Polysubstance Use Among Adolescents in a Low Income, Rural Community: Latent Classes for Middle‐ and High‐School Students

Abstract

In general, younger adolescents have lower overall use rates, but within certain classes identified by this analysis, the observed pattern suggests that younger cohorts are turning to prescription drugs and inhalants. These findings support the implementation of universal substance use prevention programs, targeted programs for youth experiencing risk factors associated with substance use, and improved rural substance abuse treatment options.

Uncovering Hidden Risk Profile Phenotypes of Substance Use Among Canadian Adolescents via Cluster Analysis of COMPASS Data

“…As the rst study to ascertain sub-phenotypes of risk pro les among Canadian youth, our research sheds light on risk pro ling with cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence. Our ndings are consistent with previous studies that employ statistical modelling approaches in determining risk factors 16,17,18,19,31,36,38 .…”

“…The insights gained from exploring the risk factors linked to substance use in mid-adolescence can be leveraged to create tailored prevention and intervention strategies aimed at reducing substance use among young individuals. Age, sex, and ethnicity are well-established individual-level risk factors that impact adolescent substance use 16,17,18,19,20,21,22 , but other factors such as depression and sedentary behavior also play a signi cant role 22,23,24 . Additionally, eating habits, social connectedness, family and peer in uence 25,26 , and low social connectedness 27 may in uence the risk of youth substance use.…”

Clustering of health-related behaviours within children aged 11–16: a systematic review

“…The remaining studies used data from European countries (n=12), South America (n=1) and Australasia (n=3). 37 studies were based on general population samples; two studies used socioeconomically deprived samples [21,22] and two further studies focused on specific ethnic minorities, namely Latino adolescents [23] and a comparison of 'White American', 'American Indian' and 'Alaskan natives' [24]. Sample sizes varied substantially from 234 to 46,283 (M=7754.73, SD=9050.72).…”

“…Twenty-three studies employed latent class analysis, ten undertook cluster analysis, seven used factor analysis, and one used principal component and factor analysis. Three studies reported separate groups for gender [18,25,26], two for age [19,22] and one for ethnicity [27]. Due to this limited sample, no comparisons between sub-groups are undertaken here, the limitations of this are outlined in the discussion.…”

“…If the proportion of study samples falling in to the Substance Abstainers archetype is summed within studies contributing multiple clusters, the clusters from these eleven studies account for between 56 and 98% of their respective study samples. The clusters from the remaining studies account for 47% [22] and 20% [47] of the study samples and are slightly older populations (i.e. 14-18 years old, or mean age 15) where we may expect more substance use [58].…”