title: Height in adolescence predicts polydrug use in adolescence and young adulthood.
abstract: Prior research has noted a relationship between an individual's height in adolescence and their personality development later in life. This study examined whether height in adolescence--net of possible confounding variables such as age and biological maturity--predicted polydrug use in adolescence and young adulthood. The results revealed a positive and statistically significant association, wherein taller youths were more likely to report using an array of drugs. Supplemental analyses indicated that the relationship is not specific to males as some theories would suggest. Possible mediating mechanisms such as exposure to drug-using peers, self-control, depression, and self-esteem are considered. Implications of the findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080, United States. jcbarnes@utdallas.edu
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Brian B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Boutwell
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Beaver
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D001827:Body Height; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult