Perceptions of Peer and Parental Attitudes toward Substance use and Actual Adolescent Substance Use: The Impact of Adolescent-Confidant Relationships

Abstract

Objective: While peer influence is a well-documented risk factor for adolescent substance use, it remains unclear whether peer or parental attitudes have greater impact, and if this relationship is moderated by having a confidant and the relationship between adolescents and their confidant. Method: Pooled (2015-2018) National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data on adolescents (12-17 years) were used. Perceived peer and parental disapproval of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use were dichotomized. We assessed associations between disapproval and past-month tobacco (N ¼ 51,352), alcohol (N ¼ 51,407), and marijuana use (N ¼ 51,355) using separate multivariable logistic regression models. We explored effect modification by the presence of a confidant, parental vs. non-parental disapproval, and peer vs. non-peer confidant relationship. Results: Peer and parental disapproval, presence of any confidant, and identifying a parental confidant were consistently protective against substance use; identifying a peer confidant increased odds of use across substances. For marijuana use, peer disapproval (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06, 0.08) was more protective than parental disapproval (aOR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.15). The joint presence of peer/parental disapproval and any confidant decreased the odds of substance use beyond the individual effects of peer/parental disapproval and having a confidant. However, having a peer confidant attenuated the protective association between peer/parental disapproval and tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use. Conclusions: Both peer and parental relationships are salient when considering the social context of adolescent substance use and should be considered when studying the effects of perceived disapproval.

Adolescents’ own views on their risk behaviors, and the potential effects of being labeled as risk-takers: A commentary and review

“…Thus, social conformity and sensation seeking ("for fun") motives that are common in the literature are often mentioned by youth, although youth mentioned "being cool/ tough" and enjoyment (sensory) motives more often whereas these motives are not typically considered in adolescent risktaking research. Hence, it would be for example interesting for research to investigate whether the motives coolness and enjoyment predict adolescent substance use to a similar extent as more often investigated factors such as peer influence and sensation seeking, As mentioned above, the research literature over the years has focused on social influences, with strong evidence that both family (Donovan, 2004) and peer use (Leung et al, 2011) are associated with greater likelihood of trying alcohol as well as tobacco and cannabis (Marziali et al, 2022). There is also strong evidence that advertising for alcohol on television and in magazines encourages adolescent trial (Smith and Foxcroft, 2009).…”

“…As mentioned above, the research literature over the years has focused on social influences, with strong evidence that both family ( Donovan, 2004 ) and peer use ( Leung et al, 2011 ) are associated with greater likelihood of trying alcohol as well as tobacco and cannabis ( Marziali et al, 2022 ). There is also strong evidence that advertising for alcohol on television and in magazines encourages adolescent trial ( Smith and Foxcroft, 2009 ).…”

Prevalence and factors associated with novel psychoactive substance use among the residents of special educational centres in Poland

“…A number of studies among adolescents attending mainstream schools have confirmed that being around peers who use psychoactive substances fosters substance use [50]. The perception of peer behaviour is even more important; if young people are convinced that their peers use psychoactive substances and accept behaviour of that kind (which is not necessarily true), they are more likely to use them themselves [51][52][53]. The perceived behaviour of non-familial adults who adolescents meet in their immediate environment is also important.…”

“…W wielu badaniach wśród nastolatków uczęszczających do szkół ogólnodostępnych potwierdzono, że obracanie się w kręgu rówieśników, którzy używają substancji psychoaktywnych, sprzyja sięganiu po te substancje [50]. Bardziej istotne jest przy tym postrzeganie zachowań rówieśników -jeśli młodzi ludzie są przekonani, że ich koledzy i koleżanki używają substancji psychoaktywnych oraz akceptują takie zachowania (co nie musi być zgodne z prawdą), wtedy sami są bardziej skłonni po nie sięgać [51][52][53]. Istotne znaczenie ma także postrzeganie zachowań osób dorosłych spoza rodziny, których nastolatkowie spotykają w swoim najbliższym otoczeniu.…”