Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Onset, development, and prevention of drinking and driving among adolescents

Origine, développement et prévention de la boisson au volant chez les adolescents

  • Published:
European Journal of Psychology of Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An etiological study was designed to investigate the onset and development of drinking and driving among adolescents who recently received their driver’s license. A theoretical framework, derived from Problem Behavior Theory, was applied in order to identify environmental, personality and behavioral factors associated with drinking and driving. Among students who reported that they had driven a motor vehicle in the past three months (N=1416), 33 percent of the males and 22 percent of the females (who averaged 16.7 years) reported “drinking at least two drinks on a single occasion prior to driving” at least once in the previous three months. Personality factors (including perceived ability to drive after drinking, tolerance of drinking and driving, and lack of self-confidence in avoiding drinking and driving situations), perceived environmental factors (perceived car availability and friends modelling of drinking and driving) and behavioral factors (riding with a drinking driver and marijuana use) accounted for a large proportion (49%) of the variance in reported drinking and driving. It is recommended that school-based, peer-led educational programs be designed which target young adolescents prior to the age at which legal driver license is obtained. The programs should be broad-based and consider drinking and driving within the larger context of drinking and driving related behaviors and traffic safety in general.

Résumé

Une étude étiologique a été reálisée pour décrire l’origine et le développement de l’habitude de boire avant de conduire parmi des adolescents venant d’obtenir leur permis de conduire. Un cadre théorique, issu de la théorie de Jessor (Problem Behavior Theory), a été mis en oeuvre dans le but d’identifier les facteurs environnementaux, comportementaux et de personnalité intervenant dans l’usage de boissons alcoolisées associé au fait de conduire. Parmi des étudiants déclarant avoir conduit un véhicule à moteur dans les trois mois précédents (N=1416), 33% des garçons et 22% des filles (âge moyen 16.7 ans) déclarèrent avoir au moins une fois pendant cette période bu deux verres ou plus d’alcool avant de prendre le volant. Des facteurs concernant la personnalité des sujets (comprenant la capacité auto-perçue de conduire après avoir bu, manque de confiance en soi associé au fait d’éviter ces situations...), sa perception de l’environnement (confiance dans le véhicule, influence des camarades) et ses comportements (rouler en compagnie d’un conducteur qui boit, usage de la marijuana), rendent compte d’une part importante de la variance (49%) des comportements de boisson associés au fait de conduire. On recommande la réalisation de programmes scolaires de co-éducation et de prévention destinés aux adolescents avant qu’ils atteignent l’âge du permis de conduire. Le problème de la boisson au volant devrait y être abordé dans toutes ses conséquences comportementales ainsi que pour la sécurité routière.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albert, W. G., & Simpson, R. I. (1985). Evaluating an educational program for the prevention of impaired drivers among grade 11 students.Journal of Drug Education, 15, 57–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkin, C. K., Neuendorf, K., & McDermott, S. (1983). The role of alcohol advertising in excessive and hazardous drinking.Journal of Drug Education, 13, 313–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bachman, J. G., & O’Malley, P. M. (1984). The Youth in Transition Project. In S. A. Mednick, M. Harway & K. M. Finello (Eds.).Handbook of Longitudinal Research. Vol. 2, Teenage and Adult Cohorts (121–140). New York: Praeger Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumrind, D. (1985). Familial antecedents of adolescent drug use: A developmental perspective. In C. L. Jones & R. J. Battjes (Eds.),Etiology of drug abuse: Implications for prevention. National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Monograph, No. 56 (pp. 13–44). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Services, Rockville, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, K. H. (1981). Driving while under the influence of alcohol: Relationship to attitudes and beliefs in a college population.American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 8, 377–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braucht, G. N. (1985). Problem drinking among adolescents: A review and analysis of psychosocial research. In National Institute on Drug Abuse,Alcohol and Health Monograph No. 4. Special Population Issues (pp. 143–164). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Services, Rockville, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, T. L. (1982). Drinking and driving among American youth: Beliefs and behaviors.Drug-Alcohol Dependency, 10, 1–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Council on Scientific Affairs (1986). Alcohol and the driver.Journal of American Medical Association, 255, 522–527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donovan, D. M., Marlatt, G. A., & Salzberg, P. M. (1983). Drinking behavior, personality factors and high-risk driving: A review and theoretical formulation.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 44, 395–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donovan, J. E., & Jessor, R. (1985). Structure of problem behavior in adolescence and young adulthood.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 890–904.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donovan, J. E., Jessor, R., & Jessor, S. L. (1983). Problem drinking in adolescence and young adulthood. A follow-up study.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 44, 109–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglass, R. L. (1982). Youth, alcohol, and traffic accidents. In National Institute on Drug Abuse.Alcohol and Health Monograph No. 4. Special Issues (pp. 197–223). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Services. Rockville, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duryea, E. J. (1983). Utilizing tenets of inoculation theory to develop and evaluate a preventive alcohol education intervention.Journal of School Health, 53, 250–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finley, B. (1985). Characteristics of the senior high student who drinks and drives. InAlcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco: An International Perspective — Past, Present, and Future. Proceedings of the 34th International Congress on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Volume II papers (pp. 91–93), Calgary, Canada.

  • Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975).Belief, attitude, intention and behavior: An introduction to theory and research. Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flay, B. R., d’Avernas, J. R., Best, J. A., Kersell, M. W., & Ryan, K. B. (1983). Cigarette smoking: Why young people do it and ways of preventing it. In P. McGrath & P. Firestone (Eds.),Pediatric and Adolescent Behavioral Medicine (pp. 132–182). New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, J. D., Lishner, D., & Catalano, R. F. (1985). Childhood predictors and the prevention of adolescent substance abuse. In C. L. Jones & R. J. Battjes (Eds.),Etiology of drug abuse: Implications for prevention. National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Monograph No. 56 (pp. 75–126). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services, Rockville, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hays, R. D., Stacy, A. W., & Dimatteo, M. R. (1987). Problem Behavior Theory and adolescent alcohol use.Addictive Behaviors, 12, 189–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huba, G. J., & Bentler, P. M. (1980). The role of peer and adult models for drug taking at different stages in adolescence.Journal of Youth and Adolescence 9, 449–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jessor, R. (1982). Critical issues in research on adolescent health promotion. In T. J. Coates, A. C. Peterson & C. L. Perry (Eds.),Promoting Adolescent Health: A dialog on research and practice (pp. 447–465). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jessor, R. (1984). Adolescent development and behavioral health. In J. D. Matarazzo, S. M. Weiss, J. A. Herd, & N. E. Miller (Eds.),Behavioral Health. A Handbook of Health Enhancement and Disease Prevention (pp. 69–90). New York: Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jessor, R., & Donovan, J. E. (1985). Personal Communication.

  • Jessor, R. (1985). Bridging etiology and prevention in drug abuse research. In C. L. Jones & R. J. Battjes (Eds.),Etiology of drug abuse: Implications for prevention. National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Monograph No. 56 (pp. 257–268). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Rockville, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jessor, R., Graves, T. D., Hanson, R. C., & Jessor, S. L. (1968).Society, personality, and deviant behavior. A study of a tri-ethnic community. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jessor, R., & Jessor, S. L. (1977).Problem behavior and psychosocial development. A longitudinal study of youth. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, L. D., O’Malley, P. M., & Bachman, J. G. (1985).Use of licit and illicit drugs by America’s high school students 1975–1984. National Institute on Drug Abuse, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Rockville, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandel, D. B., & Yamaguchi, K. (1985). Developmental patterns of the use of legal, illegal, and medically prescribed psychotropic drugs from adolescence to young adulthood. In C. L. Jones & R. J. Battjes (Eds.),Etiology of drug abuse: Implications for prevention. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Research Monograph No. 56 (pp. 193–235). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services. Rockville, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klepp, K. I., Halper, A., & Perry, C. L. (1986). The efficacy of peer leaders in drug abuse prevention.Journal of School Health, 56, 407–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malfetti, J. L. (1985). Public information and education sections of the Report of the Presidential Commission on Drunk Driving: A critique and a discussion of research implications.Accidents Analysis & Prevention, 17, 347–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mann, R. E., Vingilis, E. R., Leigh, G., Anglin, L., & Blefgen, H. (1986). School-based programs for the prevention of drinking and driving: Issues and results.Accidents Analysis & Prevention, 18, 325–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maron, D. J., Telch, M. J., Killen, J. D., Vranizan, K. M., Saylor, K. E., & Robinson, T. N. (1986). Correlates of seatbelt use by adolescents: Implications for health promotion.Preventive Medicine, 15, 614–623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKnight, A. J. (1986). Intervention in teenage drunk driving.Alcohol, Drugs, and Driving, 2, 17–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, J. W., & Tix, P. E. (1986). Minnesota alcohol roadside survey. Results from 1986. St. Cloud State University.

