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Longitudinal pathways linking family risk, neural risk processing, delay discounting, and adolescent substance use
Author(s) -
KimSpoon Jungmeen,
Lauharatanahirun Nina,
Peviani Kristin,
Brieant Alexis,
DeaterDeckard Kirby,
Bickel Warren K.,
KingCasas Brooks
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/jcpp.13015
Subject(s) - delay discounting , psychology , developmental psychology , discounting , risk factor , substance use , clinical psychology , impulsivity , medicine , finance , economics
Background Current theories in neuroscience emphasize the crucial role of individual differences in the brain contributing to the development of risk taking during adolescence. Yet, little is known about developmental pathways through which family risk factors are related to neural processing of risk during decision making, ultimately contributing to health risk behaviors. Using a longitudinal design, we tested whether neural risk processing, as affected by family multi‐risk index, predicted delay discounting and substance use. Method One hundred and fifty‐seven adolescents (aged 13–14 years at Time 1, 52% male) were assessed annually three times. Family multi‐risk index was measured by socioeconomic adversity, household chaos, and family risk‐taking behaviors. Delay discounting was assessed by a computerized task, substance use by questionnaire data, and risk‐related neural processing by blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD) responses in the amygdala during a lottery choice task. Results Family multi‐risk index at Time 1 was related to adolescent substance use at Time 3 (after controlling for baseline substance use) indirectly through heightened amygdala sensitivity to risks and greater delay discounting. Conclusions Our results elucidate the crucial role of neural risk processing in the processes linking family multi‐risk index and the development of substance use. Furthermore, risk‐related amygdala activation and delay discounting are important targets in the prevention and treatment of substance use among adolescents growing up in high‐risk family environments.