Page 164 - GHES-3-1

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Affect heuristics in substance use

The likelihood ration test was also performed to verify Zimmerman & Farrell (2016) found that substance use
the joint significance of the correlation parameters between by friends was a more relevant factor than consumption
the error terms. The statistically significant result of this by parents in influencing the perceptions of adolescents
test must be underscored: it revealed that the estimation about the negative consequences of substance use. This
of a multivariate probit model that considers jointly finding reinforces the idea of the affect heuristic associated
taken decisions to consume the studied substances is with peer impact on substance use. Chan et al. (2017)
more adequate than the estimation of independent probit highlighted that substance use by peers represented the
models for the consumption of each substance. most relevant factor in increasing the likelihood of multiple
The results of these tests elucidate the relevance of substance use by adolescents. Needle et al. (1986) asserted
common unobservable factors in the decision-making that substance use by friends exerted a relatively stronger
of Brazilian adolescents to use substances. This finding influence on adolescent decisions to use substances than
suggests that the choice of using these discrete substances substance use by parents. According to Guo et al. (2002)
could evoke the same sensation in adolescents, which can and Van Ryzin et al. (2012), the influence of friends surges
be interpreted as the influence of the affect heuristic in the in mid-adolescence, namely, in adolescents who are 14 –
decision to consume alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit drugs, as 15 years old.
Slovic (2000) and Slovic et al. (2002; 2005) have described. Lundborg’s (2006) study results exhibited that the
The examination of the effects of the variables influence of peers was stronger for the most common
representing the consumption of substances by peers behavior of consuming alcoholic beverages and weaker
on the probability of consumption of these substances for the least common behavior of illicit drug use. This
by adolescents resulted in the observation that having a result differed from the findings of the present study that
friend who consumes alcohol increased the probability of the effects of the consumption of the less common and
the consumption of alcohol, illicit drugs, and cigarettes by socially unaccepted substances (illicit drugs) by friends
adolescents. The presence of a friend who consumed illicit were generally stronger for all substances. Thus, the effects
drugs increased the probability of adolescent consuming of social interactions on substance use by adolescents
illicit drugs and heightened the probability of the adolescent in Brazil are more significant for less socially accepted
consuming alcohol and cigarettes. The existence of a friend substances. This finding can be explained by the desire
who smoked cigarettes also amplified the probability that of adolescents to attain a sense of belonging and their
the adolescent would consume all the studied substances. discomfort with loneliness. Substance use can foster a
These results were statistically significant at the 1% level. sense of belonging, particularly when it occurs in a group
context. Studies conducted by (Oliveira & Pucci, 2021;
The probability that an adolescent had already Fernandes et al., 2022; Arruda et al., 2022; and Sousa et al.,
consumed alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit drugs also 2024) have highlighted this phenomenon.
statistically significantly increased by the existence of a
parent who smoked. However, the presence of a parent who Tables 4 and 3 present generally similar results vis-à-vis
consumed alcohol did not affect the intake of illicit drugs socioeconomic and demographic variables. As Malta et al.
by adolescents in the model (2b) and did not influence the (2014) indicated from their study on the 2012 NSHS, female
consumption of cigarettes in model (1c). The consumption adolescents were more likely to have already consumed
of alcohol by a parent significantly heightened the some type of alcoholic beverage. This finding indicates
probability of alcohol consumption by adolescents in both that the sex-related pattern of alcohol consumption among
models. adolescents remained identical between 2012 and 2019.
Male and female adolescents evinced no differences in the
These results show that contact with other individuals
who use substances exerts a vital impact on substance consumption of illicit drugs, in alignment with the trends
use by adolescents. Barreto et al. (2014) and Figueiredo reported by other studies conducted by researchers such
et al. (2016) have previously highlighted this impact on as (Guo et al., 2002; Malta et al., 2011; Van Ryzin et al.,
adolescent cigarette consumption by adolescents in Brazil. 2012; and Chan et al., 2017). These scholars also indicated
the absence of any differences in substance use patterns
The affect heuristic could function as a channel in this between male and female adolescents. However, male
relationship: adolescents may observe the good experiences adolescents were more likely than female adolescents to
of close people using substances and may want to share have already smoked cigarettes.
these experiences. This desire could create a positive affect
regarding substance use, which could lead adolescents to White adolescents were more likely to have already
underestimate the risks and overestimate the benefits of consumed the three substances. These results differ
consuming the studied substances. from the findings reported by (Guo et al., 2002 and Van

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 156 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3829