This study examined whether transitions in self-management skills were
associated with change in gateway substance use (alcohol, cigarettes, and
marijuana) from early to mid-adolescence, using a latent growth framework
for data analysis. The sample consisted of predominantly white, suburban,
and middle-class students (N=2,277) attending 22 middle schools
who were followed-up annually from the 7th through 10th grades. Findings
indicated that substance use increased in a steady fashion, whereas
change in self-management skills (represented by a latent construct with
indicators of decision-making, problem solving, self-reinforcement, and
self control skills) was relatively flat with a gradual decline over time.
A conditioned growth model indicated that early levels of substance
use increased the decline in self-management skills over time. Early
self-management skills, on the other hand, were protective and slowed
growth in substance use. Relations between the two slope growth factors
indicated that increases in substance use over time were associated with
parallel decreases in self-management skills. Receiving higher grades in school was protective and downwardly influenced growth in substance
use, whereas being male was associated with a greater decline in self-management
skills. These findings support the utility of prevention programs
emphasizing self-management skills training as an effective deterrent to
early-stage substance use.