Kristin Göbel1, Herbert Scheithauer1, Astrid-Britta Bräker2, Harrie Jonkman3, Renate Soellner2. 1. a Department of Educational Science and Psychology , Freie Universitat Berlin , Berlin , Germany. 2. b Institute for Psychology, Universität Hildesheim , Hildesheim , Germany. 3. c Verwey-Jonker Institute , Utrecht , The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several researchers have investigated substance use patterns using a latent class analysis; however, hardly no studies exist on substance use patterns across countries. OBJECTIVES: Adolescent substance use patterns, demographic factors, and international differences in the prevalence of substance use patterns were explored. METHODS: Data from 25 European countries were used to identify patterns of adolescent (12-16 years, 50.6% female) substance use (N = 33,566). RESULTS: Latent class analysis revealed four substance use classes: nonusers (68%), low-alcohol users (recent use of beer, wine, and alcopops; 16.1%), alcohol users (recent use of alcohol and lifetime use of marijuana; 11.2%), and polysubstance users (recent use of alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs; 4.7%). Results support a general pattern of adolescent substance use across all countries; however, the prevalence rates of use patterns vary for each country. CONCLUSIONS/IMPORTANCE: The present research provides insight into substance use patterns across Europe by using a large international adolescent sample, multidimensional indicators and a variety of substances. Substance use patterns are helpful when targeting policy and prevention strategies.
BACKGROUND: Several researchers have investigated substance use patterns using a latent class analysis; however, hardly no studies exist on substance use patterns across countries. OBJECTIVES: Adolescent substance use patterns, demographic factors, and international differences in the prevalence of substance use patterns were explored. METHODS: Data from 25 European countries were used to identify patterns of adolescent (12-16 years, 50.6% female) substance use (N = 33,566). RESULTS: Latent class analysis revealed four substance use classes: nonusers (68%), low-alcohol users (recent use of beer, wine, and alcopops; 16.1%), alcohol users (recent use of alcohol and lifetime use of marijuana; 11.2%), and polysubstance users (recent use of alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs; 4.7%). Results support a general pattern of adolescent substance use across all countries; however, the prevalence rates of use patterns vary for each country. CONCLUSIONS/IMPORTANCE: The present research provides insight into substance use patterns across Europe by using a large international adolescent sample, multidimensional indicators and a variety of substances. Substance use patterns are helpful when targeting policy and prevention strategies.
Entities:
Keywords:
Multiple substance use; adolescents; country differences; gender; latent class analysis
Authors: Brigita Mieziene; Arunas Emeljanovas; Vida Janina Cesnaitiene; Daiva Vizbaraite; Renata Zumbakyte-Sermuksniene Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-01-27 Impact factor: 3.390