Melissa van Dorp1,2,3, Albert Boon1,4, Renske Spijkerman5, Leontien Los6,7. 1. Youz, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Parnassia Group, The Hague, The Netherlands. 2. Academic Workplace Youth at Risk, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 4. Curium-LUMC, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. 5. Parnassia Addiction Research Centre, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands. 6. I-psy Intercultural Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Care, The Hague, The Netherlands. 7. Brijder-Youth, Adolescent Addiction and Psychiatric Care, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Abstract
ISSUES: Migrant adolescents show specific risk and protective factors associated with substance use, but the extent to which prevalence rates differ between migrant and native-born youth in Europe remains unclear. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive review of all available substance use prevalence studies on differences in substance use between migrant and native-born adolescents in Europe. APPROACH: In this systematic review, PubMed, Medline and Pre-Medline, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched for articles comparing substance use prevalence rates (tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs) between migrant and native-born adolescents or young adults aged 11 to 29 years in European countries. The Joanna Briggs Institute prevalence critical appraisal tool was used for quality assessment. KEY FINDINGS: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings unanimously showed lower alcohol use in migrant compared to native-born adolescents, in particular among migrant adolescents from non-European countries and/or with a Muslim background. For tobacco and illicit drug use, findings were mixed. IMPLICATIONS: The results suggest a healthier behaviour profile among migrants than among native-born adolescents regarding alcohol use. Therefore, it would be beneficial to develop interventions to support migrant communities in maintaining their healthier alcohol use practices upon arrival in the host country. CONCLUSION: Compared to native-born adolescents, migrant adolescents are less likely to use alcohol. The findings on tobacco and illicit drug use were mixed. A European standard for surveys regarding substance use among adolescents is needed to investigate fluctuations, causes, and consequences of substance use differences between migrants and natives at the European level.
ISSUES: Migrant adolescents show specific risk and protective factors associated with substance use, but the extent to which prevalence rates differ between migrant and native-born youth in Europe remains unclear. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive review of all available substance use prevalence studies on differences in substance use between migrant and native-born adolescents in Europe. APPROACH: In this systematic review, PubMed, Medline and Pre-Medline, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched for articles comparing substance use prevalence rates (tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs) between migrant and native-born adolescents or young adults aged 11 to 29 years in European countries. The Joanna Briggs Institute prevalence critical appraisal tool was used for quality assessment. KEY FINDINGS: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings unanimously showed lower alcohol use in migrant compared to native-born adolescents, in particular among migrant adolescents from non-European countries and/or with a Muslim background. For tobacco and illicit drug use, findings were mixed. IMPLICATIONS: The results suggest a healthier behaviour profile among migrants than among native-born adolescents regarding alcohol use. Therefore, it would be beneficial to develop interventions to support migrant communities in maintaining their healthier alcohol use practices upon arrival in the host country. CONCLUSION: Compared to native-born adolescents, migrant adolescents are less likely to use alcohol. The findings on tobacco and illicit drug use were mixed. A European standard for surveys regarding substance use among adolescents is needed to investigate fluctuations, causes, and consequences of substance use differences between migrants and natives at the European level.