Social Cognitive Theory Recommendations for Improving Modeling in Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention Programs

Abstract

A number of drug prevention researchers have called for a more theoretical approach to program development and evaluation (e.g., MacKinnon, Weber, and Pentz, 1989). Modeling, an important aspect of social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1969, 1977a, 1986a), has accrued empirical support with a variety of populations and problems, and current state-of-the-art prevention programs are mostly social cognitive theory based. However, there are few publications which review specifically how modeling is applied to adolescent substance abuse prevention programs. This paper fills that gap by reviewing theoretical considerations for implementing modeling. A program of research aimed at simultaneously improving modeling in substance abuse prevention programs and providing an applied test of social cognitive theory is recommended.