Perceived physical attractiveness and frequency of substance use among male and female adolescents (1993)

FRANÇAIS :
L'étude portait sur la relation entre l'attrait physique perçu et l'usage de produits chez 1297 adolescents. En outre, l'interaction entre cette perception et l'état du poids (poids superflu, poids normal, poids insuffisant) a été notée. Les filles adolescentes qui ne se considéraient pas attirantes étaient 4 fois plus enclines à consommer des substances psychoactives (marijuana, hallucinogènes, cocaïne...) que celles qui se trouvaient plutôt attirantes. Les filles qui se trouvaient peu attirantes et ayant un poids insuffisant étaient de 6 à 10 fois plus enclines à cette consommation que les autres. Chez les garçons, la perception de leur attrait physique ne contribue pas à des différences dans l'usage de produits sauf s'ils ne fument pas. En ce qui concerne l'alcool et les cigarettes, il n'y avait pas de lien avec la perception de l'attrait physique, chez les filles ou les garçons.
ENGLISH :
This study investigated the relationship between perceived physical attractiveness and frequency of substance use among 1297 adolescents. In addition, the interaction between perceived physical attractiveness and weight status (overweight, normal weight, or underweight) was determined. Adolescent females who rated themselves as unattractive were more than four times as likely to use illicit psychoactive substances (cocaïne, marijuana, hallucinogens, amphetamines) than those who rated themselves as average-looking or attractive. Further, females who saw themselves as unattractive and underweight were six to ten times more likely to use illicit psychoactive substances than any other classification group of adolescent females. Perceived attractiveness did not contribute to differences in substance use in adolescent males, except in the case of smokeless tobacco. Males who perceived themselves as unattractive used smokeless tobacco at a significantly greater frequency than those who believed they were more physically attractive. There were no significant relationships between perceive physical attractiveness and the use of alcohol or cigarettes for either males or females. (Author's abstract)