Longitudinal Trajectory of the Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Substance Use From Adolescence to Young Adulthood
Chung Gun Lee PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Physical Education, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Dong-Chul Seo PhD, FAAHB
Professor
Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Suite 116, 1025 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
Address correspondence to: Dong-Chul Seo, Professor, ([email protected]), Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Suite 116, 1025 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7109.Search for more papers by this authorMohammad R. Torabi PhD
Professor and Dean
Indiana University School of Public Health, 1025 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
Search for more papers by this authorDavid K. Lohrmann PhD
Professor and Department Chair
Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, 1025 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
Search for more papers by this authorTae Min Song PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Management, Sahmyook University, 815, Hwarang-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01795, South Korea
Search for more papers by this authorChung Gun Lee PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Physical Education, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Dong-Chul Seo PhD, FAAHB
Professor
Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Suite 116, 1025 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
Address correspondence to: Dong-Chul Seo, Professor, ([email protected]), Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Suite 116, 1025 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7109.Search for more papers by this authorMohammad R. Torabi PhD
Professor and Dean
Indiana University School of Public Health, 1025 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
Search for more papers by this authorDavid K. Lohrmann PhD
Professor and Department Chair
Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, 1025 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
Search for more papers by this authorTae Min Song PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Management, Sahmyook University, 815, Hwarang-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01795, South Korea
Search for more papers by this authorABSTRACT
BACKGROUND
We examined the longitudinal trajectory of substance use (binge drinking, marijuana use, and cocaine use) in relation to self-esteem from adolescence to young adulthood.
METHODS
Generalized estimating equation models were fit using SAS to investigate changes in the relation between self-esteem and each substance use (binge drinking, marijuana use, and cocaine use) from adolescence to young adulthood. Data were drawn from the 3 waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a nationally representative sample of middle and high school students in the United States (N = 6504).
RESULTS
Self-esteem was a significant predictor for the use of all 3 substances at 15 years of age (ps < .001). However, at age 21, self-esteem no longer predicted binge drinking and marijuana use in the controlled model.
CONCLUSIONS
It appears that self-esteem loses its protective role against substance use except cocaine use as adolescents transition to young adulthood.
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