Longitudinal Analysis Of The Role Of Peer Support, Adult Models, And Peer Subcultures In Beginning Adolescent Substance Use: An Application Of Setwise Canonical Correlation Methods

Abstract

A confirmatory, longitudinal design was used with a setwise partial canonical correlation methodology to determine whether indicators of a deviant adolescent peer culture contain information about the subsequent drug use beyond that which may be obtained from knowledge of present drug use and perceived sources of supply and support. Peer culture measures did not increase prediction over a one year period. Adolescent drug use was quite stable over one year, and perceived sources of supply and support served to predict those portions of subsequent drug use not explained by present use. The results suggest that general nonconformity among peers is not a strong precursor of adolescent drug use.