Patterns and social determinants of substance use among Arizona Youth: A latent class analysis approach. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Shiyou; Yan, Shi; Marsiglia, Flavio F.; Perron, Brian
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 110(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Social determinants of health -- Substances use -- Latent class analysis -- Youth -- Arizona Youth Survey; Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104769
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Highlights: Used a comprehensive list of 15 substances for latent class analyses. Yielded six types of youth substances use patterns. Examined multi-levels factors on youth substance use patterns. Used a large sample of state-level survey data. Connected the findings with youth substance use prevention interventions. Abstract: Background: Substance use among youth often involves multiple types of substances. Little is known about how the use of common, lower-risk substances (e.g., alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana) co-occur with the less common and higher-risk substances (e.g., opioids and methamphetamine). Objectives: This study aims to identify distinctive substances use patterns and investigate the multi-level factors associated with substance use patterns under the social determinants of health framework. Methods: This study used data from the 2016 Arizona Youth Survey ( n = 30, 187). Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify the patterns based on 15 types of substances. We used multinomial logistical regression to explore the correlates of substance use classification. Results: We identified a five-group model: (1) Serious Users, (2) Moderate Users, (3) Non-progressive Users, (4) Common Substance Users, (5) Abstainers. We found that variables at the individual, peers, family, school, and community levels were associated with the group membership. Conclusions/Importance: The findings advanced knowledge about key eco-systemic factors and their role as predictors of substance use patterns. Examining the predictors at multi-levels also provided a strong foundation for the design of future interventions.