Multistage Path Models of Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Use: A Reanalysis

Simplex and nonsimplex models containing personality and perceived environment variables as predictors of current use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use were compared in this reanalysis of data reported in a study by Potvin and Lee (1980). Contrary to the results given in the original study, we found that a nonsimplex pattern of relations among different forms of drug use allowed for a more adequate representation of the data than a simplex model for two of the three different age groups of adolescents sampled. Conformity-commitment and religiousness had consistent negative effects on drug use in each sample; parental support-affection and parental approval of friends tended to have small negative effects on drug use; self-esteem and alienation were unrelated to drug use. In general it appears that a nonsimplex model of current drug use provides a more adequate representation of the data than does a simplex model and that religiousness and conformity-commitment are constraining influences on adolescent involvement in drug use.