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Bi-directional Effects of Peer Relationships and Adolescent Substance Use: A Longitudinal Study

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Abstract

Understanding the predictors of the onset and maintenance of substance use in adolescence is important because it is a recognized health risk. The present longitudinal study examined whether negative peer influence and peer connectedness predicted changes in adolescent alcohol, cigarette, marijuana, and other illegal drug use, and reciprocally whether substance use predicted changes in peer relationships. Adolescents (N = 1940; 52 % female; 52 % European New Zealanders, 30 % Maori, 12 % Pacific Islander) aged 10–15 years completed measures annually for 3 years. Cross-lagged panel models were used to examine bi-directional effects. Negative peer influence predicted increased use of all substances. In turn, alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use predicted increased negative peer influence, but this effect was inconsistent over time. Peer connectedness, predicted to diminish the frequency of substance use, was found to be unrelated to it. Breaking the reciprocal cycle between peer coercion and substance use would seem to be useful for reducing substance use.

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Acknowledgments

This longitudinal study was supported by a grant from The Foundation for Research in Science and Technology (unnumbered grant entitled “Connectedness in young New Zealanders: Social connectedness, transitions, and well-being”) to the second author. We thank the school principals and adolescents who participated for their cooperation and participation in this study.

Author contributions

M.M. conceived of the study, participated in its design, performed the statistical analysis, and drafted the manuscript; P.J. conceived of the larger study from which the data were drawn, oversaw the design of the study, coordination of the research project, and data collection, participated in the interpretation of the data, and helped to draft the manuscript; J.S. participated in the design, coordination, and measurement, participated in the statistical analysis, and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, 800 W. Stadium Ave., West Lafayette, IN, 47901, USA

    Meghan H. McDonough

  2. Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families, School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Parade, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand

    Paul E. Jose & Jaimee Stuart

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  1. Meghan H. McDonough
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  2. Paul E. Jose
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Correspondence to Meghan H. McDonough.

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McDonough, M.H., Jose, P.E. & Stuart, J. Bi-directional Effects of Peer Relationships and Adolescent Substance Use: A Longitudinal Study. J Youth Adolescence 45, 1652–1663 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0355-4

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