Rule breaking mediates the developmental association between GABRA2 and adolescent substance abuse.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study's primary aim was to examine age-specific associations between GABRA2, rule breaking, problematic alcohol use, and substance abuse symptomatology. The secondary aim was to examine the extent to which rule breaking mediates the GABRA2-substance abuse relationship.

Methods

A sample (n = 518) of primarily male (70.9%) and White (88.8%) adolescents from the Michigan Longitudinal Study was assessed from ages 11-18. Age-specific effects of GABRA2 on rule breaking, problematic alcohol use, and substance abuse symptomatology were examined using nested path models. The role of rule breaking as a mediator in the association between GABRA2 and substance abuse outcomes was tested using prospective cross-lagged path models.

Results

GABRA2 is significantly (p 

SUBMITTER: Trucco EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4470372 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature