Peer Victimization and Substance Use in Early Adolescence: Influences of Deviant Peer Affiliation and Parental Knowledge

BACKGROUND Peer victimization is common among youth and associated with substance use. Yet, few studies have examined these associations longitudinally or the psychological processes whereby peer victimization leads to substance use. The current study examined whether peer victimization in early adolescence is associated with alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use in mid- to late adolescence, as well as the role of depressive symptoms in these associations. METHODS Longitudinal data were collected between 2004 and 2011 from 4297 youth in Birmingham, Alabama; Houston, Texas; and Los Angeles County, California. Data were analyzed by using structural equation modeling. RESULTS The hypothesized model fit the data well (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation [RMSEA] = 0.02; Comparative Fit Index [CFI] = 0.95). More frequent experiences of peer victimization in the fifth grade were associated with greater depressive symptoms in the seventh grade (B[SE] = 0.03[0.01]; P < .001), which, in turn, were associated with a greater likelihood of alcohol use (B[SE] = 0.03[0.01]; P = .003), marijuana use (B[SE] = 0.05[0.01]; P < .001), and tobacco use (B[SE] = 0.05[0.01]; P < .001) in the tenth grade. Moreover, fifth-grade peer victimization was indirectly associated with tenth-grade substance use via the mediator of seventh-grade depressive symptoms, including alcohol use (B[SE] = 0.01[0.01]; P = .006), marijuana use (B[SE] = 0.01[0.01]; P < .001), and tobacco use (B[SE] = 0.02[0.01]; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Youth who experienced more frequent peer victimization in the fifth grade were more likely to use substances in the tenth grade, showing that experiences of peer victimization in early adolescence may have a lasting impact by affecting substance use behaviors during mid- to late adolescence. Interventions are needed to reduce peer victimization among youth and to support youth who have experienced victimization.

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Peer Victimization and Aggressive Behavior Among Chinese Adolescents: Delinquent Peer Affiliation as a Mediator and Parental Knowledge as a Moderator

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01036 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Shuang Lin ◽

Chengfu Yu ◽

Weiqi Chen ◽

Yunlong Tian ◽

Wei Zhang

Keyword(s):

Aggressive Behavior ◽

Peer Victimization ◽

Parental Knowledge ◽

Chinese Adolescents ◽

Peer Affiliation ◽

Delinquent Peer

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Peer victimization and problematic internet use in adolescents: The mediating role of deviant peer affiliation and the moderating role of family functioning

Addictive Behaviors ◽

10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.04.016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 96 ◽

pp. 43-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Boyu Zhai ◽

Dongping Li ◽

Jichao Jia ◽

Yuxiao Liu ◽

Wenqiang Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Family Functioning ◽

Peer Victimization ◽

Internet Use ◽

Problematic Internet Use ◽

Deviant Peer Affiliation ◽

Peer Affiliation ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Moderating Role

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Community Violence Exposure and Externalizing Problem Behavior Among Chinese High School Students: The Moderating Role of Parental Knowledge

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.612237 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yibo Zhang ◽

Yuanyuan Chen ◽

Wei Zhang

Keyword(s):

Problem Behaviors ◽

Community Violence ◽

Parental Knowledge ◽

Moderating Effect ◽

Deviant Peer Affiliation ◽

Peer Affiliation ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Externalizing Problem Behaviors ◽

Externalizing Problem

Adolescents' community violence exposure (CVE) has been demonstrated with a range of behavioral and psychological problems, but the processes that explain these correlations are not clear. In our 2017 study, the mediating role of deviant peer affiliation in the relationship between CVE and externalizing problem behaviors has been confirmed. However, the moderating effect of parental factors is still unclear. Therefore, a new group (high school group) was adopted in this study to further explore the moderating effect of parental knowledge based on also confirming the mediating effect of deviant peer affiliation. Stratified-cluster sampling was used to recruit 1,797 volunteers who completed questionnaires on CVE, deviant peer affiliation, parental knowledge, and externalizing problem behaviors. The results of the structural equation modeling were: on the basis of our previous research, we further analyzed the mediating role of deviant peer affiliation, and the mediated association was moderated by parental knowledge. Especially when the school climate is added as a covariate, the moderating effect of parental knowledge has changed, that is, the positive association between CVE and externalizing problem behaviors was much stronger for adolescents who reported lower levels of parental knowledge than for those who reported higher levels of parental knowledge. The results support the assumptions of social learning theory and have implications for interventions of community violence.

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