The influence of misperceptions about social norms on substance use among school-aged adolescents

Citation

Amialchuk, Aliaksandr; Ajilore, Olugbenga; & Egan, Kevin (2019). The influence of misperceptions about social norms on substance use among school-aged adolescents. Health Economics. vol. 28 (6) pp. 736-747

Abstract

Individuals often have biased perceptions about their peers' behavior. We use an economic equilibrium analysis to study the role social norms play in substance use decisions. Using a nationally representative dataset, we estimate the effect of misperception about friends' alcohol, smoking, and marijuana use on consumption of these substances by youths in grades 7–12. Overestimation of friend's substance use significantly increases adolescent's own use approximately 1 year later, and the estimated effect is robust across specifications including individual-level fixed effects regression. The effect size is bigger for boys than for girls. The estimates for those who initially underestimated the norm suggest the possibility of a rebound/boomerang effect.

URL

Https://doi.org/10.1002/hec.3878

Keyword(s)

Wave I

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Health Economics

Author(s)

Amialchuk, Aliaksandr
Ajilore, Olugbenga
Egan, Kevin

Year Published

2019

Volume Number

28

Issue Number

6

Pages

736-747

ISSN/ISBN

1057-9230

DOI

10.1002/hec.3878

Reference ID

9539