This study examined alcohol use development from ages 13-20 years. The sample comprised 256 youth (50.4% female; 51.2% White, 48.8% African American) assessed annually for 6 years. A cohort-sequential latent growth model was used to model categorical alcohol use (non-use vs. use). Covariates included gender, race, income, parent marital status,…

This study examined the longitudinal effects of five family factors (familism, parent derogation, parent-child communication, family alcohol problems, and family drug problems) on intensity of alcohol use among a sample of 451 African American and White non-Hispanic males from early to mid-adolescence (sixth through eighth grades). Results…

Studies characteristics of 70 adolescents who affiliate with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Participants completed in-patient treatment and were contacted as part of follow-up survey. Half had affiliated with AA. Used discriminant analysis to predict affiliation. Found affiliators were more likely to have had prior treatment, friends who did not use…

Using 1968 data collected from junior and senior high school students in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, substance usage patterns for heroin and alcohol were predicted for 1975-6. A sample of 1,000 of the initial 5,000 students were selected for re-interview; half were selected to be at high risk of substance abuse and half were selected randomly. Some 657…

Study reaffirmed the central significance of the peer group's influence on adolescent behavior. (Authors)

Summarizes research on social determinants (e.g., parental, peer, school, and religious influences) and personal determinants (e.g., self-esteem, rebelliousness, impulse-control, and interpersonal trust) of adolescent use and abuse of alcohol and marijuana. Provides a summary of generalizations to assist practitioners in the process of designing…

Examines the relative importance of outcome expectancies and self-efficacy in the production of alcohol dependence and alcohol consumption in a sample of young adult drinkers drawn from a milieu previously reported as supportive of risky drinking. Results suggest that heavy drinking women are particularly at risk of developing drinking-related…

This study explored early alcohol drinking onset (ADO), its precursors, and the mechanisms by which it leads to later alcohol disorder. Data came from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth with ADO items from 1982 and 1983 and alcohol symptoms from 1989 and 1994. Drinking began earlier for respondents who were male, younger, non-Hispanic,…

Experimental measures to identify individuals at high risk of drug use can be developed from study data. Negative side effects of identification efforts can be lessened or eliminated by the use of unobstrusive measures in the monitoring process. Regarding heroin use, different measures are suggested to monitor the following variables: academic…

Determined whether family characteristics, particularly family cohesion and social support, can explain why teenagers from alcoholic families are more likely to use a variety of recreational and addictive substances. Found that a combination of characteristics, such as a lack of bonding, produces particularly high rates of adolescent alcohol and…

A year-long qualitative study examined seven formerly-addicted alcoholic youth committed to recovery to determine how addicted youth become and remain sober. Bending to social stress, including racism and ethnic prejudice, three participants relapsed. However, personal commitment augmented by familial, community, spiritual, and educational support…

Recent national surveys have found marked increases in the use of illicit drugs and alcohol among adolescents. To investigate differential prediction of alcohol versus hard drug use amoung youths, 6% of the youths, aged 10-19, from a Pennsylvania county school system (N=1,689) were assessed on the HEW Community Youth Program Impact Scales. The 12…

Examined whether experiences of parental violence during childhood are related to two separate adulthood problems for women: victimization by severe partner violence and the development of alcohol-related problems. Violence from both parents related to each adulthood problem, but important differences between mother violence and father violence…