Khary K Rigg1, Jason A Ford2. 1. Department of Mental Health Law & Policy, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, USA. Electronic address: rigg@usf.edu. 2. Department of Sociology, University of Central Florida, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The misuse of benzodiazepines (BZs) among adolescents is an important issue within the fields of mental health, medicine, and public health. Though there is an increasing amount of research on prescription medication misuse, a relatively small number of studies focus on adolescent BZ misuse. The goal of this study, therefore, is to identify demographic and psychosocial factors that place adolescents at risk for misusing BZs. Additionally, the authors applied concepts from social bonding theory, social learning theory, and strain theory to determine the extent to which these concepts explain BZ misuse. METHODS: Using data from the 2011 National Survey of Drug Use & Health, multivariate logistic regression models were estimated to determine which factors were associated with an increased risk of BZ misuse. RESULTS: These findings help to describe the psychosocial profile of adolescent BZ misusers which should increase the ability of clinicians to identify patients who may be at greater risk for misuse. CONCLUSION: This study is particularly important within the context of psychiatry, where a clearer understanding of adolescent BZ misuse is critical for informing prevention efforts and developing best practices for prescribing BZs.
BACKGROUND: The misuse of benzodiazepines (BZs) among adolescents is an important issue within the fields of mental health, medicine, and public health. Though there is an increasing amount of research on prescription medication misuse, a relatively small number of studies focus on adolescent BZ misuse. The goal of this study, therefore, is to identify demographic and psychosocial factors that place adolescents at risk for misusing BZs. Additionally, the authors applied concepts from social bonding theory, social learning theory, and strain theory to determine the extent to which these concepts explain BZ misuse. METHODS: Using data from the 2011 National Survey of Drug Use & Health, multivariate logistic regression models were estimated to determine which factors were associated with an increased risk of BZ misuse. RESULTS: These findings help to describe the psychosocial profile of adolescent BZ misusers which should increase the ability of clinicians to identify patients who may be at greater risk for misuse. CONCLUSION: This study is particularly important within the context of psychiatry, where a clearer understanding of adolescent BZ misuse is critical for informing prevention efforts and developing best practices for prescribing BZs.