Degree Name
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Program
Psychology
Date of Award
8-2026
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Meredith K. Ginley
Committee Members
Jill D. Stinson, Matthew I. Palmatier, Ginni C. Blackhart
Abstract
Risky behaviors, actions that may cause physical, psychological, social, or economic harm to oneself or others, are prevalent among college students. While significant research has focused on single high-risk behaviors of alcohol use, drug use, gambling, and gaming separately, students frequently engage in multiple high-risk behaviors simultaneously, such as drinking alcohol while gambling. Research shows that students have distinct and specific expectancies about what happens when they engage in a risk behavior, however, minimal research has examined students’ perceptions or reasons for simultaneous poly-risk behavior engagement. This multi-phase project characterized students’ outcome expectancies for simultaneous poly-risk behavior combinations, developed and evaluated a novel measure of these expectancies, and tested the Acquired Preparedness Model (APM) in the context of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis (SAM) use. Qualitative data identified both shared and combination-specific expectancy themes, with “unknown” outcomes frequently endorsed. These findings informed the development of the Simultaneous Poly-Risk Outcome Expectancies Questionnaire-Revised (SPOEQ-R), which through a dual exploratory-confirmatory approach, was refined to a 28-item, seven-factor measure. Validity analyses demonstrated strong divergent validity, though support for convergent validity was mixed. Total scores predicted poly-risk frequency and substance use endorsement, but not gambling or gaming outcomes. Factors covering multiple poly-risk combinations exhibited stronger construct validity than single-combination factors. Despite preliminary support, the measure requires further refinement to ensure its reliability and applicability. Lastly, structural equation modeling of SAM use indicated that outcome expectancies did not fully mediate the association between impulsivity and SAM use, as predicted by the APM. Overall, results underscore the relevance of simultaneous poly-risk behavior and provide a foundation for improved assessment, targeted prevention, and intervention efforts in college populations.
Document Type
Dissertation - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Whalen, Shelby, "Understanding College Student Expectancies of Simultaneous Engagement in Multiple Risk Behaviors: A Measurement Development and Model Testing Study" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4650. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4650
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
