First Comes Substance Use, Then Comes Social Media Posts? Examining the Temporal Ordering and Relative Strength of Relations Across Alcohol, Tobacco and Marijuana Use and Posting Behavior.

Social media posts represent a major route by which youth share their substance use cognitions and experiences with others. Extant research has primarily examined relations between alcohol-related posts and posters' own alcohol use, yet little is known about the role of social media in the use of less socially accepted substances, namely tobacco and marijuana. Our study represents the first to examine the relative strength of this relation across alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. The current research used a one-month time lag to tease apart the temporal ordering of substance-use-posting and participants' own substance use. A sample of 282 15-20-year-olds (Mage = 18.4, SD = 1.3, 52.9% female) in the United States completed two self-report surveys, one month apart. Results of a cross-lagged panel model revealed significant effects of alcohol and marijuana consumption on subsequent alcohol- and marijuana-related posting, respectively (i.e., selection effects). However, reverse relations (i.e., self-effects) were not significant. Further, we found no differences in the strength of selection effects across substances, suggesting they are similar for both more (alcohol) and less (marijuana and tobacco) socially acceptable substances. Results point to the importance of using young people's social media posts as a way to help identify individuals at risk for heightened substance use and social media as a mechanism for targeted prevention programming.

Development and validation of the C-SHADE scale for measuring perpetration of common sexually harassing and aggressive behaviors in drinking environments.

BACKGROUND: Sexual aggression (SA) is ubiquitous in drinking environments. Although such behavior is often seen as normal and acceptable, the targets of SA experience many negative consequences. This research aimed to develop a valid measure of common acts of SA in drinking settings for estimating prevalence and evaluating prevention initiatives. METHODS: We developed a questionnaire measure of common acts of sexual harassment and aggression in drinking environments (C-SHADE) based on descriptions of SA behavior from our own and others' research. The measure was validated in a cross-sectional survey of 335 men aged 19 to 25 using webpanels from an online survey company. Validation measures included: a modified version of the Sexual Experiences Survey (M-SES), measures of SA by peers in drinking environments, SA-related attitudes, expectancies about sexual effects of alcohol, and alcohol consumption. RESULTS: The C-SHADE showed high internal consistency (α = 0.96) and was significantly correlated with M-SES (r = 0.52), SA by peers (r = 0.61 to 0.70), SA-related attitudes/expectations (r = 0.38 to 0.55), and measures of alcohol consumption (r = 0.22 to 0.36). Overall, 71.9% of participants reported SA using the C-SHADE versus 24.7% with the M-SES. We compared the responses of participants who reported perpetration on both measures (N = 83), on only the C-SHADE (N = 141), and among nonperpetrators (N = 89; excluding four participants who reported perpetration only on the M-SES). The M-SES/C-SHADE perpetrators scored significantly higher than C-SHADE-only perpetrators and nonperpetrators on most SA-related and drinking measures, while C-SHADE-only perpetrators scored significantly higher than nonperpetrators on peer SA and two attitude measures. CONCLUSIONS: The C-SHADE is suitable for measuring prevalence and evaluating interventions in drinking settings. The C-SHADE confirmed a high prevalence of SA in drinking settings and identified an important group of C-SHADE-only perpetrators for whom interventions that focus on situational precipitators of SA in drinking settings may be especially useful.

Adolescents' Physical Activity and Psychological Adjustment Across the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus dramatically changed daily life and created many obstacles for adolescents to engage in physical activity (PA). This study tracked rates of self-reported PA and examined its impact on adjustment among adolescents during the first 14 months of the pandemic. Canadian adolescents (N = 1068, 14-18 y, meanage = 16.95 y) reported on their frequency of PA, context of activity, and adjustment across 4 time points (April 2020 to June 2021). In line with our hypothesis, higher average levels of vigorous PA across the pandemic predicted less anxiety and depression and higher self-esteem at our study's end. Vigorous PA also buffered the relationships COVID-19 stress had with anxiety and self-esteem. The results further support recommendations for PA throughout the pandemic and while dealing with lockdown situations.

