Graduate Program

Clinical Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

2001

Thesis Director

Anu Sharma

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify predictors of adolescent substance use. Eighty-seven junior high school students completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Adolescent Family Life Satisfaction Index, Parental Authority Questionnaire, and the Michigan Alcohol and Other Drug School Survey. When examining self-esteem, adolescent family life satisfaction, and perceived parenting style, it was found that the authoritarian father parenting style was the best predictor of total adolescent substance use and, more specifically, tobacco use. Self-esteem and the authoritarian father parenting style were found to be the best predictors of adolescent alcohol use. Furthermore, the authoritarian father parenting style was significantly correlated with alcohol use, other drug use and total drug use. Lastly, self-esteem was found to be significantly negatively correlated with total substance use, tobacco use, alcohol use, marijuana use, and amphetamine use. Subjects in this study reported wide use of drugs, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, amphetamines, and inhalants. There were significant differences between male and female students' use of substances. Males were more likely to use tobacco and inhalants, while females were more likely to use marijuana. A significant difference between parents' marital status and substance use was also found. Adolescents from intact homes were less likely to engage in tobacco use, alcohol use, marijuana use, and overall substance use than were adolescents from divorced homes. Limitations, practical applications, and future directions of this study are also discussed.

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