Peer Victimization in Childhood and Timing of Substance Use Initiation: Evidence from a Twin Study.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies robustly link childhood peer victimization experience to the timing of substance use initiation. However, no study has investigated the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to this link. The current study focused on a sample of 779 twin pairs followed from age 9-10 to 19-20, which is racially/ethnically and socioeconomically representative of the greater Los Angeles area. The aims were to investigate (1) the associations between childhood victimization, including physical (e.g., kicking, pushing), verbal (e.g., taunting), and relational victimization (e.g., spreading rumors), and timing of substance use initiation, and (2) the contributions of genetic/environmental factors to these associations. Multinomial logistic regressions revealed several small associat

SUBMITTER: Yu LH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12325545 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature