Application of the theory of planned behavior to adolescent use and misuse of alcohol.

Abstract

This research assessed the plausibility and robustness of using Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in predicting and explaining the use and misuse of alcohol among 3,946 fifth through eighth grade students in Michigan. The study also examined the relative importance of the model components for subgroups of the sample, as well as differences in patterns of use and misuse of alcohol by sex and by grade. Results provided strong support for use of the TPB in this context, and suggest that the model is fairly robust. All model components reached significance at the.05 level. Peer pressure and opportunity and experience with alcohol, both elements of the component "perceived behavioral control", were of greatest importance in explaining intention to use alcohol. Depending on the subgroup being examined, up to 38% of the variance in use and misuse of alcohol was explained by intention alone, and up to 78% of the variance in intention to use alcohol was explained by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Results of analysis of variance suggest that there is some difference in frequency of alcohol use between males and females by grade, with males generally using alcohol more often than females.