Lockdown, bottoms up? Changes in adolescent substance use across the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic notably altered adolescent substance use during the initial stage (Spring 2020) of the pandemic. The purpose of this longitudinal study is to examine trajectories of adolescent substance use across the pandemic and subsequent periods of stay-at-home orders and re-opening efforts. We further examined differences as a function of current high school student versus graduate status. Adolescents (n = 1068, 14-18 years, Mage = 16.95 years and 76.7% female at T1) completed 4 different self-report surveys, starting during the first stay-at-home order and ending approximately 14 months later. Negative binomial hurdle models predicted: (1) the likelihood of no substance use and (2) frequency of days of substance use. As hypothesized, results demonstrated significant increases in adolescents' likelihood of alcohol use, binge drinking, and cannabis use once initial stay-at-home orders were lifted, yet few changes occurred as a result of a second stay-at-home order, with rates never lowering again to that of the first lockdown. Further, graduates (and particularly those who transitioned out of high school during the study) demonstrated a greater likelihood and frequency of substance use and were more stable in their trajectories across periods of stay-at-home orders than current high school students. Unexpectedly, however, there was a strong increase in current high school students' likelihood of e-cigarette use and a significant linear increase in participants' frequency of e-cigarette use over the study. Results suggest adolescent substance use, and in particular, e-cigarette use among current high school students, may be of increasing concern as the pandemic evolves.

Likelihood of Posting Alcohol-Related Content on Social Networking Sites - Measurement Development and Initial Validation.

Background: The vast majority of adolescents and young adults are active on social networking sites (SNSs). SNSs are influential, risk-conducive environments for alcohol use among adolescents and young adults. Specifically, posting or sharing alcohol-related content (ARC) is associated with higher levels of alcohol use. However, it is unknown if sharing different types of ARC associates differentially with alcohol use and consequences. Objective: The goal of the current project was to develop a measure of the likelihood of posting key types of ARC posted by adolescents and young adults and to examine their associations with SNS use patterns and actual alcohol-related behavior. Method: Participants were 15-20 years of age (n = 306; 46.7% male; 56.6% Caucasian/White; 27.0% Asian) who completed a battery of self-report measures. Results: Results from an exploratory factor analysis revealed four types of ARC: (1) self and friend consumption, (2) memes and viral photos, (3) status updates: others' drinking and consequences, and (4) pictures: others' drinking and consequences. Conclusions: Participants' likelihood of posting self and Friend Consumption was significantly associated with heightened Snapchat use, typical drinks per week, peak drinking, and negative drinking consequences. Whereas youth appear to share more readily alcohol-related viral posts and memes, it seems that the sharing of ARC that is specifically related to the participants' own use or friends' use is salient concerning alcohol use and problems. Therefore, interventions might consider sending targeted prevention messages to individuals who share certain types of ARC which are more associated with problematic alcohol behaviors.

Uploading Risk: Examining the Social Profile of Young Adults Most Susceptible to Engagement in Risky Social Media Challenges.

The aim of this study was to determine the social profile of individuals who are most at risk of engaging in risky social media challenges (RSMCs). Young adults (N = 331, 56.3 percent female) aged 18-25 years (Mage = 21.4) completed an online survey in which they indicated which RSMCs they had done (e.g., Cinnamon Challenge, Fire Challenge), and completed measures of social motives (i.e., need to belong, need for popularity, and fear of missing out [FoMO]) and perceived social status (i.e., popularity and peer belonging). Results demonstrated that almost half (48.3 percent) of participants had engaged in at least one RSMC. Furthermore, findings from a latent-class analysis revealed a three-class solution. Participants in Class 1 (stable social position, low social motives) had moderate-to-high probabilities for perceived popularity and peer belonging, but low probabilities for all three social motives. Participants in Class 2 (high perceived popularity and related concerns) had the highest probability for perceived popularity, need to be popular, and FoMO, and participants in Class 3 (high need to belong) had the highest probability for need to belong, but the lowest probabilities for need to be popular and perceived popularity. Although results differed somewhat by gender, overall, and in line with hypotheses, participants in Class 2 (high perceived popularity and related concerns) were most at risk for engagement in RSMCs. Thus, results suggest that engagement in RSMCs may be more about standing out and gaining online popularity and attention than about fitting in with peers. These findings contribute to a larger conversation about the provision of popularity markers on social media (likes, views) and their ability to shape young people's behavior.

