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. 2010 Dec;33(6):813-26.
doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.07.007.

Romantic partner selection and socialization of young adolescents' substance use and behavior problems

Julie Wargo Aikins  1 , Valerie A Simon, Mitchell J Prinstein
Affiliations

Romantic partner selection and socialization of young adolescents' substance use and behavior problems

Julie Wargo Aikins et al. J Adolesc. 2010 Dec.

Abstract

This study examined romantic partner selection and socialization of substance use (cigarettes, alcohol) and behavior problems among a sample of 78 young adolescents (6th-8th graders) over eleven months. Adolescent and romantic partner behaviors were assessed before and after relationships were initiated via school records and self-report. Most selection and socialization effects were apparent for the eighth grade adolescents (at Time 1). Prior to their relationship, eighth graders and romantic partners were alike on alcohol use. In contrast, romantic socialization effects emerged for eighth graders' cigarette use and behavior problems. The nature of the partner socialization effects depended on the combination of adolescents' and partners' pre-relationship behaviors. Eighth graders who dated partners with fewer problems showed the greatest instability in their behavior problems and partner behavior predicted greater decreased in problem behaviors among adolescents with more problems. The implications of these findings are discussed within the broader context of adolescent peer relationships.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graph of Simple Slopes for Interactions between Adolescent and Romantic Partner Time 1 Cigarette Use in Predicting 8th Graders’ Time 2 Cigarette Use with Romantic Partners’ Cigarette Use as the Moderator.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Graph of Simple Slopes for Interactions between Adolescent and Romantic Partner Time 1 Cigarette Use in Predicting 8th Graders’ Time 2 Cigarette Use with Adolescents’ Cigarette Use as the Moderator.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Graph of Simple Slopes for Interactions between Adolescent and Romantic Partner Time 1 Behavior Problems in Predicting 8th Graders’ Time 2 Behavior Problems with Romantic Partners’ Behavior Problems as the Moderator.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Graph of Simple Slopes for Interactions between Adolescent and Romantic Partner Time 1 Behavior Problems in Predicting 8th Graders’ Time 2 Behavior Problems with Adolescents’ Behavior Problems as the Moderator.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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