Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Open Access

Abstract

Parent-Adolescent Interactions and Substance Use: A Prospective, Observational Study of Mexican-Origin Families

D Angus Clark, M Brent Donnellan and Richard W Robins

The quality of the parent-adolescent relationship is an important predictor of adolescent substance use. Most research in this area however has relied on questionnaire-based assessments of both substance use and interpersonal family dynamics, and has typically focused on European American samples. These gaps are addressed in the current study by evaluating prospective associations between behaviour coded from parentadolescent interactions in 7th grade and substance use in 9th and 12th grade, in a longitudinal sample of Mexicanorigin youth (N = 674). Adolescents’ observed behaviours towards parents, especially hostility, were significantly but weakly associated with future substance use. Parents’ behaviours towards adolescents were generally not significantly associated with future substance use. Results add to the literature examining the relevance of family processes in the development of substance use, and offer converging evidence regarding the role of early aggressive tendencies and later substance use.