Declines in prevalence of adolescent substance use disorders and delinquent behaviors in the USA: a unitary trend?

Abstract

Our findings suggest that declines in SUDs and some delinquent behaviors reflect a single trend related to an Externalizing-like trait. Identifying the factors contributing to this trend may facilitate continued improvement across a spectrum of adolescent risk behaviors.

Adolescents drink less: How, who and why? A review of the recent research literature

“…Research from various countries also suggests that the teenage period has become more peaceful since the millennium shift. The prevalence of a broad range of delinquent and aggressive behaviours has dropped , and there are indications that adolescents’ relationship with their parents has become increasingly less conflictual .…”

Changes in delinquency according to socioeconomic status among Finnish adolescents from 2000 to 2015

“…Low parental education, parental unemployment and a non-traditional family structure are all associated with economic hardship in the family, which is a risk factor of delinquency (44)(45)(46). Also the prevalence of substance use and mental health problems, which are associated with delinquency, is higher amongst low-SES adolescents (47)(48)(49). Parental monitoring is a central protective factor against delinquency, and lower levels of parental monitoring in low-SES families may partly explain why these adolescents engage more in delinquent behavior (50,51).…”

Commentary on Hamilton et al. (2019): Why aren't cannabis use rates declining among US adolescents?

“…The net effect would be flat trends in cannabis use even as use of other substances declines. Our own research suggests a decline in a latent factor related to multiple adolescent risk behaviors, including substance use, delinquency and sexual promiscuity . However, there is substantial variation in the magnitude of the decline across behaviors.…”

“…Prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use among youth began declining around 2000 . Interestingly, rates of several other youth risk‐behaviors, including bullying, fighting and early sexual debut, have declined in tandem . Why haven't cannabis use trends mirrored the declines in use of other drugs and other risk behaviors?…”