Concurrent Predictors of Drug Use Consequences among U.S. and Russian Adolescents / Predictores concurrentes de las consecuencias del consumo de drogas en adolescentes estadounidenses y rusos

Abstract

Abstract

We describe correlates of drug use-consequences related variables (addiction concern, problem consequences, and drinking alcohol/using drugs while driving) among two samples of high school students, one in the Russian Federation (n = 365), and one in the United States (n = 965). The correlates used in the analyses are based on the Theory of Triadic Influence, which organizes predictors of adolescent substance misuse into intrapersonal (e.g., depression), cultural/attitudinal (e.g., perceived harmfulness of drug use), and interpersonal (friend and family drug use) types of influence. We examined measures from each type of influence, along with drug use (cigarette and alcohol use) as correlates. Overall, correlates from each of the types of influence were significant predictors of substance use consequences variables in both samples. The most consistent predictors of consequences across countries were depression, perceived harmfulness of drug use, family substance abuser, friends' substance use, and last 30-day cigarette use. These results suggest that the Theory of Triadic Influence is relevant to both countries. We speculate that drug prevention efforts may share common features among some U.S. and Russian youth populations.