2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

330630
Self-cognitions related to problem drinking: Adolescent alcohol use and alcohol problems


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Chia-Kuei Lee, PhD, School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Karen Stein, PhD, School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Colleen Corte, PhD, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Background: Self-schemas and possible selves are enduring self-defining cognitive structures that independently predict risk behaviors in adolescents. Schema theory suggests that future-oriented possible selves that are linked in memory to a related current self-schema are more powerful motivators of behavior than either structure alone. This hypothesis is tested by examining the relative effects of a problem-drinker self-schema and possible self on adolescent alcohol-use behaviors across the transition from middle to high school.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from a 12-month longitudinal study with 137 adolescents. Outcomes were alcohol use (# drinks/week) and alcohol problems (# problems because of drinking/12 months) in 8th and 9th grades. Four groups of problem-drinker self-cognitions were formed based on 8th grade endorsements of “drink too much alcohol” as oneself now and in the future (i.e., current only, future only, both current and future, and neither current nor future). MANOVA with covariates and post-hoc comparisons were used.

Results: Overall, level of alcohol use and problems increased from 8th to 9th grade. Adolescents with both current and future problem-drinker self-cognitions reported highest alcohol use and problems. Adolescents with a problem-drinker self-schema only reported higher levels of alcohol problems than those with a problem-drinker possible self only, followed by those with neither problem-drinker self-cognitions. These differences persisted over time.

Conclusion: Adolescents with both current and future problem-drinker self-cognitions are at the highest risk of heavy drinking and alcohol related problems. Accordingly, both self-schema and possible self should be taken in to account in adolescent alcohol prevention and intervention.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the role of self-cognitions related to problem drinking on alcohol use and alcohol problems in adolescents.

Keyword(s): Adolescents, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Both of my doctoral dissertation postdoctoral research were focused on current (self-schemas) and future (possible selves) self-cognitions and health risk behaviors in adolescents and young adults. My PhD and postdoctoral program of research have strengthened my skills to conduct the research and present the research findings in various conferences.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5002.0: Child and adolescent alcohol use: risk and protective factors for alcohol use