Cognitive predictors of children's attitudes toward alcohol and cocaine

This study examined age differences in, and associations among, children's attitudes and intentions regarding alcohol and cocaine use and possible cognitive underpinnings of such orientations (basic familiarity with each substance, expectancies about short-term psychological and behavioral effects, beliefs about long-term health effects, and causal understanding of drug action). Among 217 first through sixth graders, attitudes and intentions were negative and became less negative with age for alcohol, but more negative with age for cocaine. The cogonitive predictors contributed to the prediction of attitudes toward cocaine, but not alcohol. Negative attitudes toward cocaine were associated with being familiar with it, knowing its true long-term effects, and endorsing correct explanations of its behavioral effects. The cognitive predictors failed to significantly predict intentions to use alcohol or cocaine. Findings suggest that fostering accurate beliefs and understandings may promote stronger anti-drug Orientations toward less familiar drugs such as cocaine. (C) 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.