Exploring the Mediating Effect of Developmental Assets on School Bonding and Alcohol Use for Students: Results of a 4.5-Year Longitudinal Study

A latent difference score mediation model was used to explore the mechanisms that may impact school bonding and risky behavior in adolescents. School bonding significantly predicted developmental assets, and latent changes in developmental assets significantly predicted drinking frequency. Additionally, developmental assets mediated the relationship between school bonding and drinking frequency.