Structure and Relations:

Abstract

In this paper we examine the robustness of the influence of family structure on substance use among 2,057 Ontario adolescents students interviewed in 1993. Specifically, we examine the unadjusted and adjusted influence of four family structures (both parents; one parent; one parent and stepparent; and neither natural parent) on five substance use and delinquency outcomes. The results showed family structure differences for four of the five outcome variables disappeared or weakened significantly after adjusting for familial factors. The most influential familial interaction factor was the amount of time students spent with their family, which showed a significant inverse relationship for all five outcome variables. Overall, the analysis suggests that family relations and interactions are more influential on substance use and delinquency than is family structure.