Abstract
The relationships between personal substance use, health beliefs, peer use, sex, and religion were examined using data collected from 265 middle school students in rural northern Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin in January and February 1984. A positive correlation between peer and personal drug use was established. A relationship was also found between health beliefs and personal substance use. In addition, a regression model was able to account for a statistically significant amount of the variance of alcohol, marihuana, and cigarette use in the target population. Recommendations are made concerning future research, methods of improving health education program development, and possible target areas for psychotherapy.
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Received Ph.D. in Health Education from The University of Michigan. Research interests include program evaluation, measurement, and community health education.
Received Ed.D. in Health Education from Wayne State University. Research interests include school health, international health, and program evaluation.
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Sarvela, P.D., McClendon, E.J. Indicators of rural youth drug use. J Youth Adolescence 17, 335–347 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537674
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537674