Childhood Precursors of Marijuana Use Trajectories From Adolescence to Young Adulthood Among Black and White Males

• In Event: Developmental Perspectives on Marijuana Use and Crime

Abstract

Marijuana use (MU) tends to increase across adolescence, peak in the early 20s, and gradually decline thereafter. However, few studies have examined whether Black and White males exhibit different developmental patterns of MU from early adolescence into young adulthood. Even fewer studies have examined the cascading progression of risk factors during childhood that may influence later developmental trajectories of MU among Black and White males. To examine these issues, we used latent class growth curve analysis to identify different developmental patterns of MU among Black and White males from age 13 to age 28 (N=487). Four classes of marijuana users were identified: 1) non/low level users (43.2%), 2) adolescent-limited moderate users (23.3%); 3) late-onset regular users (18.6%); and 4) early-onset chronic users (14.8%). Blacks were significantly more likely than Whites to exhibit late-onset and early-onset chronic MU. Using data collected annually from ages 7-12, we examine risk factors that may influence these trajectories and test whether the impact of distal family, school, and neighborhood risk factors is mediated through more proximal peer and individual risk factors. We also examine whether the significant race differences in MU trajectory group membership can be explained by over-exposure to early risk factors.

Authors

• Dustin Pardini, University of Pittsburgh

• Helene R. White, Rutgers University