Older sibling correlates of younger sibling drug use in the context of parent-child relations

The purpose of this study was to examine older brother correlates of younge r brother drug use in the context of parental influences and younger brothe r personality. The sample consisted of 278 White male college students and their oldest brothers, who volunteered to answer self-administered question naires. Results indicated that 3 domains of influence each had an independe nt impact on younger brother drug use: (a) parent-younger brother relations hips and parent drug use, (b) older brother-younger brother relationships a nd older brother drug use, and (c) younger brother personality. Modeling of nondrug use and a strong attachment relationship in the parent-younger bro ther and sibling dyads, as well as younger sibling traits of conventionalit y, had strong links to low younger brother drug use. Our findings highlight the importance of modeling and mutual parent-child attachment relationship s as well as sibling relationships as they relate to the possible etiology of drug use.