Good self-control moderates the effect of mass media on adolescent tobacco and alcohol use: tests with studies of children and adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether self-control moderates the effect of media influences on tobacco and alcohol use among youth and if so how this effect occurs.

Design: In Study 1, a regional sample of 10-year olds (N = 290) was interviewed in households; attention to tobacco/alcohol advertising was assessed. In Study 2, a national sample of youth ages 10-14 years (N = 6,522) was surveyed by telephone; exposure to tobacco/alcohol use in movies was assessed. Good self-control was measured in both studies.

Main outcome measures: Willingness to use substances and affiliation with peer substance users (Study 1); involvement in smoking or drinking (Study 2).

Results: In Study 1, the effect of tobacco/alcohol advertising on predisposition for substance use was lower among persons scoring higher on good self-control. In Study 2, the effect of movie smoking/alcohol exposure on adolescent tobacco/alcohol use was lower, concurrently and prospectively, among persons scoring higher on good self-control. Moderation occurred primarily through reducing the effect of movie exposure on positive smoking/alcohol expectancies and the effect of expectancies on adolescent use; some evidence for moderation of social processes was also noted. Covariates in the analyses included demographics, sensation seeking, and IQ.

Conclusion: Good self-control reduces the effect of adverse media influences on adolescent tobacco and alcohol use. Findings on the processes underlying this effect may be useful for media literacy and primary prevention programs.

Figure 1

For Study 1, estimated values of criterion variables by levels of good self-control and advertising attention with regard to (A) substance use willingness, (B) affiliation with peer users.

Figure 2

Structural model for Study 1. Straight single-headed arrows indicate path effects, curved double-headed arrows indicate covariances. Values are standardized coefficients. Values in circles at top of figure are squared multiple correlations, the variance accounted for in a given construct (to which the arrow points) by the exogenous variables. Model includes poor self-regulation, gender, and IQ (not pictured). For the correlations among the exogenous variables, included in the model but excluded from the figure for graphical simplicity, see Table 2. * p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001. **** p < .0001.

Figure 3

For Study 2, estimated values of substance use by levels of good self-control and movie exposure. (A) Movie smoking exposure and adolescent smoking, (B) Movie alcohol exposure and adolescent alcohol use.

Figure 4

For Study 2, unstandardized coefficients (SE in parentheses) from multiple-group analysis with adolescent smoking or alcohol use as criterion. Coefficients for persons low on good self-control are above line, coefficients for persons high on good self-control are below line. (A) Model for smoking, (B) Model for alcohol. The following indicate coefficients differ significantly: * p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001. **** p < .0001.