Determinants of adolescent drinking
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Date
2007
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Abstract
Drinking in Namibia became so pronounced that it has been addressed as a national
concern in multimedia campaigns. This study assessed the utility of Theory of Planned
Behavior (TPB) to predict and explain alcohol intentions amongst selected adolescents
in Namibia, and in particular to assess the relative contribution of individual and
normative constructs in the TPB. A total of 98 (multiple R = >0.3) secondary school
learners participated in the study. Elicitation interviews were conducted and data were
evaluated by means of content analysis. The analysis formed the basis for the
development of a questionnaire that measure TPB constructs. A questionnaire was
administered to 100 adolescents (54% female and 46% male). Data were analyzed by
means of multiple linear regression. The predictive utility of the model was confirmed: it
accounted for 24% of the variance in intention to drink. There was a significant
multivariate F for the main constructs of the model [F(3,94) = 9.703 , p <0.01]. A non -
significant multivariate F for the effects of the construct "perceived behavioural control"
was obtained. The positive regression coefficients obtained [attitudes (beta= .407, p <
0.05) and subjective norms (beta = .255, p <0.05] imply that intention to drink was
greater for learners with positive drinking attitudes and high scores on the "friend" scale
of subjective norms. Attitudes, subjective norms and current drinking status accounted
for 31 % of variance in intention [F(6,96) =22.577, p <0.05]. Structural modelling
results provide support for the predictive utility of the TPB (RMSEA = .912). Whether
the constructs measured in this study correspond to TPB constructs measured in
developed countries need to be affmned by empirical evidence. The findings offer
ll1 empirical evidence, supporting interventions that penetrate community networks. The
study highlights the extent to which alcohol attitudes and behaviours are embedded in
family/social contexts.
Description
Theses submitted in partial fullfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts
Keywords
Teenagers, Drinking of alcohol beverages