title: The relation between social problems and substance use in adolescent boys: an investigation of potential moderators.
abstract: This study investigated the relation between social problems and adolescent male substance use in the context of other potential moderating variables. Two hundred eighty adolescent boys completed measures of social problems, cognitive distortions, constructive thinking, affiliation with delinquent peers, and multiple aspects of substance use. Results revealed that social problems were not directly related to most substance use variables. Cognitive distortions moderated the relation between social problems and substance use in social situations, such that the relation was significant only at high levels of cognitive distortions. Constructive thinking and affiliation with delinquent peers were both related to substance use, but neither served a moderating function. It is concluded that the widely accepted relation between social difficulties and adolescent male substance use may be better understood in the context of cognitive variables.
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky.
authors.forename: Gavin D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Shoal
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky.
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Giancola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003073:Cognitive Dissonance; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000145:classification; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009935:Organizational Affiliation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012646:Self Administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012940:Social Problems / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013850:Thinking
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D013287:Illicit Drugs