Understanding Sibling Influence on Adolescents' Alcohol Use: Social and Cognitive Pathways

Keywords

Adolescent alcohol use, Sibling relations, Sibling influence

Abstract

Research indicates that older siblings uniquely influence their younger brothers' and sisters' substance use behaviors during adolescence; however, the underlying mechanisms of socialization are rarely examined. The present study investigated whether social and/or cognitive pathways mediated the association between adolescent siblings' alcohol use and whether these pathways were moderated by the gender composition of the sibling dyad. Participants included one parent and two adolescent siblings (M age = 14.52 and 17.17 years) from 326 families. Data were collected via telephone interviews. Path analysis demonstrated that the association between older and younger siblings' alcohol use was mediated via social and cognitive pathways. Specifically, older siblings' drinking was positively related to the frequency of siblings' co-use as well as more positive expectations about alcohol, which in turn were positively associated with younger siblings' alcohol use. Identifying the ways in which siblings influence each other's substance use and health is critical because they are emerging and effective targets of intervention and prevention.

Original Publication Citation

Whiteman, S. D., Jensen, A. C., Mustillo, S. A., & Maggs, J. L. (2016). Understanding sibling influence on adolescents’ alcohol use: Social and cognitive pathways. Addictive Behaviors, 53, 1-6. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.09.007

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2016-2

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5492

Publisher

Addictive Behaviors

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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