Citation

Giancola PR, Parker AM. J. Stud. Alcohol 2001; 62(2): 166-178.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506-0044, USA. peter@pop.uky.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11327183

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test a developmental model of drug use in male adolescents. The model postulates that low executive functioning and a difficult temperament are related to aggression and affiliations with delinquent peers which, in turn, are related to elevated drug use. METHOD: Boys (N = 187) with and without a family history of a substance use disorder (SUD) were followed over a 6-year period. Executive functioning and temperament were measured at age 10-12, aggression and affiliations with delinquent peers were assessed at age 12-14 and drug use was measured at age 16. RESULTS: Low executive functioning and a difficult temperament were related to increased aggression and affiliations with delinquent peers. These latter variables were related to increased drug use. Furthermore, the relation between difficult temperament and drug use was fully mediated by aggression and affiliations with delinquent peers. CONCLUSIONS: Drug abuse prevention efforts may benefit from clinical interventions aimed at strengthening executive functioning, regulating temperament and improving socialization strategies in antisocial children.

Language: en