Adolescent Problem Drinking: Psychosocial Aspects and Developmental Outcomes

Abstract

The multiple functions that the use of drugs can serve for adolescents is by now well established (Jessor, 1984). Drug use by adolescents can be a way of affirming independence from parents, signalling commonality with the peer group, expressing opposition to the norms and values of the larger society, coping with stress and with apprehensions about personal inadequacy and social role failure, and establishing a sense of personal identity. In addition, drug use can serve an important developmental function; it can constitute a claim on transition from a less mature to a more mature status and represent, symbolically, the passage out of adolescence and entrance into the stage of youth or young adulthood. Since all of these functions are central to the adaptations of adolescent life, it is not surprising that the use of drugs has become a salient issue for young people.

The research reported in this paper was carried out in longterm collaboration with Dr. Lee Jessor and, more recently, with Dr. John Donovan; it could not have been accomplished without them. I am grateful to Drs. John Donovan and Frances Costa for the special analyses of the data. Support for the research has been provided by Grant No. AA-03745 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). The material in this paper was also presented at the ceremony designating NIAAA a Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization, Washington, D.C., November 2, 1983.