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. 2021 Nov 1:228:109019.
doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109019. Epub 2021 Sep 4.

Using the Theory of Reasoned Action to examine grandparent and maternal substance use on the cannabis use of children of teen mothers

Julie A Cederbaum  1 , Woo Jung Lee  2 , Lucinda Okine  3 , Lei Duan  4 , Jungeun Olivia Lee  5
Affiliations

Using the Theory of Reasoned Action to examine grandparent and maternal substance use on the cannabis use of children of teen mothers

Julie A Cederbaum et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. .

Abstract

Background: Parental cannabis use is associated with increased risks of cannabis use among offspring, yet few studies have explored the mechanisms influencing intergenerational continuity in cannabis use. To understand the mechanism by which intergenerational cannabis use is influenced, this work explores cannabis use across three generations using a family expansion of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA).

Methods: Data come from the Young Women and Child Development Study which began when teen mothers were pregnant and followed mother-child dyads for 17 years (N = 240). Constructs include cannabis use of grandparents, mothers, and teens, and TRA constructs of behavioral and normative beliefs, intention, and behavior. Hypotheses were tested using Structural Equation Modeling.

Results: Grandfather's cannabis use was significantly linked to mother's normative beliefs (β = .22, p = .006), but not attitudes (β = .12, p = .182). Teen mothers' attitude was associated with intention (β = .79, p < .001); intention predicted cannabis behavior (β = .61, p < .001). Teen mothers' cannabis use was predictive of adolescent's attitude (β = .21, p = .002); attitude predicted intention (β = .73, p < .001) and intention predicted behavior (β = .60, p < .001).

Discussion: Parents play an influential role in the cannabis use behaviors of adolescents. Future work should consider interventions that target both parent and adolescents, increasing knowledge and skills related to parent-child communication, parental monitoring, and positive parental role modeling to reduce intergenerational continuity of cannabis use.

Keywords: Adolescents; Cannabis use; Intergenerational cannabis use; Offspring of teen mothers; Theory of Reasoned Action.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations of Interest: None

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Attitude Items and Norms Note. *** p < .001. Factor loadings are standardized.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Path model of intergenerational model of theory of reasoned action on marijuana use Note. *** p < .001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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