Marijuana but not alcohol use during adolescence mediates the association between transmissible risk for substance use disorder and number of lifetime violent offenses

Maureen D. Reynolds, Ralph E. Tarter, Levent Kirisci and Duncan B. Clark

Journal of Criminal Justice, 2011, vol. 39, issue 3, pages 218-223

Abstract: Aim This study determined the extent to which alcohol and marijuana use during adolescence mediates the relation between transmissible risk for substance use disorder (SUD) and lifetime number of different types of violent offenses.Methods The transmissible liability index was administered to 359 10-12Â year old youths who were tracked to 22Â years of age. Past year frequency of alcohol and marijuana consumption was longitudinally tracked to age 22 at which time lifetime violent offenses was recorded.Results Rate of increase in marijuana use mediated the association between transmissible risk and lifetime number of different types of violent offenses. No association was found between past year frequency of alcohol use and violent offenses.Conclusions Prevention directed at lowering the psychological characteristics associated with transmissible risk for SUD may also reduce violent offending.

Date: 2011
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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:39:y:2011:i:3:p:218-223

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