When psychopathology matters most: identifying sensitive periods when within-person changes in conduct, affective and anxiety problems are associated with male adolescent substance use.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

There is a documented link between common psychiatric disorders and substance use in adolescent males. This study addressed two key questions: (1) is there a within-person association between an increase in psychiatric problems and an increase in substance use among adolescent males and (2) are there sensitive periods during male adolescence when such associations are more evident?

Design

Analysis of longitudinal data collected annually on boys selected randomly from schools based on a comprehensive public school enrollment list from the Pittsburgh Board of Education.

Setting

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

Participants

A total of 503 boys assessed at ages 13-19 years, average cooperation rate = 92.1%

SUBMITTER: Cerda M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4826797 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature