Problem Behavior Syndrome Research Articles

Early Problem Behavior and Later Drug Problems

Data from a longitudinal study of males and females tested at ages 15, 18, and 21 years are used to study the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships among 11 problem behaviors and the stability of problem behaviors from middle adolescence to early adulthood. In addition, the author tests how well this cluster of problem behaviors at ages 15 and 18 predicts later drug problems at age 21. Although the data support the existence of a problem behavior syndrome in terms of the clustering of certain problem behaviors at various points in the life cycle, they suggest that the constellation of problems varies by gender. The data also demonstrate that the associations among problem behaviors over time are unstable. Further, the predictors of problem drug use at early periods of development are different from those at later periods and are different for males and females. Thus the focus of drug abuse prevention programs will have to vary by age and gender and programs will need to be aimed at the age and gender appropriate predictors for the target population.

Individual and family characteristics of middle class adolescents hospitalized for alcohol and other drug abuse

The frequency of alcohol and drug use, abuse and severity of dependence, and personality and family characteristics in 280 female and male hospitalized adolescents in treatment for chemical dependence and 120 middle class adolescents were examined. A MANOVA showed that parents' drug and alcohol use was a main effect, increasing frequency of use and severity of dependence upon alcohol and drugs in both groups of adolescents. Sexual and physical abuse studied in the patient group also functioned as a main effect. Patients reported significantly less family interests, and participation in intellectual, cultural and social activities, but more control than the comparison group. It was concluded that adolescent alcohol and other drug abuse is part of a biopsychosocial syndrome of problem behavior, which includes the problem behavior of parents and the interacting family unit.

Premature Sexual Activity as an Indicator of Psychosocial Risk

Although unprotected premature sexual activity is associated with well-defined biologic risks of sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy, the concomitant psychosocial risks are less well documented. The strength of association (odds ratio) of coital status with other risk behaviors and feelings was examined in 1504 junior high school students. Among the 12 through 16-year-old students, 63% of the boys and 36% of the girls were nonvirginal (had had intercourse at least once). The proportion of sexually experienced boys and girls increased with age. Nonvirginal boys and girls were significantly (P less than .001) more likely than their virginal cohorts to engage in other activities considered risky. The odds ratios for nonvirginal youth ranged from 3.5 for girls having used drugs other than alcohol or marijuana, to 10.4 for girls having used marijuana. Nonvirginal boys and girls were also at significantly greater risk for engaging in minor delinquent acts and having school problems. Nonvirginal girls (but not boys) were 6.3 times more likely to report having attempted suicide. The strength of associations with feelings was weaker. Nonvirginal girls were at slightly greater risk for reporting feeling lonely, feeling upset, and having difficulty sleeping. A significant proportion of the students reported sexual experience and ever use of alcohol or marijuana (45% of boys, 27% of girls). There were strong age effects so that by age 15 years, 63% of the boys and 50% of the girls reported experience with both activities. The data suggest that early sexual experience among adolescents is associated with other potentially health-endangering behaviors and that the syndrome of problem behaviors is important in this age group.

Syndrome of problem behavior in adolescence: A replication.

Syndrome of problem behavior in adolescence: A replication.

Syndrome of problem behavior in adolescence: a replication.

Syndrome of problem behavior in adolescence: a replication.

Perspectives on adolescent substance use. A defined population study

We asked 1447 tenth graders to complete a survey on physical activity, nutrition, stress, and substance use and to undergo basic physical assessments. In a multiple regression analysis, increased level of substance use by both boys and girls was most strongly predicted by friends' marijuana use. For boys, this was followed by perceived safety of cigarette smoking; poor school performance; parents' education; and use of diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics for weight control, accounting for 44% of the overall variation in substance use. For girls, friends' marijuana use was followed by poor school performance; self-induced vomiting for weight control; perceived safety of cigarette smoking; use of diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics for weight control; parents' education; perceived adult attitudes about cigarettes; and nonuse of seat belts, accounting for 53% of the overall variance. Separate multiple regression analyses for each substance produced similar results. The homogeneity of the study population precluded ethnic comparisons. These findings suggest that for many purposes substance use may be considered a single behavior regardless of the specific substance(s) used and that substance use may exist as part of a syndrome of adolescent problem behaviors. In addition, the potent influence of perceived social environment suggests that a social influence resistance model may represent the most successful preventive strategy. (<i>JAMA</i>1987;258:2072-2076)

Perspectives on Adolescent Substance Use

We asked 1447 tenth graders to complete a survey on physical activity, nutrition, stress, and substance use and to undergo basic physical assessments. In a multiple regression analysis, increased level of substance use by both boys and girls was most strongly predicted by friends' marijuana use. For boys, this was followed by perceived safety of cigarette smoking; poor school performance; parents' education; and use of diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics for weight control, accounting for 44% of the overall variation in substance use. For girls, friends' marijuana use was followed by poor school performance; self-induced vomiting for weight control; perceived safety of cigarette smoking; use of diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics for weight control; parents' education; perceived adult attitudes about cigarettes; and nonuse of seat belts, accounting for 53% of the overall variance. Separate multiple regression analyses for each substance produced similar results. The homogeneity of the study population precluded ethnic comparisons. These findings suggest that for many purposes substance use may be considered a single behavior regardless of the specific substance(s) used and that substance use may exist as part of a syndrome of adolescent problem behaviors. In addition, the potent influence of perceived social environment suggests that a social influence resistance model may represent the most successful preventive strategy.

STRUCTURE OF PROBLEM BEHAVIORS IN YOUNG ADOLESCENTS

The syndrome of problem behaviors (problem drinking, illicit drug use, delinquent-type behavior and precocious sexual intercourse) has been demonstrated among older adolescents and college students. To determine if this complex of behaviors is present in early adolescence, 709 junior high students were surveyed. 50 % were male; the mean age was 13.5 yrs. 77 % were white. All Hollingshead socioeconomic groups (SES) were represented. The prevalence of health damaging behaviors increased with age (p<.001), e.g. 23 % of 12 yr olds and 71 % of 15 yr olds reported intercourse. Principal axis factor analysis with varimax rotation confirmed the presence of 2 behavioral clusters: (1) problem behaviors (PROB) and (2) psychological symptoms (PSYCH). Both factors were independent of race and SES. PSYCH were more common among girls (p<.001) and PROB were more common among boys (p<.001). Self-esteem and PSYCH (r=-.412;p<.001) but not PROB were significantly correlated. This data confirm that the syndrome of problem behaviors is a stable construct among young adolescents and suggest that lowered self-esteem is not etiologically involved in the origin of health damaging behaviors.

Adolescent Alcohol Abuse: Subgroup Differences and Relationships to Other Problem Behaviors

Alcohol is the most widely used-and abused-drug by American youth. Because of the prevalence of youthful alcohol abuse, there is increasing public attention toward developing alcohol-specific prevention and treatment programs for adolescents. However, studies also show that youthful alcohol abuse is associated with a variety of other adolescent problem behaviors, such as illicit drug use and delinquency. These associations have provided empirical support for what Jessor and associates have conceptualized as problem behavior theory. In this information, alcohol abuse is viewed as one aspect of a psychosocial proneness toward engaging in problem behavior; or stated more succinctly, adolescent problem drinking is part of a problem behavior syndrome. The present study will determine the prevalence and correlates of alcohol abuse using a very large representative sample of secondary school students in New York State. The relationships between alcohol-related problems and other problem behaviors will be examined in the context of adolescent problem behavior theory. In addition, the extent of alcohol problems and the relationships between alcohol abuse and other problem behaviors may be different in minority groups than among the majority population of youth. These issues have not been adequately studied since most surveys of adolescent drinking have not included large numbers of Black, Hispanic, and other minority youth. However, service providers and program planners indicate a great concern about alcohol abuse among these special youthful populations. The ethnic diversity of New York State and this large sample of over 27,000 students permit an examination of alcohol abuse among specific adolescent minority groups.

Adolescent alcohol abuse and other problem behaviors: Their relationships and common parental influences

This study was designed to explore the relationships between adolescent alcohol abuse and other problem behaviors. Parental socialization practices, particularly support/nurturance, were also examined for common influences on both alcohol abuse and other youthful deviance. Interviews were conducted with a representative household sample of adolescents aged 12-17 years and their parents. The findings support the theory that adolescent alcohol abuse is part of a complex psychosocial problem behavior syndrome and that a high degree of parental nurturance may be a significant deterrence to alcohol abuse and more general deviant behaviors.

Psychosocial correlates of marijuana use and problem drinking in a national sample of adolescents.

Personality, environmental, and behavioral variables representing psychosocial risk factors for adolescent problem behavior were assessed in a 1974 national sample study of over 10,000 junior and senior high school students. Significant correlations were found with marijuana use, and the relationships held across differences in age, sex, and ethnic group membership. Greater involvement in marijuana use was associated with greater value on independence than on academic achievement, lower expectations for academic achievement, lesser religiosity, greater tolerance of deviance, less compatibility between friends and parents, greater influence of friends relative to parents, greater models and support for problem behavior, greater actual involvement in other problem behaviors such as drunkenness, and less involvement in conventional behavior such as attending church. Multiple regression analyses show that this pattern of psychosocial correlates accounts for over 50 per cent of the variation in marijuana use. The pattern is nearly identical to the pattern that accounts for problem drinking in these same adolescents. The similarity of the patterns of psychosocial risk, and the substantial correlations of marijuana use with problem drinking and with other problem behaviors, suggest that marijuana use is best seen as part of a syndrome of adolescent problem behavior. (Am J Public Health 70:604- 613,1980.)