Document Detail


Peer influence: use of alcohol, tobacco, and prescription medications.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21950257     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: Risk-taking behavior (e.g., alcohol abuse, tobacco usage, misuse of prescription medications) among college students is a widespread problem. This study focused not only on the frequency of risky health behaviors in college students, but also the companions with whom they engaged in such behaviors.
METHODS: Three hundred and twelve college students completed a survey examining the frequency with which they engaged in alcohol, tobacco, and improper prescription medication use, as well as with whom they were most likely to engage in these behaviors.
RESULTS: Results indicated that participants were most likely to take health risks when accompanied by someone they consider a friend. Results also indicated gender differences in risk-taking behaviors, as well as an interaction effect between companion and gender.
CONCLUSIONS: This information would be useful when developing preventive interventions for college students. Implementing interventions that are specific to certain populations might generate greater success in reducing risk-taking behavior.
Authors:
Alberto Varela; Mary E Pritchard
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of American college health : J of ACH     Volume:  59     ISSN:  1940-3208     ISO Abbreviation:  J Am Coll Health     Publication Date:  2011  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-09-28     Completed Date:  2012-02-03     Revised Date:  2012-03-16    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8214119     Medline TA:  J Am Coll Health     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  751-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho 83725, USA. alberto.varela@utah.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*,  psychology
Analysis of Variance
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Middle Aged
Peer Group*
Prescription Drugs*
Risk Assessment / methods
Risk-Taking*
Social Control, Formal
Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*,  psychology
Tobacco Use Disorder / epidemiology*,  psychology
Young Adult
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Prescription Drugs

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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