Childhood Predictors of Adult Substance Abuse Arteaga Article Discussion Questions

These questions are from the articles by Arteaga et al. (2010) and/or Gibbons et al. (2007). Please answer 3 of the 5 questions in your own words.

1) In the introduction for the Arteaga article, describe the research on successful prevention programs for school-aged and preschool-aged children, in terms of future substance use.

2) For the Arteaga article, pick three variables that were measured and explain how they were measured (section labeled “Explanatory Variables”, not “Outcome Measures”).

3) How does the Arteaga model explain the influence of school mobility (number of times the child changed schools) in the context of Brofenbrenner’s model? (found in the discussion section).

4) Based on the Gibbons article, explain what is meant by the critical period hypothesis.

5) Describe the results in the Gibbons’ study on the effect of early discriminatory experiences on future substance use

Substance abuse Drug use Longitudinal design Prediction Child development a b s t r a c t Identification of the early determinants of substance abuse is a major focus of life course research. In this study, we investigated the child, family, and school-related antecedents of the onset and prevalence of substance abuse by age 26 for a cohort of 1208 low-income minority children in the Chicago Longitudinal Study. Data on well-being have been collected prospectively since birth from administrative records, parents, teachers, and children. Results indicated that the prevalence of substance abuse by age 26 was 26% (selfreports or criminal justice system records) with a median age of first use of 17. Probit regression analysis indicated that substance abuse prevalence was primarily determined by gender (males had a higher rate), trouble-making behavior by age 12, school mobility, and previous substance use. Family and peer predictors included involvement in the child welfare system by age 9, parent expectations for school success at age 9, parent substance abuse by child’s age 15, and deviant peer affiliation by age 16

Age of first substance use was predicted by gender and race/ethnicity (males and Blacks had earlier incidence), involvement in the child welfare system, and family risk status at age 8. As with prevalence, the pattern of predictors for males was similar to the overall sample but the magnitude of effects was stronger. The predictors of the timing of substance use dependency were gender, family conflict by age 5, involvement in the child welfare system, social maturity at age 9, adolescent school mobility, and school dropout by age 16. Findings indicate that the promotion of family involvement and positive school and social behaviors can reduce the risk of substance abuse. © 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd. 1. Introduction Substance abuse exacts high personal and social costs that have been well-documented. Besides contributing to school underachievement, antisocial behavior, and mental health problems into adulthood (Belcher & Shinitzky, 1998; Gilvarry & McArdle, 2007; Hawkins, Catalano, & Miller, 1992; Merline, O’Malley, Schulenberg, Bachman, & Johnston, 2004), substance use and abuse are linked to increased expenditures for treatment in social service, criminal justice, and health service systems (Monge et al., 1999). Given these serious consequences and growing costs of treatment, identifying malleable risk factors is critical for understanding as well as reducing and ultimately preventing substance abuse and its negative consequences for well-being. These consequences are magnified by the relatively high prevalence of substance use among young people.