  • Pandina, R. J. (1985). Methods, problems, and trends in studies of adolescent drinking practices.Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 8, 20–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, C. L., & Jessor, R. (1985). The concept of health promotion and the prevention of adolescent drug abuse.Health Education Quarterly, 12, 169–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, C. L., & Murray, D. M. (1985). The prevention of adolescent drug abuse: Implications from etiological, developmental, behavioral, and environmental models.Journal of Primary Prevention, 6, 31–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roizen, J. (1982). Estimating alcohol involvement in serious events. In National Institute on Drug Abuse,Alcohol and Health Monograph No. 1: Alcohol consumption and related problems (pp. 192–219). Department of Health and Human Services. Rockville, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, H. L. (1985). Summary ot topic C — countermeasures. In T. B. Turner, R. F. Borkenstein, R. K. Jones & P. B. Santara (Eds.). Alcohol and Highway Safety: Proceedings of the North American Conference on Alcohol and Highway Safety, Baltimore, MD, 1984.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Supplement No. 10: 207–209.

  • Search Institute (1983). Report on 1983 Minnesota survey on drug use and drug-related attitudes. Search Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, H. M. (1985). Polydrug effects and traffic safety.Alcohol, Drugs and Driving, 1, 17–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith-Donalds, L. G., & Klitzner, M. D. (1985). Self-reports of youthful drinking and driving: Sensitivity analyses of sensitive data.Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 17, 179–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snortum, J. R. (1984). Controlling the alcohol-impaired driver in Scandinavia and the United States: Simple deterrence and beyond.Journal of Criminal Justice, 12, 131–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, T. B., Borkenstein, R. F., Jones, R. K., & Santara, P. B. (1985). Human-related risk factors, with special reference to the driver and alcohol, use. Editorial Comment. Alcohol and Highway Safety: Proceedings of the North American Conference on Alcohol and Highway Safety, Baltimore, MD, 1984.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Supplement No. 10, 19–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1983).Fifth Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health. From the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vingilis, E. R., & Mann, R. E. (1986). Towards an interactionist approach to drinking-driving behavior: Implications for prevention and research.Health Education Research: Theory and Practice, 1, 273–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, H., Rohman, M., Kotch, J. B., & Idelson, R. K. (1984). Alcohol and other drug and automobile safety: A survey of Boston-area teenagers.Journal of School Health, 54, 201–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, A. F., Lund, A. K., & Preusser, D. F. (1986). Drinking and driving among high school students.The International Journal of the Addictions, 21, 643–655.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zobeck, T. S., Williams, G. D., & Bertolucci, D. (1986). Trends in Alcohol-related fatal traffic accidents, United States, 1977–1984.Alcohol Health and Research World, 10, 60–63.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Minnesota, USA

    Knut -Inge Klepp, Cheryl L. Perry & David R. Jacobs

  2. Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, University of Bergen, Øisteinsgate 3, 5007, Bergen, Norway

    Knut -Inge Klepp

  3. Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Stadium Gate 27, 611, Beacon St. S. E., 55455, Minneapolis, MN

    Cheryl L. Perry

  4. Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Stadium Gate 27, 611 Beacon St. S. E., 55455, Minneapolis, MN

    David R. Jacobs

Authors
  1. Knut -Inge Klepp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Cheryl L. Perry
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. David R. Jacobs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This project was supported in part by BRSG 507 RR 055448 awarded by the Biomedical Research Support Grant Program, Division of Research Resources, national Institute of Health, and in part by a grant from the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Klepp, K.I., Perry, C.L. & Jacobs, D.R. Onset, development, and prevention of drinking and driving among adolescents. Eur J Psychol Educ 2, 421–441 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03172625

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03172625

Key words

Search

Navigation