Author: Scheier, LM; Botvin, GJ; Griffin, KW; Diaz, T
Abstract: Vulnerability to adolescent alcohol use is often predicated on low social competence and poor social resistance skills. As a result, many prevention programs focus on improving assertiveness and drug-specific refusal skills to build resilience. However, individual differences in the rate at which youth acquire these skills may regulate their degree of alcohol use. The current study used longitudinal growth curve modeling with four-year panel data to examine the dynamic relations between refusal skills and alcohol use. Additional variables of theoretical interest that were controlled for included gender, risk-taking, grades, social competence, and self-control. The estimated means for alcohol use indicated that on average these adolescents increased their alcohol use by a factor of 140% over a four-year period. Refusal skill efficacy declined by a factor of 13% over the same time frame. Higher initial skill level predicted a slower rate of alcohol usage, conversely higher initial alcohol use predicted a slower acquisition of refusal skills. Grades enhanced the rate of refusal skill acquisition and females acquired refusal skills faster than males. Socially competent youth declined more rapidly in their refusal ability and increased their alcohol use more rapidly than youth with low social competence. Self-control was associated with lower initial levels of alcohol use and higher initial level of refusal skills. These findings support a dual focus on social resistance skills and personal self-control strategies to reduce motivations for alcohol use.
Source: JOURNAL OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG EDUCATION
Publication Year: 1999
Volume: 44
Issue nr: 3
Pages: 21 - 48