Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T06:32:43.924Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

With friends like these…: Peer delinquency influences across age cohorts on smoking, alcohol and illegal substance use

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

C.J. Ferguson  and
D.C. Meehan
C.J. Ferguson*
Affiliation:
Department of Behavioral, Applied Sciences & Criminal Justice, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX78045, USA
D.C. Meehan
Affiliation:
Miami University, USA
*
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +956 326 2636. E-mail address: CJFerguson1111@Aol.com (C.J. Ferguson).
Get access

Abstract

Background

Discussions and debate about youth smoking, alcohol use, and illegal substance use (collectively referred to as youth substance use) continue to receive wide attention among researchers, policymakers, and the general public. Previous research has suggested that peer delinquency is a particularly strong correlate of youth substance use. The current study focuses on the influence of delinquent peers on substance use, and how peer delinquency influences change across age cohorts of youth.

Method

The current study examines multiple correlates for youth substance use in a sample of 8,256 youth (mean age 14), with the goal of identifying the influence of delinquent peers across age cohorts while controlling for other correlates. Data was collected from the Ohio version of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) developed by the Centers for Disease Control.

Results

Results from multiple regression analyses identified peer delinquency as the strongest correlate of youth substance use even when other relevant factors related to family, neighborhood, and media use were controlled. Correlations between peer delinquency and substance use behavior increased across age cohorts and for individuals who first used in middle teen years (13–16) irrespective of current age.

Interpretation.

Age appears to be a moderating factor regarding the correlation between peer delinquency and youth substance abuse. Primary and secondary prevention and intervention strategies that focus on peers are potentially more likely to reduce youth substance use and improve peer relationships than those focused on other areas such as schools or media.

Keywords

SmokingAlcohol UseDrug UseMass MediaFamily EnvironmentPeer Delinquency
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 26 , Issue 1 , January 2011 , pp. 6 - 12
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier Masson SAS 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allen, MDonohue, WAGriffin, Aet al.Comparing the influence of parents and peers on the choice to use drugs: a meta-analytic summary of the literature. Crim Justice Behav 2003; 20: 163–186.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beyers, JMToumbourou, JWCatalano, RFArthur, MWHawkins, JDA cross-national comparison of risk and protective factors for adolescent substance use: the United States and Australia. J Adolesc Health 2004; 35(1): 3–16.Google ScholarPubMed
Bond, LButler, HThomas, LCarlin, JGlover, SBowes, Get al.Social and school connectedness in early secondary school as predictors of late teenage substance use, mental health, and academic outcomes. J Adolesc Health 2007 40 4e9e18.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bond, LButler, HThomas, Let al.Social and school connectedness in early secondary school as predictors of late teenage substance use, mental health, and academic outcomes. J Adolesc Health 2007 40 357[e9-357.e18].CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Methodology of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. MMWR 2004;53(No. RR-12):1 4.Google Scholar
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Available at: www.cdc.gov/yrbss. Accessed on August 17, 2010..Google Scholar
Cohen, J‘The Earth is Round (p < .05)’. Am Psychol 1994; 49: 997–1003.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dalton, MASargent, JDBeach, MLTitus-Ernstoff, LGibson, JJAhrens, MBet al.Effect of viewing smoking in movies on adolescent smoking initiation: a cohort study. Lancet 2003; 362: 281–285.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Elder, CLeaver-Dunn, DWang, MQNagy, SGreen, LOrganized group activity as a protective factor against adolescent substance use. Am J Health Behav 2000; 24(2): 108–113.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellickson, PLTucker, JSKlein, DJHigh-risk behaviors associated with early smoking: results from a 5-year follow-up. J Adolesc Health 2001; 28(6): 465–473.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Feldstein, SWMiller, WRSubstance use and risk-taking among adolescents. J Mental Health 2006; 15: 633–643.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ferguson CJ. An effect size primer: A guide for clinicians and researchers. Prof Psychol Res Prac 2009;40(5):532–8. [doi:10.1037/a0015808]..CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Galera, CBouvard, MPMessiah, AFombonne, EHyperactivity-inattention symptoms in childhood and substance use in adolescence: the youth gazel cohort. Drug Alcohol Depend 941–32008 3037.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Griffin, KWScheier, LMBotvin, GJDiaz, TProtective role of personal competence skills in adolescent substance use: psychological well-being as a mediating factor. Psychol Addict Beh 2001; 15(3): 194–203.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hawkins, JDCatalano, RFMiller, JYRisk and protective factors for alcohol and other drug problems in adolescence and early adulthood: Implications for substance abuse prevention. Psychol Bull 1992; 112(1): 64–105.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hays, SPHays, CEMulhall, PFCommunity risk and protective factors and adolescent substance use. J Prim Prev 2003; 24(2): 125–142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hussong, AMDifferentiating peer contexts and risk for adolescent substance use. J Youth Adolesc 2002; 31(3): 207–220.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hussong, AMChassin, LSubstance use initiation among adolescent children of alcoholics: testing protective factors. J Stud Alcohol 1997; 58(3): 272–279.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lau-Barraco, CSkewes, MStasiewicz, PGender differences in high-risk situations for drinking: are they mediated by depressive symptoms? Addict Beh 2009; 34(1): 68–74.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pilgrim, CAbbey, AKershaw, TThe direct and indirect effects of mothers’ and adolescents’ family cohesion on young adolescents’ attitudes toward substance use. J Prim Prev 2004; 24(3): 263–283.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schumacher, JMilby, JWallace, Det al.Meta-analysis of day treatment and contingency-management dismantling research: Birmingham Homeless Cocaine Studies (1990–2006). J Consult Clin Psychol 2007; 75(5): 823–828.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, GEbrahim, SEpidemiology -- is it time to call it a day? Int J Epid 2001; 30(1): 1–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Substance abuse and mental health services administration, office of applied studies (December 4, 2008). The NSDUH Report: trends in substance use, dependence or abuse, and treatment among adolescents: 2002 to 2007. Rockville, MD..Google Scholar
Tarter, REVanyukov, MKirisci, LReynolds, MClark, DBPredictors of marijuana use in adolescents before and after licit drug use: examination of the gateway hypothesis. Am J Psychiatry 2006; 163(12): 2134–2140.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Unger, JBJohnson, CARohrbach, LARecognition and liking of tobacco and alcohol advertisements among adolescents: relationships with susceptibility to substance use. Prev Med 1995; 24(5): 461–466.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van Horn, MLHawkins, JDArthur, MWCatalano, RFAssessing community effects on adolescent substance use and delinquency. J Community Psychol 2007; 35(8): 925–946.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vucina, TBecirevic, IZRisk factors and protective factors for adolescent substance use. Rev Psychol 2007; 14(1): 59–72.Google Scholar
Wilens, TEAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the substance use disorders: the nature of the relationship, who is at risk, and treatment issues. Prim psychiatry 2004; 11(7): 63–70.Google Scholar
Wills, TAVaccaro, DMcNamara, GThe role of life events, family support, and competence in adolescent substance use: a test of vulnerability and protective factors. Am J Community Psychol 1992; 20(3): 349–374.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Woodruff, SICandelaria, JILaniado-Laborin, RSallis, JFVillaseñor, AAvailability of cigarettes as a risk factor for trial smoking in adolescents. Am J Health Behav 2003; 27(1): 84–88.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wu, NSLu, YSterling, SWeisner, CFamily environment factors and substance abuse severity in an HMO adolescent treatment population. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2004; 43(4): 323–333.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Xiao, ZSensation seeking and impulsivity: the direct and indirect effects on adolescent marijuana use. J Subst Use 2008; 13(6): 415–433.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.