The Relationship Between Alcohol and Marijuana Use and Competence in Adolescence

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Using longitudinal data, this study was designed to (1) examine the predictive power of baseline and changing intensities of alcohol and marijuana use on personal and social competence among adolescents and (2) examine the predictive power of baseline and changing levels of competence on subsequent alcohol and marijuana use among these same subjects. Data were obtained from a quota sample of 1308 youth at two points in time. Initially tested at ages 12, 15 or 18, subjects ere retested three years later. Findings suggest that heightened levels of alcohol or marijuana use are likely to perpetuate dysfunction across time, especially among those between the ages of 12-15 years of age. In turn, the perpetuation of deficits in competence is likely to maintain drug use. These findings suggest the importance of emphasizing the adequate development of basic competencies early in adolescence as part of a comprehensive drug prevention program.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: