Resistance Self-efficacy Research Articles

Correlates of College Women's Sexual Assault Resistance Self-Efficacy.

Studies suggest that actively fighting back against an attacker is effective in decreasing the severity and completion of a sexual assault, yet little is known about the factors that contribute to women's confidence in fighting back. Accordingly, the present study examines correlates of college women's self-efficacy in resisting unwanted sexual advances (N = 650). Results suggest that fewer psychological barriers to resistance, greater sexual communication, increased use of dating self-protective behaviors, and greater sexual assertiveness were associated with increased sexual resistance self-efficacy. Findings underscore the importance of developing sexual assault prevention programs that increase women's confidence in fighting back.

Effects of the positive Interpersonal and life orientation training (PILOT) program among elementary school students in Taiwan

This study aimed to investigate the intervention effects of the Positive Interpersonal and Life Orientation Training (PILOT) program on various positive psychological outcomes across two levels of intervention exposure. Most life skill-based intervention programs have been proven to be effective in preventing substance use behaviors and mental illness. However, the effects of these programs on positive psychological competence still needs to be explored. Additionally, the influence of intervention exposure on effectiveness has rarely been considered in most studies. Eight hundred and sixty-eight elementary school students participated in the PILOT program. Analysis of covariance and PROCESS were conducted to investigate the effects of PILOT on the outcome indicators. The results revealed that students exposed to high-level PILOT reported higher levels of resilience, psychological flourishing, substance resistance self-efficacy, cognitive reappraisal, lower levels of depressive symptoms, and internet addiction tendency than students in low-level PILOT in the post-test. The findings indicate that students with a low level of cognitive reappraisal and a high level of depressive symptoms can benefit more from PILOT. The effects of PILOT and their implications in helping students encounter the COVID-19 pandemic in an East Asian context and the influence of fidelity are discussed.

Adaptation of Health-Specific Self-Efficacy Scales for use in Bangladesh

The aim of the present study was to adapt a ‘Health-Specific Self-Efficacy Scales (HSSES)’ for use in Bangladesh. For this purpose, 155 respondents (age range 18 to 42 years) were selected using convenient sampling technique from different departments (students, facultiesand stuff) of IUBAT University. The scales were adapted following five steps such as ensuring construct equivalence, forward translation, focus group discussion, back translation as well as a pilot study. The findings demonstrated that the Bangla Version of 'Health-Specific Self-Efficacy Scales' has sound reliability [Cronbach Alpha 0.79 (‘Nutrition Self-Efficacy (NSE)’ 0.84, ‘Physical Exercise Self-efficacy (PESE)’ 0.76,‘Alcohol Resistance Self-efficacy (ARSE)’ 0.82), Split-half reliability 0.73 (Spearman-Brown) and 0.76 (Guttman method), test-retest reliability 0.67] and satisfactory validity. These results exhibit that Health-Specific Self-Efficacy Scales (‘NSE’, ‘PESE’ and ‘ARSE’) are reliable and valid instruments for assessing nutrition, physical exercise and alcohol resistance-related self believes as well as health consciousness. Furthermore, this study uncovers the opportunity for further health-related research projects in Bangladesh. IUBAT Review—A Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, 5 (1): 15-25

Descriptive peer drinking norms and binge drinking: Enhancement motives as a mediator and alcohol resistance self-efficacy as a moderator.

The association between descriptive norms regarding peer drinking and college students’ binge drinking has been established; however, the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship among first-and second-year college students remain minimally explored. Drawing on social norms theory, motivational model of alcohol use, and the theory of normative social behavior, the current study investigated whether enhancement drinking motives mediated the relationship between descriptive norms regarding peer drinking and college students’ binge drinking, and whether this relationship was moderated by alcohol resistance self-efficacy. Five hundred and nineteen first-and second-year college students (Mage = 19.19 years, SD = 0.98) who were from four universities and had at least one time of heavy episodic drinking during the last year completed self-report questionnaires. After controlling for sex, age, and university variable, stronger descriptive norms regarding peer drinking were positively associated with a greater frequency of binge drinking. Enhancement drinking motives partially mediated the effects of descriptive peer drinking norms on binge drinking. Furthermore, alcohol resistance self-efficacy moderated the direct effects of descriptive peer drinking norms on binge drinking. Compared with college students who reported high alcohol resistance self-efficacy, the direct effects of descriptive peer drinking norms on binge drinking were stronger among students with low alcohol resistance self-efficacy. These findings point to the potential value of alcohol intervention approaches including efforts to help first-and second-year college students change enhancement drinking motives and increase their ability of resisting drinks in the context of pervasive peer drinking.

Outcome expectancies and resistance self-efficacy mediate the relationship between asthma diagnosis and e-cigarette use among youth and young adults

Introduction The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may exacerbate pulmonary complications in youth and young adults with asthma. We sought to identify the cognitive mechanisms that might explain e-cigarette use in this population. We hypothesized that e-cigarette outcome expectancies and e-cigarette resistance self-efficacy would mediate the relationship between asthma diagnosis and e-cigarette use in youth and young adults. Methods We enrolled youth and young adults (15–25 years old) in Alabama with a clinical diagnosis of asthma (n = 130) or without a diagnosis of any chronic pulmonary disease (n = 115; reference group). Author-constructed and validated questionnaires (young adult e-cigarette use outcome expectancies and modified Self-efficacy Scale for Adolescent Smoking) were administered to collect demographic data and assess susceptibility to e-cigarette use as well as current use of e-cigarettes, e-cigarette outcome expectancies, and e-cigarette resistance self-efficacy. We then conducted structural equation modeling to test whether e-cigarette expectancies and e-cigarette resistance self-efficacy mediate the relationship between asthma and susceptibility to e-cigarette use as well as current e-cigarette use. Results The frequency of the susceptibility to e-cigarette use and current e-cigarette use was lower among those with clinically diagnosed asthma than among those without asthma (35.8% vs. 59.8% for susceptibility and 6.0% vs. 18.2% for current use). Individuals with asthma reported weaker expectancies that e-cigarettes would make them feel relaxed which, in turn, was a significant predictor of lower susceptibility to e-cigarette use and current e-cigarette use, suggesting mediation. Finally, individuals with asthma demonstrated greater e-cigarette resistance self-efficacy in the context of social opportunities and friends’ influence to use e-cigarettes. This self-efficacy was associated with lower susceptibility to e-cigarette use as well as current e-cigarette use. Conclusion Although longitudinal studies are needed to determine relationships prospectively, targeted interventions that reduce outcome expectancies and increase resistance self-efficacy to e-cigarette use may further reduce e-cigarette use among youth and young adults with asthma.

Predictors of Opioid Misuse During Emerging Adulthood: An Examination of Adolescent Individual, Family and Peer Factors

IntroductionOpioid misuse has reached epidemic proportions among emerging adults in the U.S. To inform prevention efforts, this study examined adolescent factors related to alcohol and marijuana (AM) use that are associated with a higher or lower risk for opioid misuse during emerging adulthood. MethodsWe used 11 waves of survey data from a diverse California cohort (N = 6,509). Predictor variables from waves 1-7 (ages 11-17) included individual (resistance self-efficacy, positive expectancies) family (older sibling and important adult use), and peer (perceived norms, time spent with peers who use, peer approval) factors. Opioid misuse at wave 8 (mean age = 18.3) and wave 11 (mean age = 21.6) included heroin and nonmedical prescription drug use. ResultsInitial latent growth models (LGMs) indicated that nearly all intercepts and slopes for individual, family, and peer AM factors predicted opioid misuse at waves 8 and 11. These associations were reduced to non-significance after adjusting for prior other substance use with the exception of three intercepts: positive expectancies, peer approval, and older sibling use predicted a higher probability of opioid misuse at wave 8. ConclusionsStronger AM positive expectancies, perceived peer approval of AM use, and older sibling AM use during adolescence are associated with a higher likelihood of opioid misuse during the transition to emerging adulthood. However, most adolescent factors were no longer associated with subsequent opioid misuse after adjusting for history of other substance use, highlighting the importance of considering the larger context of substance use in studies of opioid misuse among young people.

Marijuana knowledge, confidence in knowledge, and information efficacy as the protective and risk factors of marijuana use among college students

Objective This study explored the relationships between marijuana knowledge, confidence in knowledge, and information efficacy and marijuana use. Furthermore, the effects of the knowledge-related variables were examined on intention to use, resistance efficacy, and intention to vote for legalization. Participants: Undergraduate students (N = 215) were surveyed in Fall 2018. Methods: Data were collected online and analyzed through a series of regression analyses. Results: Higher knowledge was related to less use via higher perceived risk whereas higher confidence in knowledge was related to more use. Marijuana use was related to higher future intention to use, lower resistance self-efficacy, and intention to vote for legalization. Information efficacy was related to intention to vote for legalization only. Conclusions: Students with more knowledge were less likely to use marijuana, whereas students who considered themselves well-informed were more likely to use it. Future intervention efforts will benefit from counteracting students’ misplaced confidence in their knowledge.

Early and Late Adolescent Factors that Predict Co-use of Cannabis with Alcohol and Tobacco in Young Adulthood.

The changing legal landscape of cannabis in the USA has coincided with changes in how cannabis is used, including its co-use with other substances. This study analyzed 10years of data from a diverse cohort of youth (N = 2429; 54% Hispanic, 16% Asian, 16% white, 3% black, 10% multiracial) to examine predictors in early and late adolescence of co-use of alcohol with cannabis (AC) and tobacco with cannabis (TC) at age 21. Two forms of co-use were examined: concurrent (use of both substances in past month) and sequential (use of one substance right after the other). Analyses focused on four predictor domains: individual (e.g., resistance self-efficacy), peer (e.g., time spent around peers who use), family (e.g., sibling use), and neighborhood (i.e., perceived alcohol and drug problems in neighborhood). For each co-use combination (AC or TC), we estimated parallel process piecewise latent growth models in a structural equation modeling framework using Mplus v8. The final AC and TC co-use models included all predictor variables from the four domains. Increases in positive expectancies and time spent around peers who use AC, as well as steeper decreases in resistance self-efficacy, were all related to a greater likelihood of AC co-use in young adulthood. Increases in sibling TC use and time spent around peers who use TC, as well as steeper decreases in resistance self-efficacy, were all related to a greater likelihood of TC co-use in young adulthood. Overall, findings highlight the importance of addressing peer influence in prevention programming during both early and late adolescence.

Adolescent Tobacco and Betel Nut Use in the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands: Evidence From Guam.

To determine the prevalence of, and the risk and protective factors associated with, tobacco product use among adolescents in Guam, a US-Affiliated Pacific Island (USAPI) territory. To examine disparities in risk and protective factors across indigenous and nonindigenous groups. Quantitative; cross-sectional. Middle and high schools in Guam. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey sample included a representative sample of 2449 6th to 12th graders (71% response rate). Sample for the supplemental study included 670 middle school students (76% response rate across randomly selected classrooms). Self-reported measures of lifetime and past 30-day tobacco and betel nut use, social competence, resistance self-efficacy, risk perceptions, friend and family tobacco product use, and ease of access to tobacco products. Multilevel logistic regression and analysis of covariance. The prevalence rates of current cigarette, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarette use among middle school students were 8%, 8%, and 25%, respectively. Ability to resist social pressure to use tobacco/betel nut use was strongly associated with lower likelihood of tobacco (odds ratio [OR] = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68-0.84) and betel nut use (OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.67-0.82). Indigenous Pacific Islanders scored significantly lower on protective and higher on risk factors. Tobacco product use rates among Guam middle school students appear to be 4 to 5 times higher than the US national average rates. There is an urgent need for developing tobacco and betel nut use prevention programs for USAPI youth that are tailored to the needs of indigenous Pacific Islanders.

Religiosity, Filial Piety, and Drinking in Adolescence

Research suggests that religiosity, familial factors, and smoking are associated with adolescent alcohol use. The aims of the current study were to investigate whether filial piety, resistance self-efficacy to smoking, and willingness to smoke mediate the relationship between religiosity and alcohol use in 180 adolescents (Mage = 13.23; 60.0% female). Religiosity was not associated with alcohol use, but was associated with filial piety. Resistance self-efficacy, filial piety, and willingness to smoke were all associated with alcohol use. Future prevention programs may benefit from promoting respect toward older family members and should be designed to address both alcohol and smoking-related factors.

