Cumulative and recent psychiatric symptoms as predictors of substance use onset: does timing matter?

ABSTRACT:

Aims

We examined two questions about the relationship between conduct disorder (CD), depression and anxiety symptoms and substance use onset: (i) what is the relative influence of recent and more chronic psychiatric symptoms on alcohol and marijuana use initiation and (ii) are there sensitive developmental periods when psychiatric symptoms have a stronger influence on substance use initiation?

Design

Secondary analysis of longitudinal data from the Pittsburgh Youth Study, a cohort study of boys followed annually from 7 to 19 years of age.

Setting

Recruitment occurred in public schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Participants

A total of 503 boys.

Measurements

The primary outcomes were age of alcohol and marijuana use onset. Discrete-time hazard mode

SUBMITTER: Cerda M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3833999 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature