The Longitudinal Relationships Between Rural Adolescents’ Prosocial Behaviors and Young Adult Substance Use

Abstract

While many adolescents and young adults experiment with substances (e.g., alcohol, cigarette smoking, marijuana), recent research suggests that rural youth and young adults may be more at risk for substance use than their urban counterparts. This study was designed to examine the longitudinal relationships between rural adolescents' prosocial behaviors and substance use in young adulthood. Furthermore, we examined the potential mediating effects of adolescent substance use, academic investment, and delinquency. Rural youth (N = 531; 263 girls) were surveyed in grades 10-12 (Time 1; M age = 16.17; SD = .91) and again in early adulthood (Time 2). Measures of prosocial behaviors, substance use, academic investment, and deviant activities were assessed at Time 1. At Time 2, measures of marijuana use, cigarette smoking, and getting drunk were administered. Overall, the findings showed that rural adolescents who frequently exhibit prosocial behaviors are less likely to engage in substance use in young adulthood than those who exhibit relatively low levels of prosocial behaviors. These findings indicate that prosocial behaviors may have positive health consequences, establishing behavioral trajectories that lead to lower levels of risky health behaviors in adulthood in rural populations.

Prosociality from early adolescence to young adulthood: A longitudinal study of individuals with a history of language impairment

“…In fact, a case could be made that the causal direction is the reverse: that is, that these more favourable social circumstances nurture prosocial behaviour. Nevertheless, our data are very much in line with previous research with typical populations in studies which do point to protective effects (Carlo, Crockett, Wilkinson, & Beal, 2011; Cillessen et al, 2005; Markiewcz et al, 2001). …”

Prospective Effects of Possible Selves on Alcohol Consumption in Adolescents

“…Our findings are consistent with those of a recent longitudinal study, in which adolescents with high levels of academic investment (e.g., participation in academic activities, academic plans, perceived importance of school, grades, and how much they liked school) in tenth to twelfth grades had less substance use (getting drunk, cigarette use, and marijuana) seven years later than did those with relatively low levels of academic investment in high school (Carlo, Crockett, Wilkinson, & Beal, 2011). In contrast to other studies of cognitions focused only on a single domain of alcohol use (e.g., alcohol expectancies, drinker prototype, or intention to drink), we found that self-cognitions in other domains, particular in academics, are protective against alcohol consumption in adolescents.…”

Direct and Indirect Effects of Caregiver Social Support on Adolescent Psychological Outcomes in Two South African AIDS‐Affected Communities

“…Difficulties with peers have, for example, been shown to place children at risk for later externalizing, internalizing and school problems (Rubin, Bukowski, & Parker, 2006). In contrast, prosocial behavior is associated with academic success and positive peer relationships (Caprara, Barbaranelli, Pastorelli, Bandura, & Zimbardo, 2000), low levels of externalizing problems (Eisenberg, Fabes, & Spinrad, 2006) and fewer health-risk behaviors in adulthood (Carlo, Crockett, Wilkinson, & Beal, 2011). …”