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A developmental etiological model for drug abuse in men
Kenneth S Kendler1, Henrik Ohlsson2, Alexis C Edwards3
1Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|August 15, 2017
Summary
Drug abuse (DA) in men is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, familial, psychosocial, and behavioral factors across development. Early adolescent externalizing behaviors and early adult criminal behavior are key predictors of DA risk.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Research
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Drug abuse (DA) is a significant public health issue with complex etiology.
- Understanding the developmental trajectory of risk factors is crucial for prevention and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a comprehensive structural model of drug abuse (DA) risk factors in Swedish men.
- To identify key developmental and mediational processes contributing to DA.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 48,369 Swedish men from conscription (1969-70) to 2011.
- Examined 20 risk factors across four developmental tiers (birth, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood).
- Utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) for comprehensive risk factor analysis.
Main Results:
- The best-fitting model explained 47.8% of the variance in DA.
- Prominent predictors included early adolescent externalizing behavior, early adult criminal behavior, and early adult alcohol use disorder.
- A predictive model achieved an ROC area under the curve of 83.6%, with 59% of DA cases originating from the top decile of risk.
Conclusions:
- Drug abuse (DA) is a multifactorial syndrome influenced by genetic, familial, psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological factors.
- Psychosocial adversities, externalizing psychopathology, and lack of social constraints in early adulthood are predominant predisposing factors for DA.
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