Which personality trait is most associated with higher levels of substance use in adolescents?

The most accurate association with higher levels of substance use in adolescents is neuroticism. Individuals with high levels of neuroticism often experience increased emotional instability, anxiety, and mood fluctuations. This emotional sensitivity can lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms, including the use of substances as a way to manage negative emotions or stress.

Adolescents who score high on neuroticism may engage in substance use as an attempt to alleviate feelings of distress or dissatisfaction, as they might struggle with negative feelings and seek out immediate relief or escape. Research has shown that this trait can contribute to the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors, including experimentation with drugs and alcohol during the developmental period of adolescence.

In contrast, traits like conscientiousness, openness to experience, and extraversion may have varying impacts on substance use but have not been found to be as strongly correlated with higher levels of substance use as neuroticism has been. Conscientiousness often leads to more deliberate and responsible behavior, which might reduce the likelihood of substance use, while openness to experience sometimes correlates with curiosity but does not directly incline towards substance abuse. Extraversion can contribute to social behavior that might include substance use in social contexts, but it is the impulsivity and emotional challenges associated with