Alcohol and tobacco use in relation to emotional development in late adolescence

Abstract Introduction Alcohol and tobacco use in adolescence remains a major public health concern, with long-term consequences. Late adolescence is a period of emotional development, during which coping strategies and affective responses are still forming. Understanding how emotional development interacts with substance use is essential to inform prevention efforts. This study examines the longitudinal links between emotional coping, affectivity, and alcohol/tobacco use, highlighting the role of emotional functioning in shaping risk trajectories. Methods Data were drawn from the Swiss TREE panel study (2001-2007). W2(T1), W4(T2), and W6(T3) were selected for availability of key variables. At T1, the sample included 3,440 females (54.2%; Mage=17.82, SD = 0.70), 39.1% held a Federal Diploma. Emotional coping was assessed with four items on a 5-point scale; positive affectivity with five items on a 5-point scale for past-month emotional experiences; alcohol/tobacco use as past-month use on a 5-point scale. A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model was used to examine reciprocal relations in time, distinguishing within- and between-person effects. Results Gender predicted (sign.<.001) affectivity and emotional coping: males reported higher positive affectivity and lower emotional coping. Autoregressive paths were significant (sign.range<.001-.003). Significant cross-lagged effects (sign.range<.001-.05) emerged from affectivity and coping (T1) to substance use (T2), and from substance use (T1) to affectivity (T2). From T2 to T3, affectivity predicted both coping and substance use. Discussion Emotional functioning is linked to substance use patterns across adolescence. Youth with lower positive affect and emotional coping are at increased risk for alcohol and tobacco use. Recognizing how emotional development contributes to alcohol and tobacco use can help shape more effective, emotionally attuned prevention strategies and public messages targeting youth during this sensitive time. Key messages • Emotional development and coping predict substance use; identifying at-risk youth can improve targeted prevention strategies. • Prevention efforts should include emotion-focused approaches and teach adaptive coping to reduce adolescent alcohol and tobacco use.