Negative peer influences, parental support and substance use among Chinese adolescents

Background The influence of family factors on adolescent psychological well-being and problem behavior (e.g. delinquency, smoking and alcohol use) may be particularly salient for Chinese youth. The current study examines the effects of negative peer influence on internalizing outcomes and externalizing outcomes. Drawing on the resilience theory, this study also tested whether parental support can counteract (compensatory effect) or moderate (protective effect) the effect of risks for predicting adolescent problem behaviors. Methods A cross-sectional survey using self-reported questionnaires was conducted in two urban cities in China: Beijing and Xian. Participants in the study include 1356 students in grades 7 to 12 from middle and high schools. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were conducted to test the conceptual models. Results Negative peer influence increases Chinese adolescents' delinquent behaviors and substance use, and has also indirectly increased problem behaviors through increasing mental distress. More parental support was associated with less substance use. The association between psychological distress and substance use became non-significant for adolescents with high parental support compared to adolescents with low parental support. Yet, the relationship between negative peer influence and psychological distress was stronger among adolescents who reported higher parental support. Conclusions The findings suggest that parental support and peer behaviors exert significant influences on substance use among Chinese adolescents. The study suggests that parental support serves as a promotive factor with a compensatory effect for Chinese youth. Parental support may also serve as a protective, modifying factor for the relationship between psychological distress and substance use.