The relationship of perceived social support to substance use in offspring of alcoholics

The present study examined the relationship of perceived social support (PSS) to substance use among adolescents with [family history positive (FH+)] and without [family history negative (FH-)] a family history of alcohol dependence. A sample of 144 adolescent offspring of alcoholic fathers and a control group (n = 125) were assessed in relation to substance use and their PSS from both family and friends. The effects of gender and age were also examined. Overall, friend PSS was higher than family PSS, regardless of paternal history. Females scored higher than males on friend PSS. Older adolescents (19-21 years old) perceived higher social support from friends than younger adolescents (14-15 years old). Heavy marijuana and tobacco users reported lower family and friend PSS than light users, while heavy alcohol users reported higher friend PSS than light users. Young FH+ adolescents reported using marijuana at an earlier age than young FH- adolescents. Since the influence of friend PSS on substance use provides a more complex picture than family PSS among adolescents, future analyses will focus on the underlying mechanisms of peer influence on drinking and drug use. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.