Self-Concept and Social Factors in Substance Use By Early Adolescents (Deviance, Peer Pressure).

Abstract

The study examined the relative impact of social influences and self-concept aspects in experimentation with cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana by early adolescents. The purpose was to determine the degree to which it is appropriate to focus prevention efforts exclusively on peer and family influences in prevention efforts directed at junior high school students. Evidence for social influences was evaluated against that for alternative factors of low self-esteem and substance use motivated by self-image concerns. Cross-sectional data were obtained from approximately 800 seventh grade boys and girls. The major variables were: self-esteem; substance use by peers (cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana); cigarette use by parents and siblings; the child's use of cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana; and two types of self-image, one indicating image as attractive and the other being image as deviant. These were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Boys' and girls' data were analyzed separately. Slightly different models were derived for boys and for girls. For boys, the influences of peers and a sibling who smoked cigarettes seemed to play a critical role in early experimentation of the three substances. For girls, self-image was apparently the critical factor in their experimentation. Low self-esteem was related to substance use by both sexes. It was concluded that attempts to weaken social influences for substance use may be especially appropriate for boys. For girls, it was suggested that future intervention efforts be careful not to emphasize negative characteristics of substance users or negative consequences of substance use. Rather, an alternative approach was proposed that emphasizes self-enhancement without self-destruction.