Changes in Drug Involvement: A Longitudinal Study of Childhood and Adolescent Determinants

Abstract

Previous research has identified childhood and adolescent personality determinants of early adolescent drug involvement. The purpose of the present study was to examine the determinants of increased involvement over time and to compare these results with previous findings regarding early involvement. Data were available on 654 white males and females at three points, Time 1 (T₁) at ages 1–10 yr., Time 2 (T₂) at ages 9–18 yr., and Time 3 (T₃) at ages 11–20 yr. The subjects (at T₂ and T₃) and their mothers (at all three points) were given structured interviews assessing the child's personality and behavior. Results indicated that T₁ traits of conventionality and emotional control were associated with similar traits at T₂, which, in turn, were related to lower drug involvement over time (T₂ and T₃). Interactive effects indicated first that T₂ adolescent protective (nondrug-conducive) factors weakened the effect of childhood-risk (drug-conducive) characteristics resulting in lower drug involvement. Second, high levels of earlier drug use interacted synergistically with personality risk leading to increased levels of involvement. Over-all, the personality factors implicated in increased involvement were similar to those related to earlier involvement.

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