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Multilevel Modeling of Direct Effects and Interactions of Peers, Parents, School, and Community Influences on Adolescent Substance Use

Journal of Youth and Adolescence volume 38, pages 1038–1049 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

This study tested a social-ecological model of adolescent substance use. Multilevel modeling was used to investigate how systems, such as parents, peers, schools, and communities, directly influence and interact together to influence adolescent substance use. Participants included 14,548 (50.3% female) middle school students who were 78.6% White, 5.4% Biracial, 4.8% Asian, 4.8% Black, and 3.6% Hispanic. Participants completed a survey with scales assessing substance use, peer influences, parental influences, and characteristics of their school and community. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to consider the variation of parental and peer influences on substance use and how schools and communities relate to both substance use and the relationship between substance use and peer and parental factors. Results indicated that a positive school climate and a positive sense of community were associated with less adolescent substance use and that a positive sense of community moderated the relation between peer and parental influence on adolescent substance use, thereby acting as a protective factor.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Family Institute at Northwestern University, 618 Library Place, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA

    Megan L. Mayberry

  2. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 226 Education Building, 1310 South Sixth Street, Champaign, IL, 61820-6990, USA

    Dorothy L. Espelage

  3. K12 Associates, LLC, 8562 Stonebrook Circle, Middleton, WI, 53562, USA

    Brian Koenig

Authors
  1. Megan L. Mayberry
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  2. Dorothy L. Espelage
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  3. Brian Koenig
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Megan L. Mayberry.

Appendix: Items in Each Scale

Appendix: Items in Each Scale

Peer Influence

  1. 1.

    My friends help me to stay out of trouble.

  2. 2.

    Most of my friends do not have sexual intercourse.

  3. 3.

    Most of my friends do not drink or do drugs.

  4. 4.

    Most of my friends do not smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco.

Parental Communication

How often in the PAST 12 MONTHS have you had a good talk with at least one parent or adult who lives with you about the following issues?

  1. 1.

    The risks of drinking or taking other drugs

  2. 2.

    About sexual values (things like teen sex, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, etc.)

  3. 3.

    Your personal problems

Parental Knowledge

  1. 1.

    When I go out my parents/guardians know where I’ll be and who I’ll be with.

  2. 2.

    They usually know what I am doing after school.

Parental Support

  1. 1.

    My parents/guardians are there when I need them.

  2. 2.

    My parents/guardians care about me.

Parental Values

  1. 1.

    My parents/guardians think it is wrong for teens my age to have sexual intercourse.

  2. 2.

    My parent/guardians think it is wrong for teens my age to drink alcohol.

  3. 3.

    My parent/guardians think it is wrong for teens my age to smoke/chew tobacco.

  4. 4.

    My parent/guardians think it is wrong for teems my age to smoke marijuana.

School Climate

  1. 1.

    Students in my school are typically asked to help set rules and solve problems.

  2. 2.

    Kids sometimes treat me unfairly because of my race or ethnicity.

  3. 3.

    The rules at my school are enforced fairly most of the time.

  4. 4.

    I am getting the education and skills I need to be successful after I graduate from high school.

  5. 5.

    Generally, the adults in my school respect my opinion.

  6. 6.

    I believe I am getting a good education at my school.

  7. 7.

    I usually enjoy going to school.

  8. 8.

    Adults in my school care about me and how well I do in school.

Sense of Community

  1. 1.

    Generally, my neighborhood is a safe place to live.

  2. 2.

    Most adults in my community keep an eye on what teens are up to.

  3. 3.

    If I had a problem, there are neighbors I could count on to help me.

  4. 4.

    Most people in my community know and care about each other.

  5. 5.

    Usually I can count on the police if I am having a problem or need help.

  6. 6.

    In my neighborhood, away from school, people sometimes treat me unfairly because of my race or ethnicity.

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Mayberry, M.L., Espelage, D.L. & Koenig, B. Multilevel Modeling of Direct Effects and Interactions of Peers, Parents, School, and Community Influences on Adolescent Substance Use. J Youth Adolescence 38, 1038–1049 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9425-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9425-9

Keywords

  • Adolescent risk behavior
  • Substance use
  • Community
  • School
  • Parent
  • Peers
  • Contextual factors