Citation
Bartsch, Lauren A. (2016). The Impact of Self-Concept on Adolescent Alcohol Use and Suicidal Behaviors.
Abstract
Adolescent alcohol use is a major public health problem in the United States. While prevention efforts are common, alcohol still remains the most commonly used and abused substance among today’s youth. Few studies have examined the relationship between specific components of mental health (i.e. self-concept) and alcohol use, particularly across the varying developmental years. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of self-concept on recent alcohol use (past 30 days) and recent binge drinking (five or more alcoholic beverages on one occasion) across three developmental ages. This study employed secondary data analysis using the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). All participants were in grades 7-12 (N= 6,504) and completed the computer assisted in-home interview. A total of 17.3% of youth reported recent alcohol use and 11.3% reported recent binge drinking. Overall, recent alcohol use and recent binge drinking increased with increased grade levels. Youth who were male and white were also more likely than their counterparts for recent alcohol use and recent binge drinking. Youth with low self-concept were at increased odds forrecent alcohol use. This held true regardless of sex, race and grade. Youth with low self-concept were at increased odds for recent binge drinking among male and female students, white students, and students in grades 7-8 and grades 11-12. Students in grades 7-8 with low selfconcept had the highest odds ratios for recent alcohol use and recent binge drinking in comparison to students in grades 9-10 or 11-12 with low self-concept. Results of this study underscore the importance for health educators and preventionists to consider the impact of selfconcept on youth substance use at differing grade levels when developing substance abuse prevention efforts.
URL
https://etd.ohiolink.edu/!etd.send_file?accession=ucin1458893372&disposition=inlineReference Type
Thesis/Dissertation
Book Title
Health Promotion and Education
Author(s)
Bartsch, Lauren A.
Year Published
2016
Volume Number
Ph.D.
Publisher
University of Cincinnati
Reference ID
7790
