A developmental approach examining social and personal correlates in relation to alcohol use over time

This study's aim was to determine the interrelationship of personality, peer, and parental domains and alcohol use over time during preadolescence and adolescence. Children and teenagers (N = 510; 9 to 18 years old) and their mothers were separately interviewed at two points in time, two years apart. The results were evaluated using multiple hierarchical regression analysis. In preadolescence, personality factors appear to serve as mediators for family and peer factors in relation to alcohol use over time whereas, in adolescence, peer and personality factors serve as mediators for family factors. Peer factors apparently become more important between preadolescence and adolescence, but parental factors do not seem to lose their importance. The theoretical implications and practical applications for alcohol education and alcohol abuse prevention programs are discussed.