elizabethm.oliva

Title of QTUG presentation:

Adolescent substance use: Timing, severity, and emerging adult educational attainment

List of Author and co-authors for QTUG presentation:

Elizabeth M. Oliva, Margaret A. Keyes, William G. Iacono, and Matt McGue

Abstract:

This study will examine the effects of timing and severity of adolescent substance use on educational attainment during emerging adulthood. Using data from a population-based sample of 514 male twins (98% Caucasian) assessed at ages 11 (baseline), 14 (FU1), 17 (FU2), and 20 (FU3), timing and severity profiles were created based on participant and maternal reports of substance use (alcohol and drugs) at baseline, FU1, and FU2. Educational attainment was assessed at FU3 and was based on participants’ self-reported high school graduation, high school ranking, and post-secondary education. Final analyses will use structural equation modeling to control for the pre-existing and concurrent relations among the variables as well as to examine the model among approximately 600 female twins. Preliminary analyses among male twins suggest that both timing and severity of adolescent substance use are important predictors of male educational attainment; however, severity of substance use mediated the effects of timing. These results suggest that timing’s negative impact on male educational attainment is through its relation with substance use severity in that earlier onset substance use sets individuals up for increased substance use over time which in turn directly impacts educational attainment. Implications for intervention and prevention will be discussed.