A LONGITUDINAL GROUPING ANALYSIS OF ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE ESCALATION IN DE-ESCALATION

Although studies have explored the predictors of changes in rank order ing of adolescent substance use over time, little research has specifi cally examined the predictors of substance use escalation and de-escal ation. The present study tested whether social influences, individual differences, and symptomatology predicted substance use escalation and de-escalation over a 9-month period in a community sample of adolesce nts (N = 390). Peer substance use, negative affectivity, externalizing symptoms, and internalizing symptoms prospectively predicted substanc e use escalation. Only peer substance use and parental control predict ed de-escalation. Results provide support for the assertion that socia l influences, individual differences, and symptomatology predict subst ance use escalation and de-escalation but suggest that the relations d iffer for alcohol use versus illicit substance use and for the predict ion of escalation versus de-escalation.