Reputation enhancement theory and adolescent substance use.
Data pertaining to self-reported substance use, reputation enhancement, self-concept and coping strategies were obtained from 1,204 Western Australian metropolitan state high school adolescents using the High School Student Activity Questionnaire. Previous research has identified low self-concept levels and inadequate coping strategies as being major contributors to adolescent substance use. The findings of the present research offer some support for this. A 4 x 2 x 3 MANOVA revealed, however, that reputation enhancement differentiated between current substance users, ex-users and non-users to a greater extent than either self-concept levels or coping strategies. Differences between male and female students, however, were identified more through self-concept and coping variables than by reputation enhancement variables. No interaction effect and no main effect for year group were present. The implications for drug education are discussed.
Odgers
P
P
Graduate School of Education, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Houghton
S
S
Douglas
G
G
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D012649:Self Concept; D012928:Social Desirability; D012931:Social Environment; D012932:Social Facilitation; D012938:Social Perception; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D014904:Western Australia
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs