Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Economic Hardship and Adolescent Problem Drinking: Family Processes as Mediating Influences

  • Empirical Research
  • Published:
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among adolescents in the United States, and adolescent drinking is associated with various health risk behaviors. Given the prevalence and consequences of adolescent drinking, understanding family factors that contribute to adolescent drinking is an important area for research. This study used three waves of data to evaluate a family stress model in which economic hardship is indirectly related to adolescent problem drinking through maternal psychological distress, parenting behaviors, and adolescent externalizing behaviors. Respondents included 300 mothers (71 % Black, 29 % White) and adolescents (51 % male) who were interviewed when adolescents were ages 10, 14, and 16. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model and findings supported our hypothesized model. Economic hardship was positively related to maternal psychological distress. Maternal psychological distress was negatively associated with supportive parenting, which in turn was negatively associated with externalizing problems. Externalizing problems were positively associated with problem drinking. In support of our hypothesis regarding indirect effects, economic hardship was indirectly related to problem drinking through maternal psychological distress, parenting behaviors, and adolescent externalizing problems. The findings from this study highlight the role of family processes in adolescent problem drinking.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Integrative guide for the 1991 CBCL/4–18, YSR, and TRF profiles. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M., & Rescorla, L. A. (2001). Manual for the ASEBA school-age forms and profiles. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Research Center for Children, Youth, & Families.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aseltine, R. H., Gore, S., & Colten, M. E. (1998). The co-occurrence of depression and substance abuse in late adolescence. Development and Psychopathology, 10(03), 549–570.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bahr, S. J., & Hoffmann, J. P. (2010). Parenting style, religiosity, peers, and adolescent heavy drinking. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 71, 539–543.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, G. M., Hoffman, J. H., Welte, J. W., Farrell, M. P., & Dintcheff, B. A. (2006). Effects of parental monitoring and peer deviance on substance use and delinquency. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68, 1084–1104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blum, R. W., Beuhring, T., Shew, M. L., Bearinger, L. H., Sieving, R. E., & Resnick, M. D. (2000). The effects of race/ethnicity, income, and family structure on adolescent risk behaviors. American Journal of Public Health, 90(12), 1879–1884.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. L., & Rinelli, L. N. (2010). Family structure, family processes, and adolescent smoking and drinking. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 20(2), 259–273.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colder, C. R., Campbell, R. T., Ruel, E., Richardson, J. L., & Flay, B. R. (2002). A finite mixture model of growth trajectories of adolescent alcohol use: Predictors and consequences. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70(4), 976–985.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Conger, R. D., Conger, K. J., & Martin, M. J. (2010). Socioeconomic status, family processes, and individual development. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(3), 685–704.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Conger, R. D., Ge, X., Elder, G. H., Lorenz, F. O., & Simons, R. L. (1994). Economic stress, coercive family process, and developmental problems of adolescents. Child Development, 65(2), 541–561.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Conger, R. D., Lorenz, F. O., Elder, G. H., Melby, J. N., Simons, R. L., & Conger, K. J. (1991). A process model of family economic pressure and early adolescent alcohol use. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(4), 430–449.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cornelius, M. D., Goldschmidt, L., De Genna, N. M., & Larkby, C. (2012). Long-term effects of prenatal cigarette smoke exposure on behavior dysregulation among 14-year-old offspring of teenage mothers. Maternal Child Health Journal, 16(3), 694–705.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cubbin, C., Vesely, S. K., Braveman, P. A., & Oman, R. F. (2011). Socioeconomic factors and health risk behaviors among adolescents. American Journal of Health Behavior, 35, 28–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donovan, J., & Molina, B. (2011). Childhood risk factors for early-onset drinking. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 72(5), 741–751.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elkins, I. J., McGue, M., & Iacono, W. G. (2007). Prospective effects of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and sex on adolescent substance use and abuse. Archives of General Psychiatry, 64(10), 1145–1152.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Engels, R. C. M. E., Vermulst, A. A., Dubas, J. S., Bot, S. M., & Gerris, J. (2005). Long-term effects of family functioning and child characteristics on problem drinking in young adulthood. European Addiction Research, 11, 32–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Englund, M. M., & Siebenbruner, J. (2012). Developmental pathways linking externalizing symptoms, internalizing symptoms, and academic competence to adolescent substance use. Journal of Adolescence, 35, 1123–1140.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., & Ridder, E. M. (2007). Conduct and attentional problems in childhood and adolescence and later substance use, abuse and dependence: Results of a 25-year longitudinal study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 88(Supplement 1(0)), S14–S26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gillmore, M. R., Lee, J., Morrison, D. M., & Lindhorst, T. (2008). Marriage following adolescent parenthood: Relationship to adult well-being. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70(5), 1136–1144.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, E., & Huang, B. (2002). Socioeconomic status, depressive symptoms, and adolescent substance use. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 156(5), 448–453.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, J., Chung, I., Hill, K. G., Hawkins, J. D., Catalano, R. F., & Abbott, R. D. (2002). Developmental relationships between adolescent substance use and risky sexual behavior in young adulthood. Journal of Adolescent Health, 31(4), 354–362.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, M., & Chen, E. (2007). Socioeconomic status and health behaviors in adolescence: A review of the literature. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30(3), 263–285.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harden, K. P., Lynch, S. K., Turkheimer, E., Emery, R. E., D’Onofrio, B. M., Slutske, W. S., et al. (2007). A behavior genetic investigation of adolescent motherhood and offspring mental health problems. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 116(4), 667–683.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herman-Stahl, M. A., Ashley, O. S., Penne, M. A., Bauman, K. E., Williams, J., Sanchez, R. P., et al. (2008). Moderation and mediation in the relationship between mothers’ or fathers’ serious psychological distress and adolescent substance use: Findings from a national sample. Journal of Adolescent Health, 43(2), 141–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoque, M., & Ghuman, S. (2012). Do parents still matter regarding adolescents’ alcohol drinking? Experience from South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 9(1), 110–122.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacob, T., Moser, R. P., Windle, M., Loeber, R., & Stouthamer-Loeber, M. (2000). A new measure of parenting practices involving preadolescent-and adolescent-aged children. Behavior Modification, 24(5), 611–634.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jessor, R., & Jessor, S. L. (1975). Adolescent development and the onset of drinking; a longitudinal study. Journal of the Studies on Alcohol, 36(1), 27–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, L. D., O’Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., & Schulenberg, J. E. (2013). Monitoring the Future national results on adolescent drug use: Overview of key findings, 2012. Ann Arbor: Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalil, A., & Kunz, J. (2002). Teenage childbearing, marital status, and depressive symptoms in later life. Child Development, 73(6), 1748–1760.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kellam, S. G., Brown, C. H., & Fleming, J. P. (1982). Social adaptation to first grade and teenage drug, alcohol, and cigarette use. Journal of School Health, 52(5), 301–306.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • King, S. M., Iacono, W. G., & McGue, M. (2004). Childhood externalizing and internalizing psychopathology in the prediction of early substance use. Addiction, 99(12), 1548–1559.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuperman, S., Chan, G., Kramer, J. R., Bierut, L., Bucholz, K. K., Fox, L., et al. (2005). Relationship of age of first drink to child behavioral problems and family psychopathology. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 29(10), 1869–1876.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larkby, C. A., Goldschmidt, L., Hanusa, B. H., & Day, N. L. (2011). Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with conduct disorder in adolescence: Findings from a birth cohort. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 50(3), 262–271.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, Y. (2013). Adolescent motherhood and capital: Interaction effects of race/ethnicity on harsh parenting. Journal of Community Psychology, 41(1), 102–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, T., Wickrama, K. A. S., & Simons, L. (2013). Chronic family economic hardship, family processes and progression of mental and physical health symptoms in adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42(6), 821–836.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemstra, M., Bennett, N. R., Neudorf, C., Kunst, A., Nannapaneni, U., Warren, L. M., et al. (2008). A meta-analysis of marijuana and alcohol use by socio-economic status in adolescents aged 10–15 years. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 99(3), 172–177.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewin, A., Mitchell, S. J., & Ronzio, C. R. (2013). Developmental differences in parenting behavior: Comparing adolescent, emerging adult, and adult mothers. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 59(1), 23–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., Farrington, D. P., Stouthamer-Loeber, M., & Van Kammen, W. B. (1998). Antisocial behavior and mental health problems: Explanatory factors in childhood and adolescence. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., Stepp, S. D., Chung, T., Hipwell, A. E., & White, H. R. (2010). Time-varying associations between conduct problems and alcohol use in adolescent girls: The moderating role of race. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 71(4), 544–553.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGue, M., Iacono, W. G., Legrand, L. N., Malone, S., & Elkins, I. (2001). Origins and consequences of age at first drink. Associations with substance-use disorders, disinhibitory behavior and psychopathology, and P3 amplitude. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 25(8), 1156–1165.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McLoyd, V. C. (1990). The impact of economic hardship on Black families and children: Psychological distress, parenting, and socioemotional development. Child Development, 61(2), 311–346.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Melotti, R., Heron, J., Hickman, M., Macleod, J., Araya, R., & Lewis, G. (2011). Adolescent alcohol and tobacco use and early socioeconomic position: The ALSPAC birth cohort. Pediatrics, 127(4), e948–e955.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mistry, R. S., Vandewater, E. A., Huston, A. C., & McLoyd, V. C. (2002). Economic well-being and children’s social adjustment: The role of family process in an ethnically diverse low-income sample. Child Development, 73(3), 935–951.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mollborn, S., & Dennis, J. A. (2012). Investigating the life situations and development of teenage mothers’ children: Evidence from the ECLS-B. Population Research and Policy Review, 31(1), 31–66.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mollborn, S., & Morningstar, E. (2009). Investigating the relationship between teenage childbearing and psychological distress using longitudinal evidence. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 50(3), 310–326.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2007). Mplus user’s guide. Los Angeles: Muthén & Muthén.

