Adverse Childhood Experiences and Risk Patterns of Alcohol and Cannabis Co-Use: A Longitudinal Study of Puerto Rican Youth

Abstract

PurposeAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are common in Puerto Rican youths. Few large longitudinal studies of Latine youth examined what predicts co-use of alcohol and cannabis in late adolescence and young adulthood. We investigated the prospective association between ACEs with alcohol/cannabis co-use in Puerto Rican youth. MethodsParticipants from a longitudinal study of Puerto Rican youth (n = 2,004) were included. Using multinomial logistic regressions to test associations between prospectively reported ACEs (11 types, reported by parents and/or children, categorized as 0–1, 2–3, and 4+ ACEs) with young adult alcohol/cannabis use patterns in the past month (i.e., no lifetime use, low-risk [no binge drinking and cannabis use < 10], binge-drinking only, regular cannabis use only, and alcohol/cannabis co-use). Models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables. ResultsIn this sample, 27.8% reported 4+ ACEs, 28.6% endorsed binge drinking, 4.9% regular cannabis use, and 5.5% alcohol/cannabis co-use. Compared to individuals with no lifetime use, those reporting 4+ (vs. 0–1) ACEs had greater odds of low-risk use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04–2.45), regular cannabis use (aOR 3.13 95% CI = 1.44–6.77), and alcohol/cannabis co-use (aOR 3.57, 95% CI = 1.89–6.75). In relation to low-risk use, reporting 4+ ACEs (vs. 0–1) was associated with 1.96 odds (95% CI = 1.01–3.78) of regular cannabis use and 2.24 odds (95% CI = 1.29–3.89) of alcohol/cannabis co-use. DiscussionExposure to 4+ ACEs was associated with the occurrence of adolescent/young adulthood regular cannabis use and alcohol/cannabis co-use. Importantly, ACEs exposure differentiated young adults who were co-using compared to those engaged in low-risk use. Preventing ACE or interventions for Puerto Rican youth experiencing 4+ ACEs may mitigate negative consequences associated with alcohol/cannabis co-use.