title: Social norms and self-efficacy among heavy using adolescent marijuana smokers.
abstract: Adolescence is a time in which individuals are particularly likely to engage in health-risk behaviors, with marijuana being the most prevalent illicit drug used. Perceptions of others' use (i.e., norms) have previously been found to be related to increased marijuana use. Additionally, low refusal self-efficacy has been associated with increased marijuana consumption. This cross-sectional study examined the effects of normative perceptions and self-efficacy on negative marijuana outcomes for a heavy using adolescent population. A structural equation model was tested and supported such that significant indirect paths were present from descriptive norms to marijuana outcomes through self-efficacy. Implications for prevention and intervention with heavy using adolescent marijuana users are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Washington, USA. ddwalker@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Denise D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Clayton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neighbors
authors.forename: Lindsey M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Roger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Roffman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010379:Peer Group; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057566:Self Report; D012925:Social Conformity; D012932:Social Facilitation; D055815:Young Adult