This study examined the relations between risk cognitions and risk behaviour. Adolescents' perceptions of the risks associated with driving after drinking (DAD) and their perceptions of the prevalence of this behaviour among their peers were assessed, and these perceptions were used to predict their DAD behaviour. Results provided evidence of a type of cognitive social influence: the more common adolescents thought the behaviour was, the less risk, both personal and general, they attributed to it. As expected, however, this relation was significant only for those who were high in a tendency to engage in social comparison. Perceptions of risk, in turn, were prospectively related to risk behaviour for all participants. Specifically, low perceived risk, especially personal risk, was associated with an increase in DAD behaviour. Implications of the results for DAD interventions are discussed. (Author/publisher)
Abstract