Browsing by Author "Währn, Heidi"

Childhood problem behaviour has been associated with later substance use in a number of previous studies. However, the results of the studies vary depending on how the substance use is being measured. The most research evidence is on the association with the childhood problem behaviour and problem drinking. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of problem behaviour on later substance consumption (alcohol and tobacco). The participants (N=1902, women 56.1%) of this study were derived from a longitudinal "Cardiovascular risks in young Finns" (LASERI) study that began in 1980. Multinomial and logistic regression analysis were used to examine the association with problem behaviour (externalizing and internalizing) and smoking and drinking (frequency and binge drinking). The data in this study was collected in 1983 (parent reports) and 2001 (self-reports). In 1983 parents evaluated the behaviour of the child and in 2001 the participants themselves evaluated their own substance use. The participants were aged between 3- to 18-years when the study began. This study supports the association with problem behaviour and later substance use. Higher externalizing problem behaviour predicted higher risk of smoking and more frequent binge drinking. The higher the externalizing problem behaviour of the child was, the higher was the risk of more frequent binge drinking. With men, higher internalizing problem behaviour was associated with less frequent binge drinking and abstention from alcohol use. With women, higher internalizing problem behaviour predicted only smaller risk of more frequent alcohol use. The results of this study indicate that childhood problem behaviour has far-reaching consequences later in life. Higher externalizing behaviour predicts higher substance use in one's youth and adulthood. Internalizing problem behaviour, instead, seems to protect from later use of alcohol. Knowledge about the possible long-term effects of problem behaviour on substance abuse can be used in preventative work on health.