Reputation Enhancement Theory and Adolescent Substance Use

Abstract

Data pertaining to self-reported substance use, reputation enhancement, self-concept and coping strategies were obtained from 1,204 Western Australian metropolitan state high school adolescents using the High School Student Activity Questionnaire. Previous research has identified low self-concept levels and inadequate coping strategies as being major contributors to adolescent substance use. The findings of the present research offer some support for this. A 4 x 2 x 3 MANOVA revealed, however, that reputation enhancement differentiated between current substance users, ex-users and non-users to a greater extent than either self-concept levels or coping strategies. Differences between male and female students, however, were identified more through self-concept and coping variables than by reputation enhancement variables. No interaction effect and no main effect for year group were present. The implications for drug education are discussed.