NCJ Number
129872
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 14 Issue: 6 Dated: (December 1985) Pages: 499-512
Date Published
1985
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Two surveys, administered 3 years apart to a cohort of 94 rural youths, collected longitudinal data to examine the relative influence of changes in personal orientations toward parents and peers on the use of alcohol and marijuana. Specifically, the study hypothesized that significant movements toward a pro-drug position would result in increased alcohol and marijuana use; conflicts with either parents or peers could lead to a social climate conducive to challenges of values related to illicit drug use.
Abstract
The results indicated that, in general, there was greater distance between youths and their parents on the subject of drug use after the 3-year period, and those youths who experienced the greatest distance were the heaviest drug users. The best predictors for the rate of either alcohol or marijuana use were level of past use and changes in the level of drug-related parent/child conflict. In terms of peer-based measures, changes in the frequency of both anti- and pro-drug use discussions impacted significantly only on marijuana use. 5 notes and 48 references (Author abstract modified)