Rule breaking mediates the developmental association between GABRA2 and adolescent substance abuse. (9th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Trucco, Elisa M.; Villafuerte, Sandra; Heitzeg, Mary M.; Burmeister, Margit; Zucker, Robert A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry and allied disciplines. Volume 55:Number 12(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1372
• Page End: 1379
• Publication Date: 2014-05-09
• Subjects: Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.4
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12244
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9630

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jcpp12244-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jcpp12244-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>This study's primary aim was to examine age‐specific associations between <italic>GABRA2</italic>, rule breaking, problematic alcohol use, and substance abuse symptomatology. The secondary aim was to examine the extent to which rule breaking mediates the <italic>GABRA2‐</italic>substance abuse relationship.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcpp12244-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A sample (<italic>n </italic>=<italic> </italic>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 <italic>GABRA2</italic> 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 <italic>GABRA2</italic> and substance abuse outcomes was tested using prospective cross‐lagged path models.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcpp12244-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p> <italic>GABRA2</italic> is significantly (<italic>p </italic><<italic> </italic>0.05) associated with rule breaking in mid‐ to late‐adolescence, but not substance abuse symptomatology across adolescence. <italic>GABRA2</italic> effects on problematic alcohol use and substance abuse symptomatology operate largely (45.3% and 71.1%, respectively, <italic>p </italic><<italic> </italic>0.05) via rule breaking in midadolescence.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcpp12244-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p> <italic>GABRA2</italic> represents an early risk factor for an externalizing pathway to the development of problematic alcohol and drug use.</p> </sec> </abstract>