Abstract
Purpose
Using prospective longitudinal data from three generations, this study seeks to test
whether and how parent and grandparent marijuana use (current and prior) predicts
an increased likelihood of child cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use.
Methods
Using multilevel modeling of prospective data spanning three generations (n = 306
families, children ages 6–22), this study tested associations between grandparent
(G1) and parent (G2) marijuana use and child (G3) past-year cigarette, alcohol, and
marijuana use. Analyses tested whether G3 substance-related norms mediated these associations.
Current G1 and G2 marijuana use was examined, as was G2 high school and early adult
use and G1 marijuana use when G2 parents were in early adolescence. Controls included
G2 age at G3 birth, G2 education and depression, and G3 gender.
Results
G2 current marijuana use predicted a higher likelihood of G3 alcohol and marijuana
use but was not related to the probability of G3 cigarette use. G3's perceptions of
their parents' norms and G2 current marijuana use both contributed independently to
the likelihood of G3 alcohol and marijuana use when included in the same model. G3
children's own norms and their perceptions of friends' norms mediated the link between
G2 current marijuana use and G3 alcohol and marijuana use.
Conclusions
Results are discussed in light of the growing trend toward marijuana legalization.
To the extent that parent marijuana use increases under legalization, we can expect
more youth to use alcohol and marijuana and to have norms that favor substance use.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 03, 2016
Accepted:
April 6,
2016
Received:
February 3,
2016
Footnotes
Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.
Disclaimer: Points of view are those of the authors and are not the official positions of the funding agency.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.
