Intergenerational continuity of substance use

Subst Use Misuse. 2014 Feb;49(3):221-33. doi: 10.3109/10826084.2013.824478. Epub 2013 Aug 21.

Abstract

Guided by rigorous methodology and a life-course perspective, the goal of this research is to address a gap in current knowledge on whether, when, and how strongly intergenerational continuity of substance use exists when examining age-equivalent and developmentally specific stages of the life course. Annual self-reported substance use measures were analyzed from a prospective, longitudinal, and nationally representative sample that originally consisted of 1,725 respondents and their families, who were then interviewed over a 27-year period from 1977 to 2004. Findings from multilevel random-intercept regression models provide support for intergenerational continuity when substance use occurs in emerging adulthood but not when limited to adolescence. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology
  • Adult
  • Aging / psychology
  • Child
  • Family / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intergenerational Relations*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New York / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Regression Analysis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult