Popularity as a predictor of early alcohol use and moderator of other risk processes

Differences in Aggression and Alcohol Use among Youth with Varying Levels of Victimization and Popularity Status

Awareness that high-status adolescents can be targets of aggression has grown in recent years. However, questions remain about the associations of the confluence of victimization and popularity with adjustment. The current study fills this gap by examining the joint and unique effects of victimization and popularity on aggression and alcohol use. Participants were 804 Dutch adolescents (50.2% boys, M_age = 13.65) who were followed for one year. High-status victims were more aggressive and drank more alcohol than lower-status victims. High-status victims were also more proactively and indirectly aggressive and self-reported more bullying than high-status non-victims. Thus, the findings demonstrated a conjoined risk of victimization and popularity for some types of aggression.

A review of psychosocial factors linked to adolescent substance use

PURPOSE

Informed by ecological theories and models of influence, this review discusses various psychosocial risk and protective factors that contribute to adolescent substance use behavior. Given typical patterns of substance use initiation during this developmental period, an emphasis is placed on alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use.

FINDINGS

Consistent with bioecological theories, peers and parents tend to have the strongest effect on adolescent substance use behavior. Influences can be both direct, such as offers and availability to use substances, as well as indirect influences, such as the perception of substance use approval. Schools and neighborhoods also contribute to adolescent substance use behavior, but this effect is often less direct. Moreover, the effect of neighborhoods on adolescent behavior reflects both structural components (e.g., neighborhood racial composition, teacher-student ratios) in addition to social process (e.g., neighborhood social cohesion, school connectedness). A review of parallel studies conducted with animals is also provided.

SUMMARY

Adolescent substance use behavior does not occur in a vacuum. Investigations must encompass the relevant social ecologies that affect adolescent behavior, including family, peer, school, and neighborhood contexts to provide a more complete understanding of substance use etiology.

Middle school peer reputation in high-achieving schools: Ramifications for maladjustment versus competence by age 18

In an upper-middle class setting, we explored associations between students’ peer reputation in Grades 6 and 7 with adjustment at Grade 12. With a sample of 209 students, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of peer reputation dimensions supported a 4-factor model (i.e., popular, prosocial, aggressive, isolated). Structural equation models were used to examine prospective links between middle school peer reputation and diverse Grade 12 adjustment indices, including academic achievement (Scholastic Aptitude Test scores and grade point average), internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana. Prosocial reputation was connected to higher academic achievement levels and fewer externalizing symptoms. Both prosocial and isolated reputations were negatively associated with dimensions of substance use, whereas popularity was positively associated. Implications for future research and interventions are discussed.

Percepção de estudantes sobre consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e drogas ilícitas

Resumo Objetivo Compreender a percepção de estudantes do ensino médio sobre o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e drogas ilícitas. Métodos Foi desenvolvido estudo observacional, descritivo, transversal e de abordagem qualitativa por meio da técnica de grupo focal. Participaram da pesquisa 24 estudantes de ensino médio de quatro escolas selecionadas por sorteio, divididos em 4 grupos. As falas dos estudantes foram gravadas, transcritas e realizada análise léxical. Resultados Foram classificadas 74 unidades de contextos elementares que foram dividos em quatro classes lexicais e nomeadas segundo o sentido que revelam em: existência do consumo; motivação para o consumo; influência familiar e controle e consequências. Conclusão A percepção dos estudantes sobre o consumo de substâncias psicoativas demonstra que no cenário atual o consumo de álcool permeia o universo juvenil de forma marcante.