Abstract
BackgroundResearch on adolescent substance use has consistently identified a strong relationship between adolescent behavior and the behavior of their peers. However, peer effects are difficult to estimate and causal interpretations must be undertaken with caution since individuals in most cases choose with whom to associate. In this paper we seek to empirically quantify the causal role of peer social networks in explaining marijuana usage among adolescents.Methods and FindingsUsing data from a nationally representative sample of adolescents we utilize a multivariate structural model with school-level fixed effects to account for the problems of contextual effects, correlated effects and peer selections to purge the potential biases from the estimates of peer influence. Our peer group measures are drawn not only from the nomination of close friends (N = 6,377), but also from classmates (N = 19,335). Marijuana usage among the peer groups were constructed using the peers' own report of their marijuana consumption. Controlling for parent level characteristics, and other demographic parameters, we find that a 10% increase in the proportion of close friends and classmates who use marijuana increases the probability that an individual chooses to use marijuana by 5%.ConclusionOur findings indicate that peer effects are important determinants of marijuana use even after controlling for potential biases We also found evidence to show that the influence of close friends and the more exogenous classmates are quite similar in magnitude under our preferred specification, supporting theory predicting the importance of peer influence. Effective policy aimed at reducing marijuana usage among adolescents would consider these significant peer effects.
Highlights
Consumption of illegal drugs among adolescents is a major public health concern in the United States [1,2]
Our findings indicate that peer effects are important determinants of marijuana use even after controlling for potential biases We found evidence to show that the influence of close friends and the more exogenous classmates are quite similar in magnitude under our preferred specification, supporting theory predicting the importance of peer influence
Effective policy aimed at reducing marijuana usage among adolescents would consider these significant peer effects
Summary
Consumption of illegal drugs among adolescents is a major public health concern in the United States [1,2]. Estimates without accounting for peer selection are unable to identify accurately whether an individual’s behavioral choices in some way varies with behavior of the reference group [13]. Disentangling the peer influence from spurious unobserved factors associated with peer selection [7] is important if we are to accurately predict the success of policies aimed at reducing drug use among adolescents. If there are common underlying attributes of individuals within a peer group that drive behavior more than peer influence, policies aimed at taking advantage of peer influence may not realize the desired effects [9,10]. In this paper we seek to empirically quantify the causal role of peer social networks in explaining marijuana usage among adolescents
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