Effects Of Adolescent Substance Use Research Articles

An examination of reciprocal associations between substance use and effortful control across adolescence using a bifactor model of externalizing symptoms.

Early adolescence is thought to represent a window of vulnerability when exposure to substances is particularly harmful, partly because the neurotoxic effects of adolescent substance use may derail self-regulation development. However, previous studies fail to account for externalizing symptoms, such as aggression and delinquency, that accompany adolescent substance use and may also derail the development of self-regulation. The current study aims to clarify whether the neurotoxic effects of adolescent substance use are associated with deficits in effortful control (EC) after accounting for externalizing symptoms and to examine reciprocal relationships between EC, externalizing symptoms, and substance use. A longitudinal sample of adolescents (N = 387) was used to estimate bifactor models of externalizing symptoms across five assessments (Mage = 11.6 to 19.9). The broad general externalizing factors were prospectively associated with declines in EC across adolescence and emerging adulthood. However, the narrow substance use specific factors were not prospectively associated with EC. Findings suggest that the broader externalizing context, but not the specific neurotoxic effects of substance use, may hamper self-regulation development. It is critical to account for the hierarchical structure of psychopathology, namely externalizing symptoms, when considering development of EC.

Adolescent neurodevelopment and substance use: Receptor expression and behavioral consequences.

Adolescence is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood, during which extensive brain development occurs. Since this period also overlaps with the initiation of drug use, it is important to consider how substance use during this time might produce long-term neurobiological alterations, especially against the backdrop of developmental changes in neurotransmission. Alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and opioids all produce marked changes in the expression and function of the neurotransmitter and receptor systems with which they interact. These acute and chronic alterations also contribute to behavioral consequences ranging from increased addiction risk to cognitive or neuropsychiatric behavioral dysfunctions. The current review provides an in-depth overview and update of the developmental changes in neurotransmission during adolescence, as well as the impact of drug exposure during this neurodevelopmental window. While most of these factors have been studied in animal models, which are the focus of this review, future longitudinal studies in humans that assess neural function and behavior will help to confirm pre-clinical findings. Furthermore, the neural changes induced by each drug should also be considered in the context of other contributing factors, such as sex. Further understanding of these consequences can help in the identification of novel approaches for preventing and reversing the neurobiological effects of adolescent substance use.

Adolescent Substance Use and Sensation-Seeking on Sexual Behaviors Among Young Adults from Continuation High Schools

Background: Youth from continuation high schools report greater substance use and sensation-seeking than youth from regular high schools, yet their long-term consequences on age at sexual onset and the number of sexual partners are unknown. Objective: To examine substance use, sensation-seeking and sexual behaviors by gender and race/ethnicity and the effects of substance use and sensation-seeking in adolescence on age at sexual initiation and numbers of sexual partners by young adulthood. Methods: Baseline and 4-year follow-up data on youth from 14 continuation high schools in Southern California who participated in a drug abuse prevention intervention were analyzed. Structural equation modeling assessed whether or not substance use or sensation-seeking in adolescence predicted age at sexual onset and numbers of sexual partners by young adulthood. Results: Latinos had lower sensation-seeking and frequency of substance use and a later age at sexual onset than non-Latinos. Males were more likely than females to have multiple lifetime and recent sexual partners. The effects of adolescent substance use on the number of sexual partners by young adulthood were mediated fully by their age at sexual initiation. Sensation-seeking had no direct or indirect effects on sexual behaviors. Conclusions/Importance: Factors leading to and actual sexual risk behaviors among youth from continuation high schools vary by race/ethnicity and gender. Targeting these antecedent factors by race/ethnicity and gender may improve prevention efforts.

Gender Differences in Family Formation Behavior: The Effects of Adolescent Substance Use

This study extended previous research on the association of substance use with family formation behavior by assessing the effects of the type and extent of adolescent substance use in a competing risks model. Substance use was expected to increase the likelihood of nonmarital family formation overall and differently by gender. Longitudinal data from home interviews with the 14- to 16-year-old respondents to the first wave of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (N = 4,011) were used in multinomial logistic regressions estimating the odds that first cohabitation, parenthood, or remaining single occurred before first marriage among five types of substance users compared with nonusers. Full sample analysis preceded separate analyses of women (n = 1,946) and men (n = 2,065). Illegal drug use and concurrent substance use increased the likelihood that cohabitation, as opposed to marriage, was the first family type. Concurrent use of three types of substances had the largest effect on family formation behavior. The effects of singular marijuana use mattered only for men. The effects of substance use on parenthood as the first family type were significant only for women and increased the likelihood that marriage occurred first. The effects of substance use depended on the type(s) of substance(s) used, singular or concurrent use, and gender. Previous research regarding cohabitation was supported and extended. Assumptions that substance use leads to teenage or unwed parenthood based on the relationship of substance use to pregnancy or its predictors should be re-examined.

