Related Experiment Videos
Personality and substance use among adolescents: a longitudinal study
British Journal of Addiction
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Sensation seeking significantly influences adolescent substance use more than anxiety or depression. Personality traits differentiate substance use patterns, with previous experimentation also impacting current use.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Health
- Substance Use Research
Background:
- Adolescent substance use is a complex issue influenced by personality and mood.
- Existing theories suggest sensation seeking and self-medication play roles in substance initiation and continuation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test hypotheses on how sensation seeking, State and Trait Anxiety, and Depressive Mood affect adolescent substance use.
- To investigate differential relationships between personality variables and substance use patterns.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 1,900 adolescents (14-19 years old) over 12 months.
- Assessment of alcohol and drug use, sensation seeking, State and Trait Anxiety, and Depressive Mood.
- Statistical analysis to identify relationships between personality variables and substance use.
Main Results:
- Sensation seeking had a stronger impact on adolescent substance use than anxiety or depressive mood.
- Sensation seeking differentiated between abstainers, beginners, and users across all substances.
- Anxiety and depressive mood were primarily associated with the use of depressant substances.
- Previous drug experimentation significantly predicted current substance use.
Conclusions:
- Sensation seeking is a key factor in adolescent substance use initiation and continuation.
- Personality variables have differential associations with specific types of substance use.
- Intervention strategies should consider sensation seeking, mood states, and prior experimentation in adolescents.