Early temperament, propensity for risk-taking and adolescent substance-related problems: A prospective multi-method investigation

One hundred thirty seven adolescents (M = 15.3 yrs, SD = 1.0 yr, n = 72 girls) were recruited into temperament groups when they were 4 months of age based on reactivity to novel auditory/visual stimuli (Fox, Henderson, Rubin, Calkins, & Schmidt, 2001). Behavioral inhibition was observed across infancy (14 and 24 months). Additionally, self-reported substance-related problems and behavioral risk-taking was assessed during adolescence. High behavioral inhibition increased risk for substance-related problems among boys, whereas high behavioral inhibition protected against substance-related problems among girls, B = − 1.18, SE = .48, 95% CI = − 2.13 to −.24; p < .05. Additionally, high behavioral inhibition protected lower risk-taking children from adolescent substance-related problems whereas high behavioral inhibition increased risk for substance-related problems among higher risk-taking children, B = .04, SE = .02, 95% CI = .00 to .08. Findings from this prospective, multi-informant, longitudinal study suggest that risk-taking and gender may interact with temperamental traits to place adolescents at differential risk for substance-related related behavior problems.

Research Highlights
► Early temperament traits may place adolescents at risk for greater substance-related problems.
► Higher behavioral inhibition may be a risk factor for substance-related problems for boys.
► Lower behavioral inhibition may be a risk factor for substance-related problems for girls.
► Risk for substance-use related problems was compounded at higher risk-taking propensity and BI.