A review of psychosocial factors linked to adolescent substance use

Purpose: Informed by ecological theories and models of influence, this review discusses various psychosocial risk and protective factors that contribute to adolescent substance use behavior. Given typical patterns of substance use initiation during this developmental period, an emphasis is placed on alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use.

Findings: Consistent with bioecological theories, peers and parents tend to have the strongest effect on adolescent substance use behavior. Influences can be both direct, such as offers and availability to use substances, as well as indirect influences, such as the perception of substance use approval. Schools and neighborhoods also contribute to adolescent substance use behavior, but this effect is often less direct. Moreover, the effect of neighborhoods on adolescent behavior reflects both structural components (e.g., neighborhood racial composition, teacher-student ratios) in addition to social process (e.g., neighborhood social cohesion, school connectedness). A review of parallel studies conducted with animals is also provided.

Summary: Adolescent substance use behavior does not occur in a vacuum. Investigations must encompass the relevant social ecologies that affect adolescent behavior, including family, peer, school, and neighborhood contexts to provide a more complete understanding of substance use etiology.