Access Type

Open Access Dissertation

Date of Award

1-1-2010

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Educational Psychology

First Advisor

Stephen B. Hillman

Abstract

The present study examined sensation seeking, psychological problem behaviors, values orientation, and problem behaviors of smoking, alcohol use, and delinquency among Hong Kong adolescents studying in high school of two different ability levels. Adolescents (N = 1385) from a band one and band three level high school in Hong Kong were assessed using the Sensation Seeking Scale Form-V (SSS-V), Youth Self Report (YSR), Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ), and the Adolescent Health and Development Questionnaire (AHDQ), along with several demographic variables (e.g., age, gender, grade level, employment).

Regression analyses were employed to determine the contribution of the significantly correlated variables in explaining each of the three problem behavior outcomes. For smoking behavior, regression analyses found that school band level, sensation seeking, externalizing problem behaviors, values orientation of openness to change, and alcohol use and delinquency were all predictive of smoking behavior. Specifically, sensation seeking, externalizing problem behaviors, school band level, and alcohol use were reliable predictors of current smokers from never smokers, while the values orientation of openness to change, school band level, and alcohol use were reliable predictors of not-current smokers from never smokers. These variables accounted for a total of 23.5% of the variance explaining smoking behavior category.

For alcohol use, regression analyses found that age, school band level, sensation seeking, internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, values orientation of conservation, openness to change, and self-transcendence, and the problem behavior outcomes of smoking and delinquency, were all predictive of alcohol use behavior. Specifically, sensation seeking, internalizing problem behaviors, school band level, values orientation of openness to change and self-transcendence, and smoking and delinquency were reliable predictors of current drinkers from never drinkers, while the school band level, sensation seeking, age, and smoking behavior were reliable predictors of not-current drinkers from never drinkers. These variables accounted for a total of 40% of the variance explaining alcohol use behavior category.

For delinquency, the following variables when entered into the linear regression equation were found to be predictors of delinquent behaviors: school band level, overall sensation seeking score, externalizing problem behavior score, values orientation of conservation, and the problem behavior outcomes of smoking and alcohol use. These variables accounted for a total of 31% of the variance explaining delinquency.

When examining the differences between adolescents who attend a band one or band three level school, there were significant findings with all three of the problem behavior outcomes. Adolescents studying at a band three level school were significant more likely to be categorized as current smokers and drinkers, and also reported more delinquent behaviors. Implications of the results are discussed in the context of clinical applications and directions for future research.

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