Citation

Wills TA, Sargent JD, Gibbons FX, Gerrard M, Stoolmiller M. Psychol. Addict. Behav. 2009; 23(1): 23-35.

Affiliation

Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/a0014137

PMID

19290687

PMCID

PMC2805125

Abstract

The authors tested a theoretical model of how exposure to alcohol cues in movies predicts level of alcohol use (ever use plus ever and recent binge drinking) and alcohol-related problems. A national sample of younger adolescents was interviewed by telephone with 4 repeated assessments spaced at 8-month intervals. A structural equation modeling analysis performed for ever-drinkers at Time 3 (N = 961) indicated that, controlling for a number of covariates, movie alcohol exposure at Time 1 was related to increases in peer alcohol use and adolescent alcohol use at Time 2. Movie exposure had indirect effects to alcohol use and problems at Times 3 and 4 through these pathways, with direct effects to problems from Time 1 rebelliousness and Time 2 movie exposure also found. Prospective risk-promoting effects were also found for alcohol expectancies, peer alcohol use, and availability of alcohol in the home; protective effects were found for mother's responsiveness and for adolescent's school performance and self-control. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Language: en