Social norms and initiation of alcohol and coitus among younger adolescents

Current research with initiation of risky behaviors among adolescents has identified social support as a factor that may be helpful in abstinence or delay of initiation; however, few studies have examined younger populations. Self-report responses (N=1910) from middle school students (with parental consent) participated. 69% were 11 and 12 year olds, 54% were female, and 62% were African American. 28% had initiated coitus and 17% had already consumed alcohol. Two social norms scales were used; one for peers, a 5 item scale (r=.66) and one for parents, a 9 item scale (r=.80). Females and Caucasians scored higher on peer support (p<.00) while Caucasians scored higher on parent support (p<.00). Logistic regression analyses on alcohol initiation explained 22% of variance with no dominant or strong predictors; age, gender, ethnicity, peer support and parent support all had odds ratios between 1 and 2. Analyses of coital initiation explained 45% of variance with age and ethnic group displaying odds ratios larger than 3 and minimal contributions from peer and parent support. Previous studies with older populations of adolescents have repeatedly demonstrated the value of theoretical constructs drawn from social norms – constructs such as peer and parental support. Assumptions that such social norm constructs are similarly valuable with younger adolescents were not observed in this study. Given these profiles, risky behaviors among this younger population may be involuntary; recognized social factors showed minimal impact on initiation. In younger populations, social norm approaches may be of secondary importance.