%0 Journal Article %J Addiction %D 2014 %T Adolescent predictors and environmental correlates of young adult alcohol use problems. %A Toumbourou, John W %A Evans-Whipp, Tracy J %A Smith, Rachel %A Hemphill, Sheryl A %A Herrenkohl, Todd I %A Catalano, Richard F %K Adolescent %K Adolescent Behavior %K Alcohol Drinking %K Alcohol-Related Disorders %K Cohort Studies %K Female %K Humans %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Risk Factors %K Social Environment %K Street Drugs %K Substance-Related Disorders %K Victoria %K Workplace %K Young Adult %X

AIMS: To examine the rates of young adult alcohol and drug use and alcohol problems, adolescent predictors of young adult alcohol problems and correlations with young adult social, work and recreational environments.

DESIGN: Adolescents were followed longitudinally into young adulthood. Predictors were measured in grade 9 (average age 15), and environmental correlates and outcomes in young adulthood (average age 21).

SETTING: Students recruited in Victoria, Australia in 2002, were resurveyed in 2010/11.

PARTICIPANTS: Analytical n=2309, 80% retention.

MEASUREMENTS: Adolescent self-report predictors included past-month alcohol use. Young adults completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) together with reports of environmental influences.

FINDINGS: Comparisons to United States national school graduate samples revealed higher rates of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use (other than cannabis) in Victoria. For example, rates of past month use at age 21-22 were: alcohol 69.3% US versus 84.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 81.3-88.6% Victoria; illicit drugs (other than cannabis) 8.8 versus 12.7%, CI 9.7-15.7%. AUDIT alcohol problems (scored 8+) were identified for 41.2%, CI 38.8-43.6% of young adults in Victoria. The likelihood of young adult alcohol problems was higher for frequent adolescent alcohol users and those exposed to environments characterized by high alcohol use and problems in young adulthood.

CONCLUSIONS: High rates of alcohol problems are evident in more than two in five Australian young adults, and these problems appear to be influenced both by earlier patterns of adolescent alcohol use and by young adult social, work and recreational environments.

%B Addiction %V 109 %P 417-24 %8 2014 Mar %G eng %N 3 %R 10.1111/add.12401 %0 Journal Article %J J Adolesc Health %D 2012 %T Longitudinal predictors of cyber and traditional bullying perpetration in Australian secondary school students. %A Hemphill, Sheryl A %A Kotevski, Aneta %A Tollit, Michelle %A Smith, Rachel %A Herrenkohl, Todd I %A Toumbourou, John W %A Catalano, Richard F %K Adolescent %K Aggression %K Australia %K Bullying %K Child %K Crime Victims %K Educational Status %K Family Relations %K Female %K Forecasting %K Humans %K Internet %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Peer Group %K Risk Factors %K Schools %K Students %X

PURPOSE: Cyberbullying perpetration (using communication technology to engage in bullying) is a recent phenomenon that has generated much concern. There are few prospective longitudinal studies of cyberbullying. The current article examines the individual, peer, family, and school risk factors for both cyber and traditional bullying (the latter is bullying that does not use technology) in adolescents.

METHODS: This article draws on a rich data set from the International Youth Development Study, a longitudinal study of students in Victoria, Australia and Washington State, United States, which began in 2002. In this article, data from almost 700 Victorian students recruited in grade 5 are analyzed to examine grade 7 (aged 12-13 years) predictors of traditional and cyberbullying perpetration in grade 9 (aged 14-15 years).

RESULTS: Fifteen per cent of students engaged in cyberbullying, 21% in traditional bullying, and 7% in both. There are similarities and important differences in the predictors of cyber and traditional bullying. In the fully adjusted model, only prior engagement in relational aggression (a covert form of bullying, such as spreading rumors about another student) predicted cyberbullying perpetration. For traditional bullying, previous relational aggression was also predictive, as was having been a victim and perpetrator of traditional bullying, family conflict, and academic failure.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of evidence-based bullying prevention programs is supported to reduce experiences of all forms of bullying perpetration (cyber, traditional, and relational aggression). In addition, for traditional bullying perpetration, addressing family conflict and student academic support are also important.

%B J Adolesc Health %V 51 %P 59-65 %8 2012 Jul %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.11.019