Risk taking, sensation seeking and personality as related to changes in substance use from adolescence to young adulthood

• Published in: Journal of adolescence (London, England.) England.), 2020-07, Vol.82 (1), p.23-31
• Main Authors: LaSpada, Natalia, Delker, Erin, East, Patricia, Blanco, Estela, Delva, Jorge, Burrows, Raquel, Lozoff, Betsy, Gahagan, Sheila
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescence; Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - drug effects; Adolescents; Adults; Antisocial behavior; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Child development; Chile; Deviance; Drug use; Female; Humans; Impulsive Behavior - drug effects; Life transitions; Male; Marijuana; Marijuana use; Personality; Personality - drug effects; Personality traits; Risk behavior; Risk Factors; Risk taking; Sensation seeking; Substance abuse; Substance use; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Youth
• ISSN: 0140-1971; 1095-9254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.04.011

This study examined changes in substance use from adolescence to young adulthood as related to adolescents’ risk taking, sensation seeking, antisocial activities, and personality traits. Chilean youth (N = 890, 52% female) were studied in adolescence (14.5 and 16.2 years) and young adulthood (M age 21.3 years). Risk taking was assessed via a laboratory-based performance task (Balloon Analogue Risk Task), and self-administered questionnaires assessed sensation seeking, antisocial behaviors, personality and substance use. Frequent involvement in sensation seeking and antisocial activities were associated with increased odds of continued marijuana use from adolescence to young adulthood and of illicit substance use at young adulthood. High risk taking was associated with a reduced likelihood of discontinuing marijuana use at young adulthood, and high agreeableness and conscientiousness were associated with reduced likelihood of new onset marijuana use and illicit substance use at young adulthood. Results highlight specific risk-taking tendencies and personality characteristics that relate to initiating, continuing, or discontinuing substance use at entry into adulthood. Sensation seeking and involvement in antisocial activities were the two foremost risk factors for continued use, which is a forecaster of drug dependence. Findings suggest potential prevention and intervention targets for abstaining from or discontinuing substance use as youth transition to adulthood. •Sensation-seeking was a risk for new-onset illicit substance use at young adulthood.•Neuroticism was a risk for illicit substance and marijuana use at young adulthood.•Agreeableness was associated with reduced odds of illicit drug and marijuana use.•Conscientiousness was associated with reduced odds of illicit drug, marijuana use.