Substance use-induced diminution of violence: A countervailing effect in longitudinal perspective

Although the literature supports a positive association between substance u se and violence, scattered reports suggest a basis for predicting an invers e relationship. Using panel data (N = 2,222) from subjects tested during ea rly adolescence and three years later, we estimate structural equation mode ls that specify within-wave relationships between substance use and violenc e constructs, stability of these constructs over time, and lagged effects o f each construct on the other. ils hypothesized, net of the within-wave pos itive relationships, substance use was inversely related to later violence. The findings support theoretical orientations that accommodate motivation to use sustances to assuage distressful self-feelings (including those that instigate violence).