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Trajectories of adolescent substance use development and the influence of healthy leisure: A growth mixture modeling approach

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Considerable heterogeneity exists in adolescent substance use development. To most effectively prevent use, distinct trajectories of use must be identified as well as differential associations with predictors of use, such as leisure experience. The current study used a person-centered approach to identify distinct substance use trajectories and how leisure is associated with trajectory classes. Data came from a larger efficacy trial of 2.249 South African high school students who reported substance use at any time across 8 waves. Growth mixture modeling was used to identify developmental trajectories of substance use and the influence of healthy leisure. Results identified three increasing and one stable substance use trajectory and subjective healthy leisure served to protect against use. This study is the first of its kind to focus on a sample of South African adolescents and serves to develop a richer understanding of substance use development and the role of healthy leisure.

Source: Journal of Adolescence

DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.03.012

Authors: Elizabeth H. Weybright, Linda L. Caldwell, Nilam Ram, Edward A. Smith, Lisa Wegner

Institutions: Washington State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of the Western Cape

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green