Patterns of substance use among adolescents in and out of foster care: An analysis of linked health and child welfare administrative data.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Young adults with a history of foster care have higher risk for substance use disorders. Social systems can deliver substance use prevention to youth; however, the timing of intervention delivery and how needs differ for youth in foster care are unclear.

Objective

To compare initiation and rates of substance use among adolescents in foster care to demographically similar adolescents never in foster care as identified by the healthcare system, and identify factors associated with increased substance use.

Participants and setting

Youth in foster care (n = 2787, ages 10-20, inclusive) and demographically matched youth never in foster care (n = 2787) were identified using linked child welfare and electronic health records from a single pediatric children's hosp

SUBMITTER: Beal SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10841651 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature