Perceived exposure to peer and adult drinking as predictors of growth in positive alcohol expectancies during adolescence

This study investigated the effects of change in exposure to peer and adult drinking on changes in positive alcohol expectancies during adolescence. Covariance and mean structure analysis were used to model change in the predictors and in alcohol expectancies in a sample of southern California schoolchildren followed from Grades 5 to 10 (N = 3,580). The sample was gender balanced and was predominantly White (51%) and Hispanic (28%). Exposure to peer drinking and rate of change in exposure to peer and adult drinking were found to predict the rate of change in alcohol expectancies. These effects were particularly strong between Grades 5 and 7, suggesting the need for early intervention aimed to prevent the increase in positive alcohol expectancies.