Early initiation of substance use has been associated with a more rapid progression to heavier use and abuse (Dick, Rose, Viken & Kaprio, 2000; Spear, 2000), has short- and long-term health implications (van den Bree, 2005) and can impact on individual and others’ welfare through associations with increased risky behaviour (e.g. sexual, criminal; Patton et al., 2004). Research has shown that the quality of the parent-child relationship and the timing of pubertal maturation relative to one’s peers are risk factors for substance use in adolescence. The interplay between these two risk factors in influencing the use of cigarettes and alcohol in early to mid-adolescence is less well understood.
