Peer influence is one of the most prominent determinants of substance use initiation in adolescence (Bauman & Ennett, 1996) and it is believed to operate through both direct and indirect socialization mechanisms: peers provide support and social opportunities to engage in substance use, and peers reinforce and shape attitudes toward substance use (Leventhal & Cleary, 1980; Prinstein & Wang, 2005). Change in the quality and amount of time spent with peers during early adolescence suggests that this period may be marked by heightened susceptibility to peer influence (Brown, Dolcini, & Leventhal, 1997). Yet, the prevalence of substance use is very low during early adolescence (Bauman & Phongsavan, 1999), suggesting it may be important to examine perceived peer approval and use of cigarettes and alcohol when considering mechanisms of peer influence during this period. Research suggests that perceived peer approval and use in the elementary years predicts intentions to use alcohol and cigarettes in adolescence, which then predicts use of both alcohol and cigarettes one year later (Andrews, Hampson, Barckley, Gerrard, & Gibbons, 2008). Moreover, these associations are stronger during initial stages of use in early adolescence compared to later stages of use (Chassin, Presson, Sherman, & Edwards, 1991).
