Early temperament, propensity for risk-taking and adolescent substance-related problems: A prospective multi-method investigation

Lela Williams, Nathan A. Fox, C. W. Lejuez, Elizabeth K. Reynolds, Heather A. Henderson, Koraly E. Perez-Edgar, Laurence Steinberg, Daniel S. Pine

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

One hundred thirty seven adolescents (M=15.3 yrs, SD=1.0 yr, n=72 girls) were recruited into temperament groups when they were 4. months of age based on reactivity to novel auditory/visual stimuli (Fox, Henderson, Rubin, Calkins, & Schmidt, 2001). Behavioral inhibition was observed across infancy (14 and 24. months). Additionally, self-reported substance-related problems and behavioral risk-taking was assessed during adolescence. High behavioral inhibition increased risk for substance-related problems among boys, whereas high behavioral inhibition protected against substance-related problems among girls, B=- 1.18, SE=.48, 95% CI. =- 2.13 to -24; p<05. Additionally, high behavioral inhibition protected lower risk-taking children from adolescent substance-related problems whereas high behavioral inhibition increased risk for substance-related problems among higher risk-taking children, B=.04, SE=.02, 95% CI. =.00 to .08. Findings from this prospective, multi-informant, longitudinal study suggest that risk-taking and gender may interact with temperamental traits to place adolescents at differential risk for substance-related related behavior problems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1148-1151
Number of pages4
JournalAddictive Behaviors
Volume35
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • Adolescence
  • Behavioral inhibition
  • Longitudinal
  • Risk-taking
  • Substance-use

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Toxicology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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