A psychosocial model of risk and protective factors in adolescent alcohol abuse (I)

Abstract

In behavioral sciences, the concept of risk behaviors refers to any behavior that can compromise many psychosocial aspects of successful adolescent development as well as the appropriate preparation for transition to the next stage in the life trajectory, i.e. young adulthood. Substance abuse (e.g., alcohol or ilicit drugs), withdrawal from school involvement, unprotected sexual intercourse, driving after drinking, and engaging in violent behaviors are some relevant examples. Despite the policies and laws regulating alcohol consumption in Western countries, alcohol remains one of the most widespread and available substances used by adolescents. Early onset of alcohol consumption is associated with other risky behaviors in later adolescence, like acute alcohol intoxication, unsafe driving, and violent behaviors. Therefore, adolescence could be a key period for implementing alcohol preventive interventions. This paper introduces and explains a psychosocial model of risk and protective factors in adolescent alcohol abuse. This conceptual approach is based on the model of adolescent engagement in risk behaviors (R. Jessor). Our model starts from the premise that a range of socio-demographic characteristics, personality traits, attitudinal variables, social variables and indicators of well-being can act as either risk or protective factors and explain individual differences in risk for alcohol abuse among adolescents. The first part of the current paper focuses on precursor models that underlie the conceptualization of risk and protective factors in adolescent alcohol abuse. Some of the variables included in our conceptual model are described and justified by empirical evidence. These are socio-demographic characteristics, religiosity, resilience, self-efficacy beliefs and personality traits.