ADOLESCENT ALCOHOL-USE DEVELOPMENT AND YOUNG-ADULT OUTCOMES

This study used latent growth modeling to examine the effects of level of alcohol use and development of alcohol use during adolescence, on young adult outcomes for males and females. Adolescents (N = 480; mean = 13.03 years, S.D. = 1.44; 264 female) were assessed annually over a 4-year period and then 5-6 years later in young adulthood (mean = 22. 49 years, S.D. = 1.50). Chronicity of alcohol use in adolescence was r elated to higher alcohol use, alcohol-related problems, aggressive beh avior; theft, and suicide ideation in young adulthood among both males and females. Development of alcohol use during adolescence was relate d to alcohol-related problems in young adulthood for males and females , and to higher levels of alcohol use and aggressive behavior for male s only. The results indicate that development of alcohol use as well a s level of alcohol use in adolescence is important for future adjustme nt outcomes, and that these relationships vary as a function of gender . (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.