PREDICTING ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO USE IN A SAMPLE OF RURAL ADOLESCENTS

Objective: To examine adolescent perception of risk and the behavior a nd attitudes of parents and friends to evaluate which best predicts al cohol and tobacco use in a sample of rural adolescents. Methods: Data were collected from one rural school district using a paper and pencil survey of 548 adolescents. Specific items related to personal use of alcohol and tobacco, friends use of alcohol and tobacco and parental u se of alcohol and tobacco and perception of risk about use of these su bstances were analyzed using a multiple regression model for each subs tance. Results: Friends use of alcohol and tobacco predicted adolescen t use (.001), while perception of use was did not have any effect in t he multiple regression model. Conclusion: Although the study failed to support the idea that perception of risk was a strong influence on ad olescent substance use, it did support other studies that have found f riend or peer influence to be a key factor in initiation and subsequen t substance use.