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Journal of Substance Use Volume 14, 2009 - Issue 6
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Original Article

Self-esteem and gender influence the response to risk information among alcohol using college students

Christopher A. Neumann The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute, Springfield, Missouri, USA, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA, and Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USACorrespondence[email protected]
,
Thad R. Leffingwell The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute, Springfield, Missouri, USA, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA, and Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
,
Eric F. Wagner The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute, Springfield, Missouri, USA, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA, and Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
,
Joseph Mignogna The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute, Springfield, Missouri, USA, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA, and Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
&
Melissa Mignogna The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute, Springfield, Missouri, USA, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA, and Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
Pages 353-363 | Published online: 05 Nov 2009
 
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Abstract

Individuals with high self-esteem who engage in risky health behaviours often minimize the associated health risks; individuals with low self-esteem do not demonstrate such minimization. The influence of gender on health risk perceptions is less clear. This study examined the influences of gender and self-esteem upon college students' responses to an alcohol risk message. Three-hundred-and-four alcohol-using college students read an NIAAA sponsored message regarding the risks associated with alcohol use. Results revealed that self-esteem and gender significantly and independently predicted alcohol-related attitudes, intentions, and follow-up behaviour. Females, especially those with low self-esteem, demonstrated greater alcohol-related concerns immediately after reading the message, while males exhibited more self-serving attitudes. In addition, high self-esteem participants and males reported fewer intentions to reduce drinking behaviour. At follow-up, higher self-esteem was associated with greater drinking frequency relative to lower self-esteem. Furthermore, males with higher self-esteem reported the greatest binge frequency compared with all other groups. These findings suggest that individuals with higher self-esteem and males are particularly resistant to information regarding the negative consequences of alcohol use.

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