The Longitudinal Relationships Between Rural Adolescents’ Prosocial Behaviors and Young Adult Substance Use

While many adolescents and young adults experiment with substances (e.g., alcohol, cigarette smoking, marijuana), recent research suggests that rural youth and young adults may be more at risk for substance use than their urban counterparts. This study was designed to examine the longitudinal relationships between rural adolescents' prosocial behaviors and substance use in young adulthood. Furthermore, we examined the potential mediating effects of adolescent substance use, academic investment, and delinquency. Rural youth (N=531; 263 girls) were surveyed in grades 10-12 (Time 1; M age=16.17; SD=.91) and again in early adulthood (Time 2). Measures of prosocial behaviors, substance use, academic investment, and deviant activities were assessed at Time 1. At Time 2, measures of marijuana use, cigarette smoking, and getting drunk were administered. Overall, the findings showed that rural adolescents who frequently exhibit prosocial behaviors are less likely to engage in substance use in young adulthood than those who exhibit relatively low levels of prosocial behaviors. These findings indicate that prosocial behaviors may have positive health consequences, establishing behavioral trajectories that lead to lower levels of risky health behaviors in adulthood in rural populations.

Accounting for Variation in the Perceived Effects of Adolescent Substance Use: Steps towards a Variable Reinforcement Model

Prior research indicates that many young people associate substance use with immediate pleasures and rewards, including kicks, thrills, excitement, or relief from psychic pain. Moreover, the anticipation of such rewards appears to represent a significant motivating force behind adolescent substance use. Yet, while substance use is rewarding and reinforcing for many young people, the reward potential of drugs/alcohol appears to be highly variable across individuals. For instance, some youths do not associate substance use with pleasurable effects and this fact requires explanation. In this paper, the writer proposes an integrated theoretical model that attempts to account for individual variation in the reward potential of drugs and alcohol. It is argued that this model may also help to predict the future behavior of adolescent substance users. Data from a large survey of adolescents are used to conduct an initial test of the proposed model. The implications of the findings for theory and research are discussed.

Marker or mediator? The effects of adolescent substance use on young adult educational attainment

