NCJ Number
180730
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 29 Issue: 3 Dated: 1999 Pages: 251-278
Date Published
1999
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the methodology and findings of a study that examined the extent to which assertiveness and related social skills, personal competence (perceived cognitive mastery), and refusal efficacy predict alcohol involvement.
Abstract
Data were obtained as part of a 5-year (1985-91) investigation that was designed to study the etiology and prevention of tobacco, alcohol, and other illicit drug abuse. The parent study included 56 public schools and was conducted at three suburban sites, including central and eastern upstate New York and Long Island. Beginning with the seventh grade (Time 1) and annually thereafter, students responded to one of three randomly administered, closed-ended, group-administered, self-report paper and pencil questionnaires. Findings show that males were at greater risk for poor refusal skills and reported higher alcohol involvement. Cross-sectionally, youth characterized by poor social skill development reported lower refusal efficacy, lower grades, poor competence, and more alcohol use. Poor refusal efficacy was associated with more risk-taking, lower grades, less competence, and more alcohol use. Longitudinally, both poor refusal skills and risk-taking were associated with higher alcohol use. High personal competence was associated with lower alcohol use in both the eighth and tenth grades, but had no long-term effects on alcohol use. Findings highlight the close interplay between perceived competence and refusal-skill efficacy, both of which should be included as essential components of school-based prevention strategies. 2 tables, 2 figures, and 62 references