Changes in Alcohol Involvement, Cognitions and Drinking and Driving Behavior after Obtaining a Driver’s License.
McCarthy
D.M. & Brown, S.A. (in press) Changes in alcohol involvement, cognitions
and drinking and criving behavior after obtaining a driver’s license.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol.
Abstract
Objective: Beginning to drive an automobile can signify a number of behavioral and contextual changes relevant to substance involvement in general and drinking and driving in particular. This study tested whether obtaining a driver’s license was associated with increases in alcohol and other drug involvement and changes in alcohol-related cognitions for youth, and whether drinking and driving behavior increased with driving experience.
Method: Confidential, anonymous surveys were conducted at two time points
(Fall, Spring) with students at four high schools in San Diego county (N=2865,
51% male). Data were collected on alcohol, cigarette and marijuana use, license
status, peer alcohol use, attitudes towards drinking and driving and drinking
and driving behaviors.
Results: Non-Drivers (60%), New-Drivers (obtained a license between time 1
and time 2) and experienced Drivers (26%) were compared on study variables
at both time points and over time. Initially obtaining a driver’s license
was associated with increased frequency of substance use. Results were not
significant for quantity of alcohol use, frequency of heavy drinking, or perceived
alcohol use norms. Attitudes towards drinking and driving reflected an increase
in the perceived dangerousness of this behavior for New-Drivers. Past month
drinking and driving behavior increased with increased driving experience.
Conclusions: Results indicate a number of changes in substance involvement
after obtaining a driver’s license. However, initially this transition
may also indicate a period of protection against drinking and driving. These
results may have implications for the target and content of drinking and driving
interventions.