in the statistical models as known predictors of alcohol misuse. Subjects were followed up at 12 months, with 88.5% retention. Results: Initial confirmatory factor analyses verified factor structures of the DEQ-A and DRSEQ-RA. Prospective structural models controlling for Time 1 drinking behavior, age, gender, peer alcohol use, tobacco use and behavior problems identified that DRSE but not AE was associated with problem drinking 12-month post-initial assessment. DRSE mediated AE in predicting problem drinking. Conclusion: Results suggest that DRSE is a more salient cognitive construct than AE in early adolescence alcohol use. In this age group, prevention and treatment strategies that build refusal self-efficacy may be more effective than strategies that challenge AEs.
Keyword Difficulties questionnaire
Drinking restraint
Underage drinking
College students
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article (original research)
Collections: Official 2012 Collection
School of Medicine Publications
 
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Created: Sun, 20 Mar 2011, 10:13:22 EST