Στόχοι: Ελέγξαμε τις επιδράσεις από τη χρήση ουσιών κατά τη διάρκεια της εφηβείας στη φοίτηση και την ολοκλήρωση των πανεπιστημιακών σπουδών στη νεαρή ενήλικη ζωή, όσον αφορά τους παράγοντες κινδύνου που επηρεάζουν τη χρήση ουσιών και σχετίζονται με τη συμπεριφορά και την οικογένεια. Σχεδιασμός, χώρος και συμμετέχοντες: Τα στοιχεία συγκεντρώθηκαν σε βάθος χρόνου από την κοινότητα από παιδιά αλκοολικών (248) και από μια όμοιων χαρακτηριστικών ομάδα ελέγχου (206) κατά τη διάρκεια τριών αξιολογήσεων στην εφηβεία (μage=13–15), ενώ πραγματοποιήθηκε μακροχρόνιο follow-up στη νεαρή ενήλικη ζωή (μage=25). Μετρήσεις: Η φοίτηση στο πανεπιστήμιο και ο βαθμός αποφοίτησης μέχρι την ηλικία των 25 ετών αναφέρθηκαν στη νεαρή ενήλικη ζωή από τα ίδια τα άτομα. Κατά τη διάρκεια της εφηβείας, οι αυτό-αναφορές για τη χρήση αλκοόλ και ψυχοτρόπων ουσιών εκτιμήθηκαν με μετρήσεις ποσότητας/συχνότητας λογαριθμικά μετασχηματισμένες, οι παράγοντες κινδύνου για τη χρήση ουσιών [π.χ. παρακολούθηση από τους γονείς, εξωτερίκευση και εσωτερίκευση συμπτωμάτων και το Διαγνωστικό και Στατιστικό Εγχειρίδιο III (DSM-III) για τη διάγνωση του αλκοολισμού των γονιών] εκτιμήθηκαν και με αυτό-αναφορά και με αναφορά από τους γονείς μέσω ενός τυποποιημένου εργαλείου αξιολόγησης της ικανότητας ανάγνωσης (Wide Range Achievement Test). Ευρήματα: Με το μοντέλο καμπύλης ανάπτυξης, εντοπίσαμε ότι τα μέσα επίπεδα και η ανάπτυξη της χρήσης ουσιών στην εφηβεία αποτελούν δείκτη ή μπορούν να εντοπίσουν τους εφήβους οι οποίοι αντιμετωπίζουν υψηλό κίνδυνο όσον αφορα τις πιθανότητες παρακολούθησης και ολοκλήρωσης του κολεγίου. Επιπλέον, η χρήση ουσιών στην εφηβεία δεν αποτελούσε απλώς ένα δείκτη κινδύνου, καθώς η χρήση ουσιών (όχι η χρήση αλκοόλ) επηρέασε σημαντικά τις επιδράσεις της χρήσης αλκοόλ από τους γονείς και τις πρώτες συμπεριφορές εξωτερίκευσης αναφορικά με τη μετέπειτα ολοκλήρωση του κολεγίου, εξετάζοντας μερικώς τις επιδράσεις που έχουν οι παράγοντες κινδύνου στην ολοκλήρωση του κολεγίου. Συμπεράσματα: Η παρούσα μελέτη παρέχει στοιχεία τόσο για την υπόθεση δείκτη όσο και την υπόθεση διαμεσολαβητή, και εντοπίζει πολλούς δρόμους για την επίτευξη της ανώτατης εκπαίδευσης. Τα ευρήματα υπογραμμίζουν τη σημασία που έχει η μελέτη της επίδρασης της χρήσης ουσιών από τους εφήβους σε ένα ευρύτερο πλαίσιο ανάπτυξης των σχετικών παραγόντων κινδύνου, ώστε να εντοπιστούν πιο αποτελεσματικά οι βασικοί δρόμοι σε μετέπειτα αποτελέσματα στην ανάπτυξη. Λέξεις κλειδιά: ανάπτυξη εφήβων, εκπαίδευση, αποτελέσματα από τη χρήση ουσιών, χρήση ουσιών

The relation between adolescent substance use and young adult internalizing symptoms: Findings from a high-risk longitudinal sample.

The present study examined the role of adolescent substance use and its antecedent behavioral and familial risk factors in the prediction of young adult internalizing symptoms 10 years later, using a community sample of children of alcoholics (n = 194) and demographically matched controls (n = 209). Using growth curve modeling, the authors found that initial levels of adolescent alcohol and drug use (mu-sub(age) = 13) and growth in drug use during adolescence predicted higher levels of internalizing symptoms in young adulthood, even after including in the models shared risk factors for both internalizing symptoms and adolescent substance use. These effects remained significant after including concurrent substance use in adulthood, suggesting that adolescent substance use exerts a long-term impact on young adult internalizing symptoms over and above the effects of persistent substance use over time. The present investigation further revealed that initial levels of alcohol and drug use in adolescence mediate the relation between parental alcoholism and young adult internalizing symptoms. Findings provide evidence for the long-term effects of adolescent substance use on young adult functioning and can help inform both etiological and prevention research.

Marker or mediator? The effects of adolescent substance use on young adult educational attainment

We tested the effects of adolescent substance use on college attendance and completion by young adulthood in the context of the behavioral and familial risk factors that influence substance use. Longitudinal data were collected from a community sample of children of alcoholics (248) and matched controls (206) at three adolescent assessments (micro(age) = 13-15) and a long-term follow-up in young adulthood (micro(age) = 25). College attendance and degree completion by age 25 were self-reported in young adulthood. During adolescence, self-reports of alcohol and drug use were assessed with log-transformed quantity/frequency measures; substance use risk factors [e.g. parental monitoring, externalizing and internalizing symptoms and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version III (DSM-III) diagnosis of parental alcoholism] were assessed by both self- and parent-report, and adolescent reading achievement was assessed using a standardized assessment of reading achievement (Wide Range Achievement Test). Using growth curve modeling, we found that mean levels and growth in adolescent substance use mark, or identify, those adolescents who are at risk for reduced odds of attending and completing college. Moreover, adolescent substance use was not merely a marker of risk, in that growth in drug use (but not alcohol use) significantly mediated the effects of parental alcoholism and early externalizing behavior on later college completion, partially explaining the effects of these risk factors on college completion. The current study provides evidence for both the marker and the mediator hypotheses, and identifies multiple pathways to higher educational attainment. The findings point to the importance of studying the effects of adolescent substance use in a broader developmental context of its correlated risk factors to specify more effectively the key pathways to later developmental outcomes.

