A substantial body of research on risk and protective factors for adolescent alcohol and other drug use has accumulated. Risk factors for adolescent substance use include (among others) peer social influence to use drugs, alcohol and drug availability, and participation in other problem behaviors. Potential protective factors include resistance self-efficacy, parental attitudes toward substance use, and conventional behaviors. Although substantial research on risk factors has been conducted, very few studies have examined the moderating role of protective factors. Even fewer studies have adopted a developmental perspective and examined age differences in the significance of risk and protective factors. Using logistic regression analysis on survey data from over 5,000 sixth grade and over 3,500 tenth grade students, the role of these risk and protective factors on substance use and nonnormative (defined differently for sixth and tenth graders) substance use among sixth and tenth graders was explored. Results indicate that risk is related to substance use and abuse, but the relationship is moderated by the number of hours spent in extracurricular activities, which for nonnormative substance use is also moderated by grade. Adolescent resistance self-efficacy and negative parental attitudes toward alcohol use predicted decreased substance use. Although resistance self-efficacy was directly related to decreased nonnormative substance use in both grades, grade moderated the relationship between protection and substance use for the other three protective factors. Only limited support was found for the buffering effect of protective factors. Implications for conceptualizing protective factors and considering developmental influences on substance will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participants will be able to describe the relationship between substance use and risk and protective factors for sixth and tenth graders
Keywords: Substance Abuse Prevention, Adolescents
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.