Personality, Environment, and Problem Drug Use

• Published in: Journal of drug issues Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 375 - 405
• Main Authors: Curran, Geoffrey M., White, Helene R., Hansell, Stephen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.04.2000; Journal of Drug Issues; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adolescents; Causality; Depression (Psychology); Drug Abuse; Drug use; Environment; Females; Males; New Jersey; Peer Relations; Personality; Predictors; Sex Differences; USA; Young Adults
• ISSN: 0022-0426; 1945-1369
• DOI: 10.1177/002204260003000208

We tested a theoretical model that posited direct and Interactive relationships between personality and environment as predictive of problem drug use. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed on data from a nonclinical sample of males and females first tested in adolescence and followed into young adulthood. In main effects analyses, cross-sectional models for marijuana and a composite of “harder” drugs strongly supported our theoretical perspective: several environmental and personality variables significantly predicted concurrent problem use. Longitudinal analyses produced mixed results, with either smaller numbers of significant personality/environment predictors or personality predictors dropping out completely. Peer drug use and depression best predicted problem “hard” drug use, while motivations to use with others and disinhibition best predicted problem marijuana use. Personality/peer group interactions were significant both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, indicating that membership in a problem-using social network enhanced the predictive ability of, or helped bring to fruition, several personality predisposers.