Are there reciprocal relationships between substance use risk personality profiles and alcohol or tobacco use in early adolescence?

Aim: We examined whether reciprocal relationships were present between the SURPS personality profiles and substance use in early adolescence.
Methods: Longitudinal data of four-waves of a broader effectiveness study were used from 1068 early adolescents.
Results: Our cross-lagged models indicated that sensation seeking and impulsivity show strongest reciprocal associations with substance use during early adolescence. In contrast, no reciprocity was present between substance use and anxiety sensitivity and only one reciprocal relationship was present between substance use and hopelessness.
Conclusions: In trying to prevent early adolescents from alcohol and tobacco use, it might be of key importance to acknowledge the mutual influence between certain personality profiles and substance use. Specifically, sensation seeking and impulsivity are relevant during early adolescence and awareness of early adolescents' vulnerability for these personality predispositions is warranted.