Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Post-traumatic growth, stressful life events, and relationships with substance use behaviors among alternative high
Thalida E Arpawong1, Steve Sussman, Joel E Milam
1a Department of Psychology , University of Southern California , Los Angeles , CA , USA.
Abstract:
A highly stressful life event (SLE) can elicit positive psychosocial growth, referred to as post-traumatic growth (PTG) among youth. We examined PTG and the number of SLEs for their influence on substance use behaviours among a sample of older, diverse alternative high school students participating in a drug prevention programme (n=564; mean age=16.8; 49% female; 65% Hispanic). Surveys assessed PTG, SLEs and substance use behaviours at the two-year follow-up. Multilevel regression models were run to examine the effect of PTG and the number of SLEs on frequency of substance use at the two-year follow-up, controlling for baseline substance use, sociodemographic variables, peer substance use, attrition propensity and treatment group. Greater PTG scores were associated with lower frequencies of alcohol use, getting drunk on alcohol, binge drinking, marijuana use and less substance abuse at the two-year follow-up, but not associated with cigarette or hard drug use. Also, PTG did not moderate the relationship between cumulative number of SLEs and substance use behaviours, rather PTG appears to be protective against negative effects of a single, life-altering SLE. Fostering PTG from a particularly poignant SLE may be useful for prevention programmes targeting alcohol, marijuana and substance abuse behaviours among high-risk youth.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Attachment Styles

