Causal mechanisms underlying parental influences on adolescent substance use

• In Event: Poster Session 09
  In Poster Session: PS 09 Topic - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

Adolescent substance use (SU) is a pressing public health issue that can lead to later SU disorders and other detrimental outcomes. Genetically informed research indicates a significant contribution of shared environmental influences on adolescent SU (Hopfer et al., 2003). The present study examines the putative environmental predictors of adolescent SU, including parental SU, parenting, and parent-adolescent relationship quality. Data from the Colorado Adoption Project were examined to distinguish whether the associations between potential predictors and adolescent SU are due to environmental mediation and/or passive rGE by comparing the correlations between predictors and adolescent SU in adoptive and nonadoptive families. The present study includes data from 395 adoptees, 461 nonadopted children (either biological children within adoptive families or children in control families) 485 adoptive mothers and fathers, and 490 control parents.
Parental substance use, positive parenting in early childhood, negative, inconsistent, and positive parenting throughout childhood, changes in parenting across childhood, and adoptee-perceived security were not significant predictors of adolescent SU. However, adolescent self-report of positive parenting, parent–adolescent relationship quality factors, and perceived adoptee acceptance and parent-reported adoptee integration and differences from nonadoptees were significantly, negatively associated with adolescent SU. Correlations between predictors and adolescent SU were not significantly different across sex or adoption status.
In summary, parent-adolescent relationship quality, not parental substance use or parenting factors, was a consistent predictor of adolescent substance use. Adolescents with stronger bonds with their parents are less likely to use substances. These associations were not significantly greater in nonadoptive families than adoptive families, suggesting evidence for environmental mediation.

Authors

• Shelley A Gresko, University of Colorado Boulder
  Presenting Author

• Maya Rieselbach, University of Colorado Boulder
  Non-Presenting Author

• Robin Corley, University of Colorado, Boulder
  Non-Presenting Author

• Chandra Reynolds, University of California Riverside
  Non-Presenting Author

• Soo Rhee, University of Colorado Boulder
  Non-Presenting Author