Interpersonal influences in adolescent drug use - the role of older siblings, parents, and Peers

Richard Needle, Hamilton McCubbin, Marc Wilson, Robert Reineck, Amnon Lazar, Helen Mederer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Drawing data from the first year of a longitudinal study of 508 families with focal adolescents aged 11 to 13 years and their older siblings (14 to 18 years), the investigators examined the influence of older siblings' drug-using attitudes and behaviors, in comparison with parental and peer drug-using attitudes and behaviors, on focal adolescents' nonuse and use of substances. Older siblings are frequently a source of drugs and use substances with their younger siblings, though peers remain the primary source and the most frequent cousers. For most substances, frequency of use was predicted by older sibling and peer substance use, each after controlling for the other. Parental drug use was found to be minimal in comparison to older siblings and peers. Findings relative to the potentially important role of older siblings in influencing their younger siblings' drug-using behavior are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)739-766
Number of pages28
JournalSubstance Use and Misuse
Volume21
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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