The Effects of Relationships with Older Females on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health of Adolescent Boys

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this article is to describe the short-term effects of relationships with significantly older females on the substance use and mental health of adolescent boys. Methods: Weighted logistic regression and weighted least-squares regression were conducted using data from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Survey of Adolescent Health to determine the substance use and mental health effects of entry into an age-discordant relationship (n = 2318). Results: The results indicate that boys involved in an age-discordant relationship, in comparison with boys in an age-similar relationship, were more likely to have recently smoked cigarettes, use higher quantities of alcohol, and experience higher levels of anxiety. There was no significant relationship between having been involved in an age-discordant relationship and having recently used marijuana or cocaine, as well as no relationship with displaying suicidality. There was a trend toward depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem among boys in age-discordant relationships. Conclusion: On the whole, entering a relationship with a significantly older female is associated with some substance abuse effects, particularly cigarette and alcohol use, for adolescent boys. These relationships may encourage early adoption of adult behaviors but not broader deviance as such involvement does not influence the abuse of illicit substances.

• drugs
• alcohol
• cigarettes
• mental health
• adolescents

Notes

1. There is some debate about how one should define age-discordant relationships, but 3 years is the most common demarcation point (see Ford et al. (9), Glie (10), Miller et al. (4)). The age difference between boys and their older partners ranged from 3 to 40 years older.

2. If the respondent was missing information on one of the four variables used to comprise this scale we used the average of the three variables for which they did have information.

3. Respondents were asked about the most recent grading period and their grades in various subjects during that period. Because we did not want to drop respondents who had simply not taken math or science, for instance, in the last grading period, we chose to use the average grade of a minimum of two of these topics to create their GPA if they were missing this information.

4. If the respondent was missing information on one of the six variables used to comprise this scale we used the average of the five variables for which they did have information. Also, we wish to note that there is some debate as to whether the measure employed in Add Health is the best means to assess this construct.