Developmental trajectories of adolescent cannabis use and their relationship to young adult social and behavioural adjustment: A longitudinal study of Australian youth. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scholes-Balog, Kirsty E.; Hemphill, Sheryl A.; Evans-Whipp, Tracy J.; Toumbourou, John W.; Patton, George C.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 53(2016)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Longitudinal study -- Cannabis use -- Trajectories -- Adolescence -- Adjustment -- Young adulthood; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.09.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Abstract: This study aimed to identify distinct developmental trajectories (sub-groups of individuals who showed similar longitudinal patterns) of cannabis use among Australian adolescents, and to examine associations between trajectory group membership and measures of social and behavioural adjustment in young adulthood. Participants ( n = 852, 53% female) were part of the International Youth Development Study. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify distinct trajectories of cannabis use frequency from average ages 12 to 19, across 6 waves of data. Logistic regression analyses and analyses of covariance were used to examine relationships between trajectory group membership and young adult (average age: 21) adjustment, controlling for a range of covariates. Three trajectories were identified: abstainers (62%), early onset users (11%), and late onset occasional users (27%). The early onset users showed a higher frequency of antisocial behaviour, violence, cannabis use, cannabis-related harms, cigarette use, and alcohol harms, compared to the abstinent group in young adulthood. The late onset occasional users reported a higher frequency of cannabis use, cannabis-related harms, illicit drug use, and alcohol harms, compared to the abstinent group in young adulthood. There were no differences between the trajectory groups on measures of employment, school completion, post-secondary education, income, depression/anxiety, or alcohol use problems. In conclusion, early onset of cannabis use, even at relatively low frequency during adolescence, is associated with poorer adjustment in young adulthood. Prevention and intervention efforts to delay or prevent uptake of cannabis use should be particularly focussed on early adolescence prior to age 12. Highlights: Three trajectories identified: abstainers, early onset, late onset occasional users Early onset users had the most adult adjustment problems. Late onset occasional users experienced substance use-related problems in adulthood. No effects of the cannabis trajectory group on employment or education outcomes.