In the current investigation we sought to understand the development of substance abuse problems, in particular, CAD symptoms, utilizing a developmental cascades formulation (Burt et al., 2008; Burt & Roisman, 2010; Masten et al., 2005). Unique to the current work was the application of a cascades analysis to evaluate specific developmental pathways promoting drug use problems ensuing from early experiences of abuse and neglect. In addition, the approach focused on an emergent adolescent problem behavior, cannabis abuse, and dependence, an adverse outcome not salient or observed earlier in development.
