Predicting early adolescent substance use: Do risk factors differ depending on age of onset?

This study was designed to identify different risk models associated with n on-use, first use, and prior substance use among a group of early adolescen ts. A total of 582 students completed a self-report questionnaire at the be ginning and end of sixth grade. Nine predictor variables were used in discr iminant function analysis to classify adolescents into three groups. Five v ariables distinguished non-users (never used by the end of sixth grade) and new users (first used during sixth grade)fr om prior users (first used bef ore sixth grade). Prior users were found to have weaker decision making ski lls, more susceptibility to peer pressure, more negative perceptions of sch ool, less confidence in their skills, and an increased likelihood of being male. A second function indicated that new users were similar to prior user s in that they had less positive peer relations, were more likely to come f rom single parent families, and had less knowledge about alcohol and drugs than did Non-users. The similarities and differences between new and prior users have implications for future research and prevention programming.