Abstract
Very little research exists on how self-perceived emerging adult status is associated with substance use among low-income emerging adults. The Inventory of Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA) was administered to emerging adults (EAs) ages 1825 screened for substance use problems (n = l05) in a state-subsidized, not-for-profit treatment agency. We examined whether the defining dimensions of Arnett's (2000a) emerging adulthood theory were associated with substance use frequency and substance-related problems, including: identity exploration, self-focus, possibilities, optimism, negativity/instability, and feeling in-between. In multivariate models, feeling in-between was positively associated with substance-related problems. An interaction term between minority status and feeling inbetween approached statistical significance (p =.057). Further, IDEA scale score means were comparable to those found in college student samples. Implications for theory revision are discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 935-941 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Psychology of Addictive Behaviors |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2014 American Psychological Association.
Keywords
- Alcohol abuse
- Developmental psychology
- Drug abuse
- Emerging adulthood