What Does Adolescent Substance Use Look Like During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Examining Changes in Frequency, Social Contexts, and Pandemic-Related Predictors.

PURPOSE: The overarching goal of this study was to provide key information on how adolescents' substance use has changed since the corona virus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic, in addition to key contexts and correlates of substance use during social distancing. METHODS: Canadian adolescents (n = 1,054, Mage = 16.68, standard deviation = .78) completed an online survey, in which they reported on their frequency of alcohol use, binge drinking, cannabis use, and vaping in the 3 weeks before and directly after social distancing practices had taken effect. RESULTS: For most substances, the percentage of users decreased; however, the frequency of both alcohol and cannabis use increased. Although the greatest percentage of adolescents was engaging in solitary substance use (49.3%), many were still using substances with peers via technology (31.6%) and, shockingly, even face to face (23.6%). Concerns for how social distancing would affect peer reputation was a significant predictor of face-to-face substance use with friends among adolescents with low self-reported popularity, and a significant predictor of solitary substance use among average and high popularity teens. Finally, adjustment predictors, including depression and fear of the infectivity of COVID-19, predicted using solitary substance use during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide preliminary evidence that adolescent substance use, including that which occurs face to face with peers, thereby putting adolescents at risk for contracting COVID-19, may be of particular concern during the pandemic. Further, solitary adolescent substance use during the pandemic, which is associated with poorer mental health and coping, may also be a notable concern worthy of further investigation.

Influences of victimization and comorbid conditions on substance use disorder outcomes in justice-involved youth: A discrete time survival mixture analysis.

To understand how exposure to victimization during adolescence and the presence of comorbid psychological conditions influence substance use treatment entry and substance use disorder diagnosis from 14 to 25 years old among serious juvenile offenders, this study included 1,354 serious juvenile offenders who were prospectively followed over 7 years. Growth mixture modeling was used to assess profiles of early victimization during adolescence (14-17 years). Discrete time survival mixture analysis was used to assess time to treatment entry and substance use disorder diagnosis. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) were used as predictors of survival time. Mixture models revealed three profiles of victimization: sustained poly-victimization, moderate/decreasing victimization, and low victimization. Youth in the sustained poly-victimization class were more likely to enter treatment earlier and have a substance use diagnosis earlier than other classes. PTSD was a significant predictor of treatment entry for youth in the sustained poly-victimization class, and MDD was a significant predictor of substance use disorder diagnosis for youth in the moderate/decreasing victimization class. Therefore, substance use prevention programming targeted at youth experiencing poly-victimization in early adolescence-especially those who have PTSD or MDD-is needed.

Influences of victimization and comorbid conditions on latency to illicit drug use among adolescents and young adults.

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to violent victimization is associated with higher rates of mental health and substance use disorders (SUD). Some youth who experience multiple victimizations and associated characteristics (i.e. poly-victims) are at heightened risk for long term problems. Thus, we conducted the first study to examine how heterogeneity in experiences of victimization vary in terms of latency to illicit drug use following treatment completion. We also examined if victimization profiles vary across gender and if comorbid conditions (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder) differentially predict latentcy to illicit drug use across groups. METHODS: Adolescents and young adults (N = 5956; Mage  = 17.5 years; 64.0% male) with SUDs in treatment for illicit drug use completed a battery of measures at baseline. At 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups, they reported on the number of days before they used any illicit drug following their last assessment. RESULTS: Continuous time survival mixture modeling revealed that, as hypothesized, females who experienced high rates of all victimization and related characteristics had a higher hazard for latency to first illicit drug use as compared to females in the low victimization group. This was not the case for males; rather, those who experienced high rates of sexual abuse were quickest to return to illicit drug use. Finally, comorbid conditions led to a higher hazard rate, but only for certain profiles across females. DISCUSSION: Findings emphasize the necessity for professionals to more fully integrate poly-victimization research and theory into their clinical practices and research.