Effects of antismoking media on college students' smoking-related beliefs and intentions.

Ecological momentary assessment was used to examine immediate changes in 87 college students' smoking-related attitudes, beliefs, and intentions as a joint function of their exposure to antismoking media and smoking status. Students (37 never smokers, 41 experimental smokers, and 9 current intermittent smokers) carried handheld data-collection devices for 3 weeks to record naturally occurring exposures to antismoking media and respond to investigator-initiated control prompts. At each reported exposure to antismoking media and each control prompt, participants reported their smoking-related attitudes, perceptions of the prevalence of smoking among their peers, resistance self-efficacy, and intentions to smoke. Mixed-effects regression was used to compare responses between encounters with antismoking media and control prompts. Experimental smokers reported weaker intentions to smoke and greater resistance self-efficacy at moments of exposure to antismoking media than at control prompts. Regardless of smoking experience, participants reported higher perceived prevalence of smoking at times of exposure to antismoking media than at control prompts. These findings generally support the value of antismoking media messages for shifting the beliefs and intentions of experimental smokers, who are at high risk for becoming committed regular smokers. (PsycINFO Database Record

Evaluation of the effects of a designated program on illegal drug cessation among adolescents who experiment with drugs

BackgroundStudies indicate that adolescent-onset drug users experience a greater likelihood of dependence that continues into adulthood. The importance of early intervention was evident in treating adolescents before their substance use progressed. We examined the effectiveness of an intervention program that prevents students who experiment with drugs from reusing them.MethodsThe study was based on 10 out of 18 invited schools that were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (5 schools, n = 43) or the comparison group (5 schools, n = 41). The intervention group received an E-course program that comprised a main intervention course (12 sessions) and a booster course (2 sessions). By reducing the burden of teaching content during the 14 sessions, the in-class counselor had opportunities for face-to-face discussions with students on their ambivalence toward quitting illegal drugs. The comparison group received the conventional didactic drug prevention course (2 sessions). Outcomes in terms of stress management, refusal skills, pros of drug use, cons of drug use, and drug use resistance self-efficacy were measured via structured questionnaires conducted thrice: at baseline, after the main intervention sessions, and after the booster sessions. A linear mixed model (LMM) was employed to investigate the effects of time and groups on the outcome variables with group, time, and group × time as fixed effects. Subjects and schools were selected as random effects in order to consider both within-subject and within-school correlations.ResultsThere was a significant group × time interaction with regard to stress management, refusal skills, pros of drug use, and drug use resistance self-efficacy, excluding cons of drug use. The intervention group displayed better stress management compared to the comparison group after the booster intervention. Similar between-group differences were identified in that the intervention group displayed better refusal skills and drug use resistance self-efficacy compared to that of the comparison group. The intervention group favored using drugs less (a decrease in the pros of drug use score) compared to the comparison group after the booster intervention.ConclusionsOur program provided an example of the results of early intervention among students who experiment with illegal drugs.

Predictors of resistance self-efficacy among rape victims and association with revictimization risk: A longitudinal study.

Predictors of resistance self-efficacy among rape victims and association with revictimization risk: A longitudinal study.

Individual, peer, and family factor modification of neighborhood-level effects on adolescent alcohol, cigarette, e-cigarette, and marijuana use

BackgroundNeighborhood factors reported subjectively by residents and measured objectively at the census tract are both associated with adolescent alcohol, tobacco (cigarette and electronic cigarette), and other drug (marijuana) (ATOD) use. Less clear is how these neighborhood factors are longitudinally associated with each substance. Equivocal findings may be due to lack of consideration of individual, peer, and family effect modifiers, which could help adolescents overcome exposure to stressful neighborhood environments. MethodsWe used multivariate logistic regressions with interaction terms to test whether parental monitoring, resistance self-efficacy (RSE) and being around peers who use ATOD modified the association between four subjective and objective neighborhood measures and odds of using each substance measured one year later among 2539 high school students and college freshmen originally recruited from middle schools in Southern California. ResultsCensus tract-level disadvantage was not longitudinally associated with ATOD use. However, perceptions of higher neighborhood disorganization, less social cohesion, and more neighborhood problems with alcohol and drug use were associated with higher odds of ATOD use. Higher RSE and weaker affiliations with peers who use ATOD consistently buffered negative effects of neighborhood disorganization and neighborhood problems with alcohol and drugs on past year ATOD use. ConclusionsCommunity-level programs that increase social cohesion among neighbors, neighborhood monitoring of deviant behaviors, and better policing of open drug selling may prevent ATOD use. Programs should also target RSE and minimize affiliations with peers who use ATOD, which could reduce the magnitude of the association with ATOD, even for adolescents living in the most at-risk neighborhoods.

