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Testing the Social Interaction Learning Model's Applicability to Adolescent Substance Misuse in an Australian Context
Christopher J Mehus1, Jennifer Doty1, Gary Chan2
1a Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota , USA.
Substance Use & Misuse
|March 7, 2018
Summary
Parenting influences adolescent peer relationships, which in turn predict substance misuse. The Social Interaction Learning (SIL) model pathways are validated in Australian youth for prevention targets.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Substance abuse research
Background:
- Parenting and peer influences are key factors in adolescent substance misuse.
- The Social Interaction Learning (SIL) model explains these developmental pathways.
- Previous research on the SIL model has focused on conduct outcomes and U.S. samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the Social Interaction Learning (SIL) model with four substance use outcomes.
- To examine these pathways in a sample of Australian youth.
- To extend the literature on adolescent substance misuse etiology.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design utilizing structural equation modeling.
- Sample of 907 Australian students from grade 5, with follow-ups in grades 6 and 10.
- International Youth Development Study data from Victoria, Australia.
Main Results:
- The SIL model demonstrated good fit to the data.
- Parenting significantly predicted antisocial behavior, which predicted antisocial peers.
- Antisocial peers were significantly associated with alcohol, binge drinking, tobacco, and marijuana use.
Conclusions:
- The SIL model highlights parenting's early role in shaping peer dynamics linked to substance misuse.
- Identified etiological pathways can inform prevention strategies for adolescent substance use.
- The findings suggest the SIL pathways are robust within the Australian context.