NCJ Number
112803
Journal
Child Development Volume: 58 Dated: (1987) Pages: 65-79
Date Published
1987
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article discusses a longitudinal study of 722 adolescents during an 8-year period from 1976 to 1984 to assess the influence of drug use on personality, and personality on drug use.
Abstract
Two models relating to drug use and personality were developed by the authors using the equations of language of the micromainframe program EQS in the context of the 8-year study. Data were gathered from 722 students in the 7th to 9th grades at 11 Los Angeles County, Calif., schools at five points during the study in 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1984. Except for 1977, these data were incorporated in two longitudinal models. The 'cannabis/self-acceptance model' used data obtained in 1976, 1979, and 1984 from 722 subjects; the 'cannabis/self-derogation/law abidance' model used data from 654 participants for 1980 and 1984. A high level of self-acceptance is shown to have a small but significant inoculating effect against subsequent cannabis use in both early and late adolescence, while a small positive effect of cannabis use on subsequent self-acceptance occurs only during early adolescence. Substantial stability of self-derogation, cannabis use, and law abidance are demonstrated with self-derogation during adolescence, leading to increased law abidance during young adulthood. Figures and 25 references. (Author abstract modified)