Differentiating Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Risky Drinking: a Role for Outcome Expectancies and Self-Efficacy Beliefs.

Social cognitive theory articulates a role for two key thought processes in governing volitional behaviour: outcome expectancies and self-efficacy expectancies. These cognitions are behaviour-specific, and should thus differentiate people who engage in one behaviour over another. This paper presents the results of a study applying social cognitive theory to explore how outcome expectancies and self-efficacy expectancies differentially relate to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and risky alcohol use amongst a sample of young adults. A sample of 389 undergraduate students completed self-report questionnaires assessing their engagement in NSSI, alcohol consumption, their beliefs about the anticipated consequences of self-injury and alcohol consumption (outcome expectancies), and their belief in their ability to resist self-injury or risky drinking (resistance self-efficacy). Generally, people who self-injure rather than drink are characterised by a belief in the ability to resist drinking, coupled with stronger positive, and weaker negative, NSSI expectancies. People who self-injure are less likely to think alcohol reduces tension than people who do not self-injure. People who engaged in both NSSI and risky drinking report more anxiety than participants who engaged only in risky drinking and lowered ability to resist self-injury. Overall, the findings suggest that a unique combination of beliefs differentially predict NSSI and drinking. The pattern of results suggests potential avenues for future research to delineate why people engage in one behaviour rather than another and to inform future prevention and early intervention initiatives.

Sexual victimization among college women: Role of sexual assertiveness and resistance variables.

OBJECTIVE: College women are at high risk for sexual assault, especially women with a history of sexual victimization. The present study uses a longitudinal design to explore the role of sexual assertiveness, psychological barriers to resistance, and resistance self-efficacy as putative mediators between prior sexual victimization and sexual revictimization among a sample of 296 college women. METHOD: Women completed assessments of sexual victimization since the age of 14, as well as putative mediator variables at a baseline assessment. Sexual revictimization was assessed over a 7-month interim. RESULTS: Results of structural equation modeling indicated that the relationship between baseline and follow-up sexual assault was mediated by the study variables. Follow-up analyses suggested that sexual assertiveness served as a particularly salient mediator. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that increasing women's sexual assertiveness skills may be a particularly important component of reducing risk for sexual revictimization among women with a history of assault. ©2016 American Psychological Association Language: en

Predictors and consequences of prescription drug misuse during middle school

ObjectivesNon-medical prescription drug use (NMPDU) is a growing public health problem among adolescents. This is the first study to examine the correlates of early NMPDU initiation during middle school, and how early initiation is associated with four domains of functioning in high school (mental health, social, academic, and delinquency). MethodsStudents initially in 6th–8th grades from 16 middle schools completed in-school surveys between 2008 and 2011 (Waves 1–5), and a web-based survey in 2013–2014 (Wave 6). We used discrete time survival analysis to assess predictors of initiation from Waves 1 to 5 based on students who provided NMPDU information at any of these waves (n=12,904), and regression analysis to examine high school outcomes associated with initiation based on a sample that was followed into high school, Wave 6 (n=2539). ResultsLow resistance self-efficacy, family substance use, low parental respect, and offers of other substances from peers were consistently associated with NMPDU initiation throughout middle school. Further, perceiving that more of one's peers engaged in other substance use was associated with initiation at Wave 1 only. By high school, those students who initiated NMPDU during middle school reported lower social functioning, and more suspensions and fighting, compared to students who did not initiate NMPDU during middle school. ConclusionNMPDU initiation during middle school is associated with poorer social functioning and greater delinquency in high school. It is important for middle school prevention programs to address NMPDU. Such programs should focus on both family and peer influences, as well as strengthening resistance self-efficacy.

