A longitudinal study of the association of adolescent polydrug use, alcohol use and high school non‐completion

Abstract

Aims Failure to complete high school predicts substantial economic and social disadvantage in adult life. The aim was to determine the longitudinal association of mid-adolescent polydrug use and high school non-completion, relative to other drug use profiles. Design A longitudinal analysis of the relationship between polydrug use in three cohorts at Grade 9 (age 14–15) and school non-completion (reported post high school). Setting A State-representative sample of students across Victoria, Australia. Participants 2287 secondary school students from 152 high schools. The retention rate was 85%. Measurements The primary outcome was noncompletion of Grade 12 (assessed at age 19–23 years). At Grade 9, predictors included 30 day use of eight drugs, school commitment, academic failure, and peer drug use. Other controls included socioeconomic status, family relationship quality, depressive symptoms, gender, age, and cohort. Findings Three distinct classes of drug use were identified - no drug use (31.7%), mainly alcohol use (61.8%), and polydrug use (6.5%). Polydrug users were characterised by high rates of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use. In the full model, mainly alcohol users and polydrug users were less likely to complete school than nondrug users [OR = 1.54 (95% CIs 1.17–2.03), and OR = 2.51 (95% CIs 1.45–4.33), respectively, ps < .001]. These effects were independent of school commitment, academic failure, peer drug use, and other controls. Conclusions Mid-adolescent polydrug use in Australia predicts subsequent school non-completion after accounting for a range of potential confounding factors. Adolescents who mainly consume alcohol are also at elevated risk of school non-completion.

Substance Use of Homeless and Precariously Housed Youth in a Canadian Context

“…Substance use among youth who are homeless or precariously housed is a major public health concern due to their developmental life stage and the implications for personal wellness as well as on societal physical, social and economic well-being (Danielsson et al 2010;Edidin et al 2012;Kelly et al 2015;Lisdahl 2013;Wenzel et al 2010). Although substance use is viewed as a source of experimentation, fun and excitement for some youth (Buccieri 2013), it is often used as a form of self-medication against mental and/or physical health issues (Karabanow et al 2007), and a means of escaping the realities of being street-engaged (Christiani et al 2008).…”

Les abus occasionnels d'alcool en lien avec le rendement scolaire, l’investissement dans les études et les aspirations et attentes en matière de scolarité : une étude longitudinale chez les élèves du secondaire ayant participé à l’étude COMPASS

“…Par exemple, la consommation excessive d'alcool chez les jeunes a été associée à des notes plus faibles [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] , à l'absentéisme 13,[17][18][19] et à l'abandon des cours 20 . Toutefois, la littérature scientifique présente de nombreux résultats contradictoires 21,22 .…”

Does gender moderate the relationship between polydrug use and sexual risk‐taking among Australian secondary school students under 16 years of age?

“…It is important to examine how polydrug use is associated with risky sexual behaviour, as both are reasonably common during adolescence [5,6] and are associated with future adverse health, social and educational outcomes [7,8]. We extend prior research by examining the association of polydrug use and sexual risk-taking in school students under 16 years of age and by testing whether this association was moderated by gender.…”