The Impact of Adolescent Substance Use on Family Functioning

Abstract

This longitudinal study sought to investigate associations between adolescent substance use and family functioning and whether internalizing symptoms play a mediating role in this relationship; based on growing evidence from the literature, we also explored gender differences. Participants ( N = 1,036) completed surveys in school during 2007, 2008, and 2009. Path analysis results indicated that boys’ alcohol use negatively predicted family functioning while marijuana use results indicate both significant impacts on family functioning. Further results show that boys’ depressive symptoms mediated the relationships between alcohol use and family cohesion and adaptability. For girls, depressive symptoms negatively predicted family functioning (cohesion, adaptability, communication with mother/father), whereas anxiety symptoms positively predicted this same set of family functioning outcomes with the exception of communication with father.

Adolescent Psychological Functioning and Membership in Latent Adolescent–Parent Communication Dual Trajectory Classes

“…These findings suggest that adolescent substance use may be linked to a stable course of poor communication with mothers, as well as decreases in communication with fathers. Adolescent substance use may negatively influence communication with others, especially if it is linked to depression, which some studies have found (Russell et al., ; Skogen, Knudsen, Hysing, Wold, & Sivertsen, ). Consistent with family systems theory (Bowen, ; Cox & Paley, ), adolescent substance use ultimately influences the entire family system, including interactions with parents.…”

“…Accordingly, it is essential to consider the adolescent's contexts when considering their adjustment. Numerous studies have shown a key context during adolescence is the family and that family functioning is closely linked to adolescent psychological adjustment, including depressed mood and substance use (Chan, Kelly, & Toumbourou, ; Freed, Rubenstein, Daryanani, Olino, & Alloy, ; Kelly et al., ; Russell, Simpson, Flannery, & Ohannessian, ).…”

“…For example, positive, open communication between adolescents and their parents has been shown to be associated with indicators of adolescent psychological health and adjustment including positive self‐esteem, empathy, and academic achievement (Enger, Howerton, & Cobbs, ; Heller, Robinson, Henry, & Plunkett, ; Masselam, Marcus, & Stunkard, ; Yu et al., ). In contrast, problems in communication between adolescents and their parents have been linked to indicators of maladjustment, including anxiety, depression, delinquency, aggressive behavior, alcohol use (including binge drinking), and drug use (Cernkovich & Giordano, ; Finan, Schulz, Gordon, & Ohannessian, ; Kafka & London, ; Ohannessian, ,b; Ohannessian, ; Ohannessian, Flannery, Simpson, & Russell, ; Russell et al., ; Wang et al., ; Yu et al., ).…”

Prefrontal cortex development and emergence of self‐regulatory competence: the two cardinal features of adolescence disrupted in context of alcohol abuse

“…Several epidemiological studies have shown that children with parents suffering with alcohol addiction are at higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder (Russell et al, 2017). In a remarkable study, alcohol-na€ ıve young males were selected according to their parents' alcohol habits (Benegal et al, 2007).…”

Perceived Stress Moderates the Impact of Internalizing Symptoms on Family Functioning in Early Adolescence

“…Although important in identifying family factors that predict adolescent internalizing symptoms, this research minimizes effects of adolescent internalizing symptoms on the family (Hughes & Gullone, 2008; Reitz, Deković, Meijer, & Engels, 2006). This dearth of literature is essential to address, as developmental theory recognizes children’s agency to affect their environments, and that adolescent internalizing symptoms impact family relationships (Hughes & Gullone, 2008; Russell, Simpson, Flannery, & Ohannessian, 2019). Relational developmental systems theory asserts that development must be conceptualized as bidirectional in nature, as the individual and context affect one another in mutuality (Lerner, Johnson, & Buckingham, 2015; Overton, 2016).…”