Metamotivational Dominance and Use of Tobacco and Alcohol among Adolescents

Abstract

This study investigated differences in metamotivational dominance among adolescents who engaged in different amounts of substance use, specifically, whether students who labeled themselves as ‘heavy’ alcohol consumers or cigarette smokers would be more Paratelic and Negativism Dominant than those who labeled themselves ‘nondrinkers’ or ‘nonsmokers.’ 93 secondary school students (Years 9 and 10) participated in the study (68 boys, 25 girls). One-way analyses of variance indicated self-labeled heavy drinkers scored significantly more Paratelic Dominant than nondrinkers, while heavy smokers scored significantly more Paratelic and Negativism Dominant than nonsmokers. Paratelic Dominant adolescents who reported engaging in heavy smoking may have done so because smoking is defined by society as a risky behaviour and so provides arousal. Education and preventive programs that focus on health hazards of smoking may, in fact, increase the likelihood of this behaviour by both individuals who score Paratelic and Negativism Dominant.