The association between parent, peer, and youth emotional and behavioral factors in substance use among youth with truancy petitions involved in the juvenile legal system

The present study examined the relative contributions of peer, parent, and youth emotional and behavioral factors to alcohol and cannabis use behaviors among youth with a truancy petition referred to the juvenile legal system (JLS). Identifying modifiable targets for intervention among youth with early JLS contact is critical given that adolescent substance use, particularly alcohol use and alcohol-related problems, are salient predictors of continued system involvement. Although social-ecological theories highlight multiple influences on adolescent risk behaviors, less is known about how these factors uniquely relate to substance use patterns among youth with a truancy petition involved in the JLS. A cross-sectional sample of adolescents with truancy petitions (N = 108; Mage = 15.49, age range = 12–19, 64.8% male) completed measures assessing demographics, substance use behaviors, mental health symptoms, peer relationships, and parent–child relationships. Hierarchical linear and logistic regressions tested the associations of peer, parent, and youth emotional and behavioral variables with alcohol use, cannabis use, alcohol-related problems, and drug-related problems. Older age (p = 0.014) and Hispanic/Latinx identity (p = 0.006) were the only significant associations with alcohol use. Higher peer deviance and having more friends who used substances were associated with greater cannabis use (p = 0.041; p = 0.035) and more alcohol-related problems (p = 0.009; p = 0.007), whereas stronger parent–child communication was associated with fewer alcohol-related problems (p = 0.028). Findings suggest distinct intervention targets for alcohol versus cannabis use behaviors among youth with a truancy petition involved in the JLS, underscoring the importance of peer-focused and parent-based early intervention efforts.