Addressing the opioid epidemic with behavioral interventions for adolescents and young adults: A quasi-experimental design.

OBJECTIVE: While several behavioral interventions have shown efficacy in opioid use disorder treatment, little is known regarding which behavioral interventions work best for youth, and if treatment responses vary by developmental age or sex. We explored latency to first episode of opioid use among adolescents and young adults following opioid use disorder treatment initiation with: (a) adolescent community reinforcement approach (A-CRA), (b) motivational enhancement therapy (MET) combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or CBT alone (MET/CBT or CBT alone), or (c) treatment as usual (TAU; 12-step facilitation, supportive therapy). METHOD: Adolescents and young adults (N = 785) entering treatment for opioid use disorder were followed for 1 year. Survival analysis was used to assess variation in latency to first episode of opioid use by treatment received, as well as moderation by age group and sex. RESULTS: Those receiving MET/CBT or CBT alone, and TAU fared better than those receiving A-CRA. For adolescent males, those receiving TAU or A-CRA had poorer outcomes compared with those receiving MET/CBT or CBT alone, while no differences were found between treatments for female adolescents. Female young adults receiving TAU had lower hazard of opioid use compared with those receiving A-CRA, and MET/CBT or CBT alone, and male young adults receiving A-CRA had higher hazard than those receiving TAU, and MET/CBT or CBT alone. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight different treatments may be more efficacious for youth based on developmental age and sex. Clinicians working with young people with opioid use disorder should consider patients' developmental stage and sex when considering treatment approaches. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Extending poly-victimization theory: Differential effects of adolescents' experiences of victimization on substance use disorder diagnoses upon treatment entry.

BACKGROUND: Although victimization is a known contributor to the development of substance use disorders, no research has simultaneously examined how characteristics of victimization experienced over time, such as the type of abuse, the presence of poly-victimization, closeness to perpetrator(s), life threat or fear, and negative social reactions to disclosing victimization, cluster into profiles that predict substance use disorders. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to assess how profiles of victimization and trauma characteristics are associated with substance use disorders and assess potential gender differences. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participants were 20,092 adolescents entering substance use treatment. METHODS: We used latent class and multi-group latent class analysis to extract classes of victimization and associated characteristics. Emergent classes were used to predicted substance use disorder status at treatment intake. RESULTS: Five classes were extracted: poly-victimization + high harmful trauma characteristics, sexual abuse + negative social reaction and perceived life threat, emotional abuse + trusted perpetrator, physical abuse and low all. Similar classes were found for the multi-group model. In both the overall and female-specific models, the poly-victimization + high harmful trauma characteristics class was more severe than all other classes in terms of opioid use disorder, tobacco use disorder, and dual diagnosis. Other class differences were found across gender. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents entering treatment can be distinguished by their profiles of victimization experiences and associated characteristics, and these profiles evidence different associations with substance use disorder diagnoses. Results point to a need for more nuanced assessment of victimization experiences and gender-specific interventions.

How much does your peer group really drink? Examining the relative impact of overestimation, actual group drinking and perceived campus norms on university students' heavy alcohol use.

