Participation in Team Sports and Alcohol and Marijuana Use Initiation Trajectories. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lisha, Nadra Erin; Crano, William D.; Delucchi, Kevin L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of drug issues. Volume 44:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: physical activity -- alcohol use -- alcohol abuse -- alcohol dependence -- health promotion -- population-based survey -- NSPY; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Drug and Narcotic Control -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- Periodicals; Toxicomanie -- Périodiques; 362.29305
• DOI: 10.1177/0022042613491107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0426

Abstract

A parallel-process latent growth curve model was used to model alcohol and marijuana use (vs. nonuse). Participation in team sports and gender were considered to be time-invariant covariates. The sample consisted of 8, 179 youth from the National Survey of Parents and Youth. Data were collected over four yearly rounds. Analysis revealed that being part of a competitive sports team was related to a lower probability of marijuana initiation, but to increased rates of alcohol use over time. Males had significantly higher levels of marijuana initiation and decreases in rates of alcohol use over time; females had significantly greater rate of increase in alcohol use over time. Analysis suggests that youth involved in sports are less likely to use marijuana over time. This information may help to uncover other predictors of use over time and to inform policy making as well design as effective prevention.