Childhood stress and symptoms of drug dependence in adolescence and early adulthood: Social phobia as a mediator

Retrospective data from 7,871 individuals age 16 to 64 were used to investi gate whether, among those diagnosed with lifetime social phobia, its sympto ms serve to link life events and chronic strains in childhood with symptoms of drug dependence in adulthood. Findings suggest social phobia as a pathw ay through which early life events and chronic strains affect the developme nt of drug-related problems. Implications for research and clinical practic e are discussed.