title: Peer cluster theory and adolescent drug use: a reanalysis.
abstract: Peer cluster theory hypothesizes that peer drug association has a direct effect on adolescent drug use. In turn, peer drug associations are influenced by familial factors (sanctions and strength) and individual variables (religious identification, school adjustment). Oetting and Beauvais evaluated peer cluster theory in a cross-sectional survey of 415 high school students [1]. We hypothesized, evaluated, and found support for an alternative model in which poorer school adjustment was specified as a consequence of drug use, peer drug associations, lack of family sanctions against drug use, low religious identification, and absence of family strength. This reanalysis illustrates that interpretations of structural equation modeling results from cross-sectional data are especially problematic.
authors: RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA 90406-2138.
authors: R D
authors: RD
authors: Hays
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Revetto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D012932:Social Facilitation; D012945:Social Values; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*