Abstract
Structured questionnaires were administered to investigate the relationship between early pubertal onset, substance abuse, sensation seeking, and self-esteem. The current study presents data from 1,002 subjects, who were followed from the 6th to the 10th grades and again at the age of 20. In females, early pubertal onset was associated with greater cigarette use and lower self-esteem. Further the interaction of early pubertal onset and low self-esteem was predictive for cigarette use in females, as was early pubertal onset and high sensation seeking. Late pubertal onset was associated with decreased alcohol use and lower sensation seeking in males, with the opposite trends for early pubertal onset. These interrelationships must be considered when attempting to understand and identify early adolescent initiation of substance abuse.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1515/IJAMH.2001.13.3.211
Funding Information
This study was supported by NIDA grants number DA 05312 and 1 K08 DA00333.
Repository Citation
Martin, Catherine A.; Logan, T. K.; Leukefeld, Carl; Milich, Rich; Omar, Hatim; and Clayton, Richard, "Adolescent and Young Adult Substance Use: Association with Sensation Seeking, Self Esteem and Retrospective Report of Early Pubertal Onset. A Preliminary Examination" (2001). Psychology Faculty Publications. 60.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/psychology_facpub/60
Included in
Child Psychology Commons, Clinical and Medical Social Work Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons
Notes/Citation Information
Published in International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, v. 13, issue 3, p. 211-219.
© Freund Publishing House Ltd.
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