%0 Journal Article %J Arch Sex Behav %D 2011 %T Associations between changing developmental contexts and risky sexual behavior in the two years following high school. %A Bailey, Jennifer A %A Haggerty, Kevin P %A White, Helene R %A Catalano, Richard F %K Attitude to Health %K Comorbidity %K Condoms %K Female %K Humans %K Interpersonal Relations %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Risk-Taking %K Sexual Partners %K Sexually Transmitted Diseases %K Social Environment %K Socioeconomic Factors %K Substance-Related Disorders %K Unsafe Sex %K Young Adult %X

The present study tested associations between common developmental contexts (relationship involvement, independent living, college attendance, work) and risky sexual behavior (casual sex, inconsistent condom use, high-risk sex) across the 2 years following high school. Data were drawn from the Raising Healthy Children project, and included 801 participants aged 18-21 years. Longitudinal analyses, which controlled for early sexual debut, high school substance use, and high school grades, showed that living with a parent was protective against all three sexual risk behavior outcomes (ORs about 0.70). Being in a romantic relationship was associated with a lower probability of casual sex, but a higher probability of inconsistent condom use. Attending college was associated with a lower probability of high-risk sex (OR = 0.67). Working was not related to the sexual risk behaviors examined. Levels of sexual risk behavior showed little change across the 2 years following high school. Findings from this study suggest that developmental context may affect young adults' engagement in risky sexual behavior. Programs aimed at promoting sexual health and reducing risk behaviors for STIs among young adults should consider targeting those in romantic relationships, those not living with parents, and those not attending college. Further, to develop effective prevention programs for these targeted youth, it is critical that we understand the mechanisms leading to risky sex in these groups.

%B Arch Sex Behav %V 40 %P 951-60 %8 2011 Oct %G eng %N 5 %R 10.1007/s10508-010-9633-0 %0 Journal Article %J Addict Behav %D 2011 %T Is nonmedical prescription opiate use a unique form of illicit drug use? %A Catalano, Richard F %A White, Helene R %A Fleming, Charles B %A Haggerty, Kevin P %K Adolescent %K Analgesics, Opioid %K Drug Prescriptions %K Female %K Humans %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Northwestern United States %K Risk Factors %K Self Medication %K Substance-Related Disorders %K Young Adult %X

Nonmedical prescription opiate (NMPO) use is of great concern because of its high addiction potential, cognitive impairment effects, and other adverse consequences (e.g., hormonal and immune system effects, hyperalgesia and overdose). Due to the combination of drugs used by those who are NMPO users, it is difficult to isolate the negative effects of NMPO use from the effects of other legal and illicit drugs. Based on a stage model of substance use, this study tested whether NMPO use represents a unique form of illicit drug use among emerging adults and whether there are unique consequences of early NMPO use. We used longitudinal data from 912 emerging adults from the Raising Healthy Children study who were interviewed at least annually from the first or second grade through age 21. The findings indicated that almost all NMPO users have also used marijuana and a large majority has also used other drugs, such as cocaine and ecstasy. In addition, more frequent users of NMPOs are also more frequent users of other drugs. Except for violent behavior, NMPO use explained little unique variance in negative outcomes of use (e.g., drug use disorder, mood disorder, nonproductive behavior, poor health, and property crime) beyond that explained by other illicit drug use. Future studies examining the predictors or consequences of NMPO use and nonmedical use of other prescription drugs need to consider use within the context of other drug use.

%B Addict Behav %V 36 %P 79-86 %8 2011 Jan-Feb %G eng %N 1-2 %R 10.1016/j.addbeh.2010.08.028 %0 Journal Article %J J Stud Alcohol Drugs %D 2010 %T Romantic relationship status changes and substance use among 18- to 20-year-olds. %A Fleming, Charles B %A White, Helene R %A Oesterle, Sabrina %A Haggerty, Kevin P %A Catalano, Richard F %K Adolescent %K Adolescent Behavior %K Age Factors %K Depression %K Female %K Humans %K Interpersonal Relations %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Marriage %K Sexual Partners %K Single Person %K Substance-Related Disorders %K Young Adult %X

OBJECTIVE: Changes in romantic relationship status are common in emerging adulthood and may be linked to changes in substance use. This study tested the hypothesis that entry into relationships or transitioning to a more committed status leads to decreases in substance use and that dissolution of relationships or transitioning to a less committed status results in increases in substance use.

METHOD: Data were from a community sample of 939 individuals. Substance use (heavy drinking, marijuana use, and cigarette smoking) and relationship status (single, in a romantic relationship but not cohabiting, cohabiting, or married) were assessed at the beginning and end of three 6-month intervals between the ages of 18 and 20 years. Models were estimated to assess the association between transitions in relationship status and substance use, adjusting for prior levels of use.

RESULTS: There were increases in heavy drinking, marijuana use, and cigarette smoking associated with dissolution of a romantic relationship, as well as increases in marijuana use and cigarette smoking associated with switching partners within a 6-month interval. Mediation analyses found some support for increases in both depressive symptoms and exposure to substance-using peers partially accounting for these associations. Decreases in substance use were not found for individuals entering into a new relationship or transitioning to a more committed relationship status. In fact, cigarette smoking increased among those who went from being single to being in a romantic relationship compared with those whose relationship status did not change.

CONCLUSIONS: Emerging adults who experience dissolution of romantic relationships or quickly move from one relationship to another experience increased substance use. Both depressive symptoms and changes in peer environments may partially account for these changes in use.

%B J Stud Alcohol Drugs %V 71 %P 847-56 %8 2010 Nov %G eng %N 6 %0 Journal Article %J J Health Soc Behav %D 2010 %T Romantic relationships and substance use in early adulthood: an examination of the influences of relationship type, partner substance use, and relationship quality. %A Fleming, Charles B %A White, Helene R %A Catalano, Richard F %K Adolescent %K Courtship %K Data Collection %K Female %K Humans %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Substance-Related Disorders %K Young Adult %X

This study used longitudinal data from 909 young adults to examine associations between substance use and the status and quality of romantic relationships. Heavy alcohol use, marijuana use, and cigarette smoking, as well as relationship status, relationship quality, partner substance use, and other salient life circumstances were assessed at four time points in the two years after high school. Marriage, cohabiting relationships, and noncohabiting dating relationships were associated with reductions in heavy drinking and marijuana use relative to non-dating, after adjusting for adolescent substance use; marriage compared to not dating was associated with reductions in cigarette smoking. For those in romantic relationships, partner substance use moderated the associations between relationship quality and substance use for heavy drinking and for marijuana use, supporting the hypothesis derived from the Social Development Model that the protective effect of stronger social bonds depends on the use patterns of the partner to whom an individual is bonded.

%B J Health Soc Behav %V 51 %P 153-67 %8 2010 Jun %G eng %N 2