Do 'good values' lead to 'good' health-behaviours? Longitudinal associations between young people's values and later substance-use.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Past studies have linked certain values (traditional vs. individualistic) with adolescent substance-use. The aims of this study are to replicate cross-sectional research linking values and adolescent substance-use and to determine if such values predict future substance-use.

Methods

A longitudinal school-based survey of 2196 young people (age 15) followed up in early adulthood (age 18/19). Participants provided data about their beliefs and values at age 15, and their substance-use (smoking, alcohol and drug-use) at ages 15 and 18/19. In addition data were collected about their social background (gender, risk-taking, deprivation, religion, etc).

Results

Cross-sectionally, young people with anti-authority values were more likely to use various substances, e.g

SUBMITTER: Young R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2864210 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature