YOUNG-ADULT DRUG-USE AND DELINQUENCY - CHILDHOOD ANTECEDENTS AND ADOLESCENT MEDIATORS

Objective: The aims of this study were (1) to examine the childhood, e arly adolescent, and late adolescent predictors of young adult drug us e and delinquency; and (2) to explore the effects of drug use on delin quent behavior. Method: Data were gathered during the course of a 20-y ear longitudinal study of children representative of the Northeast. Da ta were gathered on childhood aggression, early and late adolescent dr ug use and delinquency, and young adult drug use and delinquency. Resu lts: Overall, the results were consistent with our proposed model. Chi ldhood aggression had an adverse effect on young adult drug use and fe male deviant behavior. Drug use and delinquency during early and late adolescence served as the mediator between childhood aggression and yo ung adult drug use. Moreover, adolescent drug use was associated with late delinquency. Conclusions: The findings indicated the childhood ag gression was related to both young adult drug use and delinquency. Sec ond, there was stability oi drug use and delinquency between early ado lescence and young adulthood. Third, drug use during early adolescence had an impact on delinquency not only in early adolescence, but also in late adolescence and young adulthood.