The current study extends prior research (e.g., Bogart et al., 2006; Molnar et al., 2009; Murphy et al., 2005) by examining associations of alcohol use and adverse consequences with subjective well-being in adolescence, and links to alcohol problems in early adulthood. An important contribution is the examination of both negative and positive correlates of adolescent alcohol use (Chatterji & DeSimone, 2006; Maggs et al., 2008; Newcomb & Bentler, 1988b; Shedler & Block, 1990). Addressing such paradoxical findings is a prerequisite for fully understanding the development of underage drinking, which is a serious public health concern (Spoth et al., 2008). Underage drinking is particularly prevalent in rural areas of the United States (Gfroerer et al., 2007; Lambert et al., 2008), yet relatively little research has focused on rural youth. This study, therefore, helps fill important gaps in the literature.
