Reciprocal associations between drinking-and-driving behavior and cognitions in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
The present study tested reciprocal associations between drinking-and-driving behavior and cognitions as youths transition to driving independently. We hypothesized that experience with driving and experience with drinking and driving would effect changes in cognitions about drinking and driving over time. We also tested cognitions as predictors of later drinking-and-driving behavior.


METHODS
Two hundred and two high school youths completed mailed questionnaire measures at two time points, approximately 8 months apart. Questionnaire measures assessed youths' drinking-and-driving behavior, riding with a drinking driver, drinking-and-driving attitudes, normative beliefs, and perceived negative consequences at both time points.


RESULTS
Consistent with hypotheses, prior drinking-and-driving experience influenced changes in drinking-and-driving cognitions. Youths with drinking-and-driving experience at Time 1 saw drinking and driving as more dangerous over time; however, they perceived their peers as more accepting of this behavior. Time 1 attitudes predicted increased drinking-and-driving frequency at Time 2, and normative beliefs predicted increased frequency of riding with a drinking driver.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support reciprocal associations between drinking-and-driving cognitions and behavior. Results of this study may have implications for the timing and content of drinking-and-driving interventions to reduce drinking and driving as well as riding with a drinking driver.
McCarthy
Denis M
DM
210 McAlester Hall, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA. mccarthydm@missouri.edu
Pedersen
Sarah L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013997:Time Factors