Derrick JL, Wittkower LD, Pierce JD. Committed relationships and substance use: recent findings and future directions.
Curr Opin Psychol 2019;
30:74-79. [PMID:
30986616 DOI:
10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.03.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent research on substance use in committed relationships covers three general areas. First, partners tend to be concordant for substance use, and concordance is at least partially the result of partner influence (or convergence). Second, substance use (particularly discrepant use) predicts relationship outcomes such as lower relationship quality and greater conflict, intimate partner aggression, and risky sex. Concordant use, however, can be protective. Finally, relationship variables, such as conflict, intimate partner aggression, and support for cessation, predict substance use. Recent advances in methodological innovation, such as the use of longitudinal designs and dyadic data, are noted. Although the field has moved in some new directions conceptually, the research in this area is still relatively atheoretical. Suggestions for future research directions are discussed.
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