Substance use as impression management

Abstract

This investigation examined the function of substance use as an impression management tactic. Using a model linking self-monitoring to self-esteem via perceived success in impression management and interaction anxiety, it was hypothesized that (a) self-monitoring, perceived success in impression management, and interaction anxiety predict self-esteem; (b) self-monitoring, perceived success in impression management, interaction anxiety, and self-esteem discriminate alcohol initiators from noninitiators, and (c) the same four variables discriminate cigarette initiators from noninitiators. Introductory psychology students (n = 377) responded to a survey instrument measuring the aforementioned variables. Hierarchical regression and discriminant function analyses produced results supportive of the first two hypotheses but not the third. Results suggest that alcohol use may serve an impression management function.