The Effects of Self-Esteem and Optimism on Alcohol Use in Adolescents and Young Adults With and Without a History of Paternal Substance Dependence Juliet R. Bradley and Christine McCauley Ohannessian University of Delaware and Victor Hesselbrock, Principal Investigator University of Connecticut School of Medicine Measures Abstract Results Results Optimism The Life Orientation Test (LOT) was utilized to assess optimism. The LOT is a 12-item measure that is used to indicate generalized outcome expectancies of the respondent (Scheier & Carver, 1985). In various research studies, The LOT has been shown to have good internal consistency and test-retest reliability (Goodman, Knight, & DuRant, 1997; Scheier, Matthews, Owens, & Magovern, 1989). Effects of Self-Esteem and Optimism on Young Adult Alcohol Abuse Factorial ANOVAs were again conducted to examine the effects of self-esteem and optimism on alcohol abuse in the subjects when they were young adults. The same variable with the four different combinations of self-esteem and optimism were also used with these ANOVAs. Non-significant ANOVA results were again found with regard to COA status and gender. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between self-esteem, optimism, and alcohol abuse in a sample of COAs and nonCOAs. One goal of the study was to explore these concepts separately by examining the relationships between self-esteem and alcohol abuse, optimism and alcohol abuse, and self-esteem and optimism. Another goal was to examine the ways in which self-esteem and optimism were related to adolescent and young adult alcohol abuse in COAs and nonCOAs. The sample was composed of 215 adolescents ages 15-19 (62% girls, 65% Caucasian, 55% COAs) and their fathers. The adolescents were followed into their adulthood as part of a longitudinal research project. The associations between self-esteem, optimism, and alcohol abuse were not significant. Self-Esteem Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) was utilized to measure self-esteem. The RSE is a 10-item measure used to assess a respondent’s level of self-esteem on a 4-point likert scale (Rosenberg, 1965). The RSE has been found to have good reliability (Hendin & Trezsniewski, 2001). Indicators of Drinking Behavior The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) was utilized to measure drinking behaviors. The MAST is a 25-item scale that assesses the severity of problem drinking. The MAST has been found to have good internal consistency (Hedlund & Vieweg 1984), as well as good test-retest reliability (Skinner & Sheu, 1982; Zung, 1982). *Coping and self-esteem were assessed at Time 1. Drinking behaviors were assessed at Time 2. The RISK Project • A longitudinal study designed to study children of substance dependent fathers from adolescence into adulthood • The RISK project began in 1993 and is still ongoing. Data was collected at three different time points. This study utilized data that was collected in Time 1 (between 1993- 1998) and Time 2 (collected between 1998- 2003) • Adolescents were recruited through a variety of ways including through presentations at their school, alcohol and drug treatment programs, guidance counselors, and community organizations such as the YMCA Results Sample Relationships Between Self-Esteem and Alcohol Abuse Small, non-significant inverse relationships were found between self-esteem and alcohol abuse regardless of gender, or a history of paternal substance dependence. Relationship Between Optimism and Alcohol Abuse Small, non-significant positive relationships were found for all of the groups that were examined, except for female COAs, where a small, non-significant inverse relationship was found between the two variables. Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Optimism Small, non-significant inverse relationships were found for female COAs and nonCOAs. A small, non-significant positive relationship was found for male COAs, and a moderate to large, significant inverse relationship was found for male nonCOAs. Conclusions 215 adolescent girls and boys and their fathers 65 % Caucasian 62 % girls •. Age range = 15-19 years old; Mean age =16.76 (SD=1.36) • Working class families from an inner-city • 55% COAs The purpose of this study was to examine the role of self-esteem and optimism in drinking behaviors of adolescents and young adults. Non-significant relationships were found between self-esteem and alcohol abuse, optimism and alcohol abuse, and self-esteem and optimism for the majority of groups in the study. ANOVA results found no significant effects of self-esteem and optimism on adolescent and young adult alcohol abuse. There were no significant differences with regard to COA status or gender. Overall, the results of this study found that self-esteem and optimism did not have a significant impact on adolescent or young adult alcohol abuse in this sample. Effects of Self-Esteem and Optimism on Adolescent Alcohol Abuse Factorial ANOVAs were conducted in order to explore the effects of self-esteem and optimism on alcohol abuse in adolescent COAs and nonCOAs. A new variable (‘combination’) was developed that was composed of four groups that were used to indicate the possible combinations of self-esteem and optimism. The four groups consisted of low self-esteem and low optimism, high self-esteem and high optimism, low self-esteem and high optimism, and high self-esteem and low optimism. Overall, non-significant ANOVA results were found with regard to self-esteem and optimism. No significant differences were found with regard to COA status and gender. *Supported by NIAAA 2P50AA03510 and NIAAA K01AA015059