Changes in Drug Involvement: a Longitudinal Study of Childhood and Adolescent Determinants

Previous research has identified childhood and adolescent personality determinants of early adolescent drug involvement. The purpose of the present study was to examine the determinants of increased involvement over time and to compare these results with previous findings regarding early involvement. Data were available on 654 white males and females at three points, Time 1 (T1) at ages 1-10 yr., Time 2 (T2) at ages 9-18 yr., and Time 3 (T3) at ages 11-20 yr. The subjects (at T2 and T3) and their mothers (at all three points) were given structured interviews assessing the child's personality and behavior. Results indicated that T1 traits of conventionality and emotional control were associated with similar traits at T2, which, in turn, were related to lower drug involvement over time (T2 and T3). Interactive effects indicated first that T2 adolescent protective (nondrug-conducive) factors weakened the effect of childhood-risk (drug-conducive) characteristics resulting in lower drug involvement. Second, high levels of earlier drug use interacted synergistically with personality risk leading to increased levels of involvement. Over-all, the personality factors implicated in increased involvement were similar to those related to earlier involvement.