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The relation between adolescent alcohol use and peer alcohol use: a longitudinal random coefficients model
P J Curran1, E Stice, L Chassin
1Department of Psychology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0085, USA. curran@duke.edu
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
|February 1, 1997
Summary
Adolescent alcohol use and peer alcohol use increase together over time. Peer influence on teen drinking is bidirectional, with both factors predicting future increases in the other.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Development
- Substance Use Research
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Adolescent alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern.
- Peer influence is a well-established factor in adolescent substance use.
- Understanding the dynamic interplay between adolescent and peer alcohol use is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal relationship between changes in adolescent alcohol use and peer alcohol use.
- To determine the directionality of influence between adolescent and peer alcohol consumption patterns.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal latent growth modeling was employed.
- A community-based sample of 363 Hispanic and Caucasian adolescents was studied over 3 years.
- Changes in both adolescent and peer alcohol use were analyzed over time.
Main Results:
- Both adolescent alcohol use and peer alcohol use exhibited positive linear growth trajectories.
- Changes in adolescent alcohol use were strongly associated with changes in peer alcohol use.
- Initial levels of peer alcohol use predicted subsequent increases in adolescent alcohol use, and vice versa.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between adolescent and peer alcohol use is reciprocal and bidirectional.
- Unidirectional models of influence do not fully capture the complex dynamics of adolescent alcohol use and peer influence.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering mutual influence in interventions targeting adolescent drinking behavior.