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The Development of Lay Theories of Problem Drinking

Causes and Cures

George Washington University

Stacy A. Gurstell

Amanda K. Stewart

University of Arizona

The development of theories of and attitudes surrounding adolescent alcohol abuse was explored by asking students from sixth grade to college to react to a hypothetical case of problem drinking. With age, students perceived the problem as less serious; less often attributed it to moral weakness, but displayed little change in their endorsement of causal views emphasizing biological disease, bad environment, or normal motives; more often emphasized the individual's own responsibility for solving the problem and the value of self-initiated and nonpunitive treatment; and expressed more acceptance of the problem drinker. In addition, males were more likely than females to normalize and tolerate problem drinking. Deviance from adult-sanctioned, conventional values, although a contributor to tolerant views ofproblem drinking in its own right, could accountfor only some age and gender differences in perceptions. Implications for substance abuse education are discussed.

Journal of Adolescent Research, Vol. 7, No. 3, 292-312 (1992)
DOI: 10.1177/074355489273002


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