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ABSTRACT: Background
This study's primary aim was to examine age-specific associations between GABRA2, rule breaking, problematic alcohol use, and substance abuse symptomatology. The secondary aim was to examine the extent to which rule breaking mediates the GABRA2-substance abuse relationship.Methods
A sample (n = 518) of primarily male (70.9%) and White (88.8%) adolescents from the Michigan Longitudinal Study was assessed from ages 11-18. Age-specific effects of GABRA2 on rule breaking, problematic alcohol use, and substance abuse symptomatology were examined using nested path models. The role of rule breaking as a mediator in the association between GABRA2 and substance abuse outcomes was tested using prospective cross-lagged path models.Results
GABRA2 is significantly (p < 0.05) associated with rule breaking in mid- to late-adolescence, but not substance abuse symptomatology across adolescence. GABRA2 effects on problematic alcohol use and substance abuse symptomatology operate largely (45.3% and 71.1%, respectively, p < 0.05) via rule breaking in midadolescence.Conclusions
GABRA2 represents an early risk factor for an externalizing pathway to the development of problematic alcohol and drug use.
SUBMITTER: Trucco EM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4470372 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Trucco Elisa M EM Villafuerte Sandra S Heitzeg Mary M MM Burmeister Margit M Zucker Robert A RA
Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines 20140509 12
<h4>Background</h4>This study's primary aim was to examine age-specific associations between GABRA2, rule breaking, problematic alcohol use, and substance abuse symptomatology. The secondary aim was to examine the extent to which rule breaking mediates the GABRA2-substance abuse relationship.<h4>Methods</h4>A sample (n = 518) of primarily male (70.9%) and White (88.8%) adolescents from the Michigan Longitudinal Study was assessed from ages 11-18. Age-specific effects of GABRA2 on rule breaking, ...[more]