An examination of the protective role of internalizing symptoms in adolescent substance use.

ABSTRACT: Although psychological symptoms are broadly considered to be risk factors for substance use, internalizing symptoms may be associated with lower risk for adolescent substance use after controlling for co-occurring externalizing symptoms. The present study explored two potential mediators of this protective association between internalizing symptoms and adolescent substance use: popularity and harm avoidance. The study used data from the Colorado Longitudinal Twin Study (LTS) and Colorado Adoption Project (CAP). Annual assessments of internalizing and externalizing symptoms and social competence were completed by parents and teachers at participant ages 7 to 16. Harm avoidance and substance use were assessed at age 17. In this sample, internalizing symptoms were associated with less frequen

SUBMITTER: Rieselbach MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11364360 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature