%0 Journal Article %J J Sex Res %D 2014 %T Sexual risk behavior in young adulthood: broadening the scope beyond early sexual initiation. %A Epstein, Marina %A Bailey, Jennifer A %A Manhart, Lisa E %A Hill, Karl G %A Hawkins, J D %K Adolescent %K Adolescent Behavior %K Adult %K Child %K Female %K Humans %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Risk-Taking %K Sexual Behavior %K Time Factors %K Young Adult %X

A robust link between early sexual initiation and sexual risk-taking behavior is reported in previous studies. The relationship may not be causal, however, as the effect of common risk factors is often not considered. The current study examined whether early initiation was a key predictor of risky sexual behavior in the 20s and 30s, over and above co-occurring individual and environmental factors. Data were drawn from the Seattle Social Development Project, a longitudinal panel of 808 youth. Early predictors (ages 10 to 15) and sexual risk taking (ages 21 to 24 and 30 to 33) were assessed prospectively. Early sexual initiation (before age 15) was entered into a series of probit regressions that also included family, neighborhood, peer, and individual risk factors. Although a positive bivariate relation between early sexual initiation and sexual risk taking was observed at both ages, the link did not persist when co-occurring risk factors were included. Behavioral disinhibition and antisocial peer influences emerged as the strongest predictors of sexual risk over and above early sexual initiation. These results suggest that early sexual initiation must be considered in the context of common antecedents; public health policy aimed at delaying sexual intercourse alone is unlikely to substantially reduce sexual risk behavior in young adulthood.

%B J Sex Res %V 51 %P 721-30 %8 2014 %G eng %N 7 %R 10.1080/00224499.2013.849652 %0 Journal Article %J Drug Alcohol Depend %D 2013 %T Alcohol and tobacco use disorder comorbidity in young adults and the influence of romantic partner environments. %A Meacham, Meredith C %A Bailey, Jennifer A %A Hill, Karl G %A Epstein, Marina %A Hawkins, J D %K Adolescent %K Adult %K Alcoholism %K Comorbidity %K Conflict (Psychology) %K Depression %K Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders %K Ethnic Groups %K Female %K Humans %K Male %K Regression Analysis %K Sex Factors %K Sexual Partners %K Social Environment %K Socioeconomic Factors %K Tobacco Use %K Treatment Outcome %K Young Adult %X

BACKGROUND: Although there is considerable evidence that the development of tobacco dependence (TD) and that of alcohol use disorder (AUD) are intertwined, less is known about the comorbid development of these disorders. The present study examines tobacco dependence and alcohol use disorder comorbidity in young adulthood within the context of romantic partner relationships.

METHODS: Data were drawn from the Seattle Social Development Project, a contemporary, ethnically diverse, and gender balanced longitudinal panel including 808 participants. A typological person-centered approach was used to assign participants to four outcome groups: no disorder, tobacco dependence (TD) only, alcohol use disorder (AUD) only, and comorbid (both). Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the association between partner general and substance-specific environments and single or dual alcohol and tobacco use disorder diagnosis in young adulthood (ages 24-33, n=628). Previous heavy alcohol and tobacco use were controlled for, as were dispositional characteristics, gender, ethnicity, adult SES, and adult depression.

RESULTS: Greater partner conflict increased the likelihood of being comorbid compared to having TD only or AUD only. Having a smoking partner increased the likelihood of being comorbid compared to having AUD only, but having a drinking partner did not significantly distinguish being comorbid from having TD only.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrated the utility of a comorbidity-based, person-centered approach and the influence of general and tobacco-specific, but not alcohol-specific, partner environments on comorbid alcohol and tobacco use disorders in young adulthood.

%B Drug Alcohol Depend %V 132 %P 149-57 %8 2013 Sep 1 %G eng %N 1-2 %R 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.01.017 %0 Journal Article %J Dev Psychol %D 2013 %T The effect of general and drug-specific family environments on comorbid and drug-specific problem behavior: A longitudinal examination. %A Epstein, Marina %A Hill, Karl G %A Bailey, Jennifer A %A Hawkins, J D %K Adolescent %K Adolescent Behavior %K Adult %K Age Factors %K Alcohol Drinking %K Child %K Child Behavior Disorders %K Comorbidity %K Family Relations %K Female %K Humans %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Self Report %K Social Environment %K Tobacco Use Disorder %K Young Adult %X

Previous research has shown that the development of alcohol and tobacco dependence is linked and that both are influenced by environmental and intrapersonal factors, many of which likely interact over the life course. The present study examines the effects of general and alcohol- and tobacco-specific environmental influences in the family of origin (ages 10-18) and family of cohabitation (ages 27-30) on problem behavior and alcohol- and tobacco-specific outcomes at age 33. General environmental factors include family management, conflict, bonding, and involvement. Alcohol environment includes parental alcohol use, parents' attitudes toward alcohol, and children's involvement in family drinking. Tobacco-specific environment is assessed analogously. Additionally, analyses include the effects of childhood behavioral disinhibition, initial behavior problems, and age 18 substance use. Analyses were based on 469 participants drawn from the Seattle Social Development Project (SSDP) sample. Results indicated that (a) environmental factors within the family of origin and the family of cohabitation are both important predictors of problem behavior at age 33; (b) family of cohabitation influences partially mediate the effects of family of origin environments; (c) considerable continuity exists between adolescent and adult general and tobacco (but not alcohol) environments; age 18 alcohol and tobacco use partially mediates these relationships; and (d) childhood behavioral disinhibition contributed to age 33 outcomes, over and above the effects of family of cohabitation mediators. Implications for preventive interventions are discussed.

%B Dev Psychol %V 49 %P 1151-64 %8 2013 Jun %G eng %N 6 %R 10.1037/a0029309