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Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 1 7, No. 4, 1 998, pp. 44 i-465
SCOTT C. CARVA)AL
The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center
SCOTT D. CLAIR
Florida Atlantic University
SUSAN C. NASH AND RICHARD I. EVANS
The University of Houston
Although there is a long history of research examining relationships between
intrapersonal factors and adolescent substance use, such relationships have not
always been clearly delineated. The present study focused on three factors gener
ally associated with physical and mental well being: dispositional optimism, hope, and self-esteem. These constructs were examined in relation to a social influence model as applied to the deterrence of substance use. A cross-sectional study was
undertaken employing adolescents (n= 1 ,985) representative of a multi-racial/eth
nic population. The results suggest that optimism, hope, and self-esteem are
determinants of avoiding substance use, with the effects of these variables being mediated by attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control. Addi tionally, the structural equation modeling analysis suggests a more general protec tive dimension predominantly accounts for the relationships between the
personality factors and the mediators of avoiding substance use. These findings suggest efforts to prevent substance use may be more effective if they address more
global intrapersonal factors in conjunction with the more immediate determinants of substance use.
This is part of an ongoing larger scale project titled "Substance Use Prevention Among Minority Adolescents" funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (DA-07024).
Preparation for this article was also supported in part by grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (grant# HD-30638). Principal investigator for these projects is Richard I. Evans.
Address correspondence to Scott C. Carvajal, who is now at Education Training Re
search (ETR) Associates, P.O. Box 1830, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; e-mail: [email protected].
443
RELATING OPTIMISM, HOPE, AND SELF-ESTEEM
TO SOCIAL INFLUENCES IN DETERRING
SUBSTANCE USE IN ADOLESCENTS
444 CARVAJAL
The use of harmful substances continues to be a major public health
concern in the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human
services [USDHHS], 1994). Further, many individuals who go through
a transition from non-use to use between the ages of 12 to 18 appear to
be at risk for the use of harmful substances later in life (Wills, Pierce, &
Evans,...