Longitudinal links between identity and substance use in adolescence

Identity development has been linked to substance use, but the directionality of this relationship remains unclear. We examined the longitudinal associations of educational and relational identity with substance use across three annual waves in 360 Dutch adolescents (M age = 13.7 years). We found three latent profiles using the identity dimensions of commitment, exploration, and reconsideration as indicators. Using classification probabilities to determine participants’ clusters at each time point, we distinguished stable, progressive, and regressive identity transition groups. No longitudinal associations were found between identity status transitions and substance use in either direction, but we did find significant cross-sectional correlations. Therefore, our findings do not support a directional process, but hint at a spectrum/continuity or common cause model.