Phencyclidine Use in High School: Tests of Models

Abstract

Phencyclidine (PCP) use was studied in conjunction with alcohol and marijuana use for a sample of tenth grade students. Rates of use, attitudes toward the drugs, perceived norms among significant others, and intentions to use the drugs in the future were assessed. Attitudes, intentions, subjective norms, and drug-taking behavior were related for each drug. Phencyclidine was used less than alcohol and marijuana, and attitudes were less favorable toward that drug. Students also reported less definite intentions to use PCP, and reported that their significant others disapproved of the drug more. A causal model was tested and found to fit the progression from alcohol to marijuana to PCP behavior, attitudes, intentions, and subjective norms. The causal model implies that the drugs are related in a stepwise manner.