The role of selected risk factors in predicting adolescent drug use and its adverse consequences

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of selected risk factors in predicting alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and adverse consequences of use. Three regression analyses were performed on four categories of risk factors: individual, family related, school related, and social related. The sample size was 887 (99%). Significant predictors for AOD use were grade level, participation in religious services, GPA, frequency of dating and driving, trouble at school, mastery, and family management index. Predictors for adverse consequences were GPA, frequency of dating, trouble at school, family management index, risk taking, alienation, susceptibility to peer pressure, and living arrangements.