Perception of friends' use of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana among urban schoolchildren: A longitudinal analysis

Author(s): Bush, P. J., Weinfurt, K. P.

Journal/Book: Addict Behav. 1996; 21: The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England OX5 1GB. Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. 615-632.

Abstract: Relations between adolescents' substance use and perceptions of their friends' substance use were examined cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a predominantly African-American school district. Fourth- and fifth-grade students were surveyed and tracked for 4 consecutive years. Cross-sectional samples included 3,073, 5,955, 7,701, and 6,616 students in years 1 to 4, respectively; the longitudinal sample included 1,802 students surveyed in every year. Self-reported substance use of friends and classmates also was assessed. Perceived friends' substance use had a stronger association with prior substance use than friends' self-reported substance use in every year. Perceived family use and classmates' self-reported use also made independent contributions to regression models. Longitudinal structural equation analyses indicated that perceived friends' use is more likely to be a product of an adolescent's previous substance use than a precursor of subsequent substance use. The findings contradict prevailing theories on the influence of peers on substance use.

Note: Article RJ Iannotti, Miami Univ, Dept Phys Educ Hlth & Sport Studies, 109 Phillips Hall, Oxford, OH 45056 USA

Keyword(s): ADOLESCENT DRUG-USE; SUBSTANCE-ABUSE PREVENTION; PEER; SMOKING; BEHAVIOR; FAMILY; STUDENTS; SCHOOL; INITIATION; SIMILARITY

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