The Influence of Household Substance Use on Children's Later Cigarette, Alcohol and Drug Use: A Three Factor Model

Abstract

During the development of a psychometric instrument designed to identify adolescents at risk from developing an addictive state later in life, a strong association was found between family and adolescent substance use.

Adolescent cigarette, alcohol and drug use was found to be higher in families where these substances were used than in families that were abstemious. Not only did an association exist between adult and adolescent use of the same substance, it was also found that a cross‐over effect existed whereby, for instance, adult alcohol use was associated with increased adolescent cigarette smoking. This effect was particularly strong where adult cigarette smoking appeared to be a significant factor in adolescent drug use.

A three factor model comprising of Modelling, Attitude and Availability is suggested to explain the difference in adolescent substance use in using and non‐using households.

Key Words:

• Household substance use
• influence on children