INTRODUCTION: We had 3 aims for this study: (1) to explore the relative impact of perceived drinking group norms versus campus drinking norms on university students' heavy alcohol use, (2) to examine how students' overestimation of their drinking group norms predicts individual heavy alcohol use, while controlling for actual group drinking, and (3) to test if the interaction between overestimation and actual group drinking predicts increased student drinking. Further, we adopted a longitudinal design to tease apart within- and between-person effects in the aforementioned relationships. METHODS: University students (N = 118, Mage, 19.40, SD = 1.49, 60.2% women) were recruited in their peer drinking groups and all group members completed 3 online surveys in two-month intervals. Overestimation was calculated as the difference between students' perceptions of their drinking groups' HED and the actual reported HED of group members. RESULTS: As expected, results demonstrated notable overestimation of group HED. Further, key results of multilevel growth curve modeling demonstrated that at time points when university students overestimated their drinking groups' HED more than they usually do (i.e., more than their average), they increase in their own HED. Similar within-person results were not found for campus drinking norms or actual group HED and the interaction between overestimation and actual group HED was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Findings emphasize the importance of incorporating the peer drinking group as a reference group in personalized normative feedback interventions.

Effect of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention on Impulsivity Trajectories Among Young Adults in Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Impulsivity has been identified as an important construct in predicting the initiation and maintenance of substance use among at-risk populations. Interventions emphasizing mindfulness strategies appear particularly promising in reducing substance use and marking change in various aspects of impulsivity. METHODS: The current study used a rolling group mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) intervention for young adults in residential substance use disorder treatment. We examined change in impulsivity facets measured by the S-UPPS for youth randomly assigned to MBRP (n = 45) versus those assigned to treatment as usual plus 12 step/self-help (n = 34). We also examined how change in impulsivity mediated changes in substance use post-treatment. RESULTS: In general, results indicated that MBRP is effective at reducing facets of trait impulsivity in treatment-seeking individuals with SUDs. Only positive and negative urgency mediated the relation between treatment assignment and substance use. CONCLUSIONS: MBRP is a viable and useful intervention for young adults in residential treatment for substance use disorders and can aid in marked change in facets of impulsivity. Both positive and negative urgency were significant mechanisms of change in reducing substance use following treatment. Results are discussed focused on the utility of MRBP as a clinical intervention for at-risk, marginalized, and young adults.

Instagram Participation and Substance Use Among Emerging Adults: The Potential Perils of Peer Belonging.

Emerging adults (ages 18-29) have the highest rates of both harmful drinking and participation on social network sites (SNSs) compared to adolescents and older adults. In fact, greater SNS participation has been shown to predict greater alcohol use. Little is known, however, about noncollege samples, substances apart from alcohol, and SNSs other than Facebook. Furthermore, few studies have examined what might moderate any observed influence of SNS participation on substance use. In this study, we used hierarchical linear and negative binomial regression analyses to examine the unique associations between Instagram participation and alcohol as well as marijuana use, controlling statistically for demographic characteristics, peer norms, and social status, in a community sample of emerging adults (N = 194). We also tested whether peer belonging or motives for Instagram participation moderated these relationships. Results showed that Instagram participation was positively related to alcohol use only for those with high levels of peer belonging. The initial negative association between Instagram participation and marijuana use disappeared once peer norms and social status were included. Peer norms were positively related to both alcohol and marijuana use, while peer belonging was positively related to marijuana use. Peer belonging appears to be an important variable in the study of SNSs and substance use among emerging adults. Future work might test the somewhat counterintuitive hypotheses raised by these findings that peer belonging sensitizes individuals to SNS influences on drinking and could be a marker of greater marijuana use.

Examining the pathways between bully victimization, depression, academic achievement, and problematic drinking in adolescence.

