Abstract
This study uses data from the Ontario Health Survey to examine within-family influences (sibship number, age and sex composition; family structure and parental substance use) on the use of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana in households (N=4,643) among offspring aged 12 to 24 years. Using a modification of the kappa statistic, concordance among siblings is modest generally and undifferentiated across substance type. Concordance is stronger among sibships that are either all male or older (19–24 years) and is particularly strong for siblings ≤ two years apart in age. The dominant influence of substance use behaviour appears to be from older siblings to younger siblings and not from parents to offspring. Sibling concordance for substance use suggests that the treatment and prevention of substance use (and abuse) among adolescents and young adults might be enhanced by including a family focus, especially where there are two or more siblings at home.
Résumé
L’étude, fondée sur les données de l’Enquête sur la santé en Ontario, porte sur les influences intrafamiliales (nombre, âge et sexe des membres de la fratrie, structure familiale et consommation de drogues par les parents) sur la consommation de tabac, d’alcool et de marijuana dans des familles (n = 4 643) d’au moins un parent et un enfant de 12 à 24 ans. Une analyse Kappa modifiée révèle une concordance fraternelle modeste dans l’ensemble, peu tranchée selon le type de drogue. La concordance est plus prononcée lorsque la fratrie se compose uniquement de garçons ou comporte un membre plus âgé (19 à 24 ans), particulièrement lorsque l’écart entre les membres est de deux ans ou moins. L’influence dominante, en matière de consommation de drogues, semble s’exercer des aînés aux cadets et non des parents aux enfants. La concordance constatée entre les membres de fratries porte à croire que l’on pourrait améliorer le traitement et la prévention de la consommation (et de l’abus) de drogues chez les adolescents et les jeunes adultes en y intégrant une composante familiale, surtout lorsqu’il y a plus d’un enfant à la maison.
Footnotes
Dr. Michael Boyle is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Scientist Award and Dr. Peter Szatmari is supported by a Senior Fellowship Award from the Ontario Mental Health Foundation.
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