https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4825-1111
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Abstract
Objective
Young adulthood (18–25) is the peak age for substance use, but friends who engage in positive behaviors may be protective. The present study examined the direct relation between positive peer affiliation and substance use, and whether positive peer affiliation moderated the relation between self-reported sensation-seeking, future orientation, self-regulation and substance use. Participants: Participants were 382 college students (Mage = 19.25, SD = 1.33). Method: Participants completed questionnaires assessing substance use, peer affiliation, sensation-seeking, future orientation, and self-regulation. Results: In structural equation models, positive peer affiliation was negatively associated with drunk driving, cigarette use, and marijuana use; and moderated relations between sensation-seeking and substance use, but not cognitive control in the predicted direction. Conclusions: Substance use remains a salient public health concern for college students, but the current study found that having friends who generally engage in positive activities is an important buffer against socioemotional risk factors.
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Declaration of interests
The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the Institutional Review Boards.
Funding
No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.