Psychosocial Predictors of Recent Drug Use Among Anglo and Hispanic Children and Adolescents

Abstract

ABSTRACT Drug use among children and adolescents continues to be a source of considerable national concern. Despite declining trends over the past 15 years, drug use is fairly high among school-aged children and adolescents and is again on the rise. The present study evaluates a social development model of psychosocial predictors of drug use in Anglo and Hispanic children and adolescents. Participants in this longitudinal study include 392 parent-child pairs who completed questionnaires and interviews at 12-month intervals. Structural equation models reveal that patterns and predictors of drug use are distinct for each sub-group, by age and ethnicity. Later drug use was primarily associated with prior use, exposure to parental and peer models of drug use, and family disruption. These findings are partially consistent with Social Development theory in that strong links to conventional social institutions and behavior appear to protect children and adolescents from significant investment in drug-using behaviors. These effects are not, however, necessarily influenced by association with peers or peer groups.