Peer Environment Mediates Parental History and Individual Risk in the Etiology of Cannabis Use Disorder in Boys: A 10-Year Prospective Study

Abstract

Previous research has shown that a trait termed neurobehavior disinhibition (ND) measured in childhood predicts substance use disorder by young adulthood. The present investigation extends these findings by determining the degree to which peer environment mediates the association between ND and development of cannabis use disorder (CUD). ND was measured in a sample of 216 boys 10-12 years of age. The peer environment was assessed at age 16. Current CUD was determined at age 22. Paternal and maternal SUD predicted son's ND which, in turn, predicted son's peer environment and, subsequently, son's cannabis use frequency and CUD. Peer environment mediated the association between ND and cannabis use and ND and CUD. Maternal and paternal SUD predicted the peer environment. Parental SUD, son's ND, and son's peer environment predicted CUD at age 22 with 84% accuracy.

Prospective Study of the Association Between Neurobehavior Disinhibition and Peer Environment on Illegal Drug Use in Boys and Girls

“…Prior research conducted on a subset of this sample has, however, not revealed evidence of biased sampling (22). …”

Clinical and Social/Environmental Characteristics in a Community Sample of Children With and Without Family Histories of Substance Use Disorder in the San Antonio Area: A Descriptive Study

“…A major limitation of many family history studies is that samples are primarily FH + offspring that are non-Hispanic white and male (Clark et al, 1997; Feske et al, 2008; Gillespie, Lubke, Gardner, Neale, & Kendler, 2012) which does not allow examination of sex and ethnic effects on risk transmission. Of select studies that do include both sexes, initial recruitment was designed to include boys only (e.g., Clark et al, 2005), which have their own limitations due to cohort effects.…”

Homicides against infants, children and adolescents in Budapest (1960–2005)

“…Fatal child abuse has traditionally been in a close connection with parental behaviour, domestic violence, education and unemployment rate of parents, low socio-economic status. 14,13 Recent year's violence and criminality between children, 16 drug abuse 17,18 have been reported as additional risks.…”