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Adolescent alcohol reduction and cessation expectancies.
Jane Metrik1, Denis M McCarthy, Kevin C Frissell
1University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University, Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive-0109, La Jolla, California 92093-0109, USA.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol
|May 21, 2004
Summary
Adolescent alcohol cessation expectancies, or anticipated consequences of reducing drinking, predict behavior change efforts. This study developed and validated a new measure for these expectancies in youth.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Substance Use Research
Background:
- Many adolescents reduce or stop drinking without formal treatment.
- Cognitive mechanisms influencing adolescent alcohol change efforts are not well understood.
- Adolescent self-change processes require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine adolescent alcohol cessation expectancies within a cognitive-behavioral de-escalation model.
- To define and develop a measure for adolescent alcohol cessation expectancies.
- To explore the relationship between expectancies and adolescent alcohol reduction/cessation efforts.
Main Methods:
- A 23-item measure of adolescent alcohol cessation expectancies was developed.
- The measure was administered to 5,446 high school students.
- Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to validate the measure.
Main Results:
- Factor analyses identified expectations of global changes and social effects related to alcohol cessation.
- Cessation expectancies showed greater differentiation with increased alcohol experience.
- Youth alcohol cessation expectancies uniquely predicted alcohol change efforts, beyond use and problems.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents hold various alcohol reduction/cessation expectancies that predict behavioral change.
- Understanding these expectancies is crucial for addressing adolescent drinking.
- This research provides a novel measure for adolescent alcohol cessation expectancies.