Childhood Temperament as a Predictor of Substance Use in Early Adolescence

摘要: This project examined childhood temperament as a predictor of substance use in early adolescence. Many previous studies and were cross-sectional, thus could not address the direction this relationship. Previous longitudinal did risk factor for use. In addition, many only considered small number covariates study improved on by collecting data at ages when is rare, addressing collected adolescence other analyzed. The from longitudinal, epidemiological effects prenatal use, included such maternal psychiatric symptoms, child family history problems. Temperament was measured 6 10 using Emotionality, Activity, Sociability, Shyness Survey (Buss & Plomin, 1984). Substance outcomes age 14 with Health Behavior Questionnaire (Jessor, Donovan, Costa, 1989), which measures quantity frequency including cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana. Increased sociability increased activity predicted ever having tried cigarette 14. relationship remained significant controlling relevant covariates. predict marijuana, or polysubstance outcomes, although escalation marijuana also identified common unique predictors initiation specific substances.Children high levels are public health importance these findings that parents teachers can easily identify traits young ages. Prevention efforts may then be aimed children starting elementary school hopes reducing delaying their These results used to tailor prevention intervention substances.