Publication year: 2011
Source: Addictive Behaviors, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 1 March 2011
Elisa M., Trucco , Craig R., Colder , William F., Wieczorek
Affiliation with deviant peers is a correlate of adolescent alcohol use; however, the mechanism accounting for this association remains unclear, particularly with respect to initiation of alcohol use in early adolescence. This prospective study examines perceived peer attitudes and use as a mediator between peer delinquency and initiation of alcohol use, and how parenting may moderate vulnerability to this risk pathway. Participants included 371 11–13year-old adolescents (55.5% female, 83.0% Caucasian). Results suggested that high levels of peer delinquency prospectively predicted perceived peer approval and use of alcohol and that peer approval and use of alcohol prospectively predicted initiation of alcohol…
Research Highlights: ►Delinquent peer behavior was associated with peer approval and use of alcohol, which prospectively predicted initiation of alcohol use in a sample of early adolescents. ►These associations were found above and beyond self-reported delinquency, an important control variable. ►The findings support modeling and reinforcement from delinquent peers as an important mechanism that accounts for early initiation of alcohol use. ►This meditational path was invariant across gender. ►There was no support for the role of parental control or parental warmth as moderators of the influence of peers on alcohol use initiation.