Session: A Multi-Method Study of Adolescent Marijuana Use: Peers, Moods, and Polysubstance Use (Society for Prevention Research 27th Annual Meeting)

The study “Peer influence and selection mechanisms underlying adolescent problem behaviors” is investigating how peers, moods, and other factors may contribute to adolescent engagement in risky behaviors and substance use. Participating youth live in rural or suburban communities in Oregon, and data are collected from the spring of their 8^th grade school year (ages 13-14) to the fall of 11^th grade. This study takes a multi-informant approach to measurement, which includes peer social network methodology, Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) of moods and social contexts, and self-reported substance use, each of which will be presented.

The first presentation uses peer network methodology to investigate peer selection and influence effects on adolescent marijuana use. The second presentation uses EMA to assess anxious mood lability and examines associations between anxious mood lability and recent marijuana use during adolescence. The third presentation investigates the sequence of comorbid use of marijuana, e-cigarettes, and cigarettes from early to mid-adolescence. Implications of results for prevention research will be discussed.