Prospective Effects of Possible Selves on Alcohol Consumption in Adolescents

Abstract

Possible selves, cognitions about the self that reflect hopes, fears, and expectations for the future, are reliable predictors of health risk behaviors but have not been explored as predictors of adolescents’ alcohol use. In a secondary analysis of data from 137 adolescents, we examined the influence of possible selves assessed in eighth grade on alcohol consumption (yes/no and level of use) in ninth grade. Having a most important feared possible self related to academics in eighth grade predicted alcohol abstinence in ninth grade. Among those who reported alcohol use, having many hoped-for possible selves and a most important hoped-for possible self related to academics in eighth grade predicted lower level of alcohol consumption in ninth grade. Interventions that foster the personal relevance and importance of academics and lead to the development of hoped-for possible selves may reduce adolescents’ alcohol consumption.

Imagining the future: A cross-cultural perspective on possible selves

“…Importantly, those who engaged in hope-related daily activities had a higher probability of survival over a 10 year period. As reviewed by Lee et al, (2015) possible selves have been measured in various ways, including the content of a person's most important possible self (Hooker & Kaus, 1992), the presence of a single target possible self such as being a "problem drinker" (Corte & Szalacha, 2010) or the number of feared (Oyserman & Markus, 1990) Together, these studies highlight the important role of possible selves in shaping behaviour. Recent theoretical developments suggest that possible selves may impact on behaviour through their role in self-regulatory processes that influence both motivation and behaviour (Hoyle & Sherrill, 2006;vanDellen & Hoyle, 2008).…”

Los posibles sí mismos en la adolescencia: diferencias en función del género

“…Los PSs se han asociado a una gran variedad de conductas saludables en la adolescencia como el compromiso con la escuela y el estudio (e.g., Destin & Oyserman, 2010;Leondari, Gonida, & Gialamas, 2009;Oyserman, Brickman, & Rhodes, 2007). Asimismo, se asocian a menor incursión en conductas de riesgo como comportamiento violento (Pierce, Schmidt, & Stoddard, 2015) o abuso de sustancias (Aloise-Young, Hennigan, & Leong, 2001;Lee et al, 2015). Por este motivo se los considera una pieza clave para el trabajo con los adolescentes en distintos ámbitos.…”

Drinker Identity: Key Risk Factor for Adolescent Alcohol Use

“…Strategies to address each of these are discussed below. Based on the evidence that having many positive hoped‐for identities predicts low levels of alcohol use in adolescents and the drinker identity is found in the context of few positive identities, the most important implication is that teachers, in collaboration with adolescents and their parents, systematically work with each adolescent to foster development of positive identities. As a start point, either during health class or for a homework assignment, students could be asked to construct individual photo essays or collages that depict who they are now and who they would like to be in the future .…”

“…Moreover, Oyserman et al's intervention to develop a positive identity related to academics that imbues youth with the sense that they can work hard and be successful in school was shown to be successful. It is important to recognize that there are many ways for adolescents to be accomplished. While there is evidence that adolescents who consider academics to be their most important identity is protective against alcohol use, not all students are academic “all stars.” Traditionally, students who excel academically receive praise, support, and guidance related to their future, and are tacitly held up as models. The implicit but very clear message that is sent to the majority of students who are not at the top of the class is that they are not good enough.…”