Substance use risk across three generations: the roles of parent discipline practices and inhibitory control

Abstract

This study used 3 generations and 21 years of prospective data to test models of intergenerational transmission of substance use and substance use risk. Thus, the study extends prior studies in the field that have focused predominantly on substance abuse. The association between the grandparental generation's (G1 mother and father) and the parental generation's (G2 father) alcohol use and illicit drug use was hypothesized to be mediated by G2's poor inhibitory control. Additionally, G1's poor discipline of G2 was hypothesized to be directly associated with G2's substance use as well as to partially mediate the association between G1's substance use and G2's inhibitory control. In turn, G2's substance use in late adolescence was expected to be associated with its offspring's (G3) poor inhibitory control at age 3 years. Findings partially supported the predictions and varied by substance. For alcohol use, only cross-generational associations in use were found. For illicit drugs, both poor inhibitory control and poor discipline played some mediational role in cross-generational use.

Figure 1. Hypothesized Model of the Intergenerational Transmission of Substance Use

Note. Dotted lines represent hypothesized partially mediated pathways. Direct effects are also hypothesized. G1 = grandparental generation; G2 = parental generation; G3 = Generation 3.

Figure 2. Risk for Alcohol Use Across Three Generations

Note. G1 = grandparental generation; G2 = parental generation; G3 = Generation 3.

Figure 3. Risk for Illicit drug use Across Three Generations

Note. G1 = grandparental generation; G2 = parental generation; G3 = Generation 3.