What Moderates the Link Between Peers’ and Individual’s Substance Use in Adolescence? A Systematic Scoping Review

Abstract

Peers’ substance use is one of the most robust predictors of adolescent’s substance use. Albeit some empirical studies have explored factors that moderate peers’ influences on individual’s substance use, there is a lack of literature synthesis analyzing all existing research on the topic regardless the design and the type of substance. Because of that, the present systematic scoping review sought to explore the available studies that analyze moderators in the relation between peers’ and adolescent’s substance use. This review focused on studies including samples aged 10–19. The search was conducted in different databases and 43 studies meeting the criteria were finally included. It was found that elements such as emotional control, closeness to parents, school disapproval of substance use, friendship reciprocity or sport participation attenuated the impact of peers’ substance use on target’s substance use. On the other hand, avoidant and anxious attachment, sibling’s willingness to use substances, school troubles, peer support or setting criminogenic increased the likelihood of using substances among adolescents with peers who use substances. Results revealed that the effect of peers’ substance use on adolescent’s substance use is moderated by individual, family, school, peers and community factors. The effect of moderators could be different depending on the type of substance and the stage of adolescence. Substance use prevention programs for adolescents should be ecological, specific and adapted to the stage of adolescence.