DIFFERENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF FAMILY AND PEER FACTORS TO THE ETIOLOGYOF NARCOTIC ADDICTION

This retrospective study investigated relationships among early family circumstances, peer associations, and narcotic addiction in a sample of 601 urban males. Results of logistic regression analyses indicated that the extent of deviant behavior among close friends at ages 12-14 and disruption in family structure (parental divorce/separation) prior to age 11 were significantly associated with narcotic addiction. Addi tional regression analyses indicated that deviant behavior among famil y members, as well as family disruption, experienced prior to age 11, also increased the probability of association with deviant peers and a negative home atmosphere at ages 12-14. Implications of these finding s for preventive interventions and for future research are presented. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.