  • Oman, R. F., Vesely, S. K., Tolma, E., Aspy, C. B., Rodine, S., & Marshall, L. (2007). Does family structure matter in the relationships between youth assets and youth alcohol, drug and tobacco use? Journal of Research on Adolescence, 17(4), 743–766.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R., DeBaryshe, B. D., & Ramsey, E. (1989). A developmental perspective on antisocial behavior. American Psychologist, 44(2), 329–335.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Contemporary approaches to assessing mediation in communication research. In A. F. Hayes, M. D. Slater, & L. B. Snyder (Eds.), The Sage sourcebook of advanced data analysis methods for communication research (pp. 13–54). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D Scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1(3), 385–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, S. M., Jorm, A. F., & Lubman, D. I. (2010). Parenting factors associated with reduced adolescent alcohol use: A systematic review of longitudinal studies. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 44(9), 774–783.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schafer, J. L., & Graham, J. W. (2002). Missing data: Our view of the state of the art. Psychological Methods, 7(2), 147–177.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, M., Lawlor, D. A., & Najman, J. M. (2006). Teenage children of teenage mothers: Psychological, behavioural and health outcomes from an Australian prospective longitudinal study. Social Science and Medicine, 62(10), 2526–2539.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simons-Morton, B., & Chen, R. (2005). Latent growth curve analyses of parent influences on drinking progression among early adolescents. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 66, 5–13.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SmithBattle, L. (2007). Legacies of advantage and disadvantage: The case of teen mothers. Public Health Nursing, 24(5), 409–420.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SmithBattle, L. (2009). Reframing the risks and losses of teen mothering. The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 34(2), 122–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger, C. D. (1996). State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2: Professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., & Lushene, R. (1970). Manual for the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, L. (2001). We know some things: Parent–adolescent relationships in retrospect and prospect. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 11(1), 1–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2012). Results from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings. NSDUH Series H-44, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12-4713. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

  • Sutherland, A. (2012). Is parental socio-economic status related to the initiation of substance abuse by young people in an English city? An event history analysis. Social Science and Medicine, 74(7), 1053–1061.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wadsworth, M. E., Santiago, C. D., Einhorn, L., Etter, E. M., Rienks, S., & Markman, H. (2011). Preliminary efficacy of an intervention to reduce psychosocial stress and improve coping in low-income families. American Journal of Community Psychology, 48(3–4), 257–271.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wiesner, M., Weichold, K., & Silbereisen, R. K. (2007). Trajectories of alcohol use among adolescent boys and girls: Identification, validation, and sociodemographic characteristics. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 21(1), 62–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zucker, R. A. (2008). Anticipating problem alcohol use developmentally from childhood into middle adulthood: What have we learned? Addiction, 103, 100–108.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zucker, R. A., Donovan, J. E., Masten, A. S., Mattson, M. E., & Moss, H. B. (2008). Early developmental processes and the continuity of risk for underage drinking and problem drinking. Pediatrics, 121(Supplement 4), S252–S272.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (DA09275 PI: M Cornelius) and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA022473; AA007453; AA08284 PI: M Cornelius). We extend special thanks to Young Shim Jhon and Lidush Goldschmidt for providing invaluable assistance with data management and helpful suggestions during the preparation of this article.

Author contributions

CH conceived of the study, designed the study, performed the statistical analysis, and drafted the manuscript. MC collected the original data for this cohort and provided input on the manuscript’s study design and editing. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Box 90989, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

    Cecily R. Hardaway

  2. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Marie D. Cornelius

Authors
  1. Cecily R. Hardaway
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marie D. Cornelius
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cecily R. Hardaway.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hardaway, C.R., Cornelius, M.D. Economic Hardship and Adolescent Problem Drinking: Family Processes as Mediating Influences. J Youth Adolescence 43, 1191–1202 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-0063-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-0063-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation