Using an existing longitudinal sample of North Carolina children at high risk for abuse and neglect, this study examines the relationship between child maltreatment and subsequent adolescent drug use. While there is much indirect evidence that maltreated children are at greater risk of adolescent drug use, strong empirical support for this relationship is lacking. Most prior studies focus on the relationship between maltreatment and adult drug use, rely exclusively on self-reports of maltreatment, fail to examine all types of maltreatment, or are restricted to special subpopulations such as drug users or psychiatric patients. Although most drug use is initiated before age 20, surprisingly few studies have examined the relationship between maltreatment and adolescent drug use. Consequently, very little is known about the natural progression of drug use among maltreated children. With the goal of addressing this gap, the present study examines age 12 self-reported use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs. The key independent variable--maltreatment status--is measured from three sources: official records, maternal self-reports, and adolescent self-reports. A conceptual model that identifies child mental health and parental attachment as mediators of the maltreatment-drug use association guides our multivariate statistical analysis. Implications of the findings for adolescent drug use prevention are discussed.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Drug Use, Family Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.