In this article, we expand and test several theoretical models addressing the longitudinal relationships between bully victimization, depression, academic achievement, and problematic drinking from 3 approaches: Interpersonal risk model, symptom driven model, and a transactional model. Unfortunately, prior research has failed to consider these associations at the within-person level, which is arguably a more relevant level of analysis. Participants were 1,875 students sampled from four Midwestern middle schools and followed for 2 years. Baseline age ranged from 11-13 years with a racially diverse sample (44.3% African American, 29.2% White, 7% Hispanic, 3% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 16.5% Multi-Racial). The current study used an auto-regressive latent trajectory with structured residuals (ALT-SR) model to examine the within-person cross-lagged associations between bully victimization, depression, academic achievement, and problematic drinking. Results indicated support for an interpersonal risk model, where experiences of early bullying victimization resulted in a cascade of problems throughout middle school. Within this interpersonal risk model we also established that academic achievement was a key mechanism linking bully victimization to problematic drinking during adolescence We did not find evidence for a traditional symptom driven model (e.g., stemming from depression); however, we did find long-term problems stemming from early problematic drinking. Results are discussed in relation to prevention interventions for problematic drinking as well as screenings for early adolescent depression, bully victimization, and academic problems. (PsycINFO Database Record

Substance use outcomes for mindfulness based relapse prevention are partially mediated by reductions in stress: Results from a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness based relapse prevention (MBRP) has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating substance use, stress, and craving but how MBRP works for marginalized young adults has not been investigated. The current study used a novel rolling group format for MBRP as an additional intervention for young adults in residential treatment. We tested the hypothesis that MBRP (plus Treatment as usual (TAU)) would reduce stress, craving, and substance use among young adults in residential treatment relative to treatment-as-usual plus 12-step/self-help meetings (TAU only). Further, we examined whether reduced stress during treatment was a potential mechanism of change operating in MBRP. METHOD: Seventy-nine young adults (Mage = 25.3,SD = 2.7;35 % female) were randomly assigned to MBRP (n = 44) or TAU (n = 35). Follow-up assessments were conducted bi-monthly for self-reported measures of stress, craving, and substance use. RESULTS: At treatment completion young adults receiving MBRP had lower substance use (d = -0.58, [-0.91, -0.26]), craving (d = -0.58, [-1.0, -0.14]), and stress (d = -0.77 [-1.2, -0.30]) relative to TAU condition. Reduced stress during treatment partially mediated observed outcome differences between MBRP and TAU for substance use (ßindirect = -0.45 [-0.79, -0.11]). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that MBRP is a useful and appropriate intervention for marginalized young adults. Further, our results suggest that the effects of MBRP on long-term substance use outcomes may be partially explained by reduced stress.

A meta-analysis of the association between substance use and emerging adult development using the IDEA scale.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Much debate exists surrounding Arnett's theory of emerging adulthood in terms of its breadth and application. Researchers have attempted to capture dimensions of emerging adulthood (eg, experimentation, negativity/instability, other-focus, self-focus, and feeling in-between) through self report assessment, using variations of the Inventory of the Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood or IDEA. Results from studies investigating this relationship have been mixed. We conducted a meta-analysis on the association between substance use and the IDEA. METHOD: Data were extracted to calculate correlational associations with substance use as well as typical moderators found in the literature. Twelve studies were meta-analyzed. RESULTS: We found small associations (range: ρ = -.03 to .15; d = .06 to 30) between the IDEA scores and substance use. We found higher severity (dependence diagnosis) of participants yielded larger associations across all dimensions (ρ = .16), and proportion of college students to be a subscale-specific moderator (experimentation, negativity/instability, other-focus, self-focus, and feeling in-between). Alcohol use outcomes also provided larger subscale-specific associations (experimentation, negativity/instability, other-focus, self-focus). CONCLUSIONS: The dimensions of emerging adulthood may be less effective in predicting substance use among non-college samples and those studies focusing on drug use. Further research should prioritize exploring variation in the transition to emerging adulthood among non-college samples and the longitudinal associations between IDEA and substance use. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Important contributions include the modest association between IDEA and substance use as well as specific participant characteristics that amplify or mitigate the association between IDEA and substance use. (Am J Addict 2018;27:166-176).

If you're high status and you know it: Teasing apart the within- and between-person effects of peer- and self-reported status in the drinking group on alcohol-related outcomes.

