The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #44251

Helen Z. Reinherz, ScD, Angela D. Paradis, BA, Cecilia K. Stashwick, BA, and Rose M. Giaconia, PhD. School of Social Work, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, (617) 521-3932, reinherz@simmons.edu

Substance disorders continuing from adolescence to adulthood negatively impact many lives. The role of childhood familial and behavioral risk factors in influencing continuity of substance disorders from late adolescence (age 18) to young adulthood (age 26) was investigated in a 21-year longitudinal study of 376 young adults in a predominately White, working class community. Active (1-year) substance disorders (alcohol or drug abuse-dependence) were assessed at ages 18 and 26 using DSM criteria. Early risks covered the period from birth to early adolescence.

Among the 106 youth with a substance disorder at age 18, 27 (25.5%) continued to experience substance disorders at age 26 ("Continuers"), and 79 (74.5%) no longer met criteria for active substance disorders ("Remitters"). Childhood familial and behavioral factors were significant predictors of continued substance disorders in adulthood. Continuers experienced more troubled and disadvantaged early family environments that were characterized by being born to a teen mother, lower family SES, and a parental history of drug disorders and antisocial behavior. At age 9, Continuers also expressed significantly poorer perceptions of their value to the family. Behavior problems at age 9 predicting continued substance disorders, included mother-rated aggressive-hostile behavior, teacher-evaluated poor productivity, and self-reported aggressive-hostile behavior.

Results highlight the powerful role behavior problems and early family environments play in continuity of substance disorders, and pinpoint the need to include families in interventions. Behavior problems, too, should be treated preventively in childhood to help reduce the heavy individual and societal toll of these disorders.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify childhood behavioral and familial indicators differentiating adolescents who continue to have substance disorders in young adulthood
• Identify points where those at risk of continued substance disorders could receive preventive services
• Discuss several models of intervention to prevent continuity of substance disorder from adolescence to adulthood

Keywords: Substance Abuse Prevention,

Related Web page: www.simmons.edu/gssw/sls

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.