The Intergenerational Transmission of Substance Use and Problem Behavior

Introduction: There is evidence that harsh parenting, substance use, and other problem behavior are transmitted from generation one (G1) to generation two (G2). Moreover, G1 problem behavior and hostile parenting increase G2 substance use and other deviant behaviors. For example, G1 harsh parenting is associated with G2 externalizing behavior, and G1 depression is related to G2 substance use. As adults, G2 are likely to continue such behavior, as well as become harsh parents themselves, which relates to negative outcomes for their G3 children. As such, it is important to understand the influence of G1 behavior during G2’s adolescence on G2 behavior in adulthood, which may predict G3 outcomes. Indeed, G3 problem behavior is both a consequence of G1/G2 behavior, and also a marker of their own risk for eventual substance use. The current study prospectively examines how G1 harsh parenting, substance use, aggression, and depression during G2 adolescence are related to the same behaviors in G2 during adulthood, including continuity within and across behaviors. Finally, we examine the association between these G2 behaviors during adulthood and G3 aggression in middle childhood.

Methods: Rural white youth and their families were followed from adolescence to adulthood. G1 harsh parenting, substance use, aggression, and depression were measured when G2 (n=150) were 15, 16, and 18 years old. The same behaviors were assessed for G2 during adulthood when G3 were 6-9 years old. G3 aggression was assessed at 10-12 years old. G1 and G2 reported the number of days in the past month they drank alcohol, used tobacco, or used illegal substances. G1 and G2 reported their aggression and depressive symptoms (SCL90) and G2 reported on G3 aggressive behavior (CBCL). Observations of harsh parenting were used to assess continuities between G1 behavior toward G2 and G2 behavior toward G3.

Results: The results indicated support for the intergenerational transmission of G1 to G2 harsh parenting, substance use, aggression, and depression. Once these paths were taken into account, cross lagged paths were not supported. In addition, G2 harsh parenting and adult substance use, aggression, and depression were all related to G3 aggression.

Conclusions: Understanding intergenerational influences may help enhance prevention and intervention to reduce substance use, delinquent behavior, and depressive symptoms, which may in turn contribute to the behavior of the subsequent generation.