Processes linking adolescent problems to substance-use problems in late young adulthood.

The current study explores three avenues in early young adulthood through which adolescent problems may be linked to later substance use problems: problematic substance use, failure to assume adult roles and responsibilities, and exposure to pro-drug social influences. Participants (N = 1,986; 49% female) filled out surveys at ages 18, 23 and 29. Participants were 67% white, 9% black, 10% Hispanic and 8% Asian. Deviance, poor mental health, substance use, alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems, and school dropout were measured at age 18. AOD problems were also measured at age 23, as were role changes (e.g., marriage) and pro-drug social influences (e.g., friends use drugs). Indicators of substance abuse and dependence were measured at age 29. Demographics and family history of AOD were covariates. Reporting more deviant behavior and heavier drinking at age 18 was associated with a higher likelihood of abuse and dependence at age 29. Alcohol use and pro-drug social influences at age 23 appeared to mediate the effects of adolescent substance use; lack of role assumption did not. The effect of poor mental health at age 18 was not mediated by any set of variables but instead appeared to directly predict dependence at age 29. Findings highlight the importance of early young adult drinking and substance-using peers in continuing patterns of heavy substance use developed during adolescence and also underscore the long-term impact of poor mental health during adolescence on substance use problems in late young adulthood.

Developmental relationships between adolescent substance use and risky sexual behavior in young adulthood.

To examine the developmental relationship between adolescent substance use and risky sexual behavior in young adulthood. A gender-balanced, ethnically diverse urban sample of 808 children in Seattle was surveyed at age 10 years in 1985 and followed prospectively to age 21 years in 1996. Semiparametric group-based modeling was used to determine trajectory groups of binge-drinking, cigarette smoking, marijuana use, and the use of other illicit drugs. Negative binomial regressions and logistic regressions were used to examine whether these trajectory groups predicted the number of sex partners and condom use at age 21 years. Specific forms of adolescent substance use significantly predicted risky sexual behavior at age 21 years, after other substance use and early measures of sexual behavior were controlled. Early binge-drinkers had significantly more sex partners than nonbinge-drinkers. Late onset binge-drinkers and marijuana users had significantly more sex partners and were less likely to use condoms consistently than those who did not binge drink or use marijuana. Experimenters in cigarette smoking, who did not escalate smoking, were more likely to use condoms consistently than nonsmokers. In contrast, the use of other illicit drugs in adolescence did not predict risky sexual behavior at age 21 years. The effects of adolescent substance use on risky sexual behavior at age 21 years differed for youths with developmentally different substance use trajectories in this urban sample disproportionately drawn from high crime neighborhoods. To prevent risky sexual behavior among young adults, attention should be paid to binge-drinking and marijuana use during adolescence.

The relation of adolescent substance use to young adult autonomy, positive activity involvement, and perceived competence.

The current paper uses data from a longitudinal study of a high-risk sample to test the relation between adolescent alcohol and drug use and later young adult autonomy, positive activity involvement, and perceived competence. Participants (children of alcoholics and demographically matched controls) were assessed in three annual interviews in adolescence (mean age: 12.7 years at Time 1) and then again 5-7 years later, in young adulthood (median age: 20 years). Path analyses and latent growth curve models tested the effects of adolescent substance use on both self-reported and collateral-reported outcomes, controlling for correlated risk factors (parental alcoholism, adolescent psychopathology, and parental support), preexisting levels of the outcome, and concurrent young adult substance use. Results showed that adolescent drug use had a significant, unique negative effect on later autonomy and perceived competence. Alcohol use effects were more complex. Adolescent heavy drinking was associated with less positive adult outcomes, but more so in collateral reports than in self-reported outcomes. Moreover, young adult heavy drinking was either uncorrelated with or positively correlated with higher levels of perceived competence, suggesting different developmental significance of alcohol use in adolescence than in young adulthood.