Longitudinal associations between alcohol-related cognitions and use in African American and European American adolescent girls

摘要

BackgroundAfrican American (AA) girls initiate alcohol use later and drink less than European American (EA) girls, potentially reflecting differences in the development of drinking behaviors. The current study examined alcohol-related cognitions: expectancies, attitudes, and intention to drink, as possible sources of variation by race in alcohol use. The aim of the current study was to characterize the nature and degree of association between these cognitions and use over time and by race in EA and AA girls.