Reward sensitivity as a mechanism linking social stress with binge drinking in justice-involved adolescents

Relative to children and adults, adolescents show heightened sensitivity to social stress, with peer influence on risk behaviors peaking during this developmental period. Peer risky behavior is a strong predictor of substance use initiation in particular, including alcohol. However, it is unclear what mechanisms guide this relationship. One possibility is that heightened reward sensitivity renders adolescents more susceptible to peer influence, such that risky peer behaviors may facilitate their own risky behaviors (i.e., binge drinking).
Source: Alcohol - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: research