Sibling Trajectories of Substance Use Behaviors

• In Event: Offending Patterns Across the Life Course

Abstract

This study explores dual trajectories among male and female African American siblings, from childhood through young adulthood. Prior literature has discussed the association between offending and siblings. Despite past literature looking at siblings, the majority of the scholarship focuses on twins and criminogenic behavior (Moffitt, 2003). There has been little done looking at non-twin sibling pairs and their trajectories. Examining data from the Family and Community Health Survey (FACHS), the developmental pathways of sibling dyads are investigated. Utilizing Nagin’s (2005) dual trajectory modeling, we use the FACHS data to look at the dyads of siblings and their delinquency, including family factors, alcohol and substance use, to predict the delinquency of sibling pairs. Our findings contribute to past literature and provide new information about how siblings interact together to determine if siblings’ delinquent trajectories overlap. Finally, we discuss implications based on the results of this paper and recommend directions for future research on siblings and crime.

Authors

• Sara Z. Evans, University of West Florida

• Frances P. Abderhalden, University of Central Florida