In this longitudinal study, we disentangled within- and between-persons effects in the relationship between university students' status in their drinking group and alcohol-related behavior. We further examined the role of self-perceived and peer-reported status, with the hypothesis that only when students' peers reported them as of a higher status, and they were aware of their high status (via self-report), would they experience increased heavy episodic drinking (HED). University students (N = 118; Mage = 19.40, SD = 1.49; 60.2% women) were recruited in their natural drinking groups (N = 27). All group members completed surveys at 3 time points during the school year, each 2 months apart. We fitted a taxonomy of multilevel growth curve models predicting students' self-reported HED and the extent to which they encouraged other group members to consume alcohol (peer-reported). Between-persons results demonstrated that students who reported higher status compared to their group members experienced more HED on average and students who were peer-reported as of a higher status relative to their group members played a more salient role in encouraging others to drink. Notably, and consistent with hypotheses, a within-person interaction revealed that at time points when students were higher in peer-reported status relative to their average, and they were aware of their increase in status (via self-reports), they also engaged in more HED. Results emphasize the importance of considering within-person effects and highlight the need for university alcohol-prevention programming to focus on students' status-related motives and concerns. (PsycINFO Database Record

Poly-victimization and trajectories of binge drinking from adolescence to young adulthood among serious juvenile offenders.

BACKGROUND: Justice involved youth exposed to multiple forms of victimization (i.e., poly-victimization) may be at risk for long term substance use problems and difficulty in self-regulation, placing them at higher risk of long-term problematic behaviors. This study empirically identifies victimization classifications in a sample of justice involved youth and how long-term binge drinking is related to victimization experiences. We further sought to understand how self-regulatory abilities such as impulse control and emotion regulation effect emergent profiles and binge drinking trajectories. METHODS: Based on a sample of 1354 justice involved youth from 15 to 25 years old, classes of victimization were extracted. Emergent classes were examined in relationship to their binge drinking trajectories using latent growth models. Finally, self-regulation was examined as a predictor of binge drinking trajectories across emergent classes. RESULTS: The analyses indicated three classes of victimization: poly-victimized, indirectly victimized, and lowly victimized. Latent growth models revealed that the poly-victimized class had significantly steeper growth in binge drinking as compared to the indirect and low victimized patterns. Impulse and emotional regulation both significantly decelerated binge drinking only for the indirect victimization group. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the need to focus on poly-victimization in understanding binge drinking trajectories as well as the role impulse control and emotional regulation play among justice involved youth. Findings are discussed through the lens of adolescent development, coping strategies, and early traumatic experiences.

From Drinking Group Norms to Individual Drinking Consequences: A Moderated Mediation Model Examining the Role of Members' Status, Identification with the Group and with Emerging Adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Emerging adults consume alcohol most often with their peer drinking groups. Yet, little is known about the role of drinking group norms on individual members' drinking consequences, nor about the mechanisms that underlie this association. OBJECTIVES: We examined the indirect relationship between drinking group descriptive norms (perceived frequency of group heavy episodic drinking; HED) and individual drinking consequences via individual HED. We also examined key moderators, including the extent to which individuals occupied high status positions within their drinking groups, the strength of their identification with the group, and the degree to which they identified with emerging adulthood, a developmental period associated with heightened alcohol consumption. METHODS: Participants were 280 and 340 (replication study) emerging adults (18-29 years) who were recruited via an online crowdsourcing site to complete a survey. RESULTS: Across studies, higher status was associated with more individual HED and drinking consequences. Further, group identification and identification with emerging adulthood strengthened the relation between group and individual HED. Finally, the indirect relation between group HED and individual drinking consequences was significant and stronger for individuals who identified more with their drinking groups and with emerging adulthood. Conclusions/Importance: Findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the impact of descriptive peer norms on heavy drinking and related consequences in emerging adulthood and help identify drinking group members most at risk for internalizing descriptive group norms for HED. Key implications for prevention and intervention programming are discussed.