The effects of relationships with older females on the substance abuse and mental health of adolescent boys.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this article is to describe the short-term effects of relationships with significantly older females on the substance use and mental health of adolescent boys.

METHODS

Weighted logistic regression and weighted least-squares regression were conducted using data from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Survey of Adolescent Health to determine the substance use and mental health effects of entry into an age-discordant relationship (n = 2318).

RESULTS

The results indicate that boys involved in an age-discordant relationship, in comparison with boys in an age-similar relationship, were more likely to have recently smoked cigarettes, use higher quantities of alcohol, and experience higher levels of anxiety. There was no significant relationship between having been involved in an age-discordant relationship and having recently used marijuana or cocaine, as well as no relationship with displaying suicidality. There was a trend toward depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem among boys in age-discordant relationships.

CONCLUSION

On the whole, entering a relationship with a significantly older female is associated with some substance abuse effects, particularly cigarette and alcohol use, for adolescent boys. These relationships may encourage early adoption of adult behaviors but not broader deviance as such involvement does not influence the abuse of illicit substances.