Early adolescent alcohol use in context: How neighborhoods, parents, and peers impact youth

Abstract

Developmental-ecological models are useful for integrating risk factors across multiple contexts and conceptualizing mediational pathways for adolescent alcohol use; yet, these comprehensive models are rarely tested. This study used a developmental-ecological framework to investigate the influence of neighborhood, family, and peer contexts on alcohol use in early adolescence (N = 387). Results from a multi-informant longitudinal cross-lagged mediation path model suggested that high levels of neighborhood disadvantage were associated with high levels of alcohol use two years later via an indirect pathway that included exposure to delinquent peers and adolescent delinquency. Results also indicated that adolescent involvement with delinquent peers and alcohol use led to decrements in parenting, rather than being consequences of poor parenting. Overall, the study supported hypothesized relationships among key microsystems thought to influence adolescent alcohol use, and thus findings underscore the utility of developmental-ecological models of alcohol use.

Selection and Socialization Effects in Early Adolescent Alcohol Use: A Propensity Score Analysis

“…As such, it is likely that selection and socialization effects operate within a complex and dynamic developmental context in which peers are but one important factor. Although only a few studies have tested variables from multiple levels simultaneously (Ennett et al, 2008; Trucco, Colder, Wieczorek, Lengua, & Hawk, 2014), there is evidence in the literature that temperament (Giancola & Parker, 2001; Windle, 2000), adolescent problem behavior (Scalco, et al, 2014), parental drinking (Engels et al, 1999), and early pubertal timing (Wichstrom, 2001), as well as demographic variables such as gender, age, and ethnicity (Haynie & Osgood, 2005) predict peer delinquency and peer SU, which are generally interpreted as contributing to selection effects (homophily). Once selection has occurred parenting is likely involved in maintaining or exacerbating adolescent and peer SU over time through inadequate parental monitoring which provides increased opportunity to spend unstructured time with peers (Osgood et al, 1996).…”

“…Once selection has occurred parenting is likely involved in maintaining or exacerbating adolescent and peer SU over time through inadequate parental monitoring which provides increased opportunity to spend unstructured time with peers (Osgood et al, 1996). In addition to effects on peer selection, each of these variables has also been linked to an adolescent's own SU (Alati et al, 2014; Costello et al, 2007; Hitner & Swickert, 2006; Hussong, et al, 1998; King, et al, 2004; Kohl & Mermelstein, 2004; Trucco et al, 2014; for reviews see Chassin et al, in press; Zucker, 2006). Therefore, not only do these factors represent potential confounds regarding the causal mechanism of selection, they also represent potential confounds for socialization effects given that observed effects from peer to adolescent SU may be artifacts of earlier or concurrent selection or earlier socialization.…”

Differential segmentation responses to an alcohol social marketing program

“…They are also surrounded by drinking behaviors in their socio-cultural environment (Trucco, Colder, Wieczorek, Lengua, & Hawk, 2014), with alcohol drinking dominating large social occasions such as festivals and sporting events (Ellickson, Collins, Hambarsoomians, & McCaffrey, 2005). Frequently, rapid and excessive alcohol consumption, termed 'binge drinking', is accepted and encouraged (Jones, 2014).…”

The Prospective Association Between Internalizing Symptoms and Adolescent Alcohol Involvement and the Moderating Role of Age and Externalizing Symptoms

“…Adolescents were eligible for the study if they were between the ages of 11 and 12 at recruitment, and did not have any disabilities that would preclude them from either understanding or completing the assessment. For more information about recruitment procedures, eligibility criteria, and sample description see Trucco et al (2014).…”