Antisocial and prosocial behaviors as predictors of subsequent substance use in adolescence

Antisocial behavior is a known risk factor for substance use in adolescence, but the combined effects of antisocial and prosocial behaviors are unknown. This study examined whether five types of anti- and prosocial behaviors are associated with subsequent alcohol and substance use.

A prospective longitudinal cohort study of 3817 adolescents (55.3% females) aged 15 at baseline (T1) and 17 at follow-up (T2). Self-reports at T1 measured antisocial behaviors (criminal behavior, conduct problems) and prosocial behaviors (global prosociality, general trust, institutional trust). T2 measures included alcohol use (hazardous use, alcohol use disorder), drug use, and nicotine use.

Antisocial behaviors positively predicted all types of substance use (X² = 5.79 to 59.07, p < 0.001), while prosocial behaviors negatively predicted most substance use measures (X² = -5.64 to 86.14, p = 0.862 to < 0.001). After adjusting for covariance between antisociality and prosociality, it was found that conduct problems (X² = 5.54 to 32.22, p = 0.005 to < 0.001), criminal behavior (X² = 3.61 to 33.77, p = 0.007 to < 0.001), and institutional trust (X² = -3.92 to 27.56, p = 0.262 to < 0.001), were the most important predictors.

Antisocial behaviors and deficits in institutional trust at age 15 are strong and unique predictors of substance use and alcohol use disorder by age 17. This specific spectrum of social behaviors during the critical phase of adolescence is of relevance from a prevention perspective to minimize the risk of later development of substance abuse.