Selection and Socialization Effects in Early Adolescent Alcohol Use: A Propensity Score Analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Adolescent alcohol use (AU) is strongly correlated with peer alcohol use, suggesting socialization and selection mechanisms.
• Distinguishing between these processes is challenging due to potential confounding factors.
• Previous research indicates both socialization and selection play a role in adolescent AU.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether peer alcohol use predicts adolescent drinking (socialization) or vice versa (selection).
• To control for confounding variables and reporter bias in analyzing the relationship between peer and adolescent AU.
• To examine the temporal precedence of socialization and selection effects in adolescent AU.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study with three waves of data collection from 765 adolescents (ages 10-15).
• Propensity score analysis used to balance transition groups on 26 potential confounds.
• Employed both adolescent and peer self-report of peer AU to mitigate shared reporter bias.

Main Results:

• Both selection (adolescent drinking influencing peer drinking) and socialization (peer drinking influencing adolescent drinking) were supported.
• Longitudinal analyses revealed similar effect sizes for selection and socialization regardless of whether peers or adolescents reported on peer AU.
• Cross-sectional analyses showed smaller effects when relying on peer self-reports compared to perceived peer AU.

Conclusions:

• The findings provide robust evidence for both selection and socialization processes in the development of adolescent alcohol use.
• The study highlights the importance of longitudinal designs and controlling for confounds and reporter bias.
• Results have implications for understanding the etiology of adolescent AU and developing targeted intervention and treatment strategies.