A structural equation model for evaluating community influences on rural adolescent alcohol use

Many studies have demonstrated that adolescent alcohol use is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Most commonly, these studies have investigated family, peer, and various intrapersonal influences on drinking behavior. The present study adds the concept of adolescent perception of the values of the external community as another source of influence. Specifically, this study sought to answer the question of whether adolescent perception of community norms about adolescent drinking affected self-reported alcohol drinking behavior. Variables included in the final model were age, sex, community influences, family influences, personal values, peer influences, and self-reported use. A survey questionnaire was given to 3764 rural adolescents in grades 7-12. Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. The large sample size provided for refinement of the model on one data set and testing of the model on a hold-out sample. The concept of community influence was a significant component of a model of rural adolescent alcohol use. Specifically, perceptions of community norms had a direct effect on peer influences. Peer influences and personal values were reciprocally related. Age and personal values had a direct effect on self-reported use. These findings suggest the need for inclusion of a community component in prevention/intervention programs addressing adolescent alcohol use