Using the bioecological model to predict risk perception of marijuana use and reported marijuana use in adolescence

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the ability of the Bioecological Model (BEM) to predict adolescents' risk perception (RP) of marijuana use and reported marijuana use. The secondary aim of the study was to investigate the extent to which the BEM influenced adolescents' decision-making regarding marijuana use by exploring the BEM's ability to moderate the relationship between adolescents' RP of marijuana use and reported use. Methods: Systems in the proposed BEM included variables from the literature proven to influence adolescents' health risk behaviors. Hierarchical linear regression was used to predict RP from BEM variables. Hierarchical logistic regressions were used to predict marijuana use from BEM variables and to assess the ability of the BEM to moderate the relationship between RP and reported marijuana use. Results: Three systems in the BEM, Adolescent, Microsystem, and Mesosystem, were predictive of RP and reported marijuana use. At least two variables in each system predicted RP and reported marijuana use. The Mesosystem moderated the relationship between RP and use. Conclusion: The combination of the BEM and the HBM provides the unique opportunity to understand adolescents' decision to engage in marijuana use. Because the BEM is viewed as part of a generative process, results here can be used to produce a more integrated HBM specific to adolescence.