“How Cool Will I Be?” Examining the Relationship between Adolescent Substance Use and Peer Rewards

• In Event: Peer Contexts: Mediators and Moderators

Abstract

During adolescence, youth exert increasing independence from parents and families, and peers become more influential. Peers influence adolescent substance using behavior by shaping the values, norms, and culture of broader contexts (e.g., schools) to which youth are exposed—that is, the character and content of that context’s normative climate. Exposure to normative climates favorable to substance use is a risk factor for engaging in such use; however, these climates may not be similarly favorable toward (or discouraging against) substance use across all of the geographic contexts in which they are embedded. This study examines substance use normative climates across the rural-urban spectrum. Using data from the 2000-2002 Communities that Care Youth Survey (n=310,171) we explore variation in adolescent alcohol and marijuana use across eight community types (e.g., large city, mid-size city, small town, rural). Next, drawing on differential association and social learning theories, we examine whether geographic differences in substance use are attributable to variations in peer substance use and perceived social rewards for substance use. Preliminary findings demonstrate geographic variation in both alcohol and marijuana use and the extent to which rates of use are influenced by peer behaviors and perceived peer rewards for substance use.

Authors

• Courtney R. Thrash, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

• Tara D. Warner, University of Nebraska - Lincoln