Cluster-randomized trial of a German leisure-based alcohol peer education measure.

Because of scarce research, the effectiveness of substance abuse prevention in leisure settings remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a peer-led educational prevention measure with adolescent groups in unstructured leisure settings, which is a component of the complex German nationwide ‘Na Toll!’ campaign. Using a cluster-randomized two-group post-test-only design, we tested whether the measure influenced component-specific goals, namely risk and protective factors of alcohol use such as risk perception, group communication and resistance self-efficacy. The sample consisted of 738 adolescents aged 12–20 years who were recruited at recreational locations and completed an online questionnaire 1 week after the peer education or recruitment event. Sixty-three percent of the sample participated in the 3-month follow-up assessment. Data analysis revealed post-test effects on risk perception, perceived norm of alcohol communication in the peer group and resistance self-efficacy. Follow-up effects were not observed, with the exception of a significant effect on risk perception. In conclusion, the peer-led education measure in leisure settings might have supported the adolescents in this study to perceive alcohol-related risks, to feel accepted to talk about alcohol problems with their friends and to be more assertive in resisting alcohol use in the short term.

Differences in substance use and substance use risk factors by Asian subgroups.

The present study examined differences in lifetime use and initiation of substance use and associated risk factors for alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana among seven subgroups of Asian American (AA) adolescents: Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Mixed heritage Asian. Sixth and 7th grade AA adolescents in Southern California were surveyed five times over three academic years. We examined subgroup differences in (1) lifetime alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use assessed at baseline, (2) initiation of each substance over three years, and (3) baseline individual (positive and negative expectancies about substances, resistance self-efficacy, and intentions to use), family (closest adult and older sibling substance use), and school factors (perceived peer use). Although there was considerable heterogeneity in lifetime substance use and initiation rates, subgroup differences were not statistically significant (ps > .20). Significant subgroup differences existed for negative expectancies about use, perceived peer use, and close adult alcohol and cigarette use (ps < .05). Specifically, Vietnamese and Japanese adolescents had the lowest negative expectancies about cigarettes and marijuana, respectively. Vietnamese adolescents reported the highest levels of perceived peer cigarette use. Mixed-heritage adolescents reported the highest frequency of alcohol and cigarette use by their closest adult. Although no differences in substance use rates were observed, these findings are an important first step in understanding heterogeneity in AA adolescents' risk for substance use and initiation.

The effects of purchasing alcohol and marijuana among adolescents at-risk for future substance use.

BackgroundAmong high-risk youth, those who may be at increased risk for adverse alcohol and other drug (AOD) use outcomes may benefit from targeted prevention efforts; how youth acquire AOD may provide an objective means of identifying youth at elevated risk.MethodsWe assessed how youth acquired alcohol and marijuana (purchasing vs. other means), demographics, AOD behaviors/consequences, and environment among adolescents referred to a diversion program called Teen Court (N = 180) at two time points (prior to the program and 180 days from baseline). Participants were predominantly White and Hispanic/Latino(a).ResultsIn cross-sectional analyses among alcohol and marijuana users, purchasing marijuana was associated with more frequent marijuana use and consequences, time spent around teens who use marijuana, higher likelihood of substance use disorders, and lower resistance self-efficacy compared to non-purchasers. Teens who purchased both alcohol and marijuana experienced similar outcomes to those who purchased only marijuana, and also reported more frequent and higher quantity of drinking, greater alcohol-related consequences, time spent around teens who use other drugs, and prescription drug misuse. Longitudinally, purchasing alcohol and marijuana at baseline was associated with more frequent and higher quantity of drinking compared to non-purchasers at follow-up. Marijuana only purchasers had a greater likelihood of substance use disorders at follow-up compared to non-purchasers.ConclusionsIn an era where drinking is commonplace and attitudes towards marijuana use are becoming more tolerant, it is essential to evaluate how accessibility to AOD and subsequent purchasing behaviors affect youth consumption and intervene accordingly to prevent future consequences.