The role of distal variables in behavior change: Effects of adolescents' risk for marijuana use on intention to use marijuana

摘要: This study uses an integrative model of behavioral prediction as account adolescents’ intention to use marijuana regularly. Adolescents’ risk for using regularly is examined test the theoretical assumption that distal variables affect indirectly. Risk affects indirectly if low-risk and high-risk adolescents differ on strength with which beliefs about are held, or they relative importance predictors intention. A confirmed effect primarily indirect. Adolescents at low high particularly differed in concerning social costs self-esteem. Not surprisingly, at-risk took a far more positive stand toward than did adolescents. On practical level, proved be effective tool predicting marijuana, identifying key interventions, discriminating between target populations terms determinants use.