Perceived parent and peer substance use disapproval and perceptions of harm among youth before and after COVID-19 lockdowns

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Changes in substance use among adolescence from before to after the COVID-19 lockdowns have been noted in the literature with mixed findings. Yet, no study has examined potential changes in risk or protective factors for substance use in that same period. This study assesses whether perceived parental/peer disapproval, and perceptions of substance harm among adolescents, changed from before to after COVID-19 lockdowns. Methods The Rhode Island Student Survey was administered to 17,751 middle and high school students from January 2020 – May 2021. Perceived parental/peer disapproval, as well as perception of harm, was measured for cigarettes, vaping, alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, and illegal drugs. Changes were assessed pre-post COVID-19 lockdown implementation using multivariable logistic regression. Results Perceptions of harm increased for all substances other than vaping, alcohol, and marijuana, and perceptions of peer and parental disapproval for all substances increased after COVID-19 lockdown implementation. Conclusion COVID-19 lockdown implementation may have led to greater perceptions of substance harm and peer/parental disapproval among adolescents. These shifts may have been associated with increased parental exposure and limited peer influence, which should be considered in future programming to prevent and treat adolescent substance use.