A comparison of mechanisms underlying substance use for early adolescent children of alcoholics and controls

The current study examined differences between children of alcoholics (COAs) and controls in parent monitoring, stress-negative affect, and temperament mechanisms underlying early adolescent substance use. Using structural equation modeling, we tested whether these mechanisms were equally predictive of substance use for both groups. We extended an earlier study that tested mediators of COA risk for substance use but did not examine COA status as a moderator of these mechanisms. Overall, we found no evidence of differential importance for COAs and non-COAs of the parent monitoring and negative affect mechanisms. Parental socialization and negative affect mechanisms significantly predicted adolescent substance use regardless of COA status. Differences did emerge regarding the effects of age and parent education on peer substance use and the effect of sociability on adolescent substance use.