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. 2012 Sep;43(2):251-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2011.11.005. Epub 2011 Dec 23.

Temporal relationship between substance use and delinquent behavior among young psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents

Sara J Becker  1 , Jessica E Nargiso, Jennifer C Wolff, Kristen M Uhl, Valerie A Simon, Anthony Spirito, Mitchell J Prinstein
Affiliations

Temporal relationship between substance use and delinquent behavior among young psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents

Sara J Becker et al. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

There is considerable evidence linking substance use and delinquent behavior among adolescents. However, the nature and temporal ordering of this relationship remain uncertain, particularly among early adolescents and those with significant psychopathology. This study examined the temporal ordering of substance use and delinquent behavior in a sample of psychiatrically hospitalized early adolescents. Youth (N = 108) between the ages of 12 and 15 years completed three assessments over 18 months following hospitalization. Separate cross-lagged panel models examined the reciprocal relationship between delinquent behavior and two types of substance use (e.g., alcohol and marijuana). Results provided evidence of cross-lagged effects for marijuana: Delinquent behavior at 9 months predicted marijuana use at 18 months. No predictive effects were found between alcohol use and delinquent behavior over time. Findings demonstrate the stability of delinquent behavior and substance use among young adolescents with psychiatric concerns. Furthermore, results highlight the value of examining alcohol and marijuana use outcomes separately to better understand the complex pathways between substance use and delinquent behavior among early adolescents.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cross-lagged panel model for the temporal relationship between frequency of alcohol use and delinquent behavior. Parameter estimates are standardized values. * p < .01, ** p < .001
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cross-lagged panel model for the temporal relationship between frequency of marijuana use and delinquent behavior. Parameter estimates are standardized values. * p < .01, ** p < .001.
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