Social and Personal Determinants of Adolescent Use and Abuse of Alcohol and Marijuana (From Drug Abuse, P 53-59, 1987, Raymond J Reitz, ed. -- See NCJ-127612)

• NCJ Number: 127616
• Author(s): D Capuzzi; L L Lecoq
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: Phi Delta Kappa
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from Personal and Guidance Journal, V 62, N 4 (December 1983), P 53-59

Annotation

This report summarizes research on the social and personal determinants of adolescent use of alcohol and marijuana and its implications for prevention strategies.

Abstract

Social determinants include religious affiliation, parental influences, peer influences, and school influences. Personal determinants include beliefs regarding the ability of marijuana or alcohol to increase pleasure and reduce pain, low self-esteem, low valuing and expectation of achievement, rebelliousness, a strongly adventuresome personality, low impulse control, high independence, low interpersonal trust, and attitudes about gender roles. Results indicate the importance of determining whether a youth's religion is prescriptive regarding alcohol consumption, the desirability of programs using family counseling or parent education models, and the potential of group counseling with adolescents. Efforts should also focus on improving self-esteem, providing activities that satisfy the need for adventure and independence, helping youth achieve control of impulses, and developing interpersonal trust. 54 references