Self-Derogation, Peer Factors, and Drug Dependence Among a Multiethnic Sample of Young Adults

ABSTRACT

Previous research suggests that self-derogation/rejection and peer factors are strongly related to adolescent substance use. However, much less in known about the role and significance of these risk factors in the escalation of drug use over time. In the current study, we examined whether early reports of self-derogation and peer approval prospectively predicted drug dependence. Data from three waves of a nine-year prospective study were employed to examine these relationships among a multiethnic sample of young adult males (N = 872). Analysis confirmed that self-derogation and peer approval of substance use independently predicted drug dependence even when early substance use was controlled. These findings underscore the utility of these factors in identifying high-risk individuals for prevention and early intervention efforts.

KEYWORDS:

• Self-derogation/rejection
• peer factors
• substance use and dependence
• longitudinal analyses