Aggression, intrapsychic distress, and drug use: antecedent and intervening processes

Abstract

Objective: To explore the interrelation of childhood aggression, early and late adolescent intrapsychic distress, unconventionality, and drug use.

Method: Data were obtained from the subjects when they were 5 to 10 years old. Follow-up interviews were conducted when the subjects were between 13 and 18 years old and again when they were 15 to 20 years old.

Results: A LISREL analysis indicated that childhood aggression was related to later intrapsychic distress, unconventionality, and drug use. There were significant pathways from childhood aggression to drug use at 15 to 20 years of age, with mediation through intrapsychic distress and unconventionality, and during adolescence there was a pathway from intrapsychic distress to unconventionality, leading to legal and subsequently illegal drug use. There was also considerable stability in intrapsychic distress, unconventionality, and drug use.

Conclusion: Intrapsychic distress and unconventionality are important mediators of